10 Internships for High School Students in Tucson, Arizona
If you are a high school student looking to gain work experience and explore career options, internships are a valuable way to do so. These opportunities let you step outside the classroom to build important skills like teamwork, communication, and time management while learning more about your strengths and interests. Internships for high schoolers are available across a variety of fields, from healthcare and science to research and business, and they often include mentorship and stipends. By acquiring industry skills and earning strong references, you can improve your future employability odds and strengthen your college applications.
A high school internship in Tucson, Arizona, can help you explore diverse career paths given the city's varied employment landscape. Tucson is a hub for sectors like aerospace and defense (e.g., Raytheon), technology, and healthcare, offering exposure to highly technical and professional organizations. Additionally, the presence of the University of Arizona creates opportunities in research and education. This guide presents 10 internships for high school students in Tucson, Arizona, that offer meaningful learning experiences, skill development, and exposure to professional environments.
1. The University of Arizona - KEYS Research Internship
Location: BIO5 Institute, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Financial aid/resources for associated program costs, like charges for the University of Arizona’s CatCard, parking permit, transportation, and meals
Dates: June 1 – July 17
Application Deadline: December 18
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old at the start of the internship and have at least one year of Arizona residency
The KEYS (Keep Engaging Youth in Science) Research Internship allows high school students to gain experience in bioscience, biomedical engineering, data science, and environmental health. This seven-week summer program begins with a week of intensive training in biotechnology, data techniques, science communication, ethics, and scientific literacy. It then pairs you with a University of Arizona researcher to work on an interdisciplinary project, contributing to real research under the guidance of faculty, graduate students, and lab staff. The program concludes with a presentation event, allowing you to share your findings with peers and the academic community. Admission is competitive, with roughly 13–16% of applicants accepted, making it a highly sought-after experience for students interested in STEM.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on the program type; financial aid is available
Dates: Multiple cohorts (summer, winter, fall, and spring) throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the cohort; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: High school students, gap year students, and undergraduates who can work for 10–20 hours/week for 8–12 weeks
Ladder Internships, an initiative developed by Harvard graduates, offers high school students the opportunity to participate in virtual internships with global startups and nonprofit organizations. The startups here typically have secured significant funding, often over one million dollars. Many of these companies are led by founders with experience at well-known organizations like Microsoft, Google, Facebook, or have participated in programs like Y Combinator. During the program, you will be involved in tasks such as collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data, and receive valuable guidance to help you develop communication, time management, and other practical skills. You will be supported by both a manager associated with the given organization and a Ladder coach throughout the internship.
3. The University of Arizona’s - Higher Ground Internship
Location: Tucson, Arizona
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: Multiple cohorts, including Summer, Fall, and Spring
Application Deadline: Varies as per cohort; generally, at least two weeks before the enrollment term
Eligibility: All high school students
The Higher Ground Internship at the University of Arizona’s School of Government and Public Policy is designed for students interested in youth development, education, and community service. As an intern, you will gain experience working with at-risk K–12 students in schools and community programs, assisting with tutoring, classroom management, and social-emotional learning activities. You will mentor youth, support after-school programs, help organize activities, and contribute to fostering a positive learning environment. The program develops your leadership, communication, and organizational skills while providing insight into nonprofit and public service work. SGPP students may take the internship for academic credit, completing on-site hours alongside coursework.
4. Summer Institute on Medical Ignorance (SIMI) – High School Student Research Program
Location: The University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ
Cost/Stipend: None / Stipend of minimum federal hourly wage for 40 hours per week
Dates: June 2 – July 18
Application Deadline: January 17
Eligibility: High school students, particularly juniors, with a minimum 3.0 GPA
The High School Student Research Program offers you a deep dive into full-time research, requiring a 40-hour weekly commitment, Monday through Friday. It aims to enhance your research competency and provide you with practical experience in both basic and clinical scientific settings. The experience is supplemented by bi-weekly seminars, led by mentors and expert faculty, which explore critical fields like cancer biology, genetics, neuroscience, cardiovascular disease, and preventive medicine. By the program’s end, you will solidify your problem-solving and communication skills by giving a formal oral presentation and submitting a detailed three-to-four-page written report.
5. Pima County Joint Technical Education District - Project SEARCH
Location: Banner UMC South Campus or University of Arizona campus/Banner Tucson Campus and surrounding locations in Tucson, AZ
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: Year–long program between August – May/June
Application Deadline: Typically, early to mid-November
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 18 years old and agree to complete high school graduation credits with Project SEARCH | Have an IEP (Individualized Education Plan)
Pima JTED's Project SEARCH is a comprehensive, year-long school-to-work transition program for high school students with significant disabilities, focusing on achieving competitive employment after graduation. The program covers topics like employability skills, workplace social norms, independence, and self-advocacy. Students engage in key activities, including three rotating, unpaid internship rotations within a host business (like Banner Health), daily classroom instruction on job skills, and receive personalized coaching from an instructor and job coach. Participants gain critical skills such as task completion, following multi-step instructions, professional communication, and teamwork, directly boosting their hiring potential.
6. Native American Science & Engineering Program (NASEP)
Location: Tucson, Arizona
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: June 7 – 13
Application Deadline: Typically, in February
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who are enrolled members or Descendants of AI/AN or Native Hawaiian Tribe, and completing Physics, Chemistry, & Pre-Calculus with a “C” or better
During the Native American Science & Engineering Program (NASEP) at the University of Arizona, you will take part in a week-long summer experience designed to support Native American high school students interested in STEM. You will explore science and engineering through projects, university lab visits, and interactive workshops that introduce you to college-level learning. Throughout the program, you will receive guidance from mentors, connect with STEM professionals, and build leadership and academic skills. NASEP also offers year-round support after the summer session, helping you stay engaged through virtual activities, networking opportunities, and college preparation resources.
7. Pima County Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP)
Location: Pima County Youth One-Stop Service Center; youth are placed in paid intern positions across Pima County in public service offices, parks, libraries, hospitals, nonprofits, and other workplaces.
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend paid, amount not specified
Dates: Typically, 4 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: Typically, February or March
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 14 years old and are permanent residents of Pima County
The Pima County Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) is an initiative designed to provide high school students and young adults with an introduction to the professional world through paid summer internships. The program primarily covers job readiness, financial literacy, career exploration, and workplace professionalism. You participate in activities such as working at job sites in various Pima County departments and non-profits, receiving practical training on employability skills, and attending orientation and skills workshops. The program features paid work experience with a mandatory educational component, helping you earn a stipend while developing professionally.
8. Pima County Public Library Youth Teen Volunteer Program
Location: Volunteers work at the specific PCPL branch where they submit their application and are accepted; there are multiple library locations across Pima County/Tucson
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: Year–round
Application Deadline: Rolling acceptance
Eligibility: High school students aged 14 – 17
The Pima County Public Library Youth Teen Volunteer Program is an excellent, unpaid service opportunity centered on fostering civic engagement and library operations within the local community. It covers topics like library professionalism, program support, and basic information literacy. You will engage in activities such as shelving and organizing materials, assisting librarians with children's story times and crafts, and joining the Teen Advisory Board (TAB) to plan youth events. This program focuses on developing leadership skills through real-world mentorship with library staff. You ultimately learn invaluable skills like organization, responsibility, customer service, and group leadership, which are critical for college and future job applications.
9. Southern Arizona Research, Science and Engineering Foundation Volunteer Opportunities
Location: Tucson Area. Roles are based at various event sites and the SARSEF offices. Major events (like the SARSEF Fair) are often held at the University of Arizona (UArizona) campus or other large venues in Tucson
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: Year–round
Application Deadline: Varies based on cohort
Eligibility: Current high school students | At least 16 years old for some roles
The SARSEF Volunteer Opportunities for high school students are centered on promoting STEM literacy and supporting the annual Southern Arizona Science and Engineering Fair. The program covers topics in community outreach, event management, and science advocacy. You engage in key activities like assisting with logistics for the annual Fair, facilitating hands-on science activities at community events as Science Ambassadors, and helping with event registration and setup. You get to interact directly with professional scientists, judges, and educators, gaining a deeper appreciation for the research process. Consequently, you sharpen valuable skills such as public speaking, event coordination, communication, and collaboration in a professional, scientific environment.
10. Hand in Paw Youth Internship (HIP)
Location: Humane Society of Southern Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Cost/Stipend: Cost: $100; scholarships are available / No stipend
Dates: Academic year, starting in May
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: High school students between 13 and 18
The Hand in Paw Youth Internship Program is designed for high school students like you who are passionate about animal welfare and mentoring younger children. As an intern, you will gain volunteer experience by committing to at least three events or shifts per semester with the HSSA Education Department over the course of one year. You will assist with educational presentations and activities such as summer camps and Kids Club events, help with shelter tours, guide children through programs and crafts, and support various office tasks throughout the program. You will also assist with tabling at events, assisting with shelter tours for visitors, and stocking supplies.
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