15 Summer Internships for High School Students in New Mexico
If you are a high school student, a summer internship can be a valuable opportunity to explore a field in depth. Summer internships offer an opportunity to strengthen your resume, build practical skills, and enhance your future employability by demonstrating initiative and career readiness. Internships allow you to explore potential careers in science, healthcare, technology, or the arts, before committing to a college major. These internships encourage you to collaborate with professionals, contribute to projects, and develop confidence in your abilities.
New Mexico is home to many universities that support education, research, and student learning. You can gain experience in fields such as environmental conservation, public health, education, archaeology, and social entrepreneurship while working within local communities and organizations. To help you get started, we’ve put together 15 summer internships for high school students in New Mexico.
1. Summer High School Internship Program — Bernalillo County
Location: Bernalillo County government and partner businesses, Bernalillo County, NM
Stipend: $15.17 per hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: To be announced
Application Deadline: To be announced
Eligibility: High school students ages 16 - 18 years, including graduating seniors
This program offers paid summer internships for high school students with the Bernalillo County government or a participating local business. You work up to 20 hours per week on a schedule coordinated with your supervisor, and earn an hourly wage of $15.17 for both training and internship hours. You begin with a paid employability training session that introduces workplace expectations and basic professional skills before you begin at your host site. You then complete hands-on tasks and projects under supervision, building experience in different career paths depending on where you are placed. You participate in a collaborative structure where the county manages payroll and program logistics while employers provide daily mentoring and work experience. You must meet the eligibility requirements, such as age and school status criteria, that includes being at least 16 years old by the start of training.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote (you can work from anywhere in the world)
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on program type; full financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort – Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can work for 8 - 12 weeks, devoting 10 - 20 hours/week
Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students. In the program, you work remotely with a high-growth start-up across a variety of industries, such as tech/deep tech, AI/ML, health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. Participating startups are high-growth companies, with many having raised over a million dollars. Interns work closely with their manager on real-world projects and present their work to the company. The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long. Apply now!
3. Internships & Co-ops — Sandia National Laboratories
Location: Sandia National Laboratories, primarily Albuquerque, NM, and Livermore, CA
Stipend: Internships are paid (pay rates not specified on the overview page)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Summer and year-round/co-op positions
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: At least 16 years old | full-time enrollment at an accredited high school, college, or university | minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0 GPA for R&D, Technical, and Business positions | minimum GPA of 2.5 out of 4.0 GPA for clerical or laborer positions (laborer roles only at Sandia/New Mexico) | U.S. citizenship required for positions needing a security clearance or when stated in the posting
You can access a range of paid internship and co-op opportunities at Sandia, including research, technical, business, and clerical roles. You begin by creating an account in Sandia's careers system, then filtering job listings by student job family or job type to view current internship openings. Depending on your school’s policies, you can receive paid work experience that may be eligible in some cases for academic credit. You work under the guidance of Sandia staff, including scientists, engineers, or administrative professionals, and gain exposure to real-world projects and advanced equipment. Throughout the selection and employment process, you must comply with Sandia's equal employment opportunity and other employment policies.
4. Acequia Youth Leadership Program — New Mexico Acequia Association
Location: New Mexico Acequia Association, statewide (online sessions plus in‑person events in locations such as Española and other acequia communities), NM
Stipend: Youth leaders earn a stipend for participation
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: May - November (schedule: May orientation; June - July online sessions and field trips; August graduation; optional events in November and January) (tentatively)
Application Deadline: Applications for the upcoming year will open in winter
Eligibility: Youth ages 14 - 19 years from New Mexico acequia communities who apply and are selected as Acequia Youth Leaders
You join a cohort of Acequia Youth Leaders ages 14 - 19 years from across New Mexico for a paid learning and leadership program focused on acequia culture, land and water stewardship, and community health. You will participate in online sessions and attend field trips or workshops covering topics such as acequia history, farming and ranching, climate change, social movements, language and oral history, and land-based skills. You engage with guest speakers, youth discussions, and projects that build leadership and advocacy skills related to acequias and rural communities. You are encouraged to take part in optional events such as the Annual Congreso de las Acequias and the New Mexico legislative session. You follow a structured calendar that includes orientation, summer online sessions, field trips, and a closing graduation gathering.
5. Summer Research Internship Program — Institute for Computing in Research
Location: Institute for Computing in Research – Santa Fe, NM; Portland, OR; and Austin, TX
Stipend: Paid internship with a stipend (exact stipend amount not specified)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 7 - August 1 (tentative)
Application Deadline: Not specified on this page (instructions indicate to follow application directions on the website, and prerequisites must be met before the internship begins)
Eligibility: Students finishing 10th - 12th grade at the time of the program, who meet the listed prerequisites prior to the internship
You take part in this program as a high school student who has just completed 10th, 11th, or 12th grade and is interested in full-time summer research. You will be paired with a researcher who mentors you on a project in fields such as physical science, life science, social science, arts, or humanities. You receive a stipend so that you can focus entirely on the research full-time during the program period instead of holding another job. You are expected to meet all prerequisites that the institute specifies on its web materials, which must be completed before the internship begins. You work on-site in one of the designated cities, collaborating with your mentor and possibly other students in a small cohort. You can contact the institute using the contact details listed on the program page if you have questions about eligibility, site choice, or application steps.
6. Workforce Connect Program — Santa Fe YouthWorks
Location: Santa Fe, NM
Stipend: Paid job training and apprenticeships
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Not specified
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Youth ages 16 - 24 years in northern New Mexico
This program provides access to paid job training, apprenticeships, and career services for youth between 16 and 24 years old and living in northern New Mexico. You can apply online or visit the youthWorks centre in person during weekday business hours to meet the workforce development team. You work with staff to create an employment plan that can include job search assistance, career coaching, and referrals to paid placements. You may be connected specifically to the workforce innovation program (WIP), which places youth in paid apprenticeships with local businesses in the city of Santa Fe. You can gain work experience at a host site while remaining connected with Youthworks staff for support and problem-solving. You are expected to engage actively with the services offered and follow the expectations of both Youthworks and your apprenticeship host. The potential employers can call the listed phone number or email the contact person for more information about youth opportunities or hosting apprentices.
7. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
Location: Based on where you’re located (Hutton aims to match students within a 45-minute commute of your home)
Stipend: $3,000; program includes an all-expenses-paid trip to the Hutton Scholars Summit
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: 8 weeks in the summer; typically between June and August
Application Deadline: January 25
Eligibility: All current high school students who live and have residency in the United States, Mexico, and Canada are eligible to apply
The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program is an eight-week paid summer internship and mentoring experience offered by the American Fisheries Society. The program is designed to support early interest in fisheries and aquatic science, with a strong focus on increasing access for students from underrepresented backgrounds. As a Hutton Scholar, you are matched with a fisheries professional in your local community who will guide your work. Throughout the program, you gain hands-on experience in marine or freshwater environments and assist with both laboratory and field tasks such as electrofishing, specimen identification, data entry or analysis, and helping establish aquatic vegetation or fish habitats. You also take part in projects related to resource conservation and management while learning about different career paths. The program concludes with a fully funded trip to the Hutton Scholars Summit at the University of Arkansas, where you meet peers and share what you have learned.
8. CLA High School Internship Program
Location: Various locations across the US, see all available locations here; students based in New Mexico can select the one in Albuquerque
Stipend: Paid opportunity, but information on the exact amount is not available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 8 weeks, typically from mid-June to August
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in January
Eligibility: High school students aged 16 - 18 years can apply
The CLA High School Internship Program provides introductory exposure to accounting and finance. The program introduces you to core areas of the field, such as taxation, financial analysis, and basic audit tasks. During the internship, you will take part in ongoing projects and work alongside professionals who help you apply academic concepts to work environments. This setup allows you to develop your analytical and problem-solving skills. The program also includes opportunities to meet and interact with staff, mentors, and other interns. Through these interactions, you become familiar with the profession and make connections that may support your academic or career plans.
9. Summer Enrichment Internship Program — New Mexico Public Education Department
Location: College and Career Readiness Bureau, New Mexico Public Education Department, and partner county/tribal/municipal agencies, statewide, NM
Cost: Free to high school participants; internships are funded through federal funds set‑aside
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 6-week summer internships
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: New Mexico high school students and high school‑aged youth
As a high school student, you are placed in a paid summer internship with a county, tribal, or municipal agency in New Mexico. You will follow a structured orientation and a six‑week curriculum that focuses on workplace readiness and employability skills. Program materials such as slide decks and facilitation guides support your learning throughout the experience. You work with a designated mentor or supervisor at your host agency and receive feedback through formal tools such as a mentor feedback survey. You see that host organizations use position descriptions and coordinator guidelines supplied on the website to define your role and ensure supervision.
10. Student Internship Program — New Mexico State Personnel Office
Location: New Mexico State Personnel Office and participating state agencies, primarily Santa Fe and Albuquerque, NM
Cost: Free to apply and participate
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Not specified (internship dates and durations vary depending on posting and agency)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school, undergraduate, and graduate students, as well as recent graduates
The program allows you to apply for internship opportunities across a range of New Mexico state agencies, including general services, workforce solutions, transportation, and early childhood education and care. You can either submit an interest form to receive more information and notifications or search directly using the state careers portal by filtering the job family field to internships to see current openings. You work under the supervision of state employees and gain exposure to fields such as IT, engineering, public administration, and education. You develop career readiness skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving in the public service environment. You may have opportunities for mentorship, networking, and participation in agency projects, depending on the position.
11. High School Internship Program — Los Alamos National Laboratory
Location: Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Summer internships: At least ten weeks (full-time allowed for high school students) | Fall/Spring internships: academic-year placements, typically 10 hours per week and no more than 20 hours per week
Application Deadline: Summer term: early April (application period from January - April) | Fall/Spring term: early November (application period from August - November)
Eligibility: High school seniors with senior standing | at least 16 years old at internship start | minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale | attend a high school in Northern New Mexico
High school students in Northern New Mexico can use this program to gain structured work experience at Los Alamos National Laboratory in both STEM and non-STEM fields, such as administrative, business, and operations support. You apply during the second semester of your junior year for either the upcoming summer or the following fall/spring term, using the LANL Students portal. You commit to at least ten weeks during the summer, where you may work full-time hours, or follow a reduced schedule of about 10 hours/week during the academic year. You are matched with a mentor or supervisor and placed within a unit where you contribute to ongoing projects or support activities while following laboratory policies and professional expectations.
12. Student Internship Program — Office of the Governor, State of New Mexico
Location: Multiple New Mexico state agencies (including offices in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and other locations), NM
Cost: Free to apply and participate
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Not specified
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school, undergraduate, and graduate students, as well as recent graduates
The program allows you to apply for internship opportunities across New Mexico state government agencies through a centralized framework coordinated by the State Personnel Office. You submit applications to specific internship openings in fields such as engineering, law, public administration, customer service, or program management. You gain supervised work experience and mentorship from state employees while developing career readiness skills, such as communication, collaboration, and professional conduct. You may be placed in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, or other communities, depending on the hiring agency.
13. CISTAR Research Program — UNM Engineering
Location: School of Engineering, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Application Deadline: April 15 (tentative)
Dates: June 9 - July 18 (tentative)
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors or incoming UNM first-year students
In this program, you engage in full-time research and educational activities focused on CISTAR’s energy research at UNM. You will spend six weeks on campus working with faculty and research staff while learning about current topics and career prospects in the energy sector. The program requires a full-time commitment and is structured as an intensive research experience rather than a part-time program. You may be selected as an ascending senior or incoming first-year UNM student, with priority often given to those who intend to pursue chemical engineering. You learn about different research methods and participate in lab work or project activities aligned with CISTAR’s objectives.
14. EnergyMag Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Flexible
Application Deadline: Applications are open all year round; you can apply here
Eligibility: Sophomores, juniors, and seniors who have taken at least one science honors or English honors class and have a minimum GPA of 3.25 can apply
EnergyMag offers virtual research internships for high school and college students interested in the renewable energy field. In this role, you develop research and analytical skills by evaluating companies, assessing technologies, and examining targeted market areas. You can choose between a half-time internship lasting two to eight weeks at about twenty hours per week, or a quarter-time option that spans one to nine months at about eight hours per week. The program is designed to help you build skills that connect both scientific and business perspectives. You work remotely and communicate regularly with your mentor and the EnergyMag team through online platforms. Your assignments depend on factors such as your academic background, expected graduation date, and prior experience, and tasks may include company research, technology assessment, or focused market analysis. A mentor provides guidance, ongoing support, and feedback throughout the internship.
15. GMCS Internship Program — Gallup-McKinley County Schools
Location: Gallup-McKinley County Schools and partner employers, Gallup/McKinley County, NM
Stipend: Compensation, transportation, and insurance benefits from GMCS
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: At least 12 weeks during 12th grade as a capstone, scheduled during part of the school day
Application Deadline: Not specified (students apply and are selected through employer interviews and school recommendations)
Eligibility: GMCS high school seniors on track to graduate who can give up a 3 - 4-period block during the school day | are in a Capstone class, and are recommended/selected by employers (good attendance and discipline preferred)
New Mexico high school students can participate in this internship as a Gallup-McKinley County Schools senior, as a capstone course that completes their work-based learning experiences. You apply using a recommendation process and then interview with prospective employers or sites that offer internship or career skills training placements. You commit to a minimum of 12 weeks, and dedicate a 3 - 4-period block either during the morning or afternoon so you can be at the worksite during school hours. Placements may include city departments (engineering, electric, GIS, marketing), local businesses, healthcare organizations, Navajo Nation entities, or GMCS departments such as technology, transportation, or Bright Future childcare. You work under the guidance of a professional who serves as your employer, supervisor, and mentor, and who connects your responsibilities to your academic and career-technical coursework. You receive compensation, transportation, and insurance from GMCS to support your participation in an authentic workplace environment.
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