15 Internships in San Francisco for High School Students

If you are a high school student based in San Francisco, internships can be a valuable stepping stone to gain real-world experience, build professional skills, and explore future career paths. Whether it's working alongside researchers, engaging with local government, or contributing to climate initiatives, internships in San Francisco for high school students will help you enhance your resume, strengthen your college application, and develop a clearer sense of your academic and professional interests. 

San Francisco is home to several notable universities and institutions, such as the University of San Francisco and the University of California, San Francisco. Internships in San Francisco for high school students provide early exposure to workplace environments, which cultivates essential soft skills like communication, collaboration, and time management–giving students a competitive edge.

From STEM labs to legal offices, internships in San Francisco span a wide range of fields and are often led by some of the city's top institutions and organizations. In this blog, we have compiled a list of the 15 best internships in San Francisco for high school students.

1. Meta Summer Academy

Location: Menlo Park, CA
Cost/Stipend:  None/Competitive stipend
Acceptance Rate: Highly competitive
Dates: June 16–July 25
Application Deadline: February 14
Eligibility: High school sophomores | Minimum of 2.0 cumulative GPA | Year-round residents of East Palo Alto, Belle Haven, or Redwood City 

At Meta Summer Academy, you'll get an inside look at the operations of a major tech company while building foundational skills in technology and business. It introduces you to areas like coding, digital media, and professional communication through project-based learning and mentorship. You’ll participate in workshops, career talks, and collaborative activities with Meta employees who share insights into roles across the company. The program focuses not just on technical know-how but also on soft skills like teamwork and presentation, which are essential in any career. While you're exploring how a social media platform operates, you're also gaining exposure to the broader tech industry and its many career paths. 

2. Ladder Internship Program

Location: Remote
Cost: Varies depending on program type; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Around 10%/70-100 students
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter; Fall cohort: September 14
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Fall cohort: August 24; apply here
Eligibility: High school students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks

In Ladder Internships, you’ll be matched with an early-stage startup where you’ll contribute to real projects in fields such as artificial intelligence, healthcare, media, or business. Ladder’s startups are dynamic, often having raised substantial funding, with founders from top accelerators like Y Combinator and companies like Google, Microsoft, and Facebook. You’ll work with both a startup mentor and a dedicated coach who supports your progress and helps you make the most of the experience. Weekly check-ins, project deadlines, and a final presentation ensure that you’re engaged throughout the program. This internship emphasizes independent work, collaboration, and problem-solving within a real-world startup setting. 

3. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program

Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: $40 application fee which can be waived under certain criteria/Minimum of $500, up to $2500 and above are given on a needs-based system from special grants
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: June 8–July 30 (tentative)
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors as of the fall, graduating in this or next year | At least 16 years old by June 8 | Reside in and attend high school in the U.S. and be U.S. citizens/permanent residents with a green card

If you’re curious about medical research or considering a future in biomedical science, SIMR at Stanford offers an intensive, lab-based research experience. This summer internship lasts eight weeks and places you in one of Stanford’s medical research institutes, where you’ll be paired with a mentor and work on a real research project. You can indicate interest in topics like stem cell biology, genetics, cancer research, or bioengineering during the application process. SIMR also includes an optional bioengineering bootcamp if you're more interested in a structured, non-lab learning track. Throughout the program, you’ll build research skills, explore scientific careers, and engage in discussions on current issues in medicine. 

4. SFUSD Summer Internship Program

Location: San Francisco area
Cost/Stipend: None/Stipend provided, amount unspecified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 42 students per year
Dates: 6-8 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: Late February to early March
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores and juniors (priority is given to juniors)

This internship gives you the chance to earn money while gaining work experience across industries like law, healthcare, culinary arts, and computer science. You’ll work a minimum of 20 hours per week and take part in weekly career development sessions with your assigned mentor. This six-to-eight-week program helps you apply classroom knowledge to workplace settings, develop essential soft skills, and explore career options through direct exposure. Industry partners across the city host students in fields ranging from engineering to media arts. It’s an opportunity to test your interests, make professional connections, and understand the expectations of a real workplace while still in high school.

5. UCSF Summer Student Research Program

Location: San Francisco and Oakland
Cost/Stipend: None/$3,000 
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 35-40 students per year
Dates: June 2 – August 1
Application Deadline: February 14
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors | Age 16+ by June 1 | At least one year of completed math and biology

This UCSF Summer Student Research Program engages students in a biomedical research setting where they’ll work under the mentorship of scientists or healthcare professionals over nine weeks. You’ll attend weekly seminars, engage in scientific discussions through a journal club, and take part in social activities that connect you with peers. The program requires you to complete a personal statement, research abstract, and a detailed proposal, leading up to a final presentation at a formal Research Symposium. Each intern is matched with a unique lab or clinical project, offering a tailored learning experience.

6. UCSF High School Intern Program (HIP)

Location: UC San Francisco campus
Stipend: $3,200 (20 hr/week); $4,500 (35 hr/week)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 25 students
Dates: June 9 – August 1
Application Deadline: March 2
Eligibility: Current juniors attending an SFUSD school or an SF charter school

This eight-week summer internship at UCSF allows you to conduct original research under the mentorship of a professional scientist, regardless of your GPA or prior experience. Designed specifically for rising seniors attending SFUSD or San Francisco charter high schools, HIP allows you to work in a UCSF lab focused on subjects like neuroscience, infectious disease, or cancer research. You’ll complete a research project, develop science communication skills, and receive one-on-one college advising. The program also includes resume writing workshops, campus tours, and financial aid evening events for you and your family. Interns can choose between a 25- or 35-hour-per-week schedule. 

7. High School Explainers Program at Exploratorium

Location: Exploratorium, San Francisco
Cost/Stipend: None/Stipend paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 70 students per year
Dates: Available throughout the year and during the summer
Application Deadline: Applications for year-round and summer programs are typically available in July and March, respectively, on the ‘Current Openings’ page
Eligibility: High school aged students between the ages of 15 and 18 for first time Explainers, and up to the age of 20 for returning Explainers

At the Exploratorium, you can apply to be a High School Explainer, a paid role where you’ll interact with museum visitors, demonstrate science exhibits, and help run day-to-day operations. You’ll receive over 60 hours of training in science content, communication, and youth development before stepping onto the museum floor. The program hires students for summer and school-year cohorts, creating a diverse team that reflects the communities of the Bay Area. In addition to working with the public, you may also join study groups, mentor new Explainers, or participate in specialized internships as you gain experience. 

8. Genomics Research Internship Program at Stanford (GRIPS)

Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: None/Need-based scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive, 5%-8%
Dates: June 16 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: High school students residing in Alameda, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, or Santa Cruz counties | Must be 16+ by internship start date | Minimum 3.0 unweighted GPA

If you’re interested in genetics and computational biology, the GRIPS program gives you a lab-based research experience focused on genomics. Over eight weeks, you’ll work about 20 hours per week in a Stanford lab under the guidance of a mentor, contributing to a real research project in the field. Alongside your lab work, you’ll attend weekly seminars with your cohort, participate in career panels, and meet regularly with your mentor to review your progress. While the program is research-intensive, it also emphasizes community building and academic support throughout the summer. It is ideal if you like genetics, computational biology, and scientific discovery.

9. Careers in Science (CiS) Intern Program at California Academy of Sciences

Location: California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, California
Cost/Stipend: None/Stipend provided above minimum wage
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 44-50 students
Dates: After school and weekends, multi-year and year-round (2-3 years till graduation) starting in June
Application deadline: April 1
Eligibility: High school students in 9th or 10th grade in an SFUSD school | 2.5 GPA | Grade C or higher in math and science | U.S. citizens or authorized to work in the country

The Careers in Science program offers a multi-year, paid internship for students who begin as rising sophomores or juniors and are underrepresented in STEM fields. As an intern, you’ll conduct environmental fieldwork, lead visitor experiences at the California Academy of Sciences, and participate in twice-monthly training sessions focused on communication, leadership, and college readiness. The program runs year-round and includes both summer and school-year components, gradually giving you more responsibility over time. You’ll also have opportunities to present at conferences, join science research groups, and help shape museum programming. Interns often go on college tours and receive individualized mentorship to prepare for life after high school.

10. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program

Location: Available across all 50 U.S. states, Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, and the Pacific Islands. Participants are assigned a location that is within a 45-minute commute of their home.
Cost/Stipend: None/$3000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: About 3% | 27-33 students making it to the final cohort each year
Dates: June – August (flexible)
Application Deadline: January 19
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors | At least 16 years old by the internship start date

The Hutton Program is an eight-week paid internship that places high school students alongside fisheries professionals to learn about aquatic science and conservation. As a Hutton Scholar, you will be matched with mentors located within commuting distance and engage in hands-on work such as fish population surveys, habitat restoration, and water quality testing. The program focuses on introducing students from underrepresented groups to careers in fisheries and environmental science. You’ll also work in the field, in labs, or office settings, depending on your mentor’s placement, gaining real-world experience in both research and resource management. 

11. Project Pull at San Francisco City Department

Location: Lawrence Hall of Science, Berkeley
Cost/Stipend: None/$19.25 per hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 9 – August 1
Application Deadline: February 17
Eligibility: High school students entering junior year, senior year and college bound in Fall | Live or attend school in San Francisco | Minimum 2.75 GPA

Project Pull gives you a firsthand look at public sector work by placing you in a City and County of San Francisco department for the summer. This paid internship is designed to promote career exploration, especially among students from diverse backgrounds. You’ll be paired with a professional mentor and contribute to real projects in areas like architecture, engineering, public health, or business. The program also includes workshops and career development activities that help you strengthen communication, leadership, and teamwork skills. You’ll also gain insight into how local agencies operate and how public service can have a broader community impact.

12. Rising Sun Center for Opportunity Climate Careers Externship

Location: Various locations in California
Cost/Stipend: $19.50–$20.50 per hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 100 youth per year
Dates: Exact dates vary by year and site, but summer placements start around June and run through July/August, with externships continuing afterwards
Application Deadline: Vary annually; applying early in the year or by late winter/spring is advised to secure placement
Eligibility: Must be between the ages of 15-24 | Resident in the City of Stockton or one of the nine Bay Area counties

As part of the Climate Careers program, you’ll work as an Energy Specialist helping local residents reduce energy and water use through free home assessments. Each day starts at your site office, where you and your partner gear up with materials before heading out into the community. You’ll be trained to provide energy-saving tips and install devices like LED bulbs and low-flow showerheads. The internship also includes weekly workshops on environmental careers and sustainability topics, plus a paid externship with a partner organization such as a national lab or nonprofit. It's a good option if you're curious about climate work or green careers.

13. CURE Research Internship Program

Location: University of California, San Francisco
Cost/Stipend: None/Stipend provided after internship’s successful completion
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: June 12 & 13 (Orientation) | June 16 – August 8 (Internship)
Application Deadline: February 16
Eligibility: Current 11th graders in high school OR current community college students at CCSF | Must have completed biology or chemistry with a grade B or better | Must be at least 16 years old at the start of the program | Minimum GPA of 2.5

The CURE Internship is a summer research program at UCSF for high school and community college students from underserved backgrounds who are interested in science or health careers. Throughout the internship, you’ll be matched with mentors–ranging from UCSF faculty to graduate researchers and take part in research across different areas, from behavioral science to clinical studies. You’ll conduct a research project and present your findings at a final symposium, while also attending sessions focused on college advising and career exploration. The program provides a paid experience designed to support students in becoming future researchers and healthcare professionals. 

14. Bay Area Youth Science (BAYS) Program at UCSF

Location: University of California, San Francisco
Cost/Stipend: None/$5,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Around 24 students
Dates: June–August
Application Deadline: Late March
Eligibility: KIPP-SFCP rising juniors and seniors | At least 16 years old

BAYS is a paid research internship opportunity for those interested in scientific fields like drug development, cancer biology, or infectious disease. You’ll spend most of the week working in a UCSF lab under the mentorship of graduate students and postdocs, contributing to a research project from start to finish. Fridays are reserved for skills-based classes in professional development, life skills, and college readiness. The experience concludes with a public research presentation, but the support continues beyond the summer–participants also attend college prep workshops through the fall. The program focuses on increasing access to STEM research opportunities for students from historically excluded backgrounds and underserved communities, particularly from the Bayview-Hunters Point area of San Francisco.

15. SFUSD Summer Career Exploration Programs

Location: San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD)
Cost/Stipend: None/Stipend provided, amount unspecified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 60 students
Dates: 6 weeks between early June and mid to late July
Application Deadline: Typically late February to early March
Eligibility: Open to current SFUSD sophomores and juniors

SFUSD Summer Career Exploration Programs are open to current SFUSD sophomores and juniors who want to explore specific career paths while earning college credit. You’ll enroll in a dual-credit course through City College of San Francisco and spend part of your summer participating in site visits, industry-led projects, and classroom sessions tied to fields like law, construction, or healthcare. The program blends real-world exposure with academic content and wraps up with a paid stipend upon completion. You’ll gain valuable insight into potential career interests, build your resume, and grow your professional network early on. 

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