13 Paid Internships in CT (Connecticut) for High School Students

Paid internships give high school students the chance to gain work experience while being compensated for their time. These internships allow you to apply academic skills in professional settings, learn workplace expectations, and explore potential career paths before college. In many cases, paid roles involve defined responsibilities and longer-term projects, which allow you to develop skills such as communication, time management, and problem-solving.

Why should I participate in a paid internship in high school?

Paid internships are often more competitive than unpaid roles and typically involve more substantive work. Because organizations are investing resources in interns, you’re more likely to be assigned meaningful projects. Being selected for a competitive, paid position can strengthen your college applications by demonstrating your ability to perform in professional environments. These experiences also give you concrete examples to discuss in college essays and interviews, especially when explaining your interests or career goals.

Here are 13 paid internships for high school students in Connecticut!

1. The Jackson Laboratory Summer Student Program

Location: Farmington, Connecticut
Cost/Stipend: $7,000 (includes room, board, and travel)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 40 students across both campuses
Dates: May 30 - August 7
Application Deadline: January 26
Eligibility: Open to graduating high school seniors (must be at least 18 by program start) and undergraduates who are U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents.

If you’re passionate about genetics or biomedical research, the Jackson Laboratory Summer Student Program is your chance to experience what real science looks like in action. Over 10 weeks, you’ll work alongside professional scientists on your independent research project, learning how to design experiments, analyze data, and share your findings. Beyond lab work, you’ll take part in training sessions on data visualization, scientific writing, and research ethics. You’ll also meet mentors and professionals from different areas - such as law, veterinary science, and grant management - helping you see how science connects with other careers. By the end of the program, you’ll share your research findings with faculty and peers, walking away with both technical and communication experience, and a taste of life in biomedical research.

2. UConn Health High School Student Research Apprentice Program

Location: Farmington, Connecticut (at UConn Health or Central Connecticut State University)
Cost/Stipend: Paid stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 15 – July 17
Application Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: Open to Connecticut residents who have completed 11th grade with at least a ‘B’ average. You must be at least 16 years old by the start of the program and be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident

If you’re an 11th grader interested in medicine, dental medicine, or biomedical research, this five-week summer program is your chance to step into the world of real science. The program places you in a research lab in either basic science or clinical studies, where you’ll assist with ongoing research and learn techniques used by professional scientists. The program focuses on helping you understand how research questions are developed and tested while you gain skills in observation, data handling, and teamwork. Mentors guide you throughout the research process and also offer insights into careers in health and research. By the end of the program, you’ll have firsthand experience working in a medical research environment and earn a stipend for your participation.

3. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program

Location: Placements available across the U.S., including Connecticut (within a 45-minute commute of your home)
Cost/Stipend: $3,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June – August (8 weeks; flexible dates)
Application Deadline: January 25
Eligibility: Open to high school students

If you’re interested in environmental science, biology, or conservation, the Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program offers you the chance to step outside the classroom and into the field. Over eight weeks, you’ll work alongside fisheries professionals on research and habitat projects such as fish population surveys, water quality monitoring, and data collection.  You’ll be paired with a professional mentor who’ll guide you through your work and help you explore potential career paths in aquatic and environmental sciences. The program focuses on real-world learning and mentorship, giving you an understanding of how fieldwork contributes to scientific decision-making. 

4. Bank of America Student Leaders Program

Location: Connecticut (placements available in Fairfield, Hartford, and New Haven)
Cost/Stipend: Paid eight-week internship (exact compensation varies by placement)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; approximately 300 students chosen nationwide
Dates: June – August (includes Student Leaders Summit, July 21–26, in Washington, DC)
Application Deadline: January 17
Eligibility: Open to current high school juniors and seniors who are legally authorized to work in the U.S. and live in an eligible area

The Bank of America Student Leaders Program is a paid internship in Connecticut for high school students who are committed to growing as leaders and making a difference in their communities. You’ll spend eight weeks working with a nonprofit organization in your community, learning how these groups address social challenges and strengthen civic life. It is a real-world experience where you’ll build leadership and communication skills and develop a better understanding of how businesses, government, and nonprofits collaborate to meet community needs. One of the highlights of the program is the Student Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C., a week-long event where you’ll connect with other students from across the country, take part in discussions about leadership, and explore big ideas in social responsibility. 

5. Yale ITS High School Internship Program

Location: New Haven, Connecticut
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective (based on school nominations)
Dates: Eight weeks (summer)
Application Deadline: Determined by participating schools
Eligibility: High school students from New Haven, West Haven, or Orange, CT, attending participating schools

The Yale ITS High School Internship Program is meant for students who are curious about how technology powers a major university. You’ll spend eight weeks working within Yale University’s Information Technology Services department, gaining experience in how IT supports everything from classrooms to research labs. You’ll work closely with Yale managers, contribute to real projects, and attend workshops focused on career and professional development. Beyond the technical side, this internship gives you a glimpse of life on a university campus. By the end of the program, you’ll walk away with valuable technical and workplace skills, an understanding of how technology supports a large institution, and clarity regarding potential IT career paths.

6. EVOLUTIONS (EVO) Internship Program

Location: Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History, New Haven, Connecticut
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Summer (100 total hours; 15–20 hours/week)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students from New Haven and West Haven Public Schools

Through the EVOLUTIONS Internship Program, you’ll have the chance to work alongside Yale scientists and researchers at the Peabody Museum of Natural History. Over the summer, you’ll contribute to projects in areas such as Vertebrate Paleontology, Geochemistry, and Cultural History, gaining practical experience both in the lab and out in the field. You’ll collaborate with Yale graduate and undergraduate students, learn how scientific research is conducted, and receive mentorship every step of the way. The program culminates in a research symposium, where you’ll present your findings to an audience of peers, families, and faculty. This internship is a great way to explore the world of scientific research, build valuable connections, and become part of a professional academic community.

7. Youth@Work Summer Work-Based Learning Experience

Location: New Haven, Connecticut
Cost/Stipend: Paid at Connecticut minimum wage
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 600–700 participants annually
Dates: July 7 – August 8
Application Deadline: April 4
Eligibility: High school students in 9th grade or higher who live in New Haven or attend a New Haven public school; must be at least 14 years old

You’ll work up to 25 hours a week at local businesses, non-profits, and public agencies, gaining experience in different professional environments. You’ll gain valuable skills employers look for, such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and decision-making. The program helps you understand how academic skills such as reading, writing, and math connect to real-world tasks, giving you a clearer sense of workplace expectations. You’ll also have the opportunity to develop personal and interpersonal skills, understand responsibilities as a community member, and explore potential career paths.

8. Farmington Public Schools – Extended Care and Learning Student Internships

Location: Farmington, Connecticut
Cost/Stipend: Paid; minimum wage ($16.35/hour)
Dates: School year (starting August 1)
Application Deadline: Continuous posting
Eligibility: High school students interested in gaining early work experience

This is a paid internship in Connecticut for high school students eager to get a taste of work life while still at school. As a Student Intern with Farmington Extended Care and Learning, you’ll help supervise and support children in after-school programs across local elementary schools. This role offers flexible hours – typically 3 p.m.-5:30 p.m. or 3 p.m.-6 p.m. – making it easy to balance with your school schedule.  This is a great way to gain real-world work experience while developing communication, teamwork, and leadership skills.

9. City of New Haven Student Intern Program

Location: City of New Haven departments, CT
Cost/Stipend: Paid; $16.35–$17.10/hour for high school students (depending on year)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by department; based on available positions and budget
Dates: Vary by posting; typically during summer or school breaks
Application Deadline: Depends on posting period (check City of New Haven job listings)
Eligibility: At least 16 years old and enrolled in an accredited high school, college, or university

Through the City of New Haven’s Student Intern Program, you get a chance to see how local government works while building skills relevant to your future.  Internships are designed to give you a sense of how municipal operations function - from public services and planning to community programs. During your placement, you’ll work on department-specific projects under supervision, contributing to real tasks that help city operations run smoothly. High school interns typically work part-time (up to 19 hours a week) during the school year and may work up to 35 hours a week in the summer if approved. These paid roles give you a valuable introduction to workplace expectations, civic responsibility, and professional conduct in a real-world environment.

10. National Audubon Society – Eco-Leadership Corps Internship

Location: Greenwich Audubon Center, Greenwich, CT
Cost/Stipend: Paid; $16.00/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; one high school intern is chosen each summer
Dates: June 24 – August 23
Application Deadline: Not specified (check the National Audubon Society careers page)
Eligibility: You must be entering 11th or 12th grade and have an interest in nature, conservation, or ecology. A work permit may be required if you’re under 18

At the Greenwich Audubon Center, you’ll spend your summer combining environmental learning with leadership development as part of the Eco-Leadership Corps Internship. In this program, you’ll help design and lead nature-based lessons for campers while contributing to a large-scale land stewardship project that supports local conservation efforts. Most of your days will be spent outdoors - leading hikes, assisting with ecological research, and creating lessons focused on conservation. The program also includes professional development sessions, where you’ll build skills in ecology, education, and teamwork. By the end of the internship, you’ll create and present a capstone project summarizing your work and learnings over the summer.

11. New Haven Tutoring Initiative – Education Internship

Location: Obama School, 69 Farnham Avenue, New Haven, CT
Cost/Stipend: Paid; $16.35/hour (after completion of community service hours, if applicable)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited; typically two interns per site
Dates: School year (4–10 hours per week, weekdays during or after school)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: You must be between 16 and 24 years old; applicants under 18 require parental consent

As an Education Intern with the New Haven Tutoring Initiative (NHTI), you’ll work alongside certified teachers and literacy instructors to help K–8 students strengthen their reading and writing skills. Your day-to-day work will include one-on-one tutoring, assisting with small-group sessions, and helping organize classroom activities. Beyond the classroom, you’ll also take on a leadership role by promoting NHTI programs within your school - recruiting peers, spreading awareness, and sharing success stories through photos and testimonials. This internship gives you real-world experience in education, communication, and nonprofit teamwork, while helping you build your leadership and collaboration skills.

12. Connecticut Public – Media Internship

Location: Hartford headquarters, Fairfield University, or New Haven Bureau (Gateway Community College); remote options available
Cost/Stipend: Paid; $15/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; varies by department and semester
Dates: Spring (February–April), Summer (June–August), and Fall (September–November); 8–11 weeks
Application Deadline: Rolling (positions open until filled)
Eligibility: Open to high school students, college students, and recent graduates 

At Connecticut Public, you’ll get an inside look at how professional news, radio, and television teams bring stories to life. As an intern, you’ll be paired with staff in departments such as reporting, marketing, radio production, and digital media, depending on your interests. From your very first week, you’ll jump into hands-on projects - researching stories, contributing to broadcasts, assisting with interviews, or supporting multimedia campaigns. The program is designed to help you build practical skills, understand the workings of public media, and experience working in a fast-paced creative environment. Many interns use this experience as a springboard for future roles in media, storytelling, and communication.

13. Himes Internship Program

Location: Bridgeport & Stamford, CT (District); Washington, DC (Capitol Office)
Cost/Stipend: Need-based stipends available; $5,400 for selected named summer internships
Acceptance rate/cohort: Competitive; preference for applicants from Connecticut’s 4th Congressional District and college juniors/seniors
Dates: Spring, Summer I, Summer II, Fall (cohort-specific)
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort (e.g., December 1 for Spring District; November 10 for Spring D.C.)
Eligibility: High school, undergraduate, or graduate students, and recent graduates; must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.

In this internship, you’ll work alongside Congressional staff to understand how a Congressional office operates and what public service looks like on a day-to-day basis. Depending on your placement, you may take on projects related to constituent services, policy research, or communications, and have opportunities to interact with community members, stakeholders, and government officials. Interns in Washington DC gain exposure to legislative processes, while those in District offices focus on local office operations and community engagement. You’ll develop professional skills, receive guidance from mentors, and learn through practical experience. Students with financial need can apply for a stipend to support participation, including the Kevin J. Sutherland DC Internship or the Jack Bryant Connecticut Internship – both available over the summer.

Bonus!

Ladder Internship Program

Location: Remote - you can participate from anywhere
Cost: Varies by program type; full financial aid available
Dates: Multiple sessions offered year-round
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort - Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: Open to high school, gap year, and undergraduate students able to commit 10–20 hours per week for 8–12 weeks

Ladder Internships connect high school students with fast-growing start-ups for hands-on, project-based experiences. During this eight-week virtual internship, you’ll collaborate directly with founders and team members on meaningful projects across industries such as technology, Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning, health tech, marketing, journalism, and consulting. Most of the start-ups have raised over a million dollars in funding, giving you the chance to experience what it’s like to work in a dynamic, professional environment.  The program culminates in a final presentation of your work to the company—an opportunity to showcase your skills and growth, while gaining a taste of the startup world. 

Image Source - The Jackson Laboratory Logo