11 Summer Internships for High School Students in Iowa
Participating in an internship during high school can greatly improve your employability by providing early professional exposure and practical learning. Internships allow you to explore specific interests, gain work experience, and build skills that go beyond the classroom. If you are looking to spend your summer productively, internships offer a structured way to learn while strengthening your college applications.
What summer internships are available for high school students in Iowa?
Iowa features several programs and internships for high schoolers that provide grants and resources to facilitate learning in high-growth sectors like advanced manufacturing, biosciences, and insurance. You can find opportunities at premier organizations such as Collins Aerospace, Principal Financial Group, and John Deere, as well as through community-focused programs. Iowa is unique for its "work-based learning" model, where you can earn dual high school and college credit while receiving a competitive stipend.
To make the search easier, we’ve curated a list of the 11 best summer internships for high school students in Iowa.
1. Iowa Specialty Hospitals & Clinics Summer Internship Program
Location: Various Iowa Specialty Hospitals & Clinics locations — Iowa, USA
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; approximately 20 participants per summer
Dates: June 1 – July 24
Application Deadline: February 6
Eligibility: High school students entering junior year or above who are 16+
This eight-week summer internship places high school students in a healthcare setting where they gain exposure to frontline clinical operations at Iowa Specialty Hospitals & Clinics. You will assist in observational and support roles, learning about patient care workflows, healthcare documentation, and professional conduct in a medical environment. Hospital staff mentor you, helping you gain insights into careers in medicine, nursing, and allied health. You also participate in workshops or discussions related to public health challenges and patient care principles. The internship emphasizes practical skills like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving in healthcare contexts.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on the program type; financial aid available / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 10–25%; 70–100 students
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Winter, Summer, Fall, and Spring
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort; Fall (September), Spring (January), Summer (May), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: High school, undergraduate, and gap year students who can work for 10–20 hours/week, for 8–12 weeks
High school students looking for a rich experience can dive into Ladder Internships, a selective eight-week program that pairs them with high-growth startups. You’ll tackle meaningful projects alongside founders from industry giants like Google and Meta. These Y Combinator-backed ventures span diverse fields from cutting-edge AI and health tech to journalism and consulting. With the guidance of a dedicated Ladder Coach and direct manager, you’ll navigate the fast-paced startup world and present your contributions to the entire company. It’s a rare opportunity to gain authentic professional experience and build high-level skills before even reaching college.
3. Water in Progress Internship Program
Location: Various small communities across Iowa (specifically those with populations under 5,000)
Stipend: Up to $5,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Acceptance is highly dependent on the number of small-town utilities that sign up to host an intern; cohort size varies by year based on participating cities
Dates: 8 to 12-weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: Typically, mid-to-late April
Eligibility: High school student between the summer after their sophomore year and the summer after their senior year | Typically between 16 and 19 years old | Must reside in or be able to work in a participating Iowa community
The Water in Progress Internship is a specialized Iowa-based program that introduces high school students to careers in environmental utility management. You explore topics like water chemistry, public health regulations, and wastewater treatment processes while earning a stipend for your contributions. You will perform water quality laboratory tests, monitor sophisticated SCADA plant systems, and assist with infrastructure maintenance. A unique feature of this initiative is its focus on supporting rural communities with populations under 5,000, effectively bridging the gap between local youth and high-demand municipal roles. Through this immersive experience, you develop technical troubleshooting skills, scientific literacy, and a professional understanding of environmental stewardship.
4. Bank of America Student Leaders Program
Location: Nationwide (the Leadership Summit is held in Washington, D.C.)
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend paid, amount not specified; all expenses towards the Summit at Washington, D.C. are also covered
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; more than 300 students
Dates: 8 weeks in the summer and the Student Leaders Summit: July 21 – 26
Application Deadline: January 15
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who have authorization to work in the United States, live in an eligible area, and have not participated in the program before.
Every year, more than 300 young changemakers nationwide are selected for the prestigious Student Leaders Program, which bridges the gap between local impact and national policy. You’ll spend the summer in a community nonprofit, learning collaborative and leadership skills through hands-on service. The journey culminates in a transformative Student Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C., where you’ll network with members of Congress and explore iconic institutions, such as the American Red Cross. By witnessing firsthand how public and private sectors combine, you’ll gain a strong understanding of civic engagement and the role youth play in driving sustainable social progress.
5. Oak Futures Youth Employment Program
Location: Des Moines, Iowa, USA
Stipend: Paid as part of a youth employment initiative, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 60–70 youth per year
Dates: Summer months (typically June–August)
Application Deadline: Typically April
Eligibility: Youth ages 14–24
The Oak Futures Youth Employment Program (YSEP) in Des Moines supports the youth, including high school students, through paid internships with local businesses, charities, and community partners. You gain workplace experience, learn professional expectations, and build career skills while contributing to real organizational tasks. Work placements often vary by partner host, giving you exposure to fields ranging from office support and event coordination to community engagement activities. Mentors and supervisors help you develop communication, teamwork, and workplace readiness skills. The program also incorporates reflective components where you assess your growth and future career interests.
6. Iowa Lakes Community College – Summer College Credit Program (SCCP)
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment; cohort size varies by course
Dates: Summer term (June – August)
Application Deadline: Typically, late May
Eligibility: Iowa high school students in grades 9–12, including students entering grade 9; graduating seniors are not eligible
SCCP allows Iowa high school students to earn college credit during the summer by enrolling in career and technical education (CTE) courses at no cost. Courses are aligned with Iowa’s high-demand career fields, including health sciences, human services, applied science, technology, manufacturing, and business. You gain exposure to college-level coursework while building foundational technical and workplace skills connected to future career pathways. The program emphasizes accessibility by covering all costs and offering a fully online format, allowing students to balance academics with other summer commitments. Participants experience college expectations early while exploring potential career interests and credential pathways.
7. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
Location: Across all 50 U.S. states, Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, and the Pacific Islands
Stipend: $3,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 20–45 students
Dates: 8 weeks from June to late July or August; dates are flexible and arranged between the mentor and the student
Application Deadline: January 25
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who will be at least 16 years old by the start date of their internship
The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program is an eight-week paid summer internship designed to encourage students to explore careers in fisheries and aquatic sciences. During the program, you will work with professional mentors to learn about conservation issues, aquatic habitat restoration, and fisheries biology. Mentors are located across the country, offering diverse internship opportunities depending on the location and organization. You may get to work outdoors, on boats, in labs, or in offices. Activities include fish population surveys, habitat restoration, electrofishing, water quality testing, data analysis, and educational outreach. Some internships may involve rigorous fieldwork, including overnight or multi-day trips.
8. Science Center of Iowa – Girls in Science Initiative
Location: Science Center of Iowa, Des Moines, Iowa, USA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Non-selective; cohort size varies as per camp
Dates: June – August
Application Deadline: Typically in the spring
Eligibility: All high school female students; eligibility varies by event
The Girls in Science Initiative at the Science Center of Iowa is designed to inspire and support female students interested in science, technology, engineering, and math through practical learning and mentorship. Summer offerings include workshops, camps, and special events that allow participants to explore STEM concepts in interactive museum and lab-style environments. You engage with female STEM professionals, college students, and educators who serve as mentors and role models across a range of disciplines. Programs emphasize experiential learning through activities, demonstrations, and collaborative problem-solving rather than classroom-based instruction.
9. Iowa Workforce Development – Summer Youth Internship Program
Location: Varies by year (distributed across Iowa at sites chosen by grant awardees)
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; roughly 100–150+ students statewide
Dates: Minimum of 6 weeks between May 1 and August 31
Application Deadline: March 10
Eligibility: All Iowa residents between the ages of 14 and 24
The Iowa Workforce Development Summer Youth Internship Program is a state-funded initiative that connects high school students with paid opportunities in high-demand fields like healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and information technology. Throughout this experience, you tackle real-world responsibilities, ranging from water quality testing and laboratory analysis to operating computerized machinery or assisting in clinical settings. You engage in hands-on activities like job shadowing professionals, attending employability workshops, and completing industry-recognized certifications. The program prioritizes students facing barriers to graduation or from underrepresented communities, ensuring equitable access to professional growth. By the program's conclusion, students gain critical soft skills, including effective communication and problem-solving.
10. Kirkwood Community College – Workplace Learning Connection
Location: Employers throughout Benton, Cedar, Iowa, Johnson, Jones, Linn, and Washington counties
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; Large number of students are placed annually across four sessions (Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer)
Dates: Summer session typically runs June through early August
Application Deadline: February 6
Eligibility: High school junior or senior who attends a school within the Grant Wood Area Education Agency (AEA 10) service area
In this program, you will explore diverse fields ranging from health sciences and manufacturing to information technology and culinary arts while earning valuable dual credit for your efforts. Throughout your experience, you will attend specialized career development meetings, shadow industry experts, and complete professional workbooks that track your progress. The program’s intermediary model allows you to network directly with local Iowa businesses, giving you a competitive edge before you even graduate. By participating, you cultivate essential employability skills such as professional communication, self-advocacy, and complex problem-solving.
11. Junior Achievement of Central Iowa – Summer Programs
Location: Local schools, at the JA Finance Park facility (Des Moines), or virtually
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Non-selective; cohort size varies as per course
Dates: Typically, year–long
Application Deadline: Usually set by the school
Eligibility: High school students who attend a school within the 41-county service area of JA of Central Iowa (Polk, Dallas, Warren, etc.) | Some summer tracks require prior participation in a JA classroom program or a recommendation from a teacher/counselor
The Junior Achievement of Central Iowa High School Programs are designed to transform you from a student into a future-ready leader. Through diverse pathways like JA Finance Park and High School Heroes, you explore vital topics including personal wealth management, business ethics, and civic leadership. You will participate in activities like managing a simulated household budget, launching your own student-led company, and mentoring younger children in your community. The program features direct interaction with professional volunteers who share real-world career insights. This comprehensive approach ensures you are prepared to own your economic success and thrive in a global economy.
Image Source - Iowa Specialty Hospitals & Clinics Logo