12 Internships for High School Students in Alabama
If you’re a high schooler in Alabama looking for professional experiences, consider an internship!
Taking up internships during high school can provide experience, allow you to explore potential career paths, and develop skills. Internship experiences can also provide a platform for personal and professional growth, and an opportunity to dive into a subject you’re interested in, whether you’re looking to learn industry-specific tools, explore new tech, or build a professional network.
Internships are a great way to understand the professional environment, while displaying your commitment to learning. This can give your college applications a boost, as admissions officers seek applicants who demonstrate initiative and a genuine interest in their chosen field of study.
If you are a high school student in Alabama, this blog is for you! We’ve curated a list of 12 internships for high school students that you can consider! It covers internships across various disciplines, from STEM and medicine to communications and renewable energy.
1. Ladder Internships
Location: Virtual! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on program
Eligibility: Open to all high school students who can work 10–20 hours per week, for 8–12 weeks
Application deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year, vary with the cohort
Program dates: Multiple 8-12 week cohorts throughout the year, including Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring
Founded by Harvard Alumni, Ladder Internships is a fairly selective program that pairs high school students with startups and nonprofits across the world for virtual internships. Based on your interests, you can choose from a wide range of available industries, including engineering, technology, machine learning, health tech, computer science, AI, business, finance, and more. These opportunities span organizations across the globe, with a concentration in the US, Asia, Europe, and the UK. All the options can be explored in their application form. You will be required to present your work at the end of the internship. With guidance and mentorship from a startup manager and a Ladder coach, you will engage in one-on-one training for soft skills and professional skills, along with group training sessions with your peers.
2. Alabama Data Scholars Internship Program by Quanthub
Location: Virtual and in-person opportunities are available
Cost/Stipend: Stipend of $500 upon successful completion of the program
Eligibility: Alabama high school sophomores, juniors, seniors, and recent graduates who are at least 16 years old at the start of the internship
Application deadline: Not mentioned. Applications typically open in December
Program dates: June 2 - July 25
Quanthub’s Alabama Data Scholars is an 8-week summer internship and skills development program that introduces Alabama high school students to careers in data analytics, data science, and artificial intelligence (AI). Selected students are placed with organizations that are using data to make a positive impact in the state. As an intern, you will be exposed to emerging artificial intelligence and machine learning tools and applications. The program helps you develop skills in data analysis, visualization, business analytics, Power BI, Python, and SQL. You will also participate in professional development and mentoring activities, network with industry leaders, explore academic opportunities, and listen to special guest speakers.
3. NASA Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) Internships
Location: These internships are offered across NASA facilities. Students may select roles based on the cities they are in. Some virtual options are also offered
Cost/Stipend: Interns may receive a stipend based on academic level and session length
Eligibility: Must be a U.S. citizen; Have a cumulative 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale); Be a full-time student (high school through graduate level) or a part-time college-level student enrolled in a minimum of 6 semester hours; Be a minimum of 16 years of age at the time of application (no exceptions)
Application deadline: January (Fall session) | August (Spring session) | October (Summer session)
Program dates: Fall (16-week program, from late August or early September to mid-December) | Spring (16-week program, from mid-January to early May) | Summer (10-week program, from late May or early June to August)
NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) offers paid internships to 2,000 high school and college-level students annually at its various sites across the country. Some virtual options are offered too! These internships provide an opportunity to gain work experience and contribute to the agency’s mission to advance science, technology, aeronautics, and space exploration. You will work alongside research scientists, engineers, and individuals from other professions, helping them design experiments, analyze mission data, and develop innovative technologies. The internships are offered in a range of subjects and disciplines, including space science, engineering, aeronautics, technology, space microbiology, ecology, and even outreach and communications. Explore the different internships here using the ‘Filter’ option to see the opportunities available to high school students.
4. UAB Department of Surgery’s Pre-College Research Internship for Students from Minority Backgrounds (PRISM)
Location: The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, Alabama
Cost/Stipend: Interns will receive a stipend of $1,000 upon successful completion of the program
Eligibility: Must be High school juniors; U.S. Citizen or permanent resident; Belong to an underrepresented racial or ethnic group as defined by the National Institutes of Health Criteria (limited to African American, Hispanic, Native American, Native Alaskan, or Native Pacific Islander) OR Must be in the first generation of their family, intending to pursue college
Application deadline: February 16
Program dates: June 3 – July 26
The UAB Department of Surgery’s Pre-College Research Internship for Students from Minority Backgrounds (PRISM) is a selective program that provides high school students interested in healthcare and medicine with research experience. Five (5) selected students spend eight weeks working on a research project with guidance and mentorship from surgeons and their peers, which they then present at the end of the program. The knowledge and experience gained from the program will allow you to explore careers in medicine and related fields, particularly in the field of surgery, and lend you a competitive edge during college admissions. You will also build a deeper appreciation for scientific research processes and understand the impact that research can have in improving patient care and patient outcomes. Interns also attend learning experiences, including seminars and workshops, and supplemental activities, like clinical shadowing, to explore the clinical practice and surgical careers.
5. ASA Aerospace Internship Program
Location: 1-week virtual, followed by 1-week in-person in Alabama or Colorado
Subject areas: Multiple fields within the aerospace industry
Cost/Stipend: None
Eligibility: High school students who reside in Alabama and are interested in careers related to or in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics
Application deadline: Dates will be announced. You can check it here.
Program dates: 2-week program; Dates will be announced. You can check it here.
The ASA Aerospace Summer Internship Program is an unpaid internship program for students interested in pursuing careers in the aerospace industry. Apart from STEM fields, opportunities are available in different subject areas, including business, program management, procurement, human resources, communications, legal, and more. As an intern, you will get the opportunity to experience the various facets of the aerospace industry. You will gain experience while spending time at different aerospace facilities, getting a behind-the-scenes look at the workings of the company and its current projects. You will interact with industry professionals and learn about prospective careers, giving effective presentations, writing resumes, job interviews, and more. The internship runs for two weeks, which includes a virtual week followed by an in-person week in Alabama or Colorado. You also have the option to continue your work with the ASA Chapter, post the program.
Note: You can check out some of the past participating companies here.
6. Alabama Power Internship Program at the Edmundite Mission Center for Workforce Development
Location: Selma, Alabama
Subject areas: Community welfare
Stipend: $12 per hour
Eligibility: The internship is available to seniors at Selma High School
Application deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. You can apply here.
Program dates: One-semester program that requires a commitment of 15 hours per week
Edmundite Missions is a catholic organization that provides food, clothing, and shelter to underprivileged and marginalized children and families while addressing the systemic poverty in the Deep South. Their one-semester internship program combines paid employment at the company with academic support and training in workforce participation. Interns will develop hard and soft skills required for future employment, including workplace communication, creativity, decision-making, critical thinking, communication, time management, leadership, and conflict resolution.
7. Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC) Internship Program
Location: Virtual
Subject areas: Communications, digital media, and curriculum building
Cost/Stipend: No cost; paid (amount not specified)
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old
Application deadline: March 31
Program dates: May-August (8-10 weeks in the summer)
Smithsonian Science Education Center invites high school students to intern with its curriculum, digital media, and communications division. They offer two internships: communications and marketing and global goals. The communications and marketing intern assists with the development of communications and marketing materials, communication dissemination, strategy, and asset management. With mentorship, you will gain insight into the department's inner workings and how to apply the materials to enhance the SSEC brand. Applicants should have an eye for visual communication, social media experience, experience or interest in photo, video, writing, or editing, and/or interest in science, education, curriculum work, and the ability to adhere to tight deadlines.
8. Lockheed Martin Space’s High School Internship Program
Location: Huntsville, Alabama. Available in 5 other cities, you can check it out here.
Subject areas: Aerospace sciences
Cost/Stipend: This information is not available at the moment
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years of age at the start of the internship, have a passion for a career in STEM, and live within commutable distance of a Lockheed Martin Space facility
Application deadline: January
Program dates: June – August
The high school internship program at Lockheed Martin Space is for students interested in pursuing STEM-related careers. This program provides them with an opportunity to work with aerospace scientists and engineers. You will spend more than 9 weeks over the summer working on projects and tech that helps the company’s customers stay ahead of the curve. As an intern, you can expect to partake in on-the-job training, mentoring and leader shadowing, professional development workshops, community service, networking events and social activities, and tours of facilities and products.
The internship is available in six US cities. You can check out the list here.
9. Alabama Colon & Gastro, PC’s Summer Internship Program
Location: Huntsville, Alabama
Subject areas: Medicine and gastroenterology
Cost/Stipend: Paid (amount not specified)
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years of age and reside in Alabama
Application deadline: February 15
Program dates: May – August
Started in 2017, Alabama Colon & Gastro, PC’s summer internship program provides high school and college students a chance to explore medical careers. The program aims to mentor the students while encouraging them to pursue a medical degree and stay in Alabama to provide healthcare to the community. Interns gain experience in a medical office setting, shadow their providers, and gain knowledge about medicine and the field of gastroenterology. You are expected to work at least 15 hours per week during the summer from May to August. The application form can be viewed here.
10. Internships at the Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI)
Location: Virtual | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Subject Areas: Foreign policy, international relations, research, communications, and more
Cost/Stipend: Stipend awards are determined by financial need after interns are selected for their program
Eligibility: High school students who have the right to work in the US can apply
Application deadline: The applications typically close in July (Fall Session), November (Spring Session), and March (Summer Session)
Program dates: These internships are offered in 3 sessions – Fall (September to December) | Spring (February to May) | Summer (June to August)
Foreign Policy Research Institute is a prestigious think tank that offers high school students an opportunity to connect with foreign relations community members. Interns are paired with professionals or scholars from the field who provide support for building industry-specific skills and general skills, including communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and time management. You will attend weekly foreign policy and career-focused seminars with guest speakers. You will also have the opportunity to work on a research paper that will be considered for publication in the organization’s intern corner.
Internships are available in research, special events/development, communications, and operations. You can check out the details of each of the internships here.
11. UAB Medicine Teen Volunteer Program
Location: University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama
Subject areas: Medicine, hospitals, and community welfare
Cost/Stipend: None
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 15 years old by June 1
Application deadline: Not specified. Applications typically open in February
Program dates: The program is offered in two sessions – one runs through the month of June and the other through July
The UAB Medicine teen volunteer program is an opportunity to contribute to the hospital’s success and make a huge difference in the life of someone. Some of the areas where volunteers can help are gift shops, waiting rooms, burn/trauma units, neuro ICU, day-of-surgery, in-patient units, way-finders, clowning, healing words, Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP), animal-assisted activities, palliative care, and more. In addition to volunteering, you will be able to enhance your computer skills, experience all aspects of healthcare, build a resume, and make new friends.
12. EnergyMag Internships
Location: Virtual
Subject Areas: Energy storage, renewable energy, conservation
Cost/Stipend: None
Eligibility: Must be sophomores, juniors, and seniors only; Have taken at least one honors science or honors English class; Have a minimum GPA of 3.25
Application deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. You can apply here
Program dates: Half-time internships come in increments of 2 weeks, from 2 to 8 weeks. The interns are expected to work approximately 20 hours per week. Half-time internships are available during the summer; Quarter-time internships come in increments of 1 month, from 1 to 9 months. The interns are expected to work approximately 8 hours per week. Quarter-time internships are available all year round
EnergyMag offers a limited number of virtual internships to high school and college students keen on exploring the renewable energy sector. The program aims to provide students with research and analysis skills in science and business issues, which will be valuable to the intern’s professional lives, irrespective of the chosen career field. Students will work from home and be in regular contact via Skype and email with EnergyMag and their mentor. Depending on your education level, academic record, and experience, you will be asked to research and analyze a specific company, a specific technology, a specific (narrow) market, or other similar activities. The assigned mentor will brief and guide you throughout the process. Your tasks will include researching the topic, contacting the people with relevant information, analyzing and synthesizing the gathered information, and producing a draft analysis report. The final report will reference your name and be published on the website.