13 Summer Internships for High School Students in Columbia, SC
If you are a high school student, completing a summer internship is an efficient way to build practical experience and prepare for future academic and career opportunities. Internships help you strengthen your resume, build workplace skills like communication and problem-solving, and give you a clearer sense of what different careers involve. You will also have the opportunity to work alongside industry experts and establish valuable professional connections.
Why should you participate in a summer internship in Columbia, SC?
In Columbia, South Carolina, high school summer internships offer the chance to explore a variety of industries, including public service and government, aviation, healthcare, environmental science, and technology. Choosing one of these internships allows you to connect with local organizations, build networks within your community, and gain insight into career paths that may align with your future goals.
With that, here are 13 summer internships for high school students in Columbia, SC, that you should check out!
13 Summer Internships for High School Students in Columbia, SC
1. One City: Future Ready Internship
Location: Various sites in Columbia, SC
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: June 9 – July 25
Application Deadline: March 3 – April 4 (tentative)
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors (16+) enrolled in Richland School District One’s CTE or work-based learning program
In the One City: Future Ready Internship, you’ll work with departments across the City of Columbia to gain hands-on experience in public service and professional workplace settings. You may be placed in areas such as Public Works, Information Technology, Parks and Recreation, Utilities, or Human Resources, where you’ll support daily operations and assist with department-specific projects. Throughout the program, you’ll build practical skills related to communication, teamwork, and time management while working alongside city professionals. You can work up to 120 hours during standard business hours, allowing you to experience a structured work environment. The internship also introduces you to formal application and interview processes, helping you understand how hiring works in a municipal setting.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies; Financial aid offered
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts in a year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students
Ladder Internships places you in a remote internship with an early-stage or rapidly growing start-up, where you’ll work directly under the guidance of a company manager. Internships are available across fields such as technology, AI and machine learning, health tech, marketing, journalism, and consulting. You’ll contribute to hands-on projects with meaningful responsibilities, allowing you to develop practical, career-ready skills while supporting ongoing company work. Because many partner start-ups operate in fast-moving environments, you’ll gain insight into the day-to-day demands of start-up culture. Throughout the internship, you’ll collaborate with industry professionals, build core workplace competencies, and finish the program with a final presentation that showcases your contributions and learning outcomes.
3. PremieR2Career Summer Internship
Location: Various sites in Columbia, SC
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: June 9 – July 25
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors (16+) enrolled in Richland School District Two’s CTE or work-based learning program; Must attend the PREMIER2Careers Career Fair
Through the PremieR2Career Summer Internship, you’ll gain experience by working in various City of Columbia departments such as Public Works, Information Technology, Parks and Recreation, Utilities, or Human Resources. You will be placed in a professional work environment where you’ll contribute to day-to-day operations while learning technical skills related to your assigned department. The program also emphasizes workplace readiness, helping you develop soft skills such as communication, problem-solving, teamwork, and critical thinking. You may participate in mock interviews and receive feedback from Human Resources professionals to better understand real hiring processes.
4. LaunchCOLA
Location: Various sites in Columbia, SC
Cost/Stipend: Paid (stipend provided by participating employers)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Not specified
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students; Must apply through your school career counselor
LaunchCOLA connects high school students with paid internships offered by local businesses in the Columbia, South Carolina area. You’ll apply to up to two positions in coordination with your high school career counselor, who will help ensure the roles align with your academic background and career interests. Applications are reviewed by the Columbia Chamber and shared with both counselors and hiring employers. If selected, you will participate in an Interview Day, where you will meet directly with employers and experience a professional hiring process. Throughout the program, your counselor will support you with resume preparation, interview readiness, and career planning. This structured, community-based model allows you to gain real-world work experience while building professional skills in a supportive environment.
5. Medical Experience (MedEx) Academy
Location: Prisma Health, Columbia, SC
Cost/Stipend: Not mentioned
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly competitive; Approximately 20 students per tier
Dates: July 6 – 30
Application Deadline: October 28 – January 6
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors with a 2.75+ GPA and an interest in healthcare careers; Must rank in the top 1/3 of your class
At the MedEx Academy at Prisma Health, you’ll explore healthcare careers through a mix of clinical shadowing, workshops, and structured hands-on activities. You’ll observe healthcare professionals in clinical settings and gain exposure to roles in nursing, medicine, and allied health fields. The program includes simulation labs where you’ll practice using medical equipment and learn how healthcare teams operate in patient-care environments. You’ll also take part in career-focused sessions that introduce training pathways and expectations within the healthcare industry. Throughout the experience, you’ll interact with medical professionals who share insights into their daily work and career journeys.
6. Palmetto Promise Institute Internship Program
Location: Palmetto Promise Institute, Columbia, SC (remote options available)
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Not specified
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students; In-person roles are available to students in the Columbia, SC area, while South Carolina high school students outside Columbia may apply for remote positions
During the Palmetto Promise Institute Internship Program, you’ll explore state-level public policy through research, legislative analysis, and communications work. You’ll work alongside policy researchers and analysts, building skills in critical thinking, policy writing, and data-driven analysis. If placed on-site, you may attend state legislative hearings and observe how policy decisions are shaped within South Carolina’s government. High school students in the Junior Policy Scholars track focus on independent research and policy advocacy projects while working remotely with regular staff mentorship. Throughout the internship, you’ll contribute to policy reports and communication materials connected to the Institute’s mission.
7. South Carolina AHEC Health Careers Program
Location: Multiple regions across South Carolina (within 1.5 hours of Columbia); Remote options available
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not publicly specified
Dates: Program offerings run year-round, with summer enrichment opportunities available
Application Deadline: Varies by region and specific program
Eligibility: High school students in South Carolina, with a focus on students from rural or medically underserved communities
The South Carolina AHEC Health Careers Program offers a variety of academic and career exploration opportunities for students interested in healthcare. Depending on your region, you may take part in health careers academies, virtual learning modules, live webinars, community service initiatives, and summer enrichment programs. The program emphasizes developing core skills such as communication, problem-solving, and academic preparedness, while also introducing you to the education and training routes for different health professions. You can connect with healthcare professionals, health professions students, and regional coordinators through networking events and job shadowing opportunities. Many activities highlight public health topics and address the healthcare needs of South Carolina’s rural and underserved populations, with local AHEC coordinators providing guidance tailored to your interests.
8. Richland School District Two Work-Based Learning (WBL) Program
Location: Various worksites in Columbia, SC
Stipend: Compensation varies by placement
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Varies by pathway and placement
Application Deadline: Varies by school and program type
Eligibility: High school students (16+) in Richland School District Two, with eligibility depending on the specific WBL pathway
Through the Richland School District Two Work-Based Learning program, you’ll gain career-connected experience that links classroom learning with real workplace environments. Depending on your interests and eligibility, you may participate in internships, cooperative education placements, apprenticeships, or job shadowing experiences. These placements allow you to practice technical and professional skills in fields aligned with your career cluster and Individual Graduation Plan. You’ll work under the guidance of workplace mentors while following a learning contract that outlines expectations, hours, and skill development goals. Some placements may offer compensation or academic credit, depending on the pathway and role.
9. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
Location: Available across the U.S.
Stipend: $3,000
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: 8 weeks in the summer; Flexible schedule
Application Deadline: November 21 – January 25
Eligibility: High school current juniors and seniors (16+)
The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program is a paid internship that introduces you to aquatic research and conservation through hands-on environmental science work. Over the course of eight weeks, you’ll collaborate with fisheries scientists and mentors on field activities such as fish sampling, habitat assessment, and water quality testing. Under close mentor supervision, you’ll gain experience with each step of the research process, including collecting and analyzing data, while learning about career options in fisheries biology and environmental science. The program emphasizes experiential, applied learning and demonstrates how field research informs environmental management and conservation practices.
10. Bank of America Student Leaders
Location: Local nonprofit partners across the U.S., including Columbia, SC
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective; Approximately 300 students annually
Dates: 8 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: October 14 – January 15 (tentative)
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors legally authorized to work in the U.S.
Bank of America’s Student Leaders Program offers experience with a local nonprofit while helping you build leadership, teamwork, and professional skills. Over the eight-week program, you’ll work on community-based projects, collaborate with nonprofit professionals, and learn how social impact organizations operate. Alongside the internship, you’ll also take part in workshops focused on civic engagement, business ethics, and public service. The program also includes the National Student Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C., where you will connect with peers from across the country and explore how nonprofits, businesses, and government agencies work together to drive positive change.
11. USC Center for the Political Future High School Summer Internship Program
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: June 1 – August 1
Application Deadline: Applications typically reopen in May
Eligibility: Current high school students (graduating seniors are not eligible) with a minimum GPA of 3.5
This online summer internship allows you to explore environmental policy and sustainability through guided research and writing projects. You’ll complete two primary assignments: a legislative policy memo and an analysis of the legislative process, with each centered on a local, state, or federal bill you select. The program focuses on building skills in research, analytical writing, and understanding how laws progress through political systems. You’ll receive feedback from program staff and take part in scheduled check-in sessions with fellow interns. Throughout the experience, you’ll engage with guest speakers and professionals in policy, sustainability, and public affairs. If you meet all program requirements, you might have one of your assignments published online and receive official recognition from the USC Center for the Political Future and the USC Wrigley Institute.
12. Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: Virtual (in-person at George Mason University available too)
Cost: $25 application fee (fee waivers available); $1,299 tuition for 3 undergraduate credits (tuition waivers available based on need)
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: June 18 – August 12
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: High school students (15+) who will not graduate from university before or during the internship
Through ASSIP, you’ll gain research experience working one-on-one with a faculty mentor from George Mason University or a collaborating institution. Through virtual collaboration, you’ll engage in cutting-edge research across a wide range of STEM fields while using advanced tools and technologies appropriate for remote research environments. You’ll develop scientific writing, communication, and creative problem-solving skills while contributing to ongoing research projects with real-world relevance. Throughout the program, you’ll participate in online discussion forums and mentor meetings that expose you to diverse STEM career pathways and role models. Your work culminates in a final virtual poster session, where you’ll present your research findings.
13. Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost: $45 application fee + $2,400 program fee; Financial aid available
Cohort Size: ~50 students per cohort
Dates: Session A: June 15 – 26; Session B: July 6 – 17
Application Deadline: December 15 – February 20
Eligibility: High school students attending a U.S. high school who are at least 14 years old by the start of the program
The Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship is a virtual research-focused program for high school students interested in artificial intelligence and machine learning applications in medicine and healthcare. During the program, you’ll work in small groups on hands-on research projects that explore real-world problems at the intersection of AI, data, and clinical care. The curriculum includes technical and introductory lectures on machine learning in healthcare, along with guided project work and collaborative problem-solving sessions. You’ll receive mentorship from Stanford student leads and researchers, gaining exposure to how professionals apply machine learning models in medical and imaging contexts. The program also features “Meet the Expert” sessions with professionals from academia, industry, nonprofit organizations, and government. If you complete the full program, you’ll receive a Certificate of Completion, making it a structured and academically oriented introduction to health-focused machine learning research.
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