12 Computer Science Internships for High School Students in San Diego, California
For those looking for high school internships, San Diego offers various accessible options that bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world challenges. These opportunities give you hands-on experience that will help you develop your technical skills and gain insights into what careers in technology entail.
With a thriving tech ecosystem supported by universities, research institutions, and innovative companies offering high school internships, San Diego has many opportunities to explore in fields like AI, cybersecurity, robotics, data science, software development, and more. Here are 12 high school internships in San Diego that offer valuable education, quality mentorship, and industry relevance to help you propel your academic and professional careers.
1. UCSD Research Experience for High School Students
Location: San Diego Supercomputer Center, UC San Diego, California
Program Dates: June 16 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 15 – March 15
Eligibility: Residents of Southern California; High school students in grades 10-12; 16+ by June 15; A minimum GPA of 3.0
Cost: $1,500; Financial assistance is available
The UCSD Research Experience for High School Students is an 8-week program offering high school internships that will introduce you to the available career options while improving your work-readiness through hands-on experiences, scholarly readings, and software instruction. During the program, you will be mentored by computational research scientists as you work on an established research project that will involve formulating hypotheses, conducting computational experiments, and drawing conclusions. Beyond this, you will participate in lab meetings and group discussions, and develop scientific posters to showcase your experience and highlight your future research and career goals. These posters will be displayed during the celebratory event in mid-August.
Location: Virtual
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year; Summer Cohort II starts on July 14
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year; the Summer Cohort II deadline is June 23
Eligibility: High school students who can commit to working for 10-20 hours a week for 8-12 weeks
Cost: Starts at $2,490; Financial assistance is offered
Ladder Internships offers a range of selective high school internships for San Diego students that involve working with NGOs and start-ups on real-world projects. You can choose from three options: the Start-up Internship Program, the CEO Internship Program, and the Combination Internship Program.
These programs give you a deep dive into what working at a start-up entails. You will learn to tackle real-world problems and add tangible value to the organization you’re working for. You will also gain 1:1 support and mentorship from a Ladder Coach while also being supervised by a manager at the start-up. They will guide you through your projects and ensure you meet your learning objectives. You can apply here.
Location: Virtual and in-person opportunities are available at NASA centers throughout the country
Program Dates: Depends on the internship
Application Deadline:
Spring: September 12
Summer: February 27
Fall: May 22
Eligibility: At least 16 years old; U.S. citizens; A 3.0 GPA; Full-time high school students
Stipend: Paid and unpaid internships available
NASA offers a wide range of high school internships that San Diego students may benefit from. These are often paid opportunities that immerse you in the agency’s current projects in various departments, including aeronautics, tech, and space exploration.
As a NASA intern, you will get to interact with mentors like NASA engineers and research scientists and learn about the real-world applications of software engineering. NASA internships are designed to enhance your skills and practical knowledge with hands-on experience, while also boosting your career-readiness with training and development opportunities. They also offer pre-college STEM experiences and other virtual and in-person opportunities, such as the Glenn High School Capstone, designed to enhance your understanding of computer science and space exploration.
4. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts in a year
Application Deadline: Varies based on cohort; May 25 for the upcoming cohort
Eligibility: High school students with coding experience and Python knowledge
Cost: $2,490; Financial aid available
Founded and run by Harvard graduates, the Veritas AI program gives high school students the chance to intern at a VC-backed startup and work directly with a company manager on real-world AI projects. These internships cover a wide range of fields, including AI, machine learning, computer science, and more. You will have eight sessions with the host company and over four sessions with the company leadership to ensure that you can work on your project and complete your deliverables.
You can also choose from two main types of programs, depending on your learning objectives:
AI Scholars: In this program, you will get to build a guided project and learn from AI experts in group sessions with a 5:1 student-to-mentor ratio and section lectures.
AI Fellowship: In this program, you will independently develop an AI project with the help of an AI expert mentor with 12 1-1 sessions over a period of 12-15 weeks. This also includes a personalised mentor evaluation.
You can find the application form here!
5. Scripps Research Translational Institute (SRTI): Student Research Internship Program
Location: Scripps Research Translational Institute, San Diego, CA
Program Dates: June 2 – August 8 | June 16 – August 22
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: High school, college, or professional training students with a strong interest in genomics or mHealth translational research; At least 16 years old
Stipend: To be determined
The Scripps Research Translational Institute (SRTI)’s Student Research Internship Program is a selective program that offers a 10-week immersive research experience to just 40 high school students. The program is designed to introduce you to translational research as you pursue careers in computer science and mobile healthcare. This includes an introduction to the genetic basis for diseases in humans, genomic/genetic association studies, and mHealth trials. You will learn about how mobile technologies may be integrated into the healthcare sector as they aid in monitoring and improving procedures, diagnostics, and more.
You will also learn about relevant design and analysis procedures, and observe the steps involved in proposing, designing, conducting, and analyzing clinical trials. You will be assigned a primary mentor based on your interests, and they will offer advice and guidance as you work towards your objectives. You will interact with other investigators at the institute and gain insights about future professional and academic development.
6. UCSD Mentor Assistance Program
Location: Main UCSD campus, the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, or the UCSD Medical Center
Program Dates: October 1 – May 31
Application Deadline: April 15 – May 15
Eligibility: Southern California high school students in grades 10-12; 16+ by October 1; Minimum GPA of 2.75; 1 year of high school-level chemistry or biology is preferred
Cost: $1,000; Financial assistance is available
This unique opportunity gives you the chance to work with a mentor for eight months and create a learning experience tailored to your needs. You will work on class projects, immerse yourself in a research project, or create a Science Fair project. You’ll also be able to request regular visits with your mentor to observe their work or learn more about your field of interest through readings and discussions with your mentor. If you do not have a project planned already, you can also ask your mentor to assign scholarly readings and bi-weekly discussions as you explore your options and work towards your future goals.
Though the program recommends spending 2-4 hours per week working with your mentor, there are no specific requirements. You will have 1:1 access to your mentor and may determine the scope of your work to achieve your goals.
7. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)
Location: NIWC Pacific, San Diego, CA, for in-person internships. Remote or hybrid available too
Program Dates: Depends on the lab
Application Deadline: August 1 – November 1
Eligibility: At least 16; U.S citizens with the ability to obtain a security clearance; Should have completed at least grade 9; Graduating seniors may apply as well. Check your preferred lab choice for all eligibility requirements.
Cost: $4,000 for new participants; $4,500 for returning participants
For students looking for prestigious high school internships, San Diego’s SEAP laboratory offers noteworthy opportunities where you’ll work on real Naval research alongside researchers, engineers, and scientists. You will be immersed in projects that will help you build your knowledge and polish your skills in computer science, aeronautics, and other related fields. You may apply to up to three laboratories.
This is a highly competitive program with just 300 placements across over 38 laboratories nationwide. NIWC Pacific is a premier laboratory for research, development, testing, and evaluation for various departments, including intelligence, surveillance, Cyber & Space, and more. They have some of the nation’s best scientists and engineers. Working with this organization can help your resume stand out, giving you a boost in your college applications and professional endeavors.
8. J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI) High School Internships
Location: JCVI, La Jolla, San Diego
Program Dates: June 23 – August 22
Application Deadline: Opens in March
Eligibility: Applicants must be 16+, reside in the U.S, and have a 3.0 GPA; More details here
Stipend: $17.50/hour
If you’re looking to interact with some of the top scientists in a summer high school internship, San Diego’s JCVI internship program has opportunities that include a structured research experience. During the program, you will be paired with a dedicated mentor and spend your time collaborating and networking with scientists as you participate in research projects customized for your academic experience. You will have access to the latest technology and equipment as you work on your projects, and showcase your findings in a poster presentation.
You will also benefit from journal clubs, career development sessions, and multi-disciplinary scientific seminars to polish your scientific and professional skills over 10-15 weeks. The program is designed to aid in scientific development and sharpen your professional skills.
9. Heithoff-Brody High School Scholars Program
Location: Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA
Program Dates: June 16 – August 8
Application Deadline: December 12 – March 28
Eligibility: 16 years or older; Reside and attend school in San Diego County; Have completed at least one year of high school-level chemistry and biology with a minimum 2.75 GPA
Stipend: Paid
San Diego’s Salk Institute offers internships that give students the chance to conduct cutting-edge research alongside Salk scientists and mentors. You will participate in biotech site visits, seminars, workshops, and other activities designed to give you a holistic, enriching experience. This will help you expand your knowledge and awareness of biotechnology, including scientific concepts, wet lab techniques, data analysis, bioinformatics, and science communications. You will gain a first-hand understanding of how computer science and biological studies may overlap.
During the program, you will work one-on-one with a mentor and gain an inside look at the institute’s research projects, community, and culture. You will also showcase your work at a final research presentation in the Summer Scholars Research Symposium.
10. Stanford Center For Artificial Intelligence in Medicine & Imaging’s Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Program Dates: June 16 – 27
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: High school students over the age of 14; U.S. citizens or permanent residents, or be able to provide proof of visa; Applicants with strong math or computer programming skills or experience with a healthcare project are preferred
Cost: $40 application fee; $850 program participation fee
The AIMI High School Summer Program offers two-week-long high school internships that let students delve into the fundamentals of AI in healthcare and explore the technical and clinical aspects of it through informative lectures. The program also includes mentoring activities with Student Leads and researchers, and hands-on group work sessions for research projects. With social activities and a Virtual Career Lunch & Learns session that includes guest speakers from academia, non-profits, industry, and government, you will have a solid platform to build a network with established seniors and connect with your peers in this program.
You may also have the opportunity for an extended independent research internship at the end of this program. Once the program is complete, you will receive a Certificate of Completion.
11. California State Summer School for Mathematics and Science (COSMOS)
Location: UC Davis, UC Irvine, UC Los Angeles, UC San Diego, or UC Santa Cruz
Program Dates: July 6 - August 1
Application Deadline: February 7
Eligibility: Students from grades 8-12 with a 3.5 GPA
Cost: $44 application fee; $5,256 tuition; Financial aid is available
The California State Summer School for Mathematics and Science (COSMOS) is an intensive program that will equip you with nuanced insights into STEM fields, including computer science. This is achieved through hands-on and lab-intensive curricula that will provide a holistic learning experience offering both theory and practical knowledge. You will also be mentored by renowned faculty, scientists, and researchers as you explore advanced topics beyond your high school curriculum and use state-of-the-art facilities to conduct research.
The program offers different “clusters” that cover a broad range of subjects such as Light-based Technologies in Everyday Life, Robots for Undersea Science, Robot Inventors, Machine Learning: Can We Teach a Computer to Think?, and more. You can explore different facets of computer science and its various multidisciplinary applications through this program.
12. Anita Borg Leadership and Engagement (ABLE) Advanced Research Experience (ARE)
Location: UCSD, San Diego, CA
Program Dates: June 23 – July 18
Application Deadline: February 1 – March 10
Eligibility: Southern California high school students in grades 10-12; 16+ by June 15; A minimum GPA of 3.0
Cost: $975
This is an intensive four-week program offering high school internships that San Diego students can benefit from in the summer. It focuses on computer science, data science, and medical engineering. Each week, a different discipline will be highlighted, including machine learning and AI, as you engage in hands-on data science exploration, medical engineering activities, and programming training with the help and guidance of UCSD faculty.
You will engage with top faculty and researchers and gain real-world exposure to multidisciplinary research and learning. You will also have the opportunity to work on campus with a UCSD mentor and their research team for a week! You can select a project topic of your choice and engage in academic readings, collaborative discussions, and software instructions as you tailor your experience to your needs and make the most of your 1:1 mentorship experience.