13 Internships for High School Students in San Diego
TL;DR
These opportunities span scientific research, healthcare service, civic engagement, conservation, and virtual startup work for San Diego high school students. Depending on the placement, students may conduct experiments, analyze data, support patients, contribute to community projects, or present findings. The experiences include both research internships and hospital volunteer roles with different responsibilities. Ladder Internships offers fully virtual startup projects in fields including artificial intelligence, finance, and health technology.
A high school internship in San Diego can help you connect classroom interests with work beyond school. Depending on the setting, that work might involve testing computational research questions or supporting patients under healthcare staff supervision. Experience also creates opportunities to practice communication, teamwork, and critical thinking, which the National Association of Colleges and Employers identifies as career-readiness competencies.
If you're hoping to intern closer to home, check out these high school internships across California! Not sure whether to work remotely or show up in person? This guide on remote vs. in-person internships breaks it down for you. And if this is your very first internship, here's everything you need to know about applying for your first high school internship!
Why should you do a high school internship in San Diego?
A high school internship can help you discover whether a career interest holds up in everyday practice. Working with a supervisor gives you opportunities to ask questions, use feedback, and understand professional expectations. For guided startup experience from home, explore the virtual projects offered by Ladder Internships.
What skills can you pick up in high school internships?
High school internships can strengthen communication, problem-solving, teamwork, and the ability to manage your responsibilities. Explaining your progress clearly and asking useful questions help colleagues understand your work and offer guidance. Learning to evaluate information, respond to feedback, and meet deadlines also supports more independent work at school.
How do you choose the right option?
Before you apply, think about your grade, location, background, schedule, and budget. Also check eligibility rules for citizenship, residency, coursework, or GPA, since they vary a lot from program to program!
Not sure which internship suits you best? This guide can help you figure it out!
|
Program type |
Top programs |
Cost / Stipend |
Best For |
|
Virtual Programs |
Cost: Varies depending on the program type; financial aid is available, including full aid for demonstrated need |
Students seeking startup projects, professional connections, and experience without traveling or relocating |
|
|
Computing and Engineering Research |
San Diego Supercomputer Center Research Experience for High School Students (REHS) |
Cost: SEAP: Free |
Students interested in computational experiments, engineering, and research alongside scientists |
|
Biomedical and Translational Research |
Salk Institute Heithoff-Brody High School Scholars Program |
Cost: Free |
Students drawn to biology, stem cells, precision medicine, laboratory techniques, or biomedical data analysis |
|
Healthcare and Hospital Service |
Palomar x UC San Diego Health Pathmaker Internship |
Cost: |
Students interested in patient support, visitor assistance, and the daily operations of healthcare facilities |
|
Community and Environmental Work |
APAC San Diego Summer Internship Program |
Cost: Free |
Students interested in civic engagement and community organizations, or conservation, wildlife care, and natural history |
1. San Diego Supercomputer Center – Research Experience for High School Students (REHS)
Location: San Diego, California
Cost/Stipend: $2,000; partial and full scholarships are available / No stipend
Dates: June 8 – July 31
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: Southern California residents; completed most recent semester of high school in grade 10, 11, or 12; at least 16 years of age by June 15 of the application year; minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
Throughout the program, you will spend 15 to 20 hours a week working on an established research project alongside a dedicated mentor, which involves formulating hypotheses, conducting computational experiments, and actively participating in lab discussions. The initiative stands out by pairing you directly with faculty and graduate researchers to tackle real-world data and technology challenges, culminating in a mandatory poster session where you will present your scientific findings.
Who is it best for: College-bound 10th-, 11th-, and 12th-grade students in Southern California with a minimum 3.0 GPA who want to explore careers in computational research in depth.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Cost varies depending on the program type; financial aid is available / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 25%; around 100 students per cohort
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the cohort; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can work for 10-20 hours/week for 8-12 weeks
You will meet weekly with a company manager or CEO to develop a tangible, real-world project in fields like artificial intelligence, finance, or health tech, ultimately presenting your final deliverable to the host organization. The program uniquely stands out by eliminating travel barriers through its virtual format, directly matching you with a company based on your specific interests, and offering full financial aid to students with demonstrated need.
Who is it best for: Students who want to gain practical startup experience, build professional networks, and complete real-world projects without traveling or relocating.
3. Palomar x UC San Diego Health – Pathmaker Internship
Location: Escondido and Poway, California; additional North County satellite locations
Cost/Stipend: $150 one-time, non-refundable onboarding fee; American Heart Association BLS Provider certification also required, cost not stated / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not stated
Dates: C cohort: mandatory pre-boarding August 4 and August 6; health clearance September 19; skills day October 3; department orientation in October; first clinical rotation November 1 – February 28
Application Deadline: June 20 or earlier once the required number of highly qualified applicants is reached
Eligibility: Current high school student aged 16+; valid Social Security number; background check; English proficiency; required health clearances and AHA BLS Provider certification; no leave exceeding 14 days during the first rotation; current Palomar UC San Diego Health employees/affiliates ineligible
As a Pathmaker intern, you will work alongside and learn from healthcare professionals across different areas of the industry, where you and your mentors will work together to support and assist patients. You are expected to work alongside and support Palomar staff and graduate students. By participating in daily operations, helping out with patient care tasks, and interacting with patients, you will learn what it takes to be on the front lines of a medical center.
Who is it best for: High school students seriously considering healthcare careers who want sustained, hands-on exposure to patient care and hospital operations while rotating through clinical departments alongside healthcare staff.
4. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) by the Department of the Navy (DoN)
Location: At participating Department of the Navy laboratories across the U.S.
Stipend: $4,000 for new participants; $4,500 for returning participants
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Between 3% and 13% acceptance; approximately 300 total placements annually nationwide
Dates: 8 weeks during the summer with the possibility of extending up to two more weeks
Application Deadline: November 30
Eligibility: U.S. high school students who have completed grade 9, aged 16+ by internship start; some labs might make exceptions to these criteria, so check individual lab pages here for exceptions and/or additional requirements
The Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) is a prestigious, selective program that places high-achieving high school students in Department of the Navy (DoN) laboratories across the country, allowing you to contribute to real Naval research. As a SEAP intern, you can expand your STEM horizons in disciplines such as computer science and aeronautics, learn about Naval research and technology, and receive mentorship from the country’s top scientists and engineers.
Who is it best for: Academically talented, STEM-focused high school students seeking hands-on, paid summer research experience working directly alongside professional scientists and engineers at Department of the Navy laboratories.
5. Salk Institute – Heithoff-Brody High School Scholars Program
Location: La Jolla (San Diego), California
Stipend: Paid, amount not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 9 students
Dates: June 14 – August 6
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: San Diego County residents who completed the most recent high school semester at a San Diego County school; age 16+ by June 14; minimum 2.75 GPA; at least one high school biology course
During the program, you will work one-on-one with a dedicated scientist mentor to conduct real "wet lab" or bioinformatics research, participate in career-building workshops and biotech site visits, and conclude the summer by presenting your findings at a research symposium. The program stands out because it fully funds your participation with an hourly wage and offers the chance to do hands-on bench science instead of only computer data modeling.
Who is it best for: San Diego County students seeking first-hand biomedical research experience through one-on-one lab mentorship, wet-lab work, bioinformatics, data analysis, science communication, seminars, and biotech exposure.
6. Scripps Research Translational Institute – Student Research Internship Programs
Location: La Jolla (San Diego), California, United States
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; ~60 interns
Dates: June 1 – August 7 (10 weeks), or June 15 – August 7
Application Deadline: March 30
Eligibility: High school students age 16 or older before the internship
During the program, you will learn about current topics in translational science and precision medicine, focusing on digital health, clinical genomics, and community engagement. You will also study design and analysis procedures relevant to translational research, including genomic/genetic association studies. You will observe the steps of proposing, designing, undertaking, and analyzing clinical trials.
Who is it best for: Students who want mentored experience developing an independent translational research project, analyzing data, attending seminars, and presenting scientific findings.
7. Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute – CIRM SPARK Summer Internship
Location: La Jolla (San Diego), California
Stipend: Paid, amount not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 11 interns
Dates: Six weeks from mid-June; poster session July 30; CIRM SPARK conference July 31 – August 1
Application Deadline: Typically, early April
Eligibility: California high school students aged 16 or older by the mid-June start; preference for San Diego or Imperial County residents; some places reserved for San Diego MESA Alliance students
You learn laboratory techniques such as sterile cell culture and join weekly lab meetings where researchers share and connect their results. Earlier cohorts also joined workshops, Bedside to Bench sessions, and visits to local biotechnology companies such as Illumina and Vertex. You present a research poster at the institute to describe your project and what you learned. You then present at CIRM's statewide SPARK conference, networking with more than 110 interns from other California institutions.
Who is it best for: California high schoolers aged 16 or older from underrepresented or lower-income backgrounds, who are curious about stem cells, biology, or medicine and want a paid first experience of real lab research, even without prior research experience.
8. Asian Pacific American Coalition (APAC), San Diego – APAC Summer Internship Program
Location: San Diego, California
Stipend: $2,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not stated
Dates: June – August; schedules vary by placement, typically at least two months part-time
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Ages 16–25; full-time student in good academic standing at an accredited institution; 3.0+ GPA; San Diego County residents; U.S. citizen or permanent resident legally permitted to work in the U.S.
Depending on your placement, you may research policy or community issues, communicate with constituents, attend meetings, and support outreach projects. You learn professional office workflows, teamwork, public communication, research, and leadership while working directly with a host supervisor. Some placements can also involve data analysis, design, or other specialized project work. You coordinate your schedule with the host office and typically commit at least two months part-time during the summer.
Who is it best for: High school students interested in government, public policy, law, civic engagement, community service, or nonprofit work who want practical experience in a professional San Diego organization.
If you live outside San Diego or do not want to commute every day, consider Ladder Internships that pair you with startups to work on real projects in a fully virtual format.
9. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance – Internships
Location: San Diego Zoo, San Diego, and San Diego Zoo Safari Park, Escondido, California
Stipend: $4,160
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not stated
Dates: Horticulture, Social Media, and Wildlife Care internships all run June 14 – August 20
Application Deadline: November 15
Eligibility: At least 16 years old; track-specific skills and physical requirements apply
Throughout the 10- to 12-week program, you will actively participate in tailored education courses, conduct field or laboratory research, assist with daily animal welfare tasks like food preparation and habitat enrichment, and present a final capstone project on your findings. This paid opportunity stands out by providing a dedicated professional mentor and exclusive, behind-the-scenes access to facilities at both the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park.
Who is it best for: Students who are highly motivated to pursue future careers in zoology, veterinary medicine, or global wildlife conservation.
10. Scripps Research, Office of Education & Outreach – REACH High School Summer Internship Program
Location: La Jolla, San Diego, California
Stipend: $5,040
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not disclosed
Dates: Boot camp: June 16–18; Internship: June 22 – August 7
Application Deadline: March 22
Eligibility: At least 16 by boot camp start; San Diego County residents whose most recent semester was at one of nine REACH partner schools or programs; one year each of high school chemistry and biology; minimum 3.0 GPA; no prior REACH internship participation
You are paired with a graduate student mentor who teaches you experimental design, laboratory techniques, and data interpretation. Each week, you attend professional development workshops and scientific seminars covering current institute research and career exploration. At the end of the summer, you present your findings at the campus-wide Summer Intern Symposium.
Who is it best for: Motivated students at REACH partner schools who want paid, hands-on biomedical lab research experience.
11. VA San Diego Healthcare System – Summer Youth Volunteer Program
Location: San Diego, California
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 50 volunteer slots
Dates: Orientation: May 30; minimum commitment of 80 hours over the course of the summer
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: Youth ages 14–17
You may serve coffee, direct patients around VA facilities, help in clinics, and support recreation programs, with placement based on available assignments. You can earn a Summer Youth Certificate by completing 80 or more hours of service. You also receive a program polo shirt, daily lunch on shifts of four or more hours, free parking, and invitations to special programs held throughout the summer.
Who is it best for: San Diego teens aged 14–17 who are curious about health care careers and want hands-on experience serving Veterans.
12. The San Diego Natural History Museum – Internships
Location: San Diego, California
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not stated
Dates: Offered year-round with flexible cohorts; internships are 4 months long
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines
Eligibility: High school students age 16 or older; enrolled in an internship program through their school and receiving course credit; formal agreement with the school required; at least one general biology course; strong interest in science and the natural world; international eligibility not explicitly stated
During your internship, you will actively participate in tasks such as conducting biodiversity surveys, identifying and sorting fossils, digitizing museum records, and helping execute community outreach events. The experience stands out by offering direct mentorship from museum professionals, potential opportunities for cross-border fieldwork in San Diego and Baja California, and complimentary access to other museums and wildlife parks in the area.
Who is it best for: High school students interested in hands-on natural science experience who want exposure to Entomology, Paleontology, and Botany through rotations across the museum’s three science departments.
13. Sharp Memorial Hospital – Volunteer Opportunities
Location: San Diego, California, USA
Cost/Stipend: $35 uniform fee, plus required trousers or scrubs and closed-toe shoes / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not stated
Dates: Year-round, with a minimum one-year commitment, at least 100 service hours
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines
Eligibility: Ages 15–17; enrolled in high school; minimum 3.25 unweighted GPA
As a volunteer, you will initially work in guest ambassador or concierge roles to greet and guide visitors, with the potential to eventually transfer into nursing units to assist with organization, errands, and answering phones. The program stands out by requiring a strict one-year commitment of at least 100 hours and a minimum 3.25 unweighted GPA, while offering practical hospital exposure, free parking, and cafeteria meal credits during your shifts.
Who is it best for: Students interested in sustained, nonclinical hospital experience, patient and visitor support, and exposure to healthcare operations rather than a short-term internship, physician shadowing, or summer-only placement.
Can a San Diego internship help with your college applications?
Depending on the placement in San Diego, you might run lab or computational experiments, support hospital patients, research community issues, or survey biodiversity. These tasks can give you specific material for applications, such as a hypothesis you tested or a patient interaction that sharpened your interest in medicine. Explaining what you contributed and learned can show informed academic interest and responsibility.
How do you apply for a high school internship in San Diego?
Start by reading each program’s eligibility rules, application instructions, and expected schedule, since processes vary. As preparation, gather examples from coursework, clubs, or volunteering that explain your interests and readiness to contribute. Submit the requested materials by the stated deadline, and arrange transcripts, recommendations, interviews, or health clearances only where the program requires them.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Do I need a science background for the research internships?
Several science programs ask for specific high school coursework, but none require prior research experience. Requirements range from one biology course to a full year each of biology and chemistry, and at least one lab internship welcomes students with no research experience at all.
2. Will I get to work directly with patients in the hospital programs?
One healthcare internship includes hands-on patient care tasks during clinical rotations with hospital staff, while the volunteer programs focus more on support roles. Depending on the placement, volunteers may guide patients and visitors, help in clinics, support recreation programs, or assist nursing units with errands and phones.
3. Will I need to present my work at the end of the program?
Many of the research and conservation programs end with a presentation, such as a poster session, research symposium, or capstone project, and one lab internship adds a statewide conference. Hospital programs focus on ongoing service and hands-on exposure instead. If you want to build a real project with guidance from a manager without leaving home, Ladder Internships offers remote startup internships.
4. Are these all summer internships, or are there school-year options too?
Most take place in the summer and usually last about six to twelve weeks. A few extend into the school year, including a hospital volunteer role with a one-year commitment, a clinical internship with a November-to-February rotation, and four-month museum internships offered year-round.