12 Summer Internships for High School Students in Vermont
If you’re a high school student looking to explore careers or build skills beyond the classroom, summer internships can be a practical starting point. As an intern, you will gain practical work experience under the guidance of professionals and will have the opportunity to develop key workplace skills such as communication, time management, problem-solving, and teamwork. You’ll also gain early exposure to professional projects in your field, which can clarify your academic interests and strengthen future college or job applications.
Why should you participate in high school internships in Vermont?
Vermont offers a distinct setting for this kind of experience. The state’s strong focus on environmental conservation, sustainable agriculture, public health, outdoor education, and community-based organizations means many internships are closely tied to local needs. You’ll often work in smaller teams, interact with mentors, and see the impact of your work on nearby communities or ecosystems.
To help you explore these options, we’ve curated a list of 12 summer internships for high school students in Vermont, including details on eligibility, dates, and the specifics of each program.
1. Dartmouth Health High School Summer Internship Program
Location: Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center and Clinics, Lebanon, NH (with some placements across Dartmouth Health locations)
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: June 22 – August 7
Application Deadline: March 11
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors or seniors (16+) eligible to work in the U.S.
The Dartmouth Health High School Summer Internship Program offers you a paid, immersive introduction to the healthcare field by placing you in a rotational internship across multiple departments within Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center and its clinics. Over seven weeks, you’ll work full-time alongside professionals in areas such as radiology, pharmacy, clinical support, environmental services, or supply chain, gaining a broad look at how a major health system operates day-to-day. The program also incorporates professional development workshops that enhance communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and workplace readiness skills, which are valuable in both healthcare and other career paths. Because placements depend on your interests and department availability, you’ll have the chance to explore several roles and refine your understanding of possible future careers.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies; Full financial aid available
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort
Eligibility: High school students
Ladder Internships is a selective internship program designed for ambitious high school students interested in startup environments. You will have the opportunity to work with startups that span various industries, including technology, deep tech, AI/ML, health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. On average, Ladder’s partner companies are high-growth organizations that have raised over one million dollars. As an intern, you’ll collaborate closely with your startup managers on real-world projects and present your work to the company. The virtual internship typically lasts approximately eight weeks.
3. Audubon Vermont: Junior Conservation Technician (JCT) Program
Location: Green Mountain Audubon Center, Huntington, VT
Stipend: Paid hourly wage
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive; Around 10-12 teens accepted per cycle
Dates: January 25 – June 27
Application Deadline: Opens in fall/early winter and closes before January
Eligibility: High school students (14-18) interested in environmental conservation and hands-on fieldwork; Must be able to participate in scheduled dates and outdoor activities
The Junior Conservation Technician (JCT) Program gives you an extended hands-on conservation experience working with Audubon Vermont’s team at the Green Mountain Audubon Center. Over the multi-month program, you’ll attend monthly fieldwork days, spring break and weekend sessions, and virtual learning that build naturalist and professional skills. You’ll also participate in projects such as wildlife and plant monitoring, bird banding support, habitat restoration, trail work, invasive species removal, and community science data collection. Alongside project work, you’ll learn from conservation professionals about careers in ecology, wildlife biology, and environmental education while strengthening teamwork, leadership, and communication abilities.
4. Crow’s Path High School Internship
Location: Burlington & Rock Point, VT
Stipend: Sliding-scale fee for first-year interns ($15 – $75/week); Returning interns may go unpaid or earn a small stipend ($100/week for third-year interns)
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: Summer + school year cohorts (dates vary by cohort)
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students (15+) interested in nature, youth education, and outdoor programming
During the Crow’s Path High School Internship, you’ll help lead and support youth programs that foster outdoor learning and community connection. Intern roles are tied to weekly summer camps, where you’ll assist with activities ranging from games and crafts to outdoor skills and storytelling, building leadership and communication skills as you work alongside experienced mentors. You’ll also attend a pre-season training week to prepare for your roles and develop comfort with group facilitation and educational pedagogy. Beyond summer work, there are school-year internship options where you’ll engage in regular weekly programming that deepens your teaching, research, and outdoor skills.
5. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
Location: Various locations across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the Pacific Islands
Stipend: $3,000
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: 8 weeks
Application Deadline: November 21 – January 25
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors or recent graduates; Must be at least 16 years old by internship start
The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program is an 8-week paid summer internship and mentoring experience created by the American Fisheries Society to inspire high school students toward careers in fisheries science, aquatic ecology, and environmental conservation. As a Hutton Scholar, you’ll be matched with a professional fisheries mentor near your hometown and participate in work such as fish population surveys, habitat restoration, water quality testing, data analysis, and field research both in freshwater and marine environments. Throughout the summer, you’ll complete scientific tasks, attend meetings with your mentor, and contribute to real projects relevant to aquatic ecosystems and conservation. In addition to earning a stipend, the program includes opportunities for professional networking and a deeper understanding of what it’s like to work in natural-resource science.
6. BETA Technologies: Build the Future Internship
Location: BETA Technologies, Burlington, VT
Stipend: $22 – $28 per hour
Cohort Size: 65-80 interns each summer
Dates: May – August (12 weeks)
Application Deadline: October – January
Eligibility: High school students interested in STEM; Must be a U.S. or Canadian citizen
At the Build the Future Internship with BETA Technologies, you’ll join a mission-driven team working on next-generation electric aviation and aerospace technology. Over the summer, you’ll contribute to real engineering and technical projects that advance the company’s electric aircraft systems from flight sciences and battery design to data analytics and manufacturing processes. You’ll be paired with a mentor and integrated into cross-disciplinary teams, gaining hands-on experience in professional workflows and problem-solving environments. The program also includes professional development, team collaboration opportunities, and networking with industry professionals. In addition to the main internship, BETA offers a High School Job Shadow Summer Program, a shorter, four-day experience where you’ll explore careers in aviation and manufacturing through hands-on activities like flight simulation, 3D printing, and operations tours.
7. Summer Programs @ Hireability Vermont
Location: Various locations across Waterbury, VT
Stipend: Some paid work-based experiences may be coordinated through partners
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: Varies
Application Deadline: Varies by year and placement
Eligibility: High school students (14-21); Youth services focus especially on students receiving special education services or with a 504 plan
If you participate in HireAbility Vermont’s summer career exploration programs, you’ll work with a transition counselor to explore jobs and build work-readiness skills tailored to your strengths and interests. The program connects you with employers for work-based learning opportunities, which can range from job shadows and company tours to paid or unpaid job placements in fields like customer service, animal care, IT support, or camp support. Beyond placement, you’ll also receive weekly job skills training to help you build professional communication, time management, and workplace problem-solving skills. HireAbility counselors guide you through planning your path after high school, help you prepare for work, and can assist with interview skills and understanding career options. Because the program is volunteer-based and individualized, you can shape your experience around what you want to explore.
8. Be Well Vermont Youth Internship
Location: Various healthcare and medical partner sites across Southern Vermont
Stipend: A stipend may be available to individuals meeting funding criteria
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: Not specified
Application Deadline: January 15
Eligibility: High school students (both current high schoolers and recent graduates) interested in science, medicine, or healthcare careers
If you join the Be Well Vermont Youth Internship, you’ll explore healthcare and medical-related careers through experiences at medical centers, clinics, or partner health facilities. You’ll work alongside professionals such as medical doctors, paramedics, medical assistants, and administrative staff to gain insight into how different parts of the healthcare system operate. The internship includes career shadowing, practical skill exposure, and learning about specialties like biotechnology, pre-medicine, lab technician roles, healthcare billing & coding, or paramedic/nursing pathways. You’ll engage in a mix of structured learning, real-world observation, and possibly short projects that help you understand daily workflows and professional expectations in the field.
9. VWW’s Inclusive Futures In Trade Summer Program
Location: Center for Technology, Essex Junction, VT
Stipend: A $250 stipend offered upon completion of the Harbor Freight Fellows Initiative
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: Not specified
Application Deadline: Varies
Eligibility: High school students who identify as girls
If you attend the Inclusive Futures in Trades (LIFT) summer program run by Vermont Works for Women, you’ll spend a week exploring a range of skilled trades through projects and workshops led by industry professionals and instructors. Throughout the week, you’ll try activities like carpentry, welding, electrical work, and other trades skills, giving you practical experience with tools and techniques used in real workplaces. You’ll work alongside peers in a supportive environment that emphasizes inclusivity and empowerment, breaking down stereotypes about who “belongs” in the trades. Completing the program also means finishing an Explorer Fellowship, which offers a stipend.
10. Vermont Adaptive Internships
Location: Various program sites across Vermont
Stipend: Some positions offer stipends; Others may be designed for credit or experience
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Year-round internship opportunities
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school seniors (18+); Specific requirements vary by role
At Vermont Adaptive, you’ll gain experience supporting inclusive adaptive sports and recreation programs for people of all ages and abilities across Vermont. Intern roles can include assisting with program instruction, event logistics, outreach, volunteer coordination, and community engagement in areas like mountain biking, paddling, rock climbing, and general outdoor adaptive sports. You’ll work alongside seasoned instructors and organizers to help plan and run activities, train volunteers, and support nonprofit operations. While many internships are designed for older students, motivated high school seniors (especially those graduating before summer) may be able to participate. Vermont Adaptive also offers opportunities for professional development, certifications, and networking with professionals in adaptive sports.
11. AIMI Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost: $45 application fee + $2,400 program fee; Financial aid offered
Cohort Size: Around 50 students
Dates: Session A: June 15 – 26; Session B: July 6 – 17
Application Deadline: December 15 – February 20
Eligibility: U.S. high school students (14+) with experience in math, computer programming, or a healthcare project
The Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship offers you the chance to explore AI research in medicine and how it can be used to improve healthcare. For around two weeks, you will attend introductory and technical lectures that discuss the fundamentals of AI in healthcare. You’ll also participate in hands-on group research projects and receive mentorship from Stanford Student Leads and researchers. Aside from this, you’ll get to attend "Meet the Expert" sessions, where you will hear from healthcare experts in academia, industry, non-profit, and government. Once you complete the program, you’ll receive a Certificate of Completion.
12. Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $25 non-refundable application fee + $1,299; Fee waivers available based on financial need; Unpaid
Acceptance Rate: Highly competitive
Dates: June 18 – August 12
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: High school students (15+ for remote/computer lab internships; 16+ for wet-lab internships)
Hosted by George Mason University, the Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) gives you an intensive research experience where you’ll work collaboratively with faculty and researchers on cutting-edge scientific projects from molecular medicine and environmental science to machine learning and cybersecurity. You’ll also gain experience using advanced research tools, strengthen scientific writing and communication skills, and explore STEM careers through forums and mentoring. Some placements are in-person on campus, while others are hybrid or fully remote, making the program accessible even if travel isn’t feasible for you. At the end of the internship, you’ll present your research at a professional symposium and may even earn three college credits through George Mason University.
Image Source - Dartmouth Health Logo