15 Summer Internships for High School Students in Alabama

For high school students, internships are a chance to build practical skills, explore work environments, and understand how different industries function. You gain experience that strengthens college applications, improves long-term employability, and helps clarify academic and career interests before making big decisions. An internship builds valuable soft skills like leadership, communication, and time management, which will be useful regardless of which career path you eventually choose. 

Summer internships in Alabama offer high school students a strong introduction to professional life. Alabama has organizations such as Mercedes-Benz U.S. International in Tuscaloosa, which offers automotive and engineering roles, and the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), where programs like the Summer Science Institute and PRISM provide biomedical research experience. These experiences allow you to build professional networks, earn a competitive stipend, and gain a distinct advantage in college admissions.

To make your search easier, we’ve compiled a curated list of 15 summer internships for high school students in Alabama focused on meaningful learning and professional exposure.

1. Federal Defenders for the Middle District of Alabama

Location: Federal Defender Program, Montgomery
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; limited cohort
Dates: 10 weeks between early June and August
Application Deadline: Generally late February
Eligibility: All high school students

The Federal Defenders for the Middle District of Alabama offers a paid summer internship that introduces high school students to the federal criminal justice system through office experience. After completing required training and orientation, you assist attorneys and staff at various stages of client representation, with tasks matched to your skills and interests. Responsibilities may include organizing case materials, supporting community service referrals, and completing administrative work such as filing, copying, and mail handling. You are expected to adhere to strict confidentiality standards and sign a confidentiality agreement, given the nature of the legal work. 

2. Ladder Internship Program

Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on the program type; financial aid is available / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 10–25%; 70–100 students
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer, winter, spring, and fall
Application Deadline: Varies by 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 Internship Program is an eight-week, remote internship that pairs high school students with fast-growing startups across various industries, including technology, AI, healthcare, marketing, and consulting. You work directly on real company projects while collaborating with a startup manager and receiving guidance from a dedicated Ladder Coach. You attend regular virtual meetings, complete deliverables, and receive ongoing feedback on your work. Startups in the program are typically early-stage companies experiencing active growth, offering insight into how new businesses operate. At the end of the internship, you present your completed work to the company team.

3. QuantHub Alabama Data Scholars Internship Program

Location: Various locations across Alabama, hybrid and remote opportunities available
Stipend: $1,200
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 25–45 scholars
Dates: June 8 – July 31
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Alabama high school juniors and seniors who will be at least 16 years old by June 1

The QuantHub Alabama Data Scholars Internship Program places high school juniors and seniors into eight-week internships with Alabama-based employers that use data in their work. You commit time each week to both an internship placement and skills training focused on data literacy and career exploration. Interns develop practical experience in areas such as data analysis, visualization, AI concepts, and ethical data use. Workshops introduce tools and topics including Python, SQL, generative AI, and data storytelling. Opportunities are available in on-site, hybrid, or virtual formats depending on the employer. The program is designed to build technical skills while helping students explore college and career pathways in data-related fields.

4. Alabama Colon & Gastro Summer Internship Program

Location: Alabama Colon & Gastro, Huntsville
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; approximately 4–6 students per summer
Dates: May – August
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who are at least 17 years old and Alabama residents

Alabama Colon & Gastro, PC runs a summer internship that allows high school students to gain exposure to medical careers in a clinical office setting. During the program, you will learn how a gastroenterology practice operates while observing healthcare professionals and participating in day-to-day office activities. The experience includes shadowing providers and developing a clearer understanding of patient care and medical workflows. Interns are expected to work at least 15 hours per week over the summer, typically between May and August. The paid summer internship for high school students in Alabama also emphasizes mentorship and long-term career awareness within the medical field.

5. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program 

Location: All 50 U.S. states + Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, and the Pacific Islands
Stipend: $3,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: About 3%; 27–33 students making it to the final cohort each year
Dates: 8 weeks from June to August (flexible dates)
Application Deadline: January 25
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors; 16+ by the internship’s start

The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program is an eight-week paid internship that introduces high school students to fisheries science through direct mentorship and applied research. It matches you with a fisheries professional whose work determines your daily activities, which may take place in the field, laboratory, office, or on water-based sites. Tasks can include fish population surveys, habitat restoration, water quality testing, data analysis, or specimen examination. Some placements involve extended fieldwork or travel, depending on the host organization. The program concludes with a multi-day Scholars Summit focused on career pathways, college preparation, and professional networking.

6. ITEST Alabama

Location: Tuskegee University, Tuskegee
Stipend: Up to $1,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 40 students
Dates: July 1 – 25
Application Deadline: April 30
Eligibility: Rising 9-12th graders attending schools in Alabama's Black Belt areas

The ITEST Alabama Summer Academy is a computer science program for high school girls and minority students from Alabama’s Black Belt region. Led by faculty from Tuskegee University, the academy includes instruction in software engineering, network security, and computer hardware fundamentals. You learn app development using MIT App Inventor while strengthening basic coding skills. Weekly guest speakers introduce careers in computing and education, offering insight into academic and professional pathways. A central component of this summer internship for high school students in Alabama is a group project where you identify a local community need and design a mobile app solution.

7. Alabama Power Internship Program

Location: Edmundite Missions, Selma
Stipend: $12 per hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; 10–20 students per regional office or facility
Dates: June – July
Application Deadline: Typically, early in the year
Eligibility: Current high school seniors from Selma High School

The Alabama Power Internship Program at the Edmundite Missions Center for Workforce Development is a semester-long, paid opportunity available to seniors at Selma High School. You work an average of 15 hours per week across Edmundite Missions operations while receiving academic and workforce training. Interns develop practical workplace skills such as communication, time management, and professional conduct. The summer internship for high school students in Alabama integrates hands-on employment with instruction in leadership, decision-making, and conflict resolution. Internship sites are based within the Dr. Michael and Catherine Bullock Community and Recreation Center.

8. Lockheed Martin Space High School Internship (Huntsville)

Location: Huntsville
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 5–15 students per site
Dates: 9–10 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: December 19
Eligibility: Currently enrolled high school students who will be 16 years of age at the start of the internship and live within a commutable distance of the Lockheed facility

The Lockheed Martin Space High School Internship in Huntsville offers a professional immersion into aerospace and defense technology. You explore diverse topics, including software development using Python or C++, systems engineering, and mechanical design. You will engage in high-impact activities like coding mission systems, testing satellite data models, and performing hardware integration. A unique feature of this program is the "buddy system," which pairs you with full-time engineers for real-world mentorship. Beyond technical expertise, you develop critical soft skills like professional communication, complex problem-solving, and collaborative teamwork. It is a transformative, paid experience for aspiring STEM leaders.

9. Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) High School Apprenticeship

Location: Various U.S. Army Research Labs and university research centers nationwide, including the University of Alabama, Huntsville
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; more than 300 interns across locations
Dates: 5 – 10 weeks; typically June–August
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students (or graduating seniors not attending college) who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents | Site-specific requirements may apply

The Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) High School Apprenticeship in Alabama provides a rigorous research experience within university laboratories like UAH or Alabama State. You will explore diverse STEM topics such as multidrug-resistant bacteria, environmental remediation, and advanced chemical synthesis. During the program, you conduct hands-on experiments, master complex data analysis, and present your findings at professional symposia. You receive direct mentorship from Army-sponsored scientists, offering a rare glimpse into Department of Defense research without military enlistment. You develop vital technical lab skills and professional "soft skills" like scientific writing and collaborative problem-solving.

10. NASA OSTEM Internships

Location: NASA centers nationwide, including Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, AL
Stipend: Paid based on academic level and session duration, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely competitive; over 3,000 high school interns selected annually
Dates: Year–round, including Summer, which is between early June and August
Application Deadline: Summer: February 28
Eligibility: High school students who are U.S. citizens, at least 16 years old at the time of application, and have a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale 

The NASA OSTEM Internships at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville offer Alabama high school students a rare look into the aerospace industry. This program covers diverse topics ranging from rocket propulsion and robotics to climate science and space microbiology. As an intern, you will engage in activities like analyzing satellite data, designing experimental prototypes, and collaborating on mission design challenges alongside professional engineers. What makes this experience unique is the direct mentorship from NASA experts and the chance to contribute to actual Artemis missions. You’ll walk away with sharpened technical skills in coding or CAD, along with professional teamwork and communication abilities.

11. Alabama A&M University – Research Experience (Ceramics & Nanostructures)

Location: Alabama A&M University (AAMU) Physics Department, Huntsville, AL
Stipend: $1,000 per month
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely selective; only 4 students
Dates: June 2 – July 31
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: High school student in Huntsville, Madison, or the surrounding area; U.S. citizen or permanent resident; students under 19 require parental approval for medical/liability forms

The Alabama A&M University Research Experience for Secondary School Students offers a unique dive into advanced materials science. This program covers topics like the design, fabrication, and characterization of multifunctional ceramic devices and nanostructures. You will engage in activities such as growing high-tech crystals, synthesizing nanofibers through electrospinning, and testing the physical properties of piezoelectric materials. What makes this experience truly stand out is the $1,000 monthly stipend and the intimate cohort size of just four students. You develop professional university-level lab skills, master complex equipment operation, and learn to document scientific data alongside expert faculty mentors. 

12. City of Mobile – Y.E.S. (Youth Empowered for Success) Program

Location: Various City of Mobile departments and local business partner sites throughout Mobile
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; approximately 130–160 students per summer across all placements
Dates: 8-week program running from early June to late July
Application Deadline: Mid-March
Eligibility: High school students must be between 16 and 18 years old and residents of the City of Mobile

The City of Mobile’s Y.E.S. Initiative provides local high school students with a professional bridge into the workforce. This program covers diverse topics, including public administration, environmental management, community development, and public safety. Throughout the summer, you will assist with city projects, manage departmental data, and engage in community outreach alongside professional mentors. The program also features "Fundamental Wednesdays," which focus on financial literacy and mental health education to support personal growth. By participating, you’ll sharpen essential skills like professional communication, project management, and conflict resolution, all while earning a competitive hourly wage.

13. ASA Aerospace Internship Program

Location: Huntsville, AL
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; small to medium cohorts
Dates: Virtual program: June 8–12 | In-person program: July 31 – August 5
Application Deadline: Generally, late February to March
Eligibility: Alabama residents who are 15-18 years old; U.S. citizenship required

The ASA Aerospace Fellowship is a two-week program designed for students interested in learning about careers connected to the aerospace industry. The internship includes one virtual week with students from multiple states, followed by an optional in-person week held in Alabama. You will engage with aerospace companies, universities, and nonprofit organizations to explore industry challenges, workforce roles, and real-world applications of aerospace work. While the field is STEM-focused, opportunities also span areas such as business, communications, program management, and legal services. Some fellows may continue working with their local ASA chapter after the program ends.

14. Auburn University – Summer Science Institute

Location: Auburn University, Auburn
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; approximately 16–24 students per summer
Dates: May 31 – June 6
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Outstanding rising 11th – 12th grade students residing in Alabama

Auburn University’s Summer Science Institute is a week-long, residential program for high-achieving high school juniors and seniors from Alabama and Georgia who are interested in science and mathematics. You will work with Auburn faculty and graduate students on topics that extend beyond standard high school coursework. Subject areas may include space weather, solar energy, experimental physics, and wildlife science. You gain experience in university laboratories while learning about the scientific research process. The program also offers exposure to campus life through on-campus housing and group activities. 

15. ASMS Summer Internship

Location: Various locations in Alabama
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size depends on the number of students who meet the strict eligibility requirements and the availability of slots at partner institutions
Dates: Early June – Late July
Application Deadline: Typically, late October
Eligibility: Rising 11th and 12th-grade students with a 3.5 ASMS academic GPA

The ASMS Summer Internship Program is open to rising 11th and 12th-graders at the Alabama School of Mathematics and Science and focuses on real-world work experience. You are expected to complete a minimum of 60 hours at an approved internship site during the summer while participating in weekly check-ins with ASMS staff. Internship placements span academic, research, corporate, and nonprofit settings, including university labs, engineering firms, healthcare institutions, and media organizations. At the beginning of the following school year, you present your internship experience to the ASMS community. Successful completion of all requirements earns .25 credit units in general elective coursework. 

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