12 Internships for High School Students in Arkansas
If you’re a high schooler in Arkansas looking for a way to engage in a field outside the classroom, consider an internship!
Internships give high school students a chance to explore career interests and gain some experience in a professional setting. From healthcare and engineering to communications and public service, these opportunities offer early exposure to a wide range of fields. While internships can be competitive, many programs are designed with high schoolers in mind, offering flexible roles that build both confidence and skills.
Taking part in an internship not only strengthens your college applications, but also shows initiative and helps you begin building a network in your field of interest. In this blog, we’ve rounded up 12 internships available to high school students in Arkansas. Whether in-person or virtual, these programs combine learning and career exploration to help you take the next step toward your future. Let’s take a look.
1. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies depending on program type
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year, vary by cohort
Dates: Multiple 8-12 week cohorts throughout the year, including Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring
Eligibility: Open to all high school students who can work 10–20 hours per week, for 8–12 weeks
Ladder Internships connects high school students with startups and nonprofits around the world, offering experiences in fields like tech, marketing, healthcare, business, finance, and design. Based on your interests, you’ll be matched with an organization where you’ll contribute to projects that support its mission. Throughout the internship, you’ll receive mentorship from both a startup manager and a dedicated Ladder coach. Interns are exposed to decision-making processes and gain insight into how teams operate in dynamic work environments. The program also includes a mix of one-on-one and group training sessions focused on building key professional skills.
2. Student Research Assistantships at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
Location: Department of Chemistry and Physics, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Pine Bluff, Arkansas
Cost/Stipend: Paid; amount not specified
Application Deadline: Not specified
Dates: Summer positions are available to high school students
Eligibility: High school, undergraduate, and graduate students can apply
The Department of Chemistry and Physics offers high school students the chance to take part in paid summer research assistantships in fields like chemistry, physics, nanoscience, and materials science. These positions give motivated students experience in active research labs, working alongside faculty and contributing to grant-funded projects supported by agencies like the National Science Foundation, Department of Defense, and Department of Energy. As a research assistant, you’ll explore advanced scientific topics, learn lab skills, and receive mentorship from university faculty, while also earning a stipend for your work. Whether you're interested in scientific discovery, preparing for college, or getting a head start on a STEM career, this program offers an opportunity to engage with great research in a professional lab environment.
3. High School Mentorship Program - University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Location: Center for Integrative Nanotechnology Sciences (CINS), University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Little Rock, Arkansas
Cost/Stipend: Paid; amount not specified
Application Deadline: Not specified
Dates: Summer positions are available to high school students
Eligibility: High school students can apply
The Center for Integrative Nanotechnology Sciences (CINS) offers high school students in Arkansas research opportunities through summer mentorships and academic programs focused on nanotechnology and STEM. Participants work closely with CINS researchers to build lab skills, explore scientific topics, and prepare competitive science fair projects. Each summer, selected students receive one-on-one guidance in a supportive research environment, gaining experience that helps prepare them for college and future careers. CINS also takes part in the College of Engineering and Information Technology’s High School Research Program, which is a three-week residential experience that blends STEM learning with campus life and community-building activities.
4. Arkansas Governor’s School at the Arkansas Tech University
Location: Arkansas Tech University, Russellville, Arkansas
Cost/Stipend: None. Room and board will be provided
Application Deadline: Mid-February
Dates: Four weeks in the summer
Eligibility: Students who are residents of Arkansas and who are currently juniors at a public or private high school or are homeschooled are eligible to be nominated to apply. These must be students who are entering their senior year of high school. Students who will graduate from high school before attending AGS are not eligible
Note: Eligible students must be nominated by their school to attend the Arkansas Governor's School (AGS). Students should contact their school counselor or G T coordinator
The Arkansas Governor’s School (AGS) is a four-week summer residential program for rising high school seniors who demonstrate strong academic or artistic potential. Funded by the Arkansas Department of Education, AGS is a fully funded opportunity, covering tuition, housing, meals, and instructional materials, and takes place on a college campus to provide a focused and immersive learning environment. AGS offers a unique, non-credit curriculum that encourages students to think critically, creatively, and collaboratively. Participants are selected based on excellence in one of eight areas: Choral Music, Drama, English/Language Arts, Instrumental Music, Mathematics, Natural Science, Social Science, or Visual Arts. In addition to focused study, students engage in interdisciplinary learning through seminars in conceptual development and personal growth. With its emphasis on inquiry, dialogue, and self-directed learning, AGS fosters a rigorous academic setting that prepares Arkansas’s top students to become thoughtful leaders and contributors to their communities.
5. Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art Internships
Location: Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, Arkansas
Cost/Stipend: No cost; some positions may offer a stipend
Application Deadline: Varies with the position
Dates: Varies with the position
Eligibility: All high school students in Northwest Arkansas are eligible. Further criteria can vary with the position
Note: Check all open internship positions here.
Crystal Bridges offers paid high school internships that give students the chance to gain experience in a professional museum setting. Designed for high schoolers across Northwest Arkansas, this program invites students to explore a wide range of roles within the museum, develop new skills, and build professional connections. In addition to working in a specific department, high school interns are introduced to the broader world of museum careers through cross-departmental learning and mentorship. Whether you’re interested in art, education, operations, or public engagement, this opportunity offers a meaningful way to explore future career paths while contributing to one of the region’s leading cultural institutions.
6. HEALERS Program at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Health
Location: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Health, Little Rock, Arkansas
Cost/Stipend: None
Application Deadline: April 1
Dates: Two weeks in June
Eligibility: Applicants must be Pulaski County residents entering their junior or senior year of high school
The UAMS HEALERS program offers high school students an opportunity to explore careers in medicine through learning and exposure. This summer program is designed to deepen students' understanding of healthcare by combining interactive training, clinical experience, and direct engagement with medical professionals. Participants learn essential skills such as first aid, CPR, and basic life support, while also gaining a stronger grasp of medical terminology and current health issues affecting teens. Through volunteer opportunities and active learning sessions, students build confidence, expand their knowledge of the healthcare field, and get a glimpse into clinical environments—all while exploring whether a future in medicine might be right for them.
7. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
Location: Depends on where you live. Thanks to its network of mentors, Hutton can place students within a 45-minute commute of the intern’s home
Stipend: $3,000 and an all-expenses paid trip to the Hutton Scholars Summit conducted at the University of Arkansas
Application Deadline: January 16
Dates: June-August (8 weeks)
Eligibility: Current high school students who are at least 16 and live and are residents of the US, Puerto Rico, Canada, and Mexico
The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program is an 8-week paid summer internship hosted by the American Fisheries Society, created to spark student interest in fisheries and aquatic science, especially among those from underrepresented communities. As a Hutton Scholar, you’ll be matched with a local fisheries professional who will mentor you through research in freshwater or marine settings. From lab work to field projects, you’ll explore subjects like conservation, aquatic ecology, and fisheries biology. Activities may include data collection, species identification, habitat restoration, or electrofishing. Throughout the program, you'll gain insight into environmental science careers and receive guidance on how to pursue them in the future.
8. Pathways Internship Programs at the U.S. Department of State
Location: This will vary; students can opt for programs close to their location. Check available options here.
Stipend: This varies from post to post.
Application Deadline: Varies from location to location
Dates: While the dates of the internship will vary from post to post, those under the Internship Experience Program (IEP) are expected to last the length of the academic program for which the intern is enrolled, and those under the Internship Temporary Program (ITEP) will run during seasonal and holiday breaks as well as year-round
Eligibility: Must be at least 16 years old by the closing date of the post they’re applying to; Must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 at the time of application and throughout the internship appointment
These internships offer high school students a chance to explore career paths within the federal government by gaining experience in offices such as the Environmental Protection Agency, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Office of the General Counsel, and more. Through these placements, students are introduced to fields like foreign affairs, public policy, and international relations while learning how government agencies operate.
There are two tracks within the program: the Internship Experience Program (IEP) and the Internship Temporary Program (ITEP). IEP interns may be eligible for non-competitive promotions and federal employee benefits during their term. ITEP interns are hired on a temporary basis—lasting up to one year or until their projected graduation date—with the possibility of annual extensions. Both tracks offer a way to build skills, explore interests, and gain insight into public service careers.
Note: All vacancies part of this internship program are posted on USAJobs.gov. So details such as the application deadline, internship dates will vary from role to role, and will be available on each specific posting. Check out current vacancies here.
9. The Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI): Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Stipend/Cost: None
Application Deadline: March
Dates: June 18 – 30 (tentative).
Eligibility: High school students aged 14 and older
The Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship offers high school students an opportunity to explore how artificial intelligence is shaping the future of healthcare. This free, virtual program brings together lectures, team-based projects, and one-on-one mentorship from Stanford researchers to introduce students to the impact of AI and machine learning in medicine. Over the course of the program, students work collaboratively to develop practical AI tools, attend talks from leading experts, and deepen their understanding of tech-driven healthcare innovation. Open to around 20 students each year, this highly selective internship provides both a solid foundation for future study and a standout experience for college applications.
10. SHTEM: Summer Internships for High Schoolers at Stanford University
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in January
Dates: June 17 - August 9
Eligibility: Students who will be in grades 11-12 at the time of application, OR full-time community college students (within the first 3 years of community college), are eligible to apply
This internship, offered by a globally renowned university, gives high school students the opportunity to dive into research and collaborative projects alongside Stanford faculty and industry professionals. Participants typically dedicate 30–40 hours per week, working across fields like science, technology, design, and the humanities. With a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary learning, the program helps students build both technical knowledge and essential soft skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, and communication. Through mentorship and access to Stanford’s vibrant academic network, you will gain experience that supports both college readiness and long-term career exploration.
11. 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
Application deadline: January (Fall session) | August (Spring session) | October (Summer session)
Dates: These internships are offered in 3 sessions – 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)
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)
NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) offers paid internships to high school and college students at NASA centers across the country, with some remote opportunities available. These internships provide students with a chance to contribute to real NASA missions and gain firsthand experience in fields like science, technology, aeronautics, and space exploration. As a NASA intern, you might help design experiments, analyze mission data, or support the development of new technologies, while working alongside experts in engineering, space science, ecology, communications, and more.
12. The Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Science Program (JHIBS): Project Pipeline Baltimore
Location: Virtual and in-person options. The in-person program will be held at the Johns Hopkins Department of Neurology on the East Baltimore campus
Stipend: In-person participants receive an hourly stipend (amount varies), while virtual interns receive a stipend of $500
Application Deadline: March 1, every year
Dates: 8 weeks, June - August (in-person); 5 weeks, July - August (virtual)
Eligibility: Juniors and seniors from around the country are eligible to apply to the 5-week virtual program; Juniors and seniors residing in Baltimore City and the metro area, who have a strong passion and interest in science and medicine, are from underrepresented groups, and have an academically strong background, are eligible for the in-person program
This 8-week, fully funded summer program gives high school students from underrepresented backgrounds the opportunity to explore neuroscience through research at Johns Hopkins University. Working closely with leading scientists, participants engage in lab work, attend seminars, and join weekly sessions focused on building both academic and professional skills. Interns also connect with top researchers in the field and present their findings at the end of the program. A virtual format is available for students who are unable to attend in person. Each year, 5–6 students are selected to participate, receiving an hourly stipend and transportation support.