15 Internships for High School Students in Gwinnett County
Looking to get a head start on your career while you're still in high school? Internships for high school students in Gwinnett County are a great way to explore career paths, build skills, and gain experience that looks impressive on college applications. Whether you're interested in law, medicine, engineering, government, or business, internship opportunities can help you figure out what you enjoy before making decisions about your future.
We’ve rounded up 15 internships that offer practical experience and networking opportunities for students based in Gwinnett. These include both in-person opportunities and flexible virtual options. While not all of them are officially branded as internships, each one offers valuable exposure to professional environments. From research labs to startups to public service, these internships for high school students in Gwinnett County are a great way to spend your summer or school year.
Location: Virtual
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective
Dates: Several cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Several deadlines throughout the year. The summer Cohort II deadline is June 23
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students
Cost: Varies
Ladder Internships offers high school students the chance to work directly with high-growth startups on real-world projects over an 8-week period. The Startup Internship allows you to engage in 5–10 hours of work per week, attending regular sessions with your host company and contributing to business development, product research, or strategic planning. The CEO Internship Program places you under the direct guidance of a startup founder—often from a FAANG company or a top global university—providing insight into startup leadership and decision-making. For students interested in combining practical experience with academic research, the Combination Program includes a mentored research track alongside the internship, culminating in a college-level research paper.
2. Empower Gwinnett Government Internship Program
Location: Various locations throughout Gwinnett County Government
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; paid internship positions are limited
Dates: June 2 – 27
Application Deadline: March 17
Eligibility: Students must be Gwinnett County residents or attend a high school in Gwinnett County, and should be 15–21 years old
Stipend: $15/hour
The Empower Gwinnett Government Internship Program is a four-week internship for high school students in Gwinnett County who want to gain experience in public service. You’ll work with Gwinnett County departments, develop leadership and professional skills, and explore how the local government serves its residents. The program includes workshops on resume writing, interview prep, and business etiquette, along with on-the-job training and mentorship. The internship includes two full-day Saturday workshops before you get placed in a department, where you’ll get career insights through assignments and direct interaction with government leaders.
3. Work-Based Learning (WBL) Program
Location: Various locations within the Gwinnett County Public Schools system
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Exact information is unavailable
Dates: Varies
Application Deadline: Typically late-April
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years old and have completed the required coursework related to their internship field
Stipend: Internships can be paid or unpaid
WBL gives high school juniors and seniors the chance to gain experience in a field aligned with their career interests. Through workplace placements, students build job-specific skills, develop leadership abilities, and refine their college and career goals. Many participants also earn Office Certifications in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint while learning to create a professional resume and portfolio. This internship for high school students in Gwinnett County emphasizes both academic achievement and practical experience, with students participating in nationally recognized organizations like DECA, FBLA, HOSA, and SkillsUSA.
4. Gwinnett Youth Police Academy (YPA)
Location: Gwinnett County Police Training Center, Lawrenceville, GA
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: While there aren’t exact numbers, it is considered to be competitive as it is a limited-enrollment program
Dates: July 7 – 11
Application Deadline: May 2
Eligibility: Rising 9th to 12th grade students
Cost/Stipend: None
The YPA is a one-week program for high school students in Gwinnett County that provides a firsthand look at law enforcement led by full-time officers. You'll participate in both classroom sessions and activities covering topics like crime scene investigation, taser and K9 demonstrations, emergency vehicle driving, and internet safety. This program provides valuable insight into careers in public safety, investigation, and criminal justice.
5. Junior District Attorney and Investigator Mentorship Program
Location: Gwinnett County Justice and Administration Center, Lawrenceville, GA
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not mentioned
Dates: June 11 – 25
Application Deadline: May 2
Eligibility: Students who attend a Gwinnett County public school and are 15–18 years old
Cost/Stipend: None
The Junior District Attorney and Investigator Mentorship Program gives high school students in Gwinnett County firsthand exposure to how the criminal justice system works, from courtroom procedures to law enforcement and corrections. You’ll work with assistant district attorneys, investigators, and staff to understand the responsibilities behind legal and investigative roles. Along the way, you'll build skills in legal reasoning, self-discipline, and professional communication while earning community service hours.
6. QUEST Internship Program for Gifted Students
Location: Gwinnett County Public Schools
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: During the school year
Application Deadline: Not specified; reach out to your local school QUEST Internship teacher
Eligibility: Motivated high school juniors or seniors who are part of the GCPS gifted program and have the last period of the school day open
Cost/Stipend: None
The QUEST Internship Program offers high school students in Gwinnett County a chance to explore potential career paths—such as law, medicine, education, business, communications, and more—through a semester-long internship with a professional mentor. You’ll spend at least five hours a week for 10–12 weeks gaining insight into a field that interests you, completing related assignments, and receiving elective academic credit if program requirements are met.
Location: Varies
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Open to interested members of the community
Dates: Several opportunities are available year-round
Application Deadline: Varies
Eligibility: High school, undergraduate, and graduate students
Cost/Stipend: None
If you’re looking for internships for high school students in Gwinnett County, you’ll find various opportunities here, spanning numerous departments like Communications, Law, Information Technology, Public Safety, Environmental Sciences, and Human Resources. You can volunteer for one-time events or take on ongoing projects based on your interests and availability, getting professional experience while giving back to your community.
8. Microsoft’s High School Discovery Program
Location: Atlanta, GA
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: ~2–3%
Dates: July 7 – August 1
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors who live or attend school around Atlanta, GA, who have completed precalculus or an equivalent course
Stipend: $20/hour
The Microsoft High School Discovery Program is a four-week internship for high school students designed to introduce you to tech careers through project work and mentorship. You’ll join a small team focused on a product development challenge, exploring fields like software engineering, product management, and UX design. Throughout the internship, you’ll understand core computer science concepts, practice problem-solving, and learn to work with a growth mindset. The program emphasizes collaboration, inclusion, and innovation, so you’ll get to engage with employees across disciplines, attend skill-building sessions, and present your project findings.
9. TAG-Ed High School Summer Internship Program
Location: Various locations in Georgia
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive
Dates: Eight weeks starting June 2
Application Deadline: Typically in March
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are at least 17 years old.
Stipend: $1,500 on completion
The TAG-Ed High School Internship Program connects high school juniors and seniors with STEM experience, where you'll be matched with a host company based on your interests and qualifications. Throughout the program, you’ll work with one or two fellow interns on a company-provided project with specific goals and deliverables. You’ll gain theoretical knowledge through classroom learning and apply those concepts to your project while being mentored by a professional in the field. Upon successful completion, you’ll receive a stipend.
10. Bank of America Student Leaders Program
Location: Varies; the final summit will be in Washington, D.C.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: ~5–8%
Dates: Varies by market, but typically 8 weeks after the end of your school year
Application Deadline: January 15
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors in good academic standing
Stipend: From $10 to $20/hour
The Student Leaders Program offers the chance to work with a local nonprofit, providing experience in community service. You’ll develop leadership skills while working on projects and contributing to meaningful local initiatives. In addition to the internship, you’ll participate in a national leadership summit in Washington, D.C., where you’ll learn how nonprofits, businesses, and government agencies work together to address community needs. The program is open to students from diverse backgrounds who are committed to civic engagement and public service.
11. Emory Winship Cancer Institute Summer Scholars Research Program
Location: Emory Winship Cancer Institute, Atlanta, GA
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective; only 10–12 students are selected
Dates: June 9 – July 18
Application Deadline: Typically in February
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors who are at least 16 years old.
Stipend: $2,400 upon completion
The Summer Scholars Research Program is a six-week, full-time internship for high school seniors interested in cancer research. You'll work one-on-one with a faculty mentor—typically a physician or lab-based researcher—on a research project in a clinical or laboratory setting. In addition, you’ll attend weekly lectures from oncology experts, participate in field trips to research institutions like the CDC and Georgia Tech, and present your research at a final symposium.
12. Seaside Sustainability Internships
Location: Virtual
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Flexible start and end dates
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school, college, and post-grad students who can work part-time for at least 15 hours/week for 5 months
Cost/Stipend: None; some interns may receive course credit
Seaside Sustainability offers remote, flexible internships for high school students interested in environmental work, project management, and professional skill-building. As an intern, you’ll contribute to sustainability projects alongside a global team while gaining experience in research, professional writing, communication, and project development. You’ll also get exposure to cross-functional collaboration, present findings to teams, and take on rotating roles to explore different aspects of sustainability and organizational work.
13. Atlanta Bar Association Summer Law Internship Program (SLIP)
Location: Atlanta, GA
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Dates: May 28 – July 18
Application Deadline: March 20
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
Stipend: Provided
The Summer Law Internship Program from the Atlanta Bar Association gives high school students experience in law through a six-week placement in a law firm, government agency, or corporate legal department. You'll take on assignments, attend weekly enrichment sessions with legal professionals, and compete in the Terrence Croft Essay Competition, where you'll analyze a U.S. Supreme Court decision. This is a rigorous, full-time program designed to build your legal knowledge, writing skills, and professional network. It also provides long-term support for students pursuing law school, including access to resources like LSAT and Bar prep assistance through the Highest Heights Forever Initiative.
14. Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: Virtual and in-person
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: ~10%
Dates: June 18 – August 8
Application Deadline: Typically in February
Eligibility: Students applying for the virtual internship must be at least 15 years old
Cost/Stipend: None
The Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) at George Mason University offers high school and undergraduate students the chance to conduct research alongside faculty mentors in a wide range of STEM fields. You’ll engage in projects across disciplines like neuroscience, machine learning, molecular medicine, environmental science, engineering, and more. Over the course of the program, you’ll use advanced lab equipment, develop scientific writing and communication skills, and explore career paths through discussions with researchers and professionals.
15. AEOP (Army Educational Outreach Program) High School Internship
Location: Various labs across the U.S. / Virtual
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Depends on the internship and location
Dates: Varies by project and lab
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Current or recently graduated high school students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Stipend: Varies based on internship
The AEOP High School Internship connects students with research opportunities in U.S. Army Research Laboratories, Centers, or university-affiliated labs. Over the course of the summer, you'll work alongside professional scientists and engineers on projects, gaining experience with advanced technology and research methods. You’ll receive formal mentorship, participate in career development workshops, and engage in college readiness sessions. You’ll also join a national network of peers and mentors who provide ongoing guidance.