15 Internships in Washington State for High School Students
If you are a high school student based in Washington State and looking for an internship, we have you covered! Internships are a great way to boost your resume, give you real-world exposure, and opportunities to network. If you work on some meaningful projects, they’ll also help you stand out in college applications.
If this sounds right up your alley, explore these 15 internships in Washington State that are open to high school students and cover a wide range of fields.
1. Seattle City Light High School Internships
Location: Seattle, Washington
Stipend: Paid, amount unspecified
Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: 8 weeks between mid-June/early July to August
Application Deadline: Posted in April
Eligibility: Enrolled as a high school student before and after the internship | At least 16 years old by the internship’s start date | Minimum 2.0 GPA | U.S. citizen or authorized to work; preference to City Light service-area residents
The Seattle City Light High School Internship is an 8-week paid summer program that introduces high school students to the business of energy production and distribution. You’ll learn how energy gets generated, distributed, and how equity matters in public service. You’ll spend eight weeks working in real-world utility operations in the areas of engineering, data analysis, community outreach, and environmental programs. You’ll assist with administrative tasks, support ongoing projects, and take field visits to power plants and substations. The City Light internship pairs you with mentors and offers professional workshops. You will meet department leaders and sharpen your presentation skills with a final summary of your summer work.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Varies according to program type; financial aid available | None
Cohort Size: 70-100 students
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year; Fall session: September 14
Application Deadline: Varies as per cohorts; Fall session: August 24
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can work for 10-20 hours/week for 8-12 weeks
Ladder Internships connects you with startups and nonprofits for real-world work experience in technology, machine learning, AI, finance, sustainability, healthcare, media, and more. Ladder’s startups are dynamic, often having raised substantial funding, with founders from top accelerators like Y Combinator and companies such as Google, Microsoft, and Facebook. You can expect regular check-ins, guidance on tasks, and a final presentation to showcase your work. You’ll also attend professional workshops and network with students from across the globe. The remote setup gives you flexibility while still offering structure and support. If you’re serious about building skills and exploring career paths, this program gives you a solid head start without needing to leave home.
3. Fred Hutch Cancer Center - Summer High School Internship Program
Location: Fred Hutch campus, Seattle, Washington
Cost/Stipend: None | Provided (unspecified amount) upon successful completion of internship
Cohort Size: 18-22 students
Dates: July 23–August 15
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors especially from underrepresented or economically disadvantaged backgrounds
In this internship, you’ll work in real research labs alongside scientists and college mentors. You’ll learn lab skills, attend seminars, and explore topics like cancer biology and public health. The program begins with a two-week hands-on training on laboratory safety skills and techniques in the Fred Hutch Training Labs. In the subsequent six weeks, the internship engages you in mentored activities at a Fred Hutch research group. You’ll also complete a research project and present your findings at a final symposium. This internship values all backgrounds and is specifically designed for students from underrepresented backgrounds in medical science.
4. Microsoft Discovery Program
Location: Redmond, Washington
Stipend: Provided, amount unspecified
Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: July 7–August 1
Application Deadline: February 26
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors living within 50 miles of Redmond, WA | Completed pre-calculus or an equivalent course by the start of the program
The Microsoft Discovery Program is a four-week paid summer internship designed for graduating high school seniors who are about to enter college and are passionate about technology. You’ll explore fields like software development, data science, and design through interactive workshops and team-based projects. You will also engage in activities such as working on hands-on technology projects, developing and pitching product ideas, attending workshops on tools like Figma, and receiving guidance on building a professional resume and LinkedIn profile. Mentors from Microsoft guide you as you build skills and gain exposure to real tech careers. You’ll connect with professionals, visit Microsoft’s campus, and work with peers on problem-solving challenges.
5. Shoreline Community College - Biomanufacturing Training Program for High School Students
Location: Shoreline Community College, WA
Cost/Stipend: None | None
Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Late September to mid‑June
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors who have completed at least one biology or chemistry course
The Shoreline Community College Biomanufacturing Training Program for High School Students offers a hands-on introduction to the world of biotechnology. You’ll attend twice-weekly lab classes after school and perform techniques like bioreactor operation, CRISPR editing, electrophoresis, chromatography, and bacterial transformation. The program blends in-class theory with hands-on training. You’ll connect with industry professionals at AGC Biologics and earn a Basics of Biomanufacturing certificate. Some students continue to Fred Hutch for lab tech training and paid internships. You’ll tour facilities, join expert panels, and build a network in biotech. It’s well-structured, welcoming, and rooted in real biotech settings where you also gain nine college credits.
6. Evergreen Goodwill - Youth Maritime Program
Location: Seattle, Washington
Stipend: School year: $65 per day (Two Saturdays a month); Summer (July-August): $100 per day
Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Key programs run during the summer usually for 8 weeks between July and August; or follow the typical high school academic year for Maritime High School
Application Deadline: Varies by program
Eligibility: Current high school juniors aged 16-19
The Evergreen Goodwill Youth Maritime Program is a comprehensive, two-year initiative designed to prepare high school juniors and seniors for careers in the maritime industry. The program covers essential topics like maritime safety, navigation, emergency response, and ship operations. In your junior year, you join Saturday workshops that focus on career readiness, teamwork, service learning, and civic engagement. You’ll take college-level maritime classes, tour docks and training centers, and connect with maritime professionals. During your senior summer, you’ll intern with real employers in the industry. You earn support year-round, like help with licenses, tutoring, and you will also take field trips to maritime workplaces.
7. Providence High School Summer Program
Location: Everett, Washington (Providence Regional Medical Center Everett)
Cost/Stipend: None | None
Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: June - September
Application Deadline: April 24
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores, juniors, seniors
In this program, you’ll volunteer 48 hours at a hospital and one week at Camp Prov for children with special needs. You will shadow medical staff, help with clerical tasks, and support patient comfort by assisting with supplies and mobility. You’ll attend orientation and learn hospital protocols. Site visits include hospital departments and day camp sessions. At the end, you can apply for scholarships from Providence’s foundation. You’ll gain firsthand healthcare exposure while helping your community and strengthening college applications. You will build empathy, communication skills, and teamwork through patient interaction and peer collaboration.
8. UW Youth & Teen Programs
Location: Virtual | In-person at University of Washington, Seattle
Cost/Stipend: Course fees vary according to program type plus a $50 nonrefundable registration fee; limited financial aid available
Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Vary as per course
Application Deadline: Varies as per course
Eligibility: Students entering grades 4–12
UW Youth & Teen Programs at the University of Washington offers a wide range of enrichment courses for students in grades 4–12 who want to engage in year-round learning, both online and on campus. You’ll choose from 75+ short courses at UW Seattle in coding, AI, architecture, writing, and robotics. Instructors guide small groups, ensuring hands-on learning. You’ll complete final projects such as programming a game, drafting an essay, or modeling a structure. The program includes live sessions, digital badges for resumes, and access to university resources. You’ll meet industry experts through guest talks and use UW labs or online tools, and build valuable skills such as creative problem-solving, effective communication, and teamwork.
9. Camp Blaze - Fire Camp For Young Women
Location: North Bend, Washington
Cost/Stipend: None | None
Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: July 25 - August 1
Application Deadline: Typically late March
Eligibility: Young women between ages 16–19
The Camp Blaze Fire Camp for Young Women allows women between the ages of 16 and 19 to spend a week training like a firefighter. You will receive instructions in fire behavior, hose handling, ladder work, rappelling, and live-fire drills. You’ll practice vehicle extrication, CPR, portable fire extinguishers, self-defense, and search‑and‑rescue. Female firefighter mentors guide you through team activities and leadership exercises. You’ll stay on-site, wear bunker gear, and share meals with peers. By week’s end, you complete a capstone exercise in live fire scenarios. The camp builds confidence, stamina, and communication skills. Camp Blaze also provides lodging, meals, and gear for all participants.
10. King County Sheriff's Police Explorer Program
Location: Various Sheriff’s Office Explorer Posts across King County
Cost/Stipend: The core program is volunteer-based, but attending the required Explorer Academy costs around $120, plus some uniform expenses | None
Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Year-round program
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Young adults between ages 14–21
The King County Sheriff's Police Explorer Program is designed for young people between the ages of 14 and 21 interested in exploring a career in law enforcement. You’ll join Explorer meetings that blend classroom learning with hands-on training. You will study criminal law, report writing, fitness drills, and get to be part of ride-alongs with deputies. You’ll help at community events such as National Night Out, parades, and festivals. You can attend academies that simulate police training and participate in competitions. Advisors are commissioned deputies who mentor you throughout the program. The program builds teamwork, communication, and decision-making. You’ll learn alongside peers across King County and gain real insight into law enforcement careers.
11. UW Botanic Gardens Youth Summer Internship
Location: Washington Park Arboretum, Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: None | $1,750 paid upon successful completion
Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: July 7 – August 1
Application Deadline: May 23
Eligibility: Teens ages 16–18; ideal for high school students 16 or older interested in environmental fields
The UW Botanic Gardens Youth Summer Internship offers high school students a dynamic, hands-on introduction to environmental careers, leadership, and outdoor education. You will spend your days in the Washington Park Arboretum, where you will gain experience leading horticultural planting projects, engaging with and teaching camp participants, helping develop outdoor education curriculum, and participating in activities like habitat restoration and native plant propagation. You will also have the chance to interact with professionals from various environmental organizations, providing career insight and networking opportunities. You will develop key skills in leadership, teamwork, outdoor education methods, and environmental science, all while boosting their confidence and ability to think critically.
12. TIPS Summer Internships
Location: Greater Puget Sound Region
Cost/Stipend: None | $20.76/hour for up to 160 hours (Up to $3,300)
Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: June 16 - August 22
Application Deadline: March 3
Eligibility: Ages 15–19 | Enrolled in a high school | Ability to provide proof of employment eligibility in the United States
The TIPS Summer Internships program is designed to give students a real-world introduction to various professional fields through hands-on projects and mentorship. You will explore topics such as business operations, marketing, technology, and communication, depending on your interests and the focus of the internship. You will be engaged for 25–35 hours per week, with training sessions and support from staff mentors. You’ll work on real tasks: managing volunteers, planning events, or running social media. You’ll visit partner sites, meet nonprofit leaders, and participate in professional development workshops. You’ll come out of the program with a clear understanding of ethical leadership and community impact.
13. Olympia High School Summer Opportunities
Location: Olympia High School, Olympia, Washington
Cost/Stipend: Varies; some programs are free, some have fees, and scholarships are often available | None
Cohort Size: Varies by program
Dates: Exact dates vary by program across the summer
Application Deadline: Varies by program type
Eligibility: High school students grades 9–12; specific programs may target sophomores or juniors.
In these programs, you can choose from several summer opportunities linked through Olympia High. MultiCare Nurse Camp offers hands-on healthcare training focused on nursing and allied health roles. The Museum of Flight Apprentice Program lets you dive into exhibit design, oral history, and teaching. Other options include Private Pilot Ground School and even a Library of Congress internship for students interested in outreach and content creation. Many involve project-based learning, mentorship, and final presentations. These programs help you gain real-world experience, develop new skills, and boost your college or career readiness—all through school-supported pathways.
14. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
Location: Available in 50 States
Stipend: None | $3,000
Cohort Size: 32-33 students
Dates: June - August
Application Deadline: January 19
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors | Must be 16 years of age by the program’s start
The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program is a prestigious, eight-week paid summer internship designed for high school juniors and seniors who are interested in fisheries science. You’ll spend eight weeks paired with a fisheries mentor, and your tasks will include field surveys, electrofishing, habitat restoration, snorkeling, lab work, water testing, data analysis, and even educational outreach. You’ll track time, submit reports, and attend a Scholars Summit. You’ll gain real science skills, like microscopy and water analysis, and experience presenting your work. Unique features of this program include its focus on mentorship, diversity, and inclusivity, especially encouraging students from underrepresented backgrounds to apply.
15. Port of Seattle High School Internships
Location: Seattle, Washington
Cost/Stipend: None | Provided, amount not specified
Cohort Size: 90-150 students
Dates: 8 weeks typically between mid-June or early July through the end of August
Application Deadline: May 18
Eligibility: At least 16 years old | Enrolled in or recently graduated from high school | Authorized to work in the U.S.
The Port of Seattle High School Internship program offers a paid, real-world experience for students interested in fields like aviation operations, maritime operations, governance, community engagement, and green jobs. You’ll work on port-related projects in areas like aviation, maritime, environmental, or community engagement. You explore facilities, from airport operations to dockside infrastructure, through tours. The program also has workshops on resume building and LinkedIn training. You collaborate with peers on meaningful tasks that impact your community and economy. The program includes both in‑office and virtual options, so access expands across the region. By the end, you learn business skills such as project management, public speaking, and process improvement.
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