15 Summer Internships for High School Students in Portland, Oregon
Looking for some professional experience in the summer? Consider an internship!
Internships during high school can help strengthen college applications by demonstrating initiative, experience, and commitment to a specific field. These opportunities also give you the chance to develop academic and professional skills that can help build a foundation for your college education and career.
If you’re a high schooler in Portland, Oregon, there are several local and virtual summer internships you can consider across disciplines like environmental science, healthcare, technology, STEM research, and more. These programs not only provide practical exposure but also connect students with mentors and industry professionals, offering insight into potential career paths.
To help you get started, we’ve put together a list of the top 15 summer internships available for high school students in Portland, Oregon. Each program is structured, accessible, and designed with student development in mind, helping you gain real-world experience and make informed decisions about your future.
1. Ted R. Lilley CURE Program at OHSU Knight Cancer Institute
Location: Knight Cancer Institute, Ohio Health & Science University (OHSU), Portland, Oregon
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Students will be paid at $11/hour
Application Deadline: December 20 (tentative; based on previous years’ dates)
Dates: June 23 - August 15
Eligibility: Sophomores, juniors, or seniors from Oregon high schools who are at least 16 years old when the program begins, have a 3.0 GPA or higher, have taken at least one lab science class, preferably biology, and have an interest in research
The Ted R. Lilley CURE Program is an eight-week summer research internship hosted by the Ohio Health & Science University (OHSU) Knight Cancer Institute for high-achieving high school students in Portland. You’ll work full-time, up to 40 hours a week, conducting research alongside faculty members. Weekly seminars and a structured curriculum are part of the program, along with goals set by your faculty mentor. The program concludes with a poster presentation attended by researchers and staff. Targeted at students from economically or socially disadvantaged backgrounds, the program aims to promote health equity by increasing representation in biomedical and health-related fields.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Cost: Varies based on program type
Application deadline: Multiple deadlines; varies with the cohort
Program dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students
Ladder Internships is a competitive program that offers motivated high school students the chance to intern with high-growth startups and nonprofits across the world in a virtual setup. Companies that offer internships range across a variety of industries, including tech, AI/ML, health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, sustainability, business, and more. You can view all available options through their application form. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies on average raising over a million dollars. During the program, you will work closely with your managers and a Ladder Coach on a project that aligns with the organization’s larger goals, and at the end of the program, present your work to the company.
3. Apprenticeships in Science & Engineering (ASE) Internships at Saturday Academy
Location: Universities, hospitals, research institutions, and private companies throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington
Cost/Stipend: None
Application Deadline: March 7
Dates: 8 weeks in the summer; dates vary with the internship role
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors; further eligibility requirements can vary depending on the internship you apply for
Saturday Academy’s Apprenticeships in Science & Engineering (ASE) Internships offer high school students positions in STEM fields across Oregon and Southwest Washington. Internship roles are full-time or part-time, hosted by mentors from universities, hospitals, private companies, and research institutions. Mentors design every internship to allow students to contribute directly to ongoing projects. You may find yourself in a lab, in the field, or working on commercial product design. The program is fairly competitive, with around 100 positions available each year (and over 400 applicants). Take a look at all the available internship opportunities here!
4. Youth Community Program at the Northwest Youth Corps
Location: Portland, Oregon
Cost/Stipend: $200 Tuition fee (tuition assistance is available); The base stipend is $450 per week for participation, plus a possible $50 per week in bonuses, equaling a total benefit of up to $2,500
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Dates: Session I: June 23 – July 25 | Session II: July 22 – August 22
Eligibility: Students aged 15-18 can apply
The Youth Community Program offers students experience in local conservation through a five-week, non-residential program. You will work alongside field experts on outdoor environmental conservation projects while earning a stipend and potential school credit. Most of your day will be spent on hands-on service activities, supported by educational sessions. You’ll participate in projects like trail upkeep, habitat restoration, and enhancing urban green areas. This experience blends practical conservation efforts with opportunities to develop leadership, increase environmental understanding, and strengthen teamwork and community involvement skills.
5. Biomedical Engineering Summer Internships at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU)
Location: Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
Cost/Stipend: None
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in March
Dates: Dates vary based on the specific internship
Eligibility: All high school students can apply
The Oregon Health and Science University offers a number of internships in biomedical engineering for high school and college students. These internships, which are fairly competitive, give students a chance to learn STEM concepts while also building skills in biomedical imaging, cardiovascular engineering, and quantitative science. You will work on your research capabilities, learn to work in a lab, analyze and process data, among other skills.
Of all the internships offered in this program, these two are open to high school students:
Fluorescence Molecular Imaging Internship at the Gibbs Lab - With this program, students will learn how to develop novel contrast agents to enhance imaging technologies. Some of the concepts covered include cell culture, spectroscopy, fluorescence microscope, immune staining, and antibody conjugation, and more. This highly selective internship accepts only 6-8 students per year.
Quantitative Biology / Biophysics Internships at the Galbraith Lab - This program allows students to explore using nano-lithography to create microscopic mazes, track cell movement, and develop machine-learning applications. As an intern, you will work alongside researchers while maintaining detailed lab records and presenting your findings weekly.
6. Port of Portland Internship Program
Location: Portland, Oregon
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Students receive a stipend
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis
Dates: Varies with the internship; check all openings’ details here. Typically year-long
Eligibility: Current high school students with a 2.5 GPA or higher
The Port of Portland’s year-long internship gives high school and college students experience in fields such as business, finance, engineering, public affairs, land use planning, construction, and IT. Interns work full time over summer and part time during the academic year, applying classroom knowledge to projects in transportation and port operations. Each participant is paired with an experienced mentor for ongoing guidance, feedback, and professional development. Interns participate in a variety of collaborative projects, gaining exposure to the daily operations of a major regional transportation hub. The program emphasizes skill-building, workplace training, and career exploration, helping students gain a competitive edge for future employment in their chosen fields.
7. HEART Internship
Location: Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon | University of California, Irvine, California
Cost/Stipend: None
Application Deadline: March 15
Internship Dates: June 24 – July 12
Eligibility: Current high school students
This is a three-week summer experience designed to encourage high school students from California and Oregon to pursue STEM majors and research careers. Participants work in the Rugonyi lab at OHSU and collaborate with students from the Kheradvar lab at UC Irvine, gaining lab experience and attending workshops. The program focuses on embryonic and fetal heart development, covering topics such as congenital heart disease, blood flow, genetic influences, and engineering approaches to study heart formation. Students learn how STEM disciplines intersect to investigate normal heart development and malformations, fostering interdisciplinary understanding and team science skills. Throughout the program, students engage in collaborative class projects and present their research findings to the UC Irvine and OHSU communities.
8. OHSU’s Partnership for Scientific Inquiry (PSI) Program
Location: Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon + Virtual component
Cost/Stipend: None
Application Deadline: December 8
Program Dates: January 15 – May 28: Didactics course (virtual) | June – August: Internship at OHSU | Mid-August: Poster symposium
Eligibility: Open to high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Students must be 16 years old by June 1 to participate in the optional summer research component.
This is a 16-week rigorous program designed to introduce students to scientific inquiry, translational, and clinical research methods through lectures, readings, and assignments. Students complete coursework that includes research article analysis and proper citation using OHSU library resources, receiving individual feedback. Each student is paired with a didactic mentor (often graduate or medical students) who provides academic and career guidance. Students may also apply for an optional summer research internship, gaining practical lab experience, at partner institutions like OHSU, working under faculty mentors for at least 250 hours. Students will work on two presentations: a journal club article review and a research proposal presentation. Additionally, students write essays, including a final research proposal formatted as a scientific grant application, with feedback from the PSI team. The program concludes with an annual conference showcasing student research.
9. Empowerteen Photography Internship
Location: Portland, Oregon and surrounding areas
Cost/Stipend: None
Application Deadline: The position will be open until filled
Internship Dates: May-December, depending on the applicant’s availability and interest. The summer months are the most important for the organization, so you could expect more work hours during July/August
Eligibility: Students who can drive to on-site meetings 1-2 times monthly in Beaverton, OR; who can dedicate 3-10 hours weekly, and who has strong communication skills. Note: Because they help teens who often come from troubled backgrounds, they’re looking for an applicant who is sensitive, kind, and discreet
Empowerteen, a Portland-based organization supporting teens’ well-being, offers a photography internship focused on experience and portfolio building. Interns are responsible for directing, capturing, and editing media content for events, social media, and the organization’s website. Tasks include photographing program events, producing promotional photos, collaborating with staff and interns, and managing image releases. This opportunity is ideal for students eager to apply and showcase existing skills while building work experience. Interns earn class credit, expand their portfolio, and receive a recommendation letter from the organization’s director.
10. High School Nurse Camp at the University of Portland
Location: The University of Portland School of Nursing & Health Innovations, Portland, Oregon (this is a day-camp, non-residential)
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: March 31
Dates: One week in the summer
Eligibility: Students who are at least 16 years old by the first day of camp
The University of Portland School of Nursing & Health Innovations (UPSONHI) Summer Nurse Camp is a free, four-day day camp designed to introduce high school students to nursing and healthcare careers, with a focus on increasing access for diverse, low-income, and first-generation students. During the program, campers engage in a variety of clinical, academic, and community service activities that provide learning experiences. Students have the opportunity to meet current nursing students, faculty, staff, and alumni, tour the campus and the UPSONHI Learning Resource Center, and develop essential skills such as infection control, proper hand washing, and taking blood pressure and vital signs. The camp also offers guidance on preparing for college and navigating the nursing school application process. Campers benefit from a supportive environment where they can build connections with peers and professionals while gaining a deeper understanding of the nursing field and how to pursue it as a career.
11. Research Internship Program – OHSU School of Dentistry
Location: School of Dentistry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Students will receive a stipend at $15/hour or the current minimum wage
Application Deadline: April
Dates: June - August
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (16+) and college students with an interest in science or healthcare
The Oregon Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research Internship Program creates pathways for high school, undergraduate, and non-traditional learners, especially those from rural and underrepresented communities, to pursue careers in dental and oral health research. This comprehensive and paid internship offers tailored opportunities based on educational level, with each participant guided by an experienced research mentor. Over a minimum eight-week summer period, interns engage in research projects, gaining skills and knowledge applicable to science careers. Throughout the program, students develop and deliver two oral presentations: a group presentation on a selected research article and an individual presentation summarizing their personal learning. The internship concludes with an annual event where interns showcase their work, celebrate achievements, and learn from peers’ presentations, fostering a collaborative and supportive research community.
13. Johns Hopkins Virtual Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS)
Location: Virtual | In-person (Baltimore, Maryland)
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Students in the virtual program receive a $500 stipend
Application Deadline: March 1
Dates: 5 weeks from July - August (virtual) | 8 weeks in the summer
Eligibility: Current rising juniors or seniors in high school
The Johns Hopkins Virtual Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS) is a five-week online program for high school juniors and seniors interested in neuroscience. During the program, you will attend live lectures, participate in virtual lab simulations, and receive mentorship from Johns Hopkins researchers and faculty. The curriculum introduces concepts in brain science and lab techniques used in neuroscience research. Professional development sessions are included to help you prepare for academic pathways in science. By the end of the program, you’ll have a deeper understanding of neuroscience and exposure to research careers. Students who complete all program requirements receive a certificate of completion.
14. Knight Scholars Cardiovascular Internship – OHSU Cardiovascular Institute
Location: Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
Cost/Stipend: None; a stipend will be provided
Application Deadline: February
Dates: 3 weeks during the summer
Eligibility: Oregon high school juniors interested in healthcare or biomedical science; priority given to students from underrepresented and rural communities
This internship provides high school juniors with the opportunity to explore careers in cardiology, focusing on both treatment and prevention. This three-week summer program offers exposure to applications of cardiovascular medicine, helping students understand the complexities of heart health and its importance to overall well-being. Participants take part in lab tours, clinical shadowing, workshops, and group projects centered on heart health and scientific innovation. The program is designed to increase STEM opportunities for students from rural and underrepresented communities, offering mentorship from professionals in clinical and research settings. Interns build valuable research skills and gain insight into healthcare careers. The internship concludes with a presentation of their work and serves as part of a multi-year track that can lead to further research opportunities in cardiovascular medicine.
15. Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost: $850 + $40 application fee
Application Deadline: February 28
Dates: June 16 - June 27
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 9-12; are at least 14 years old by the start of the program; strong preference for students with strong math and/or computer programming skills and/or experience with a healthcare project
The Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship offers high school students an opportunity to explore how artificial intelligence is used in the fields of medicine and healthcare. You’ll examine both technical and clinical applications of AI in healthcare. Hosted by the Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging, the program emphasizes health equity and public benefit. Participants engage with research projects guided by experts in AI and medical imaging. The internship focuses on exposing students to current developments in medical AI. It is designed to support learning at the intersection of technology and healthcare.
Bonus! Here are a few more local and virtual programs you can consider: