16 Software Internships for High School Students in Georgia
High school internships allow you to explore potential career paths early, while also strengthening your resume with relevant experience. These experiences also give you a clearer understanding of what working in a specific field actually involves, increasing your overall employability odds. If you are interested in technology, software engineering internships can be especially useful in developing both technical and analytical skills.
Georgia offers a mix of university-led programs, nonprofit initiatives, and industry-linked opportunities that include software-focused roles for high school students.
To make your search easier, we’ve narrowed down a list of the best 15 software engineering internships for high school students in Georgia.
Why should I do a software internship in high school?
A software internship in high school typically involves working on defined tasks such as writing code, testing features, or contributing to small-scale projects. Some programs include building individual or group projects that can be documented and included in a portfolio for college applications. This kind of work experience can be referenced in essays or interviews, especially when applying to STEM-focused programs. You will also become familiar with development tools, version control systems, and basic workflows used in collaborative coding environments. Plus, getting that kind of hands-on experience early on gives you a massive head start, making it much easier to tackle tougher projects later or stand out when you are looking for your next big opportunity.
P.S. If you want to explore more on the tech and CS side, 13 Free Online Computer Science Internships for High School Students and 15 Prestigious Engineering Internships for High School Students are both good reads — the latter especially if you're aiming for more competitive programs.
16 Software Internships for High School Students in Georgia
1. Project ENGAGES – Georgia Tech
Location: Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, GA
Stipend: Paid, exact amount not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly Selective; approximately 20–30 students
Dates: Summer Bootcamp: Starts June 1; Full Program: June through May
Application Deadline: February 27
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors who will be age 16 by June; minimum 3.0 GPA (83) in both science and overall coursework
The Project ENGAGES Program at Georgia Institute of Technology is a selective, research-based summer program that places high school students into faculty-led labs to work on defined projects in science, engineering, and computing. You are paired with a Georgia Tech research lab, where you contribute to ongoing projects under the guidance of faculty and graduate mentors. The program includes a preparatory component that introduces research methods, followed by sustained work on an individual or team-based research project. You also participate in activities like industry visits, discussions, and presentations that provide exposure to different areas within STEM.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Cost varies depending on the program type; financial aid is available / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 25%; around 100 students per cohort
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: High school, undergraduate, and gap year students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks
The Ladder Internships Program is a virtual, project-based internship where you are placed with a startup or nonprofit to work on a defined assignment in areas such as software development, AI, or business operations. These host organizations are typically early-stage or growth-focused companies, including venture-backed startups and mission-driven teams, where projects are tied to current operational needs. Your work is linked to a specific deliverable, which may include building a feature, analyzing data, or developing a functional prototype, depending on the project scope. You are matched with an organization and work under the guidance of a supervisor, with regular check-ins to review progress and refine outputs.
3. Georgia Tech Summer Engineering Institute (SEI)
Location: Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, GA
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly Selective; approximately 20–30 students
Dates: June 7–15
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Rising 11th and 12th-grade students who are interested in engineering, science, math, or technology; at least 16 years old
The Summer Engineering Institute (SEI) at Georgia Institute of Technology is a short-term engineering program that introduces high school students to multiple disciplines through defined modules and project-based coursework. You work on design tasks and technical exercises that introduce you to concepts across multiple engineering disciplines. Some modules incorporate basic programming, logic-building, or computational problem-solving used to model systems or support engineering tasks. You may work with code to simulate processes, analyze inputs, or understand how software integrates with hardware systems. You also interact with Georgia Tech faculty and students throughout the program.
4. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available.
Application deadline: Rolling. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). You can apply to the program here.
Program dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Eligibility: High school students. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers programs for high school students who are passionate about artificial intelligence. Students who are looking to get started with AI, ML, and data science would benefit from the AI Scholars program. Through this 10-session boot camp, students are introduced to the fundamentals of AI & data science and get a chance to work on real-world projects.
Another option for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. Through this program, students get a chance to work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. A bonus of this program is that students have access to the in-house publication team to help them secure publications in high school research journals. You can also check out some examples of past projects here and read about a student’s experience in the program here. While this isn’t a traditional internship, it follows a similar mentored structure!
5. Microsoft Discovery Program
Location: Microsoft campus, Atlanta, GA
Stipend: Paid hourly, rate not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly Selective; approximately 20–30 students
Dates: July 6–31
Application Deadline: Typically late February
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors (rising college freshmen) who are at least 16 years old, have completed Pre-Calculus, and attend school in Atlanta Public Schools, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fulton, or Gwinnett counties
The Microsoft Discovery Program by Microsoft is a short-term internship that introduces high school seniors to roles across software engineering, product development, and business functions. You are placed in a small team and work on a project aligned with a Microsoft product group, where you learn about core software concepts such as problem decomposition, basic coding tasks, and how different components of a product are developed and integrated. The program includes mentorship from Microsoft employees and sessions focused on professional development and collaboration. You also participate in discussions and activities that introduce you to different roles within the tech industry. Throughout the program, you’ll get to participate in team discussions, problem-solving tasks, and project development activities.
6. STEM@GTRI High School Internship Program
Location: GTRI Atlanta Campus, Cobb County Research Facility, or the Warner Robins Field Office, GA
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly Competitive; approximately 60–75 students annually
Dates: June 8 – July 17
Application Deadline: January 18
Eligibility: Georgia high school students; at least 16 years old; be in the high school graduating class of 2026, 2027, or 2028 (Sophomore, Junior, or Senior); be a U.S. citizen or have U.S. person status; have reliable transportation to the assigned work location
During this internship, you'll explore advanced fields like cybersecurity, robotics, and app development while working within a high-level research environment. You will spend your summer coding software, assembling hardware, and analyzing data sets under the mentorship of professional scientists. A unique feature of this program is the chance to work directly in state-of-the-art labs in Atlanta or Warner Robins as a paid professional peer. Through this experience, you'll sharpen technical skills in languages like Python and C++ while mastering the basics of research methodology. Finally, you will present your findings to your team, gaining confidence in technical communication and professional collaboration.
7. TAG-Ed High School Summer Internship
Location: Host companies are located throughout Georgia
Stipend: Paid and unpaid options available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly Competitive; typically 100–200 students
Dates: June 1 – July 24
Application Deadline: Late March to Early April
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors or seniors; age 17+ by June 1; Georgia Resident (attending a Georgia high school); U.S. Work Authorization required
The TAG-Ed High School Summer Internship is an eight-week program that pairs you with another student to tackle real-world projects at a Georgia-based technology company. Throughout the summer, you will explore diverse STEM fields like software development, cybersecurity, data science, engineering, and digital marketing. Your daily activities will include building project deliverables, attending professional development workshops, and collaborating directly with experienced industry mentors. Because the program guarantees placement in a small peer team, you will focus entirely on goal-oriented assignments that solve actual business challenges. Ultimately, you will walk away with hard technical skills like coding and data analysis, plus essential professional skills such as workplace communication, teamwork, and accountability.
8. Gwinnett County Public Schools WBL - Tech/CS Track
Location: Various corporate job sites throughout Gwinnett County and Metro Atlanta, or within specific GCPS school departments
Stipend: Paid and unpaid options area available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size varies by school
Dates: August – May
Application Deadline: Late April
Eligibility: Juniors and seniors (16+ years old) who have completed or are currently enrolled in a relevant CTAE Tech/CS Pathway (e.g., Cybersecurity, Programming, Game Design). Must have a clean discipline record and reliable transportation
Through the Gwinnett County Public Schools WBL Tech/CS track, you leave campus early to apply your classroom coding knowledge in professional software environments. The program covers essential topics like software engineering, web development, game design, and cloud computing. During your placement, you will write and debug code, design digital interfaces, and collaborate with industry mentors on technical tasks. A unique feature of this track is earning school credit for professional industry experience, allowing you to build a network before graduation. You will sharpen technical skills in languages like Java or JavaScript while mastering employability traits like workplace ethics and collaborative problem-solving.
9. Emma Bowen Foundation (EBF) Internship
Location: Atlanta, GA
Stipend: Paid hourly, rate not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly Selective; 150 students each year
Dates: 8–10 weeks during the summer. Internships typically begin in late May or early June
Application Deadline: Typically early January
Eligibility: High school senior OR an undergraduate college students who is graduating in Spring with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 who are at least 18 years of age at the start of the internship; U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The Emma Bowen Foundation Internship Program is a multi-year paid internship program that places students in media, entertainment, and technology companies, including roles related to software and digital systems. You work on projects that may involve software development, web and mobile platforms, data processing, and digital content systems used by media organizations. Tasks can include writing and testing code, supporting backend systems, assisting with data workflows, and contributing to the maintenance of internal tools or user-facing applications. The program also exposes you to how technology supports broadcasting, streaming, and digital publishing operations within partner companies.
10. Fulton County Schools Work-Based Learning (WBL) - Computer Science Pathway
Location: Fulton County, GA (Participating high schools; key hub: Innovation Academy in Alpharetta)
Stipend: Paid and unpaid options are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; typically 50–150 students per large high school
Dates: Full Academic Year (August – May); students typically leave school early daily for their job site
Application Deadline: February 20
Eligibility: Rising 11th & 12th graders; age 16+; must have completed/be enrolled in a Computer Science pathway; good discipline/attendance record; and provide own transportation
As a student in Fulton County’s Computer Science WBL pathway, you’ll transition from classroom theory to professional software environments. The curriculum spans topics like cybersecurity, game design, embedded computing, and artificial intelligence through hands-on industry placements. You will spend your time building team-based coding projects, shadowing tech veterans, and attending mock interviews to refine your professional presence. A standout feature is the opportunity to earn an official Employability Skills Diploma Seal while leaving campus early for your internship. You will walk away with marketable programming skills alongside essential habits like collaborative problem-solving and strict time management. This program bridges the gap between high school and a high-tech career.
11. Georgia Tech Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering STEP Summer Internship Program
Location: Primarily Georgia Tech, Atlanta, GA
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; approximately 40–45 students
Dates: Atlanta: July 6–17; Augusta: June 8–17
Application Deadline: Early to mid-March
Eligibility: Georgia high school students (typically rising seniors) who are at least 16 years old by the program start date and are authorized to work in the U.S.
In this program, you participate in a design project that centers on solving a defined engineering problem, often modeled on applications such as drone systems or planetary exploration devices. From a software perspective, parts of the project may involve working with code to control systems, process inputs, or support simulation and testing. This can include basic programming for embedded systems, data handling, or understanding how software interacts with hardware components in engineered systems. You will be supported by faculty, university students, and mentors who provide technical guidance as you move through different stages of development.
12. TECH360 Internship
Location: Atlanta, GA
Stipend: $500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; typically 100–150 students per regional city cohort
Dates: Atlanta dates: Cycle 1: June 15 – July 2, Cycle 2: July 13–30
Application Deadline: May 24
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors currently attending an Atlanta high school; residents of Fulton or DeKalb County
The TECH360 Program by America On Tech is an intensive technology training program focused on introducing you to artificial intelligence, software concepts, and related digital tools through structured coursework and projects. You work through modules that cover topics such as how AI systems are developed, foundational concepts in data science and machine learning, and the use of generative and predictive technologies. You complete guided assignments and group-based tasks that involve applying these concepts to build or propose technology solutions, including AI-powered tools or applications. The program includes exposure to technical workflows and problem-solving processes used in software and AI development.
13. AISEE Summer Academy — Clayton State University
Location: Clayton State University, Morrow, GA
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 16 students per year
Dates: May 31 – June 7
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Rising 10th, 11th, and 12th grade high school students who are U.S. citizens; specifically targets underserved/minority students and women in STEM
The Artificial Intelligence Study in Earth Exploration (AISEE) Summer Academy at Clayton State University is a short-term residential STEM program focused on applying artificial intelligence and programming to Earth science and space-related problems. You work through a curriculum that introduces Python programming, data science concepts, and the use of AI tools in analyzing Earth and environmental data. You engage with technical modules that connect computing concepts to NASA-related applications, including working with datasets and understanding how AI models can be used to interpret scientific information. The program includes guided instruction, project-based tasks, and exposure to research topics aligned with space and Earth exploration.
14. Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Stipend: Application fee: $45; Program Fee: $2,400; financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; ~50 students
Dates: Session A: June 15–26, Session B: July 6–17
Application Deadline: February 20
Eligibility: High school students currently attending a US high school who are over the age of 14 by the start of the program
The Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship is a virtual program focused on artificial intelligence applications in healthcare. You attend lectures on topics such as machine learning, medical imaging, and data analysis, followed by mentored project work. The project component involves working with datasets to build and evaluate basic models using programming tools. You also review research papers and participate in discussions that focus on how AI methods are applied in clinical contexts. The program includes sessions with researchers and clinicians who explain how these systems are developed and tested. You present your project findings at the end of the program.
15. NASA’s GeneLab for High Schools (GL4HS) Program
Location: Virtual
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not selective; typically, large cohorts (>800 students)
Dates: June 1 – August 28
Application Deadline: March 15, or until 1,000 applications are received, whichever happens first
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors; U.S. citizens and permanent residents; attending U.S. high schools; minimum 3.0 GPA; completed at least one high school biology course
NASA GeneLab for High Schools (GL4HS) is a summer research training program focused on space biology and bioinformatics, offered through NASA’s Ames Research Center. You will work through modules that focus on analyzing large biological datasets using coding environments and software-based tools commonly used in data-driven research. The program includes training in computational biology techniques and the use of bioinformatics tools to process and interpret research data. You work through assignments such as data analysis exercises, Jupyter notebook activities, and scientific readings that reflect current research practices. An optional capstone component allows you to collaborate in teams to analyze datasets and prepare a research-based presentation.
16. NASA OSTEM High School Internships
Location: Remote
Stipend: Paid based on academic level and session duration
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 2,000+ students across centers
Dates: Spring/Fall: 16 weeks | Summer: 10 weeks (May – August)
Application Deadline: Spring: September 12; Summer: February 27; Fall: May 22
Eligibility: Students aged 16 or older who are enrolled full-time in high school through graduate school and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale; applicants must be U.S. citizens
The Internship Programs by NASA are project-based placements that include roles focused on software development, data systems, and computational research within the agency’s technical teams. You will be assigned to a specific project where your work may involve writing and testing code, developing software tools, working with large datasets, or supporting simulation and modeling tasks used in space and aeronautics research. You work with engineers, developers, and researchers who guide the technical scope of your tasks while you contribute to ongoing projects across areas such as flight systems, robotics, Earth science data platforms, or mission support software. The program includes exposure to programming languages, development environments, and workflows used within NASA teams, depending on the project assignment.
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