15 Summer Internships for High School Students in Rhode Island
High school students who want to explore the practical applications of a subject should consider participating in a summer internship. Internships give you work experience in your chosen field, helping you build skills and confidence. These opportunities enhance your resume and college applications by demonstrating interest in the field and your ability to apply classroom knowledge. Internships also improve your future employability by teaching you professional habits, networking, and time management. They allow you to explore career paths, potentially confirming your interests or revealing new ones.
What summer internships are available for high school students in Rhode Island?
Summer internships for high schoolers in Rhode Island allow you to work on projects in high-growth sectors like blue technology, healthcare, and historic preservation. Many of these opportunities are paid or offer college credit. A Rhode Island internship helps you establish connections in the local economy, which can be useful if you want to apply for jobs here in the future.
We've narrowed down this list to the 15 best summer internships for high school students in Rhode Island, focusing on programs that offer meaningful engagement.
1. PrepareRI High School Internship Program
Location: Various sites in Rhode Island
Stipend: $17/hour up to $4,700
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 250–300 students accepted annually
Dates: Bootcamp: June 22 – 26; Internship: July 6 – August 14
Application Deadline: January 14
Eligibility: Current high school juniors in Rhode Island public, charter, or home schools who are at least 16 years old by March 30 and eligible to work in the U.S.
The PrepareRI High School Internship Program places you in a seven-week paid summer internship with employers across Rhode Island, giving you workplace experience in high school. You begin with a boot camp that builds core work readiness skills before transitioning into hands-on roles in fields such as healthcare, technology, and finance. Throughout the internship, you work closely with professional mentors and supervisors on daily tasks and projects. You also join seminars on leadership, creativity, and career development to reflect on your growth. Coaching support is available to help you apply and succeed, making this program ideal if you are a motivated high school junior ready to explore future career paths.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Cost varies depending on the program type; financial aid is available / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 10–25% acceptance; roughly 70–100 students
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer, winter, spring, and fall
Application Deadline: Varies as per cohort; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: High school, undergraduate, and gap year students who can commit 10–20 hours per week for 8–12 weeks
Ladder Internships connects ambitious high school students with startups and nonprofits for virtual project-based work. You collaborate with company founders from McKinsey, Google, and Microsoft on tasks aligned with your interests, such as developing business plans or coding systems. The program includes sessions to define projects, create deliverables, and present final outcomes. You gain mentorship from professionals in fields like AI, finance, and environmental science. A unique element is the opportunity to work with global companies, building a portfolio of real-world contributions. Emphasis is placed on applying skills to solve practical problems, fostering independence and innovation. Apply now!
3. Brown University Health Summer Youth Employment Program
Location: Brown University Health facilities in Rhode Island
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; more than 80 participants
Dates: June – August
Application Deadline: Late February or early March
Eligibility: Students ages 16-19 who reside in high-unemployment areas or hold a valid CNA license
The Brown University Health Summer Youth Employment Program is highly structured and serves as a direct pipeline for students interested in medical and administrative health careers. It places you in hospital departments to explore healthcare careers. You will work in areas like nursing, radiology, or information systems, gaining exposure to daily operations, and attend training on professionalism and skills development. You also get a chance to network with experts and receive career counseling and opportunities for permanent employment post-summer. A standout feature is the certificate awarded upon completion, recognizing hands-on contributions.
4. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)
Location: NUWC Division Newport, Rhode Island
Stipend: $4,000 for new participants, $4,500 for returning ones
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; approximately 25–30 students
Dates: 8 weeks in summer (typically June-August) with an option to extend for two more weeks
Application Deadline: November 1
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, seniors; U.S. citizens; at least 16 by program start; GPA 3.0 or higher; graduating seniors eligible, check individual lab pages for lab-specific grade, age, citizenship, and other prerequisites
SEAP at NUWC Newport immerses high school students in naval research, working on STEM projects under scientist mentorship. You will work alongside professional scientists and engineers to conduct experiments, analyze data, and contribute to technology development. The program involves collaboration on real Department of the Navy initiatives. You learn research ethics and presentation skills, and explore potential career trajectories in Naval science and engineering. You can also extend the internship for two additional weeks for deeper involvement. Unique initiatives feature access to advanced labs, promoting careers in defense technology.
5. DownCity Design Summer Design/Build
Location: Providence Career and Technical Academy, Providence, RI
Stipend: $1,200
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Rate not disclosed; cohort size of approximately 50 students
Dates: July 7 – August 15
Application Deadline: Usually late May or early June
Eligibility: Providence County high school students currently in grades 8–11
In this six-week internship, you will step into the role of a professional designer to tackle real-world challenges for local Providence clients. The curriculum covers essential topics like the design thinking process, architectural sketching, and sustainable fabrication. You will conduct site visits, build small-scale models, and use power tools to construct permanent structures like community gardens or public seating. What makes this program unique is that you work for a real client on a project that actually gets built in your city, all while earning a generous stipend. By the end of the summer, you will have mastered 3D modeling software, collaborative problem-solving, and hands-on construction techniques.
6. Rhode Island Youth Conservation League (YCL)
Location: Various conservation sites in Rhode Island (e.g., Audubon refuges, land trusts, and municipal parks)
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; 6–8 students per crew
Dates: July – August
Application Deadline: Typically, early June
Eligibility: High school students ages 16-18 who are Rhode Island residents
The Youth Conservation League involves you in team-based outdoor projects to support Rhode Island's natural areas. You handle tasks such as removing invasive species, enhancing wildlife habitats, and performing light construction, like building fences or signs. You also engage in native seed collection and community outreach activities. The program features guidance from crew leaders who oversee fieldwork and ensure safety. You contribute to initiatives funded by grants, working with local land trusts and organizations. A unique feature is the paid opportunity to gain experience in environmental careers like forestry or wildlife biology.
7. AS220 Youth Summer Apprenticeship
Location: AS220 facilities in Providence, Rhode Island
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; up to 70 participants
Dates: July 7 – August 15
Application Deadline: Late May/early June
Eligibility: Providence residents ages 14–21
In this creative summer internship, you will join a team of young artists to transform social justice themes into a massive, multimedia production known as FUTUREWORLDS. You will explore hip-hop dance, digital music production, fashion design, and mural painting, all framed within the concepts of Afrofuturism and design thinking. You will record original tracks in the studio, screen-print custom apparel, and choreograph performances for a large-scale public showcase. The program prioritizes youth who have been involved in the foster care or justice systems to ensure their voices lead the city's cultural narrative.
8. RISD Museum High School Internships/Apprenticeships
Location: RISD Museum, Providence, RI
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; cohort size varies by partner organization
Dates: 6 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: Rolling / Varies by school
Eligibility: Students at Providence Career and Technical Academy and Hope High School
In this program, you will join a creative cohort dedicated to exploring the inner workings of the RISD Museum. The program covers topics like curatorial research, archival preservation, and the ethics of museum practice. Throughout the session, you will assist with object cataloging, design public gallery events, and conduct "behind-the-scenes" site visits with specialized museum staff. By the end of the summer, you will have developed professional skills in analytical writing, collaborative project management, and visual literacy that are highly valued in both the arts and academia.
9. WaterFire Providence – ArtLab@WaterFire Fellowship
Location: WaterFire Arts Center & Partner Sites
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 5–6 Fellows per year
Dates: Year-long (September – August)
Application Deadline: Typically, in the Fall
Eligibility: BIPOC male high school students in RI
In this year-long fellowship, you will join a cohort of BIPOC male high school students to explore the professional landscape of the arts and culture industry. The program covers topics such as exhibition design, financial literacy, and college readiness, ensuring you are prepared for both a creative career and your future academic path. Throughout the program, you will install and uninstall gallery exhibitions, serve as a museum docent to guide visitors, and assist with retail operations at the WaterFire Arts Center. The fellowship combines paid professional work with personalized mentorship from community leaders, allowing you to build a network while earning a stipend.
10. Save The Bay Internship Program
Location: Primarily the Hamilton Family Aquarium, Newport, RI, and the Save The Bay Center, Providence, RI
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; small and role-specific cohorts
Dates: Summer session (typically June-August)
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students ages 16+ for the Aquarist and Aquarium Education programs; 18+ for other programs, some require junior or sophomore levels
Save The Bay offers internships focused on protecting Narragansett Bay through environmental education and restoration efforts. High school students can apply for roles in aquarist or aquarium education, working on animal care and public outreach. You will visit bay locations for habitat restoration projects and collaborate with staff on initiatives like volunteer management and data collection. The program provides opportunities to present findings on environmental issues. Mature students gain experience in real-world conservation work, including transportation to various sites in Rhode Island.
11. Rhode Island Historical Society Internships
Location: Various RIHS sites in RI: Aldrich House, Robinson Research Center, John Brown House, or Museum of Work & Culture
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; limited and varies by department needs
Dates: Summer session is typically June – August
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: All high school students
The Rhode Island Historical Society provides regular, unpaid, project-oriented roles designed for students to gain professional experience in the museum and archival fields, museum operations, research, and education. Every intern is assigned a specific project that aligns with their professional goals and the organization’s current needs. You will work on collections management or public programs and visit historic locations. You also collaborate with historians on projects like exhibit preparation. The program includes opportunities to present historical findings, and its unique elements involve hands-on work with artifacts, enhancing understanding of Rhode Island's heritage.
12. Roger Williams Park Zoo & Carousel Village – Counselor-In-Training Volunteers
Location: Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence, Rhode Island
Cost/Stipend: $30 annual fee / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; limited cohort sizes
Dates: June 16 – August 22
Application Deadline: Early spring
Eligibility: Students in grades 7–12
In this program, you will mentor young campers ages 4–10 during the Zoo’s immersive summer sessions. The curriculum centers on youth development, conservation education, and public speaking, while teaching you how to manage a classroom in a dynamic outdoor setting. You will lead morning icebreaker games, assist children with animal-themed crafts, and facilitate interactive "Play Pod" activities during lunch breaks. A unique feature of this internship is the "working interview" requirement, where you must prove your dedication during winter or spring school breaks before joining the summer cohort. You will develop leadership skills and a deep understanding of animal habitats.
13. WaterFire Providence High School Internships
Location: WaterFire Arts Center (Providence, RI)
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Both vary by department
Dates: Summer (June–August)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: All high school students
In this professional program, you will work behind the scenes of one of Rhode Island’s most iconic cultural events. The curriculum covers topics like nonprofit public arts administration, event logistics, and fundraising, providing a comprehensive look at how art intersects with community revitalisation. You will assist with object cataloguing in the gallery, coordinate vendor logistics for river lightings, and manage volunteer teams during large-scale public events. You will be given a good level of ownership, as you work side-by-side with staff to execute a production that draws thousands of visitors to downtown Providence.
14. South County Museum Internship
Location: South County Museum in Narragansett, Rhode Island
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Non-selective; typically 3–5 students per season
Dates: June – August
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students ages 14–18
In this program, you will help preserve Rhode Island's unique rural and maritime heritage. You will explore topics such as 19th-century trades, archival preservation, and public museum education, understanding how community history is kept alive. You will assist with blacksmithing demonstrations, catalog artifacts in the collections room, and conduct guided tours for the public across the museum's seven-acre campus. Through this hands-on work, you will develop professional skills in historical research, public speaking, and curatorial management that will make your future college applications stand out.
15. Rhode Island Hospital Volunteer Internship
Location: Rhode Island Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island
Cost/Stipend: $12 uniform cost / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not specified
Dates: Year–round
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students ages 14–18
In this clinical service program, you will support staff and patients at Rhode Island’s largest healthcare facility. You will escort patients to various testing departments, deliver flowers to recovery rooms, and assist visitors at the main information desks. The role features a mandatory "Ambassador" phase, which ensures you master the complex hospital layout before transitioning into more specialized volunteer tasks. Through this consistent commitment, you will develop skills in empathetic patient communication, professional reliability, and crisis navigation, forming a solid foundation for any future health science degree.
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