15 Media Internships for High School Students in San Francisco, CA
If you’re interested in journalism, a media internship for high schoolers can help you figure out if a career in media is something you want to pursue. Media internships give you a chance to work on projects like social media campaigns, video production, or press releases. That kind of experience stands out on a resume and shows colleges and employers that you've already started developing a foundation in the field.
What media internships are available for high school students in San Francisco?
San Francisco is a good place to find media internships for high schoolers. The city’s media organizations span public broadcasting, independent film, and digital newsrooms, with well-known institutions like KQED, the San Francisco Chronicle, and SFFILM based here. Interning at a media company gives you exposure to how media is changing with new technology and a chance to build a professional network, which can help you find future internship opportunities.
We picked out 15 media internships for high school students in San Francisco that offer practical learning, mentorship, and experience relevant to today’s media.
1. SFUSD Summer Internships with Industry Partners
Location: San Francisco Unified School District (placements with local industry partners across San Francisco)
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; approximately 150–200 students city-wide across all industry sectors
Dates: Six weeks between June and July/August
Application Deadline: Interest form usually opens in early spring and closes in March/early April (exact date varies by year)
Eligibility: Current SFUSD high school sophomores and juniors
The SFUSD Summer Internships with Industry Partners allow you to gain hands-on work experience with real companies and organizations in San Francisco while earning pay over the summer. It matches you with industry mentors based on your interests, including sectors like marketing, media arts, social media, communications, and digital content. In addition to on-the-job experience, you’ll participate in weekly work-based learning seminars that build workplace skills like professional communication, teamwork, and career planning. This program helps you explore potential media and communications career paths, develop a professional network, and add valuable experience to your resume before college.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Cost varies according to the program type; financial aid is available / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 10–25%; 70–100 students
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the cohort – Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks
Through Ladder Internships, ambitious high school students connect with high-growth startups in sectors such as technology, journalism, and consulting. This selective program pairs you with a dedicated Ladder Coach to guide your progress while you work directly with company leadership on meaningful tasks. Many of these organizations are well-funded, having raised millions to scale their innovations. You will wrap up the experience by presenting your completed projects to the startup team, showcasing the new skills you developed. It is an excellent way to gain professional exposure and mentorship in a fast-moving environment. Interested students can apply here to join the next upcoming student cohort.
3. WPX3 / MPACT Youth Media Internship
Location: San Francisco, CA (local public health/education partners)
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; typically 10–20 students per school chapter
Dates: School Year: Late October – May
Application Deadline: September 30
Eligibility: SF high school students
The WPX3 / MPACT Youth Media Internship gives you hands-on experience in journalism and media storytelling while working with peers to create impactful projects on issues that matter in your community. You’ll learn to conduct research, practice storytelling skills, and build media campaigns that explore topics like health, social issues, and youth perspectives. The program culminates in published work, multimedia presentations, or digital media projects. This internship operates during the regular academic year, providing an opportunity to gain real media experience outside the classroom while earning pay and developing skills that strengthen future resumes or college applications.
4. BAYCAT Academy – Advanced Filmmaking Internship
Location: San Francisco, CA (Potrero Hill Studio)
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; approximately 12–15 students
Dates: Fall: September – December; Spring: February – May; Summer: June – July
Application Deadline: Summer: Usually May; Fall: August; Spring: January
Eligibility: High school students (ages 14–18); must live or go to school in the San Francisco Bay Area
In this paid internship, you join "The Crew" to transform your storytelling into professional media for socially-minded community clients. You’ll learn technical topics like cinematography, scriptwriting, and advanced editing using industry-standard tools. You will conduct field interviews, manage on-set lighting, and lead creative decisions on the final cut of documentary projects. This program treats you as a professional employee while specifically empowering diverse young creators. You’ll gain essential skills in project management, camera operation, and collaborative leadership. These experiences bridge the gap between high school and a career in digital media.
5. Emma Bowen Foundation Internship
Location: San Francisco, CA (Internships are hosted at partner media and tech companies such as Hearst, ABC7/KGO-TV, and others)
Stipend: Paid hourly, rate depends on partner company
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; approximately 150 Fellows selected annually
Dates: Summer: Typically begin in May or June and run at least 8 weeks
Application Deadline: Rolling basis; placements typically finalized by mid-May
Eligibility: High school seniors planning to attend a four-year U.S. college, authorized to work in the U.S, and at least 18 years old by the internship’s start
The Emma Bowen Foundation Internship Program connects aspiring media and tech professionals of color with paid summer internships at leading companies across media, entertainment, and technology sectors. As an Emma Bowen Fellow, you’ll gain experience in areas like digital media, news production, social media, marketing, PR, and tech roles while building professional networks and receiving mentorship. Internships are structured through partnerships with major media and tech organizations, giving you exposure to real industry work environments. The program also includes professional development support, career coaching, and access to a broad alumni community that can help you transition into future roles.
6. I-YEL Multimedia Projects Internship (SF Youth Connect)
Location: San Francisco, CA (in-person with Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy)
Stipend: $310/month
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; typically 15–20 students per regional team
Dates: October 18 – May 9
Application Deadline: September 13
Eligibility: San Francisco and Marin public high school students
The I-YEL Multimedia Projects Internship allows you to develop media creation and communications skills while working with the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy and SF Youth Connect. As an intern, you’ll help design and produce multimedia content that addresses social and environmental justice challenges relevant to your community. The program includes weekly after-school meetings and several Saturday sessions where you’ll work on projects such as videos, photography, graphic design, and storytelling campaigns. Beyond content creation, you’ll build skills in project planning, public outreach, and event coordination, and you’ll also participate in outdoor activities and group camping experiences throughout the session.
7. KQED Youth Advisory Board
Location: KQED Headquarters, San Francisco, CA
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; approximately 12–15 students
Dates: Academic year (September – June)
Application Deadline: Typically late April or early May
Eligibility: High school students living in the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area
Through the KQED Youth Advisory Board, you’ll dive into the heart of public media by offering direct feedback on digital content like the Above the Noise series and joining professional editorial meetings. The program covers essential media topics, including digital storytelling, news production, and various broadcasting career paths. You’ll pitch original story ideas, produce on-air segments for the annual Youth Takeover, and speak at live community events. The program features a direct professional immersion, allowing you to collaborate with staff to ensure the station's news coverage accurately reflects youth perspectives. By participating, you will sharpen your public speaking, media literacy, and networking skills.
8. Youth Art Exchange (YAX) – Summer Media Arts Internship
Location: YAX Studios, San Francisco, CA
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Rate not specified; typically small project-based cohorts
Dates: Summer (4 weeks in July); Spring (Late January/Early February – May twice a week after school)
Application Deadline: Summer: late April or May; Spring: Mid-January
Eligibility: Current San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) high school students; typically ages 14–21
In the YAX Summer Media Arts Internship, you will explore disciplines like digital design, film photography, animation, and music production under professional guidance. During the program, you will assist instructors with workshop materials and mentor younger students during creative sessions. You will also help facilitate public community exhibitions to showcase collective student work. You will sharpen your technical craft while gaining career-ready skills in classroom management, public communication, and project coordination. By the end, you will have built a professional portfolio and the leadership confidence to thrive in any artistic field.
9. Climate Warriors – Summer Filmmaking Intensive
Location: KQED Headquarters, San Francisco, CA (in-person)
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; 28 spots typically
Dates: July 7 – August 1
Application Deadline: Typically late May or early June
Eligibility: Youth ages 14–18 from San Francisco and the broader Bay Area
The Climate Warriors Summer Filmmaking Intensive is a four-week, in-person media and storytelling program designed for students who care about environmental justice and film. Over the course of the summer, you’ll learn video and audio production skills in a collaborative setting and use them to create a short documentary video project focused on an environmental justice theme. Instruction focuses on every part of the filmmaking process from concept and planning through shooting and editing, and connects your creative work to real-world social impact and storytelling. Because the program is hosted at the KQED headquarters in San Francisco, you’ll also get a feel for how media makers work in a professional environment.
10. Mission Local Multimedia & Journalism Internship
Location: San Francisco, CA
Stipend: $1,000/week
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; typically 4–6 interns
Dates: Summer: Typically June – August (12 weeks); Spring: January/February – April (12 weeks)
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: High school seniors
In this hands-on internship, you will join Mission Local's newsroom to produce stories on San Francisco’s underserved communities. You’ll tackle essential topics like housing, police accountability, and local politics while receiving direct guidance from veteran reporters. Throughout the program, you will interview neighborhood residents, draft news briefs, and capture multimedia content or graphics to enhance your storytelling. A standout feature is the immersive on-the-ground training and access to a prestigious alumni network that spans major national outlets. This experience creates a strong professional portfolio for your future career.
11. 826 Valencia – Education Programs Internships
Location: San Francisco, CA
Stipend: $20/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; 5 interns
Dates: January – May
Application Deadline: January 25
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors able to regularly commute within San Francisco
As a high school intern at 826 Valencia, you explore digital storytelling, journalism, and audio production. You will produce the "Message in a Bottle" podcast, write for the "Valencia Bay-farer" newspaper, and manage social media content for student projects. A unique feature of this program is the whimsical, pirate-themed workspace where your work is prepared for professional platforms like SoundCloud. You’ll learn technical audio editing, interviewing, and editorial proofreading through daily hands-on practice. This role also provides insight into nonprofit operations while you mentor younger students in their own creative writing journeys. Ultimately, you build a professional portfolio that meets real-world media industry standards.
12. Enterprise for Youth Art & Design Internship Track
Location: San Francisco, CA
Stipend: $21/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; approximately 500+
Dates: Summer: June 8 – July 31
Application Deadline: April 15
Eligibility: San Francisco residents, ages 14–21
In this internship track, you learn graphic design, digital photography, social media, and video production. Throughout the term, you will build a professional portfolio, collaborate on client projects, and attend weekly career development workshops. Furthermore, you benefit from direct networking opportunities within San Francisco’s creative economy. By the end, you will have mastered the Adobe Creative Cloud suite while gaining skills in visual storytelling, project management, and professional communication. This hands-on experience effectively turns your creative passion into a tangible career path.
13. SF YouthWorks – Public Service Communications Internship
Location: Various City Departments, including SFPUC, SF Public Library, and SFIA in San Francisco, CA
Stipend: $19.18/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; typically 100+ interns across all City Departments
Dates: Summer: Late June – Early August (8 weeks); School Year: October – May
Application Deadline: Summer: Mid-April; School Year: Mid-September
Eligibility: 11th and 12th graders (rising or graduating) who reside or attend school in San Francisco
In this paid internship, you will dive into public sector media by supporting communications teams across various San Francisco city departments. You'll explore key topics such as social media marketing, audience development, and strategic campaign design while working alongside professional mentors. You might draft digital content, conduct media research, and assist with event planning to build your professional portfolio. You receive dedicated one-on-one mentorship from city employees who help you navigate the complexities of local government. This experience ensures you are well-prepared for future careers in communications, media, or public service.
14. Film SF Internship Program
Location: Hybrid (1 day in office at SF City Hall; 1 day remote)
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; fewer than 5–10 per cycle
Dates: 4 months in Summer: June – July; Winter: October – January; Spring: February – May
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students
The Film SF Internship Program connects aspiring young creatives with real film production, media support, and industry exposure opportunities in one of the nation’s most scenic filmmaking cities. You may assist with student films, festival support, communication and event projects, production office tasks, or community outreach initiatives tied to the city’s cinematic ecosystem. Because San Francisco produces independent films, documentaries, and commercial shoots year‑round, involvement with Film SF offers chances to gain hands-on experience, network with local filmmakers, and build practical skills in a professional setting, especially valuable for students interested in careers in film production, programming, or media events.
15. SFFILM - Social Media and Communications Internship
Location: SFFILM offices, San Francisco, CA
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very competitive; 1–2 interns per specialized department track
Dates: Summer: June – early September; Spring: February – May
Application Deadline: Summer: Review begins early June; Spring: Review begins early January
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors with strong writing and communication skills
At the SFFILM Social Media and Communications Internship, you’ll work with the digital content team to plan and create engaging social media content that increases awareness of SFFILM’s mission, programs, and events. Your responsibilities may include producing original graphics and short-form video, writing captions, and tracking engagement trends on platforms like Instagram. You’ll learn to use tools like Figma and Co-Schedule to manage content calendars and align posts with organizational goals. This role gives hands-on experience in arts marketing, digital strategy, and communications while building a portfolio of real work connected to film culture and community outreach.