13 Internships for High School Students in Pittsburgh
If you're in high school and want experience outside the classroom, internships are a great way to start. They let you apply what you’ve learned, build new skills, and work alongside professionals in a field that interests you. Internships also give you a glimpse into possible career paths—helping you figure out what excites you before college.
If you're in Pittsburgh or open to virtual options, there are several internship programs designed just for high schoolers. We’ve selected 14 opportunities, including those offered by local universities, hospitals, and research organizations. These programs often involve hands-on projects, mentorship, and exposure to professional work environments.
1. Ladder Internship Programs
Location: Remote (virtual); accessible worldwide
Cohort Size: 100
Dates: July to early September (Summer cohort)
Application Deadline: June
Eligibility: High school students who can commit 10–20 hours per week for 8–12 weeks; also open to undergraduates and gap-year students
Cost: Varies depending on program type; financial aid available
In Ladder Internship Programs, you’ll spend 6 to 8 weeks working with a startup or nonprofit in areas like computer science, finance, biology, marketing, or social impact. You will write, code, study data, or design materials, depending on your project. Each intern has a mentor, typically a college student or recent graduate, who guides the way. Each week, you’ll attend workshops on practical skills like managing projects, writing resumes, and building connections. By the end of the program, you’ll present your work to your host team and other interns.
2. Volunteering Internship at Carnegie Museums
Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – across the four Carnegie Museums
Cohort Size: Limited and depends on the museum’s seasonal needs
Dates: June - August (Summer)
Application Deadline: Summer Program closes in March
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9 through 12 of at least 14 years old and available for a minimum of 4 weeks during the summer
Cost/Stipend: None
This internship is for high school students in Pittsburgh who enjoy art, science, or education. As a volunteer, you’ll help with family programs, gallery work, summer camps, and events at one of four museum locations. You’ll interact with staff, visitors, and other teens while learning how a museum runs. Your role depends on where you're placed. You might run science demos, guide tours, or support creative arts sessions. The museums also host training sessions so you can learn how to work with visitors and understand what goes on behind the scenes.
3. Summer Internship Program by Magee-Womens Research Institute
Location: Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Cohort Size: Approximately 10 students per year
Dates: July – August
Application Deadline: March
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors (current juniors); must be 16 years or older by the start of the program; must attend a school within Allegheny County or nearby areas
Cost/Stipend: Free to attend; students receive a $1,000 stipend upon completion
This internship for high school students in Pittsburgh at the Magee-Womens Research Institute is a great way to explore careers in biomedical research and women’s health. Over four weeks, you’ll help with lab work, observe techniques in action, and support live research projects. You’ll be matched with a mentor who’ll guide your tasks, answer questions, and keep you on track. Expect team sessions, journal clubs, and a final presentation where you’ll share your learning with peers and professionals.
4. UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Academy
Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania — primarily at the University of Pittsburgh and UPMC facilities
Cohort Size: Approximately 60 per year
Dates: June – August
Application Deadline: February
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 15 years old by the program start date. U.S. citizenship or permanent residency required.
Stipend: Provided; Housing may be available for out-of-area students at no cost
The UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Academy is a summer internship for high school students in Pittsburgh who want lab experience. It runs for eight weeks. You’ll work in research labs at the University of Pittsburgh or UPMC with faculty and scientists. You’ll run tests, analyze data, or help with cancer research Each week, there are sessions on writing, ethics, and careers in science and medicine. At the end, you’ll present your work at a research symposium with students, scientists, and doctors.
5. Health Sciences Research Training Program
Location: University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: June – July
Application Deadline: March
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors (current juniors)
Cost/Stipend: No cost; selected students receive a stipend
The Health Sciences Research Training Program at the University of Pittsburgh is an internship for high school students in Pittsburgh, where you receive lab experience by working with researchers and healthcare experts from the university. As an intern, you will join ongoing projects in biology, public health, or clinical care. You’ll collect data, analyze results, and understand how research shapes health and care treatment. You will be guided by expert mentors throughout your time, and help you build research skills. You will be responsible for running lab tests, supporting health studies, or working with new medical tools. The program also includes learning sessions and visits to hospitals and research centers, so you can see how science works.
6. Gene Team by the University of Pittsburgh
Location: University of Pittsburgh, Department of Biological Sciences
Cohort Size: Approximately 12
Dates: June – August
Application Deadline: April
Eligibility: Current 10th and 11th grade students in Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS)
Cost/Stipend: Free to participate; students receive a stipend upon completion
The Gene Team program at the University of Pittsburgh offers high school students from Pittsburgh Public Schools a chance to work on genetics research. It’s built around lab work in molecular biology. Understand how to extract DNA, run gel electrophoresis, and do bacterial transformation in a university lab setting. Additionally, you will also work alongside faculty, grad students, and research mentors. At the end, you’ll present your research to your peers, mentors, and others at the university.
7. Carnegie Mellon’s Summer Academy for Math and Science (SAMS)
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Cohort Size: Approximately 100
Dates: June – August
Application Deadline: March
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors (current 11th graders) who are U.S. citizens or permanent residentsCost/Stipend: Free to attend; tuition, housing, meals, and program materials are fully covered; Students also receive a stipend
SAMS is a six-week summer program at Carnegie Mellon University. It’s for high school juniors from underrepresented backgrounds. You’ll study math and science at a college level through projects and lectures. You’ll tackle research assignments, practice thinking through problems, and learn how to write and explain your ideas clearly. Faculty and students at CMU will guide you one-on-one, and workshops will help you speak and work better with others. You’ll also have the opportunity to present your work. Throughout the program, you and your group will prep for a final research talk.
8. AEOP High School Internship
Location: Various U.S. Army and DoD research labs across the country, including Pittsburgh
Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: June - August
Application Deadline: February (Summer)
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent legal residents who are current high school students of at least 16 years of age
Cost/Stipend: Stipend provided; no fees to participate
The AEOP High School Internship connects you to research at U.S. Army labs and research centers. You’ll spend the summer in a Department of Defense lab, working with scientists and engineers. You will have the opportunity to run tests, log results, fix hardware, or help with data. By the end of summer, you might team up with other interns to share what you worked on. Some labs also let you sit in on staff meetings or tour other parts of the facility.
9. Carlow Summer College Program
Location: Carlow University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: July – August
Application Deadline: June
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
Cost: $600 total for 6 college credits (includes all materials and lunch during class days)
The Carlow Summer College Program is an internship for high school students in Pittsburgh, where you’ll take two college-level courses and can earn up to 6 credits. Classes are small, so you’ll get to know your professors and classmates. The subjects vary—from writing to healthcare to social sciences—so there’s room to follow what you like. You’ll work in groups, get regular feedback, and learn how college functions. Beyond class, you’ll join workshops on college admissions, financial aid, and career options. The program includes visits to local colleges and meetups with professionals around Pittsburgh. Although this is not a traditional internship, this program can help you prepare for your career by exposing you to working professionals.
10. Health Careers Scholars Academy
Location: University of Pittsburgh, Oakland campus, Pittsburgh, PA
Cohort Size: 100 selected annually
Dates: June – July
Application Deadline: February 25
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores or juniors (including homeschoolers), at least 15 years old. Open to U.S. and international students
Cost: $3,600, covering tuition, housing, meals, course materials, and program-related activities. Limited financial aid available
The Health Careers Scholars Academy (HCSA) is an internship for high school students in Pittsburgh interested in healthcare. You’ll study medicine, public health, research, and pharmacy through classes, discussions, and group work. The program mixes science lessons with a close look at how healthcare systems run. You’ll learn about patient care, medical ethics, and how teams solve problems by visiting hospitals and labs. You’ll also meet doctors, researchers, and other professionals, sit in on lectures, and try out medical simulations.
11. BNY Early College Program
Location: CCAC Allegheny Campus, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: June - August
Application Deadline: April (Rolling admissions may
continue afterward until spots are filled)
Eligibility: Open to Pittsburgh Public Schools students entering 11th or 12th grade
Cost/Stipend: Free
The BNY Mellon Early College Program, run with the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC), gives students from Pittsburgh Public Schools a chance to take college-level classes and learn how the business world works. You’ll attend classes at CCAC’s Allegheny Campus and cover topics tied to business problems. It focuses on areas like business, tech, and finance. You’ll practice clear communication, working with others, and staying organized. You’ll spend time with instructors and working professionals who show you what different careers look like. Some sessions bring in guest speakers from BNY Mellon and other companies, giving you a direct look at different jobs and industries.
12. Urban Impact Summer Internship
Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: June 17 – August 2
Application Deadline: March 29
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12
Cost/Stipend: Paid (stipend provided)
The Urban Impact Summer Internship gives you experience working with kids, planning events, and leading summer programs in Pittsburgh’s North Side. You’ll help run camps, organize community activities, and build leadership skills through daily tasks and mentorship. The internship includes professional development sessions and regular feedback from staff. You’ll also visit local organizations, meet professionals, and learn what it means to serve in a community-focused role.
13. AIMI Summer Health AI Bootcamp
Location: Stanford University (Virtual participation available)
Cohort Size: ~30 students
Dates: July 22–August 2
Application Deadline: April 8
Eligibility: High school students interested in health, computer science, or both
Cost/Stipend: Free
At the AIMI Summer Health AI Bootcamp, you’ll explore how artificial intelligence is applied in medicine. Through projects, you'll learn to work with medical data, build simple AI models, and interpret results. You’ll attend lectures by Stanford faculty, collaborate in small teams, and present your final project to professionals. The program includes workshops and mentorship from researchers in AI and healthcare. You’ll finish with a stronger grasp of AI’s role in solving health challenges—skills that will serve you in future studies.