10 Paid Internships for High School Students in New Jersey (NJ)
Thinking about building career skills while still in high school? Paid internships are the perfect way to get a head start! They offer practical skills, industry exposure, and valuable professional connections—plus you get paid, which is a huge bonus. Many top colleges and organizations run excellent internship programs, offering professional experience without financial costs.
Whether you're into science, tech, business, or the arts, there’s something out there for you. We’ve compiled the ultimate list of 10 paid internships for high schoolers in New Jersey. Get ready to develop your skills and your network!
1. Mercer County Student Internship Program
Location: Mercer County
Stipend: $17/hour
Cohort Size/ Acceptance Rate: No information available
Application Deadline: No information available
Dates: July 7 – August 29
Eligibility: At least 15 years of age; live in Mercer County, or attend a school or university located in Mercer County
Mercer County’s Student Internship Program is designed to help you build skills while exploring careers in public service. This 10-week program matches you with county departments where you’ll work on projects, develop research skills, and gain insight into government operations. Structured training sessions cover career readiness, financial literacy, networking, and civic engagement. You’ll participate in activities and skill-building workshops to prepare for your future. The program emphasizes practical training and career exploration. It’s a chance to enhance your skills while contributing to your community.
Location: Liberty Science Center
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Application Deadline: March 12 (tentative; based on past program dates)
Dates: June 25 - August 16
Eligibility: Rising 11th or 12th grader by June; 16 years of age as of July 1
Partners in Science is an intensive eight-week summer program that allows you to explore scientific research. As a participant, you'll be paired with a mentor in a STEM field and work on active research projects in science, health, or technology. You’ll build skills in scientific inquiry, lab techniques, and communication while exploring the questions driving today’s discoveries. You will present your work and develop networks with mentors and peers. At the end of the program, you will receive a stipend. This is an excellent opportunity to experience professional research and build academic and career connections.
3. Newark Museum of Art’s Explorers Teen Program
Location: The Newark Museum of Art
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Application Deadline: June 1
Dates: Participants have a 3-4 year tenure in the program
Eligibility: Rising high school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors
The Explorers Teen Program is a three- to four-year opportunity for Newark-area high school students. You’ll gain experience through internships in different Museum departments, designing your own projects, and participating in workshops on leadership, public speaking, and STEM research. The program includes group trips to other cultural institutions to broaden your perspective. You must commit to after-school hours and summer work while earning a stipend and completing community service. The Explorers program helps you to build a professional network, grow as a researcher, and explore a variety of college and career pathways.
4. Bank of America Student Leaders
Location: Multiple locations across the country
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Application Deadline: October 14 - January 15
Dates: 8 weeks; start dates depend on the opportunity
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
The Bank of America Student Leaders program connects you with leadership training and work experience. Each year, participants complete a paid eight-week internship at local nonprofits like Habitat for Humanity and the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.
You’ll learn how nonprofits, governments, and businesses collaborate to address community needs. The experience includes a national leadership summit in Washington, D.C., fully funded by Bank of America. Through internships, service, and research into community challenges, you’ll build skills that prepare you for future leadership.
5. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)
Location: Department of Navy (DoN) laboratories
Stipend: New participant: $4,000 | Returning participant: $4,500
Cohort Size: 300
Application Deadline: August 1 - November 1
Dates: 8-10 weeks in the Summer
Eligibility: Currently enrolled high school students who have completed at least Grade 9; 16 years of age or older by the internship start date
Through the Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP), you can gain research experience in a Department of Navy laboratory during the summer. This eight-week program connects talented high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors with top Naval scientists and engineers. You’ll contribute to ongoing research, learning valuable techniques and applying your STEM skills to challenges. Selection is competitive, emphasizing academic achievement, career goals, and research interests. SEAP participants often continue into STEM fields and Navy-related careers.
6. Rutgers Youth Enjoy Science (RUYES)
Location: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Application Deadline: November 4 - March 8
Dates: June 25 - August 27
Eligibility: Rising high school junior/senior attending a school in New Jersey
RUYES at Rutgers allows you to research cancer while developing as a scientist and leader. For two summers, you’ll conduct mentor-supervised research, working approximately 35 hours per week for 10 weeks. During the academic year, you’ll continue learning through monthly workshops, seminars, and community engagement activities. You’ll present your research findings through a poster and formal presentation at the Annual Research Day. Educational sessions explore cancer research literature and major scientific concepts.
Location: Virtual / NASA centers across the country
Stipend: While most interns receive a stipend, certain opportunities are unpaid.
Application Deadline: Summer: February 28 | Fall: May 16
Dates: Spring Session: Mid-January to Early May | Summer Session: Late May to August | Fall Session: Late August to Mid-December
Eligibility: U.S. citizens, full-time students (high school through graduate level) aged 16 at the time of application, with a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
NASA’s OSTEM internship program offers students valuable experience in fields like science, technology, engineering, and space exploration. Interns can work remotely or on-site at a NASA location, tackling STEM projects that apply their classroom learning. Throughout the internship, you will receive guidance from NASA mentors, helping you strengthen your technical skills, problem-solving capabilities, and understanding of the industry. With three application cycles each year, the program offers several opportunities to engage in research and innovation. This program is a great way to enhance your resume, explore potential career paths, and gain practical experience that supports your academic and professional goals.
8. Internships at the American Psychological Association (APA)
Location: Virtual
Stipend: There are paid opportunities available.
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the internship you apply for
Dates: Varies depending on the internship you apply for
Eligibility: High school students
The APA Internal Internship Program (IIP) allows you to explore professional roles in psychology, education, research, and communications. Interns are placed within APA’s Education Directorate and other departments to support projects advancing diversity, education, and policy initiatives. Daily tasks are supervised, and you can join optional workshops and programming to broaden your understanding of professional psychology environments. This internship emphasizes research application, critical thinking, and problem-solving. You’ll also be encouraged to network with APA staff and participate in collaborative projects.
9. Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI) Internship
Location: Virtual/ in-person
Stipend: 10 paid internship spots available
Application Deadline: Typically early March
Dates: Spring: February–May | Summer: June–August | Fall: September–December
Eligibility: High school students
The Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI) offers internships year-round for students who want experience at a leading think tank. You’ll work with a scholar or professional mentor, developing research, communication, and critical thinking skills. You can work in research, communications, operations, and special events depending on your interests. Research interns support scholars on regional studies like the Middle East or Eurasia and may assist with data analysis or foreign language tasks. Summer interns can also attend weekly foreign policy seminars and work toward publishing a research paper on FPRI’s Intern Corner.
10. Smithsonian Science Education Center Internship Program
Location: Virtual, in-person, or hybrid
Stipend: There are paid opportunities available.
Application Deadline: March 17
Dates: Dates vary depending on the internship you apply for
Eligibility: High school students who are 16 years and older
The Smithsonian Science Education Center offers paid internships for students interested in curriculum development, research, and advancing global STEM efforts. Whether your interests are in storytelling, digital media, or science education, you’ll have the chance to work on exciting initiatives, such as revealing the stories of women in STEM, producing engaging content for NESST’s social media, or designing science assessments for K-8 students. Available in virtual, hybrid, and in-person formats, these internships let you collaborate with Smithsonian professionals, build valuable career skills, and contribute to science education.
Bonus!
Cost: Starting at $2,490 (financial aid available)
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Application deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
Program dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
Ladder Internships is a virtual internship program for ambitious high schoolers looking to gain start-up experience. Over eight weeks, students work with fast-growing companies from sectors like deep tech, AI/ML, journalism, health tech, marketing, and more. Most start-ups in the program have raised over a million dollars, ensuring a dynamic environment. Interns are mentored by company managers and supported by a Ladder Coach while working on meaningful projects.
The internship ends with a formal presentation of their work. Interested students can explore opportunities and apply using the application form. This hands-on program is a great chance to build practical skills and professional relationships in today’s innovation-driven industries.