10 Online Tech Internships for High School Students
If you are a high school student interested in technology, internships can be a good way to explore the field. Online tech internships allow you to gain practical experience and develop skills while connecting with industry professionals. Many organizations offer remote internships for high schoolers, reducing costs associated with travel and accommodation. Participating in a tech internship can also boost your college applications by showing admissions officers that you’ve taken the initiative to explore the field outside your academics.
Students who want to pursue technology careers can explore programs specializing in fields ranging from artificial intelligence and software development to cybersecurity and data science. These online internships often include mentorship, project work, and networking opportunities. To help you get started, we've put together 10 online tech internships for high school students.
1. Ladder Internships
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Varies according to program (Financial aid is available)
Acceptance rate /cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year (8-12 weeks each)
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the cohort
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can commit 10-20 hours per week
Ladder Internships is a top tier program created by Harvard entrepreneurs that connects ambitious students with high-growth startups in various technology fields. You’ll work on real-world projects in fields including AI, deep tech, health tech, marketing, consulting, and journalism. On average, these startups have raised over $1 million in funding. As an intern, you will collaborate closely with your assigned manager from the host company while receiving additional guidance from a dedicated Ladder Coach. The program is designed to be flexible, accommodating your academic schedules with remote work options and multiple cohort start dates available year-round. At the end of the program, you'll present your final projects to company leadership, showcasing the real contributions you've made to your host organizations. You’ll gain exposure to startup environments, entrepreneurial thinking, and professional project management while building valuable industry connections through these online tech internships for high school students.
2. George Mason University’s Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: Remote, in-person, and hybrid options available
Cost: $25 application fee, no stipend. Application fee can be waived depending on need
Program dates: June 20 – August 10
Application deadline: TBA
Eligibility: Students must be over the age of 15 for remote and computer lab in-person internships and over the age of 16 for “wet-lab” in-person internships
This research program will pair you with a mentor from George Mason University to work on a project. A range of research areas are available, including Earth Science, Molecular Medicine, Cyber Security, Finance, Astronomy, Math, Forensic Science and more. The format of the program differs with each project. Through ASSIP, you will use advanced technology and equipment, develop scientific writing skills, explore STEM careers, and exercise your creativity.
3. ASPIRE by Johns Hopkins University
Location: Remote option available
Cost: Free
Program Dates: June 24 - August 21
Application Deadline: January 1 - February 15
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors aged 15 or older, with a minimum GPA of 2.8. Applicants must be permanent residents of the Washington-Baltimore metropolitan region
The ASPIRE program at Johns Hopkins University’s Applied Physics Laboratory gives you experience in STEM research. You’ll work with scientists and engineers on projects in computer science, cybersecurity, engineering, and data analysis. The program offers virtual and in-person options. If you join remotely, you’ll still need to be in person for key activities like onboarding and equipment setup. You can pick an area of interest while applying.
4. Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship
Location: Remote (Stanford University's Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging)
Cost/Stipend: Program fees with scholarships available for students with financial barriers
Acceptance rate /cohort size: Highly selective accepting just 25 students
Dates: Two weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: High school students interested in medical AI applications
In this intensive 2-week virtual internship, you will partner with Stanford University's Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging to tackle real medical challenges using innovative AI applications. You’ll work alongside researchers in medical AI, gaining hands-on experience in advanced research methodologies. The project-based format allows you to sharpen technical skills in coding, mathematics, and statistics while contributing to meaningful medical research initiatives. You’ll engage in collaborative problem-solving sessions that demonstrate how artificial intelligence can revolutionize healthcare delivery and improve patient outcomes. You’ll complete projects that have potential real-world applications, giving you insight into how academic research can lead to practical medical solutions.
5. Google Code Next
Location: Physical Labs in Oakland CA, Chelsea NY, Detroit MI, Inglewood CA and remote
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Available to students within the vicinity of lab locations
Dates: After school and weekend programming throughout the academic year
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the location
Eligibility: Students from grades 9th -12th living near lab cities
Google Code Next is a free technology and AI education program that meets high school students in their own communities, providing skills and inspiration needed for rewarding careers in technology.You’ll learn computer science and problem-solving fundamentals through hands-on instruction at Code Next Labs or with Code Next Affiliate partners.The curriculum covers diverse topics ranging from web development, artificial intelligence, to entrepreneurship and hardware development. You are expected to create websites, programs, and other demonstrations of your learning while exploring your personal interests and career goals. The program includes mentor-mentee relationships with Google employees, providing you with direct access to industry professionals.
6. Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship & Internship
Location: Amazon offices nationwide and remote
Cost/Stipend: $40,000 scholarship ($10,000/year) plus paid summer internship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 400 students selected from nearly 40 states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico
Dates: Summer internship following freshman year of college
Application Deadline: Varies
Eligibility: High school seniors, U.S. citizens or permanent residents, minimum GPA of 2.3, and demonstrate financial need
Amazon Future Engineer is a comprehensive childhood-to-career program designed to expand access to computer science education for students from underserved and underrepresented communities. If you are selected, you will receive substantial financial support for undergraduate degrees in computer science or engineering fields, along with a guaranteed paid internship at Amazon. During your summer internships, you’ll work on embedded software or hardware engineering teams, collaborating with co-interns, managers, and mentors to build projects that directly impact Amazon customers. You’ll gain hands-on experience with Amazon's technologies, including Alexa voice technology, Amazon Web Services, and the retail platform. The program's mentorship component ensures you receive guidance from experienced professionals throughout your internship experience. By the end of the summer, most interns deliver production-level code to Amazon, demonstrating the impact of their contributions.
7. Google Summer of Code
Location: Remote (Global online program)
Cost/Stipend: Stipend provided by Google
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive selection process
Dates: 12+ week programming projects during the summer
Application Deadline: Varies annually
Eligibility: Students new to open source software development
Google Summer of Code is a global online program focused on bringing new contributors into open source software development using mentored programming projects. You’ll work with established open source organizations on real projects under the guidance of experienced mentors who help you navigate through the complexities of collaborative software development. The program emphasizes community engagement, requiring you to actively communicate with your chosen organizations during the process of submitting proposals. You are expected to contribute to real open source projects that serve global user communities, gaining experience with professional development practices and collaborative coding methodologies. The mentorship component ensures you receive guidance on both technical skills and professional development throughout your project timeline. You can expect to gain skills in version control, code review processes, and community collaboration while contributing to projects used by millions of people worldwide. The program's focus on open source development provides you with portfolios of publicly accessible work that demonstrate your capabilities.
8. IBM SkillsBuild
Location: Remote (Global access)
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment
Dates: Self-paced learning available year-round
Application Deadline: No application deadline as it is a continuous enrollment
Eligibility: All students interested in technology careers
IBM SkillsBuild provides a free online program that offers skills-based learning and support for students at any stage of their career journey, developed by technology experts at IBM. You’ll explore emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, blockchain, cloud computing, and design thinking, through comprehensive learning experiences. The program offers digital credentials and certificates that you can earn to demonstrate your acquired skills to educational institutions and employers. You’ll develop both technical capabilities and workplace skills that are key to success in modern technology careers. The self-paced format allows you to learn at your own pace, making it easier to balance your learning with academic schedules and other commitments.
9. Girls Who Code Summer Programs
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Program costs vary
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective program accepting students globally
Dates: Two weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: Not applicable
Eligibility: High school students interested in game design and computer science
Girls Who Code's Summer Immersion Program offers a 2-week experience focused on learning game design in live virtual classrooms while building connections and gaining practical college and career preparation. You’ll participate in hands-on coding projects while developing technical skills in programming languages relevant to game development and interactive media. The program emphasizes community building among participants, creating networks of support that extend beyond the program duration. You can expect to work on individual and collaborative projects that demonstrate your growing technical abilities while exploring various career paths in technology. The curriculum integrates practical college preparation components, helping you understand the possibilities in computer science education and technology careers.
10. NASA High School Internship
Location: NASA locations across the U.S. and remote
Cost/Stipend: Paid internships with stipends
Acceptance rate/cohort Size: Competitive selection based on merit and qualifications
Dates: Summer sessions and school year opportunities available
Application Deadline: Various deadlines throughout the year
Eligibility: U.S. citizens aged 16-18 years; minimum GPA of 3.0
NASA's Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) offers paid internships for high school students, allowing you to contribute to agency projects under the guidance of NASA mentors. You’ll work on space exploration, climate research, and advanced technology projects that directly support NASA's mission objectives. Many current internship opportunities focus on NASA's Climate Change Research Initiative, providing you with an experience in environmental science and space-based earth observation systems. You’ll have an opportunity to explore the dynamics of exoplanetary atmospheres, work with climate modeling systems like ROCKE-3D, and contribute to research that advances understanding of planetary systems. The program includes both traditional in-person opportunities at NASA centers and virtual internships that accommodate students regardless of their geographic location. You can expect to receive direct mentorship from NASA scientists and engineers, gaining valuable insight into careers in aerospace, earth sciences, and advanced technology development.
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