10 Internships in Raleigh, North Carolina for High School Students
Internships are an excellent way for high school students to gain experience in a field of interest. They can also help clarify your career aspirations and allow you to develop professional skills. These programs provide structured environments where you can work on projects, collaborate with mentors, and learn professional habits like teamwork and communication. The experience provided by an internship can help you build a profile and resume that stand out to college admissions officers and future employers. By interning, you can build a professional network that can guide your future academic and career choices.
Internships in Raleigh, North Carolina, for high school students range across sectors like technology, healthcare, and state government. The city, as part of the Research Triangle Park (RTP) area, hosts major organizations like the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), WakeMed Health and Hospitals, and several government offices, many of which offer paid programs for high school students. The guide below highlights the top 10 internships in Raleigh, North Carolina, for high school students, focusing on programs that balance learning, mentorship, and practical experience.
1. NCDOT High School Internship Program
Location: Raleigh, NC (various NCDOT divisions and units across North Carolina)
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Dates: Year-round program, students can work one semester or consecutive semesters
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Currently enrolled as a high school student in North Carolina | At least 16 years old at employment time | Minimum overall GPA of 2.3 (on 4.0 scale)
This paid internship with the NCDOT offers high school students experience across various state divisions, introducing them to essential fields like civil engineering, environmental science, and transportation planning. You engage in real-world projects, performing tasks such as data collection and analysis, aiding in design and planning, and participating in vital site visits. By working alongside experienced professionals, you gain a clear understanding of public infrastructure development and maintenance. This deep exposure helps cultivate crucial technical and professional skills, including research, data management, problem-solving, and effective communication, preparing you for future careers.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Remote/Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Cost varies according to program type; financial aid is available / No stipend
Dates: Multiple 8-week cohorts throughout the year, including Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring
Application Deadline: Varies as per cohort; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: High school, undergraduate, and gap year students who can commit 10 – 20 hours per week for 8 – 12 weeks
Ladder Internships offers high school students remote, project-based work with high-growth startups spanning diverse technology sectors, such as AI, deep tech, health tech, marketing, and consulting. You collaborate directly with founders and managers on genuine business initiatives, gaining invaluable exposure to fast-paced entrepreneurial environments and innovative problem-solving. Expert Ladder Coaches provide personalized guidance, while dedicated training sessions enhance professional development, focusing on essential skills like communication and time management. This program tailors the work, from software development to market research, ensuring meaningful contributions to real organizational goals.
3. Raleigh Summer Youth Employment Program (RSYEP)
Location: Various Raleigh Parks and Nature Preserves, Raleigh, NC
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend paid, amount not specified
Dates: June 15 – August 7
Application Deadline: March 18
Eligibility: High school students living within Raleigh city limits and aged 15 – 18
The Raleigh Summer Youth Employment Program (RSYEP) provides high school students with a valuable, paid eight-week work experience directly with the City of Raleigh. It's designed to prepare students for future careers by covering key topics like financial literacy, civic engagement, workforce soft skills, and leadership. Activities include working as junior counselors, assisting in marketing and graphic design projects, and participating in virtual work-based learning pathways focused on community finance challenges. The program also features a mentorship component, which connects you with local professionals like firefighters, law enforcement, and business owners. Ultimately, you learn essential skills such as communication, problem-solving, and professional etiquette.
4. North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences Teen Volunteer Programs
Location: North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh, NC
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: Year-round, including summer and academic year commitments
Application Deadline: Typically March – April
Eligibility: High school students
Participants in this program support the museum’s core objective through exhibit interpretation, educational initiatives, and visitor engagement. You will acquire hands-on experience in public science education, developing crucial communication and presentation skills by leading activities, preparing materials for summer camps, and articulating complex scientific ideas to varied audiences. Museum educators and staff serve as mentors, guiding the teens' grasp of natural history and the dynamics of informal learning environments. Additionally, comprehensive training sessions are provided, focusing on various scientific disciplines and the intricacies of museum operations, thereby significantly deepening the participant's appreciation for the natural world.
5. Novant Health Bridges to Healthcare High School Paid Internship
Location: Raleigh-area medical centers
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Dates: 8 – 16 weeks during the summer and academic year
Application Deadline: Rolling acceptance
Eligibility: High school students attending one of the partner schools in the Charlotte or Winston-Salem areas who have a minimum 2.5 GPA and a household income $40,000 or less
The Bridges to Healthcare program offers high school students a paid internship where they rotate through various clinical and non-clinical departments such as nursing, radiology, IT, and community engagement. It pairs you with a mentor to participate in workshops on resume writing and personal finance, and contribute to team projects while observing real healthcare workflows. The program focuses on students from underserved schools in Winston-Salem and Charlotte and provides a hands-on experience that helps you explore healthcare careers, clarify career goals, and gain practical skills in a supportive environment.
6. WakeMed High School Junior Volunteer Program
Location: Cary Hospital and Raleigh campus
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: Summer: May/June – August 31; School year sessions: September – May 31
Application Deadline: Rolling applications open on March 10 (Summer) and June 9 (School Year)
Eligibility: High school students ages 16+
By participating in the WakeMed Junior Volunteer Program, you will gain exposure to a hospital environment, working in various departments, and assisting staff. You will observe different medical professions, learn about healthcare operations, and interact with patients while developing empathy, teamwork, and responsibility. The program introduces you to medical technologies such as imaging, records management, and patient monitoring systems. Mentors are experienced healthcare professionals who guide you through daily tasks, giving you insight into the roles and responsibilities within a large healthcare system and helping you explore potential careers in medicine and healthcare.
7. Hope Center – Pullen Teen Programs - Summer Internship Program
Location: Various non-profits and businesses across the Triangle (Wake County/Raleigh area)
Stipend: $10/hour
Dates: 8–10 weeks between June and August
Application Deadline: Typically, early spring
Eligibility: Students aged 16–19 who have been in foster care over the age of 14, and are currently residing in Wake County, North Carolina, or in foster care through Wake County
The Hope Center at Pullen (HCP) Summer Internship Program is an employment initiative for Wake County teens with a history in the foster care system, helping them gain valuable career readiness. The program covers vital topics such as financial literacy, workplace professionalism, job search strategies, and life management skills. You engage in activities like working at a community organization or business, participating in weekly life skills workshops, and creating a post-internship career portfolio. A unique feature is the high-support mentorship model, which removes common barriers like transportation and interview coaching. Ultimately, you acquire essential skills, including responsibility, communication, problem-solving, and a concrete understanding of workplace expectations.
8. NCSU Summer Textile Exploration Program (STEP)
Location: Wilson College of Textiles, Raleigh, NC
Cost: $450; partial and full scholarships are available
Dates: 4 weekly cohorts between June 8 – July 18
Application Deadline: Typically, in April
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors
During this week-long residential program, you will cycle through specialized activities, including marketing, engineering, design, and chemistry, undertaking practical projects within the Wilson College labs and studios. Guided by faculty, staff, and student mentors, the structured daily itinerary integrates technical lab work with informative presentations on college admissions, degree options, and scholarship opportunities. Furthermore, you will join industry excursions to observe brand operations and manufacturing practices, gaining direct insight into current technologies and professional settings within textiles and apparel. This collaborative experience with peers involves working on defined projects, allowing you to practice fundamental testing, analysis, and design workflows reflective of a first-year college curriculum.
9. NC State University Young Investigators Summer Program in Nuclear Engineering
Location: NC State University, Raleigh, NC
Cost: $2,400
Dates: July 6 – 24
Application Deadline: April 30
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors, and graduating seniors
This opportunity lets high school students at NC State University take part in research in nuclear engineering. You’ll join a campus lab and work with faculty and graduate students on hands-on projects, learning how to run experiments, collect data, and understand results. The program helps you apply what you learn in class to real scientific problems while building research and critical thinking skills. With support from experienced mentors, you’ll also prepare a final presentation to share your findings, giving you practice in communication and public speaking.
10. Project UPLIFT PLUS
Location: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC (short commute from Raleigh)
Cost: $1,200; financial aid is available
Dates: June 27 – July 11
Application Deadline: March 14
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who reside in North Carolina and have participated in Project Uplift
Project UPLIFT PLUS at UNC–Chapel Hill is a two-week summer program where you will take part in mock classes, workshops, campus tours, leadership activities, and cultural programs, learning about different subjects, including science and technology. The program helps you get ready for college applications and understand how university life works. You will also meet UNC students and teachers, see how classes and campus resources work, and get ideas for your future studies. The program offers many hands-on experiences where you explore careers and prepare for future opportunities in science, technology, and other fields.
Image Source - Raleigh Summer Youth Employment Program Logo