12 Summer Internships for High School Students in South Dakota
If you are a high school student, completing an internship can strengthen your academic and professional profile. Internships provide practical experience in your field of interest and help you develop useful skills. They help you understand workplace expectations, enhance your communication skills, and make better-informed decisions about your career. An internship also showcases your motivation to admissions officers, making them worth considering if you’re planning to apply to top colleges.
What summer internships are available for high school students in South Dakota?
South Dakota offers summer opportunities for high schoolers across healthcare, research, the arts, and environmental studies. These programs give you access to professional environments and community engagement, as some internships let you work on local issues. Many of the organizations offering these internships emphasize mentorship, connecting you with professionals who can guide your future academic and career choices.
To make your search easier, we’ve narrowed down a list of 12 summer internships for high school students in South Dakota.
12 Summer Internships for High School Students in South Dakota
1. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote (students can participate from anywhere)
Cost: Cost varies by program type; financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Program Dates: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter cohorts
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary — Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), Winter (November)
Eligibility: High school students who can commit 10–20 hours per week for 8–12 weeks
Ladder Internships pairs you with a remote role at an early-stage or rapidly growing start-up, where you work closely with a company manager. Opportunities span areas such as technology, AI and machine learning, health tech, marketing, journalism, and consulting. You contribute to active projects on a daily basis, allowing you to apply practical skills in a professional setting. With many partner companies operating in high-growth, fast-moving environments, you gain exposure to the pace and demands of start-up work. Throughout the program, you collaborate with industry professionals, build essential workplace skills, and conclude with a final presentation highlighting your contributions, all while participating from anywhere.
2. PROMISE Scholars Summer Internship
Location: Sanford Research, Sioux Falls, SD
Stipend: $4,000 scholarship; earns 3 undergraduate elective credits through the University of South Dakota
Acceptance rate/Cohort Size: Not publicly specified
Dates: Late May – late July (10 weeks)
Application Deadline: Early January
Eligibility: High school students entering senior year, at least 16 years old by program start, with a strong interest in biomedical research; must be able to commit full-time and reside locally (housing not provided)
The PROMISE Scholars Summer Internship is a research program that introduces you to biomedical laboratory work at Sanford Research. Over ten weeks, you work closely with a research mentor as part of an active lab team, gaining hands-on experience in experimental design, data collection, analysis, and interpretation. The program emphasizes mentorship and professional skill development through journal clubs, ethics discussions, and career-coaching seminars focused on research and postsecondary pathways. You also collaborate with peers through scientific interest groups and participate in community outreach activities that bring science to local audiences. A key component of the experience is presenting your work as a scientific poster at the Sanford Research Symposium, giving you practice in scientific communication.
3. Davis-Bahcall Scholars Program
Location: Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF), Lead, SD
Stipend: $2,000 learning stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 14 – July 12
Application Deadline: January 16
Eligibility: Current high school seniors or first-year undergraduates who attend or graduated from a South Dakota high school, will be at least 18 years old by June 13, and intend to pursue a STEM degree
This four-week scholars program allows you to engage with STEM learning through structured travel, site visits, and exposure to scientific research environments. You connect with mentors and other students while visiting science laboratories, STEM industries across the Midwest, and research facilities in the United States and abroad. The program offers opportunities to observe the conduct of scientific research and the functioning of various STEM fields in real-world environments. You’ll also visit national monuments and cultural landmarks as part of the learning experience. Throughout the program, you’ll document and reflect on your experiences alongside fellow scholars.
4. National Summer Transportation Institute (NSTI)
Location: South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD
Cost: Free (full scholarship covering housing, meals, workshops, and activities)
Acceptance rate/Cohort Size: Not publicly specified (limited cohort)
Dates: Late May – mid June (1-week residential program; two session options)
Application Deadline: Early May
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 9–12 with a minimum 2.0 GPA, completion of algebra (or eligibility to enroll)
The National Summer Transportation Institute at South Dakota State University is a weeklong residential program designed to introduce you to transportation engineering and related STEM fields. During the camp, you explore topics including transportation planning, materials, renewable energy, and various transportation modes through hands-on lab activities and workshops. You also participate in site visits, including tours of local businesses and the Brookings Regional Airport, where you learn about real-world transportation systems and operations. While this program is not a traditional internship, its intensive "college preview" format provides unique, hands-on exposure to engineering labs and direct networking with industry professionals comparable to early-career internship experiences. Evening recreational activities help build community while exposing you to campus life at SDSU.
5. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
Location: Hutton works to place participating students within a 45-minute commute from their homes
Stipend: $3,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June – August (8 weeks; flexible schedule)
Application Deadline: January 25
Eligibility: Open to high school students
The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program provides a paid, eight-week internship that gives you practical experience in environmental science through hands-on fieldwork. You will work alongside fisheries biologists and mentors on activities such as fish sampling, habitat evaluations, and water quality monitoring. With guidance from your mentor, you gain experience across the entire research process, from data collection and organization to analysis and interpretation. The program also helps you explore career options in fisheries biology and conservation. Overall, it highlights how on-the-ground field research supports broader environmental management and conservation initiatives.
6. Bank of America Student Leaders
Location: Local nonprofit partners across the U.S.
Cost/Stipend: No cost; Stipend provided, exact amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~300 students annually
Dates: 8 weeks in the summer; summit takes place between July 21 – 26
Application Deadline: January 15
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors who are legally authorized to work in the U.S. and reside in an eligible location | Should be first-time applicants
This program offers an eight-week internship with a local nonprofit, where you work on impactful community projects and enhance your leadership and teamwork abilities. Throughout the program, you work closely with nonprofit professionals to understand the everyday operations of social impact organizations. You also attend sessions focused on civic engagement, public service, and ethical leadership. A major highlight is the National Student Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C., where you connect with peers from across the country and explore how various sectors address community issues. The program offers a stipend and covers all related expenses.
7. National Park Service Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) and Pathways Program
Location: National Park Service sites across the United States
Stipend: Paid (hourly wages or salary, depending on program)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Summer or year-round, depending on the program
Application Deadline: Varies by park and position
Eligibility: High school students and current students enrolled in accredited institutions; age requirements vary by program and position
Through the National Park Service’s Youth Conservation Corps and Pathways Program, you can gain paid work experience while supporting national parks and public lands. In the Youth Conservation Corps, you participate in conservation and maintenance projects, including trail work, habitat restoration, and resource management, alongside park staff. The Pathways Program places you in paid student roles that focus on professional fields like science, history, communications, administration, or public health within the National Park Service. Across both programs, you work on real projects rather than simulated activities and learn how federal agencies operate. You collaborate with park professionals, adhere to workplace schedules, and develop practical skills in environmental stewardship and public service.
8. Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) – South Dakota Mines
Location: South Dakota Mines, Rapid City, SD
Cost/Stipend: No cost to participate; students typically receive a stipend (amount not publicly specified)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Approximately 8 students per summer at South Dakota Mines
Dates: Summer (full-time research experience)
Application Deadline: Typically in early spring
Eligibility: High school students with a strong interest in STEM and research; U.S. citizenship or permanent residency may be required
Through the AEOP program at South Dakota Mines, you will work alongside undergraduate and graduate student mentors on STEM research projects in a university lab. Your work may involve areas such as materials science, chemical engineering, geology, biomedical engineering, or mineral recovery. You gain practical experience using research tools, laboratory equipment, and data analysis techniques while learning how professional research teams operate. Throughout the program, you receive close mentorship from faculty and student researchers who guide you through experimental design, problem-solving, and iteration. Collaboration is vital to the experience, as participants often work in small groups and contribute to ongoing research projects. The program ends with chances to present your findings at a research symposium.
9. Junior Zookeeper (JZK) Summer Program
Location: Great Plains Zoo, Sioux Falls, SD
Cost: Program fee of $85 for members and $100 for non-members; scholarships may be available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited number of participants
Dates: Runs through the summer (May kickoff through August)
Application Deadline: Late February - March (varies for new and returning applicants)
Eligibility: Students aged 13–18 who can commit to at least two half-day volunteer shifts per week, attend orientation and interviews, and meet health and training requirements
In this summer program, you’ll gain firsthand exposure to zoology by volunteering on the zoo campus and working with staff and guests. Depending on your role, you assist with ZooCamp activities, interact with visitors as a Zoo Interpreter, or support animal care and ambassador presentations. You can develop communication, teamwork, and responsibility skills through training and supervised shifts. The program emphasizes consistency and long-term commitment across the summer, rather than short-term participation. As a returning participant, you may assume additional responsibilities in animal care, presentations, and mentoring younger campers. Throughout the experience, you’ll work in a real zoo environment while learning how education, conservation, and animal care operate together.
10. NASA OSTEM Internships
Location: Multiple NASA centers across the U.S., including NASA Langley Research Center (Hampton, VA); virtual options available
Cost/Stipend: Free; interns receive a stipend based on academic level and program duration
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; varies by placement
Dates: Summer (Early June – August; 10 weeks)
Application Deadline: February 27
Eligibility: Full-time high school students aged 16 or older; must be U.S. citizens; minimum GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale)
The NASA OSTEM Internship Program allows you to collaborate with NASA scientists and engineers on hands-on research and engineering projects. Depending on your placement, you may assist with designing experiments, analyzing mission data, or supporting the development of tools and technologies for space exploration. Internships span diverse areas, including aerospace, planetary science, robotics, ecology, and technology innovation, with each project centered on a clear research goal. Throughout the experience, you develop technical and analytical skills while learning how NASA teams tackle complex scientific and engineering challenges. By the end of the program, you will have gained firsthand exposure to NASA’s work and made contributions to active research and exploration efforts.
11. Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship
Location: Online
Cost: $2,400 + $45 application fee; full financial aid available for eligible students
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; around 25 students
Dates: June 15 – 26 | July 6 – 17
Application Deadline: February 20
Eligibility: High school students entering Grades 9 – 12 who are at least 14 years old; strong preference given to those with experience in math, coding, or healthcare projects; U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or students with valid visa status are eligible to apply
The Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship is a two-week virtual program designed to explore the intersection of artificial intelligence, engineering, and medicine. During the program, you participate in lectures focused on AI applications in healthcare, collaborate on team-based research projects, and receive mentorship from Stanford faculty, researchers, and students. Career-focused sessions feature speakers from academia, industry, and government who share practical insights into how AI is used in medical settings. You also work on hands-on technical assignments involving coding and data analysis to address specific research challenges. Participants receive a certificate upon completion, and select students may be invited to pursue longer-term research opportunities.
12. EnergyMag High School Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Quarter-time internships available year-round (1 – 9 months, about 8 hours/week); half-time internships available in summer (2 – 8 weeks, about 20 hours/week)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students (grades 10 – 12) with a GPA ≥ 3.25; at least one honors science or English class
EnergyMag provides remote internship opportunities for high school students interested in energy storage and renewable energy. Through the program, you will work with a mentor to investigate emerging technologies, market trends, or companies in the energy sector, and to develop a written report that may be featured on the EnergyMag website. The experience focuses on strengthening research, writing, and analytical abilities while offering insight into the rapidly changing energy industry.
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