15 Technology Internships for High School Students in Washington State
If you're a high school student interested in technology, internships allow you to explore various fields, learn new concepts, and put them into practice through projects and work experiences.
What do technology internships specifically have to offer?
Internships in technology-related fields help you build technical industry-related skill sets, learn about advancements in the field, and strengthen your college application through demonstrated initiative.
Which tech internships can I apply to in Washington state as a high schooler?
Washington State has many leading organizations and institutes that offer technology-related internship opportunities. You'll have the option to gain insight into various technology fields, including product management, software engineering, naval research, biology, biotechnology, biomedical research, oncology, industrial training, neurotechnology, and more. These opportunities allow you to build professional skills by working on professional projects, conducting scientific research, and gaining both soft and technical skills.
We've narrowed the list from the top 15 technology internships for high school students in Washington State.
P.S. If you're in Washington and want to go deeper on specific tech areas,13 Free Online Computer Science Internships for High School Students has a lot of remote-friendly options that are especially accessible from the Pacific Northwest. And15 Computer Engineering Summer Programs for High School Students is worth checking out if you want something more structured and program-based open to students from across the country.
1. Northwest Career & Technical Academy
Location: Various internship sites within Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Varies based on internship
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: At least 16 years old by early July; U.S. work authorization paperwork required
The Northwest Career and Technical Academy offers technical internship opportunities for high school students in automotive services, construction, aerospace, maritime, welding, game development, and more. During the internship experience, you will earn certificates relevant to your industry, complete a fixed number of hours of in-depth career and technical education, and have the chance to earn free college credit through attending a program of your choice. Your internship placement will be coordinated by NCTA's Learning Coordinator, who will place you in an opportunity that aligns with your interests, aptitudes, and preferred course of study.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote (work from anywhere in the world)
Cost/Stipend: Starting at $2,490 (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: SelectiveDates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Application Deadline: Vary by cohort
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can work for 8 - 12 weeks, devoting 10 - 20 hours/week
Ladder Internships places you inside a real startup, working on projects that actually matter to the company. You are matched with a fast-growing startup in fields like tech, AI, health, marketing, journalism, or consulting, depending on your interests. You work directly with founders and managers, contribute to active projects, and get regular guidance from a Ladder Coach who helps you stay on track. Many of the startups are early-stage but well-funded, often led by founders with serious industry or startup experience. The program ends with you presenting your work to the company, giving you a clear sense of how startups operate and what it feels like to be part of a small, fast-moving team.
3. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program
Location: Department of the Navy SEAP laboratories across the U.S., including in Washington
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship; stipend varies by participation level ($4,000 new; $4,500 returning)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Vary by placement
Application Deadline: November 1
Eligibility: Completed grade 9; currently enrolled in high school; graduating seniors eligible; must be 16 years or older by internship start date; U.S. citizens (some labs may have exceptions for permanent residents/dual citizens)
The Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program offers high school students practical experience in naval research at the Department of the Navy Laboratories. This technology internship for high school students in Washington State runs for 8 weeks, during which you will learn about naval research and gain insight into emerging technologies in the field. During your internship, you will assist your mentors with guided research projects, attend technical meetings, shadow professional researchers, and participate in professional development activities. You can apply to various labs based on your area of interest, including oceanography, in-service engineering, computer science, sustainment engineering, and more.
4. Seattle Public School Tech Quest
Location: Amazon, Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: $500 gift card upon completion
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 40 students selected
Dates: July 20– 30
Application Deadline: March 20; rolling until April 17 or until full
Eligibility: Current 9th grade students becoming 10th graders
Techquest is a 2-week summer externship program for high school students looking to explore various technology pathways. The program is held in partnership with Amazon, where you will learn about various careers in IT and STEM. Discover various rules and learn what it takes to pursue a technology-related pathway. The program includes coding training, project-based learning activities, and tech guest speakers discussing various topics. You will also learn to build professional development through building a resume, learning to promote yourself on LinkedIn, and participating in a pitch event where you will present an idea to professionals at Amazon.
5. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) High School Internships
Location: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA
Cost/Stipend: Varies
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Vary according to the internship posting
Application Deadline: March - June
Eligibility: High school students
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory offers an immersive internship experience for high school students to engage in STEM. You will gain research experience by participating in research projects and assisting your team on various tasks. You will experience working in a professional lab environment under the mentorship of professional scientists, engineers, and business professionals. The internship program also includes laboratory tools, career awareness workshops, and leadership development activities where you can refine your leadership, communication, and teamwork skills.
6. Washington State Skill Center Association
Location: Washington State Skill Center Association network of skills centers (various WA cities)
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderate
Dates: Not specified
Application Deadline: Applications processed on a rolling basis
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
The Washington State Skills Center Association offers various career and technical training opportunities to high school juniors and seniors. Although not an internship, you will gain technical knowledge and skills and explore pathways in fields such as information technology, manufacturing engineering, architecture, construction, public safety, and more. You will receive instructions from industry professionals in your field of choice and seek career guidance from them. Skill Centers also offer support during the application process for various apprenticeships, technical schools, and college and university programs, with the choice to apply for direct employment in the field of your choice.
7. Changemakers in Computing
Location: University of Washington Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering, Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 6–July 30
Application Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and rising seniors from Washington State high schools; priority for economically disadvantaged and future first-generation students
Changemakers in Computing is a summer program hosted by the University of Washington that invites applications from high school students interested in computer science and engineering to apply. Although not an internship, the program includes training that will help develop a technical base and skill sets to apply to further internships and educational programs. During the program, you will develop your coding skills through relevant projects, explore different areas of computing, and understand the impact you can have by pursuing a technology pathway. You will be mentored by current University of Washington undergraduates who will provide support and guidance on pursuing a career pathway in technology-aligned fields.
8. KEXP Internship Program
Location: KEXP, Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: Paid at $22/hour; average 15 hours/week for 450 total hours (compensation and details vary by position)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: May 6 - November 21
Application Deadline: February 18
Eligibility: 18 years or older; live in the Greater Seattle Area (or relocate by orientation); legal authorization to work in the United States; not required to be enrolled in school or graduate
The KEXP internship program offers an opportunity for Seattle teens interested in exploring music programming and audio production. During the program, you will gain insight into the operations and functioning of a community-based arts organization. You will build technical skills such as audio editing, database management, and music production. Working alongside professionals will also help you develop professional skills in project management, communication, problem-solving, critical thinking, and more. The program also involves learning about the audio industry through field trips and networking with industry leaders in Seattle.
9. Seattle Public Schools SYEP Learn and Earn
Location: Seattle Youth Employment Program, Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: Paid internships; interns are paid $20.76 per hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderate; 250 youth are selected each term
Dates: July 9-August 26
Application Deadline: March 21
Eligibility: Between 16 and 24 years old at the start of the program; live within Seattle city limits or attend Seattle Public Schools or Seattle Colleges; live in a household with income at or below 80% Area Median Income; proof of eligibility documentation required
The Seattle Youth Employment Program offers various opportunities for high school students to gain practical work experience. The Learn and Earn pathway offers technical training in your chosen career track, where you'll learn various skills, attend workshops from industry professionals, and have the opportunity to shadow roles you are interested in. You can opt for the software development track, where you'll gain experience making apps, websites, and computer programs. If you want to skip training, you can opt for the internship program, where you'll directly land an internship based on your skills and career interests. You'll receive pre-employment training that includes feedback on your resume, interview practice, and work professional skill development. You can work in your area of interest within city departments, organizations, and private-sector companies.
10. Tacoma Public Utilities Internship
Location: Tacoma Public Utilities, Tacoma, WA
Cost/Stipend: Paid internships; compensation and hours vary by position
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Varies by individual posting
Application Deadline: Varies by posting
Eligibility: Varies by position; internships available for high school and college-level students; eligibility requirements listed on individual job postings
Tacoma Public Utilities offers various roles through its high school summer internship program. During your internship, you will work alongside experienced professionals, shadow various roles, and gain experience in projects that support essential services such as water, power, and the environment. You'll also gain insight into the operations of a public utilities company and explore various roles within it, including technology management, administration, and more. You'll work alongside like-minded peers from various backgrounds, learn professional skills such as communication and collaboration, and gain access to mentorship from multiple professionals.
11. Seattle City Light High School Internships
Location: Seattle City Light high school internships, Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Not specified
Application Deadline: Varies by position posting
Eligibility: High school students who are 16 years or older by the start of the internship; minimum GPA of 2.00; U.S. citizen or legal work permit; preference given to students living in the Seattle City Light service area
Seattle City Light places high school interns to gain practical experience in the utility field. The internship lasts 8 weeks, during which you will explore various roles in energy production and distribution. You will assist the team by handling various administrative tasks, supporting key projects, receiving mentorship from professionals, participating in specialized training, and conducting fieldwork. The program includes professional skill development through workshops, and you'll have the chance to work on communication skills by presenting a summary of your summer experience to your colleagues and mentors.
12. Young Scholars Program-Reach
Location: Center for Neurotechnology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: $500 for in-person participation; $100 for virtual participation
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: July 14-18
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students (including graduating seniors); commit to full program participation (no academic credit awarded)
The Center for Neurotechnology at the University of Washington offers a 5-day Young Scholars Program for high school students interested in neuroscience and related fields. During the program, you will explore fundamental concepts in neuroscience, neural engineering, neuroethics, scientific communication, and the latest advancements in brain-computer interfaces. You will explore neurotechnology by touring laboratories in various departments, including computer science and electrical engineering. Although not an internship, this program is a good introductory experience if you are interested in exploring pathways in neural engineering and neuroscience.
13. Microsoft Discovery Program
Location: Microsoft, Redmond, WA
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: July 13 – August 7
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school seniors with a college offer; live or attend high school within 50 miles of Redmond, WA; completed pre-calculus or equivalent before start
The Microsoft Discovery Program offers a 4-week internship for students interested in exploring technology through practical work experience. You will work under the mentorship of Microsoft employees and work within teams while gaining experience by working on a project through various phases, including product development, design, software engineering, product management, and UX design. You will explore various aspects of working in a tech company, including understanding customers' pain points, articulating their needs, and using those needs to build products. Selection is competitive and requires completion of pre-calculus, an equivalent course, or three consecutive years of high school math.
14. Camas School District Technology & Industry Internships
Location: Camas School District partnerships with local businesses and partners, Camas, WA
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Internship opportunities occur throughout the academic year and summer and vary by posting
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary by partner and school program
Eligibility: Students enrolled in Camas High School MST Magnet and CamTech programs; individual partner sites may have specific eligibility requirements
The Camas School District offers various internship opportunities for high school students in the district. A lot of these internships are technology-based, where you'll gain practical experience while learning new skills and concepts. You'll explore advanced manufacturing industry fundamentals, including industrial safety, cleanroom technology, statistical process control, and more. You'll gain practical work experience in your chosen field through projects, direct instruction, and lectures. Furthermore, you'll spend time working on-site and receive mentorship from industry professionals, such as engineers. The experience also enhances your scientific communication skills through presentation and technical writing.
15. Biomanufacturing Training Program
Location: Shoreline Community College, Shoreline, WA
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderate
Dates: Program runs through the academic year (exact dates not specified)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors; completed biology and/or chemistry coursework; willing to participate for the full academic year
Shoreline College offers a biomanufacturing training program for high school students interested in exploring biotechnology-related pathways. During the program, you will explore fundamental biotech concepts through practical training and work experience at a biomanufacturing site. The program includes lectures and lab experiments that will help you understand techniques such as bacterial transformation, chromatography, bioreactor operation, electrophoresis, gene editing, and more. The program will help you explore the biomanufacturing process, the regulations governing biopharmaceuticals, and the skills required to produce a biologic. You will also have the opportunity to explore various pathways in the field and participate in career preparation activities, which will help you gain professional skill sets.
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