10 Social Media Internships for High School Students
As a high schooler, if you’re looking to explore the world of marketing, communication, or specifically social media marketing, learning while getting real-world experience is a great way to do that.
A social media internship can help boost your applications as you develop your knowledge base and hone your skills in market research, brand strategy, consumer behavior analysis, and more. Doing an internship in the field you’re pursuing ensures you stand out amongst other applicants and your peers. It gives you a head start while also offering the opportunity to learn from professionals and established industry experts.
In this blog, we’ve listed 10 social media internships you can consider.
1. Ladder Internship Program - Marketing Track
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates and gap year students!
Application deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year.
Program dates: Multiple 8-week cohorts throughout the year, including Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring.
Cost: Starting $2,490. Financial aid is available.
Ladder Internships, founded by Harvard alumni, is a selective program that pairs students with startups and nonprofits across the world for virtual internships. You can choose to intern in a range of fields and industries – business, marketing, finance, tech, healthcare, media, journalism and more. During the internship, you will work on a real-world project that’s of genuine need to the startup, and present your work at the end of the program. You will be guided by your manager at the startup, and by a Ladder coach, who will serve as a second mentor. This internship offers a unique work-learn experience, wherein you will also attend professional skill development training sessions, 1-on-1 sessions with your mentors, group training sessions with your peers, and more.
This is also a great opportunity for you to explore an area you think you might be interested in, and better understand professional career opportunities in that field. In the past, marketing student interns have worked on projects that involved building pitchdecks for apps, identifying target markets, strategic brand positioning and fundraising.
2. KP Launch High School Internship Program (Sales & Marketing track)
Location: You can intern at a Kaiser Permanente Medical Center or business office closest to where you are. Find a location near you.
Eligibility: Students who will be aged 16-19 by June 1, and are current high school students and/or graduating seniors can apply. Priority is given to juniors and senior-level students. Those applying must have the right to work in the US.
Application deadline: January 2
Program dates: June 17 — August 2
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Interns receive a stipend of $15.50 - 18 per hour
The Kaiser Permanente Launch Internship Program Is designed to provide hands-on, practical experience and insight into the healthcare industry and its adjacent fields. The program offers a range of internship tracks for students to choose from, such as account management, sales and marketing, product development, and more. Students keen on marketing can choose accordingly. This program also places an emphasis on mentorship and provides you with insight into healthcare marketing while helping you build a valuable foundation for your future career.
Kaiser Permanente, an insurance provider and care delivery organization, can give your marketing career a solid start. You will not only gain practical exposure by offering your time and energy in the healthcare world but also enhance your business skills through weekly workshops dedicated to professional growth.
3. The Met Internship Program for High School Students
Location: The Met Fifth Avenue, New York, NY
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors based in and around New York City can apply
Application deadline: October (year-round internships) | March (summer internships)
Program dates: January 14 — June 9 (year-round) | June 25 — August 12 (summer)
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Interns are provided a stipend of $1,100
The renowned Metropolitan Museum of Art offers fully-funded internships in art, design, architecture and other creative fields for high school students passionate about creative expression. Offered both during the school year and during the summer, you can intern for the Met whenever suits you best. As a MET intern, you will regularly learn from and work alongside museum professionals and experts in marketing, scientific research, social media, law, and educational programming.
These internships immerse students in the realm of art, museums, and creative professions including marketing and social media initiatives. You will also have the unique opportunity to take part in “Career Labs”, which are interactive learning sessions where you receive advice from professionals and hear about their work and experiences.
4. Building-U Marketing Internship
Location: Virtual
Eligibility: All high school students can apply. International students can apply too!
Application deadline: Rolling deadlines, it is recommended that you apply as soon as possible.
Program dates: Usually 3 months from June to August. If the intern is keen, the internship can be extended!
Cost/Stipend: No cost, and this is an unpaid opportunity.
Building-U is an entirely remote non-profit internship opportunity for currently enrolled high school students. This organization is designed to build a database of free and helpful resources for students in the form of opportunities, internships, scholarships, contests, and education programs. Currently, Building-U is looking for interns to assist in the administrative and/or business aspect of the organization.
With 10 different teams to choose from (including Marketing, Business and Development, and Student Ambassadors) you can choose which role would be the most fulfilling for your time with Building-U. Each team offers a range of experiences and responsibilities, and will give you the chance to contribute towards the organization’s larger goals. This internship position is for three months, and is entirely virtual.
5. Smithsonian Science Education Center Internships
Location: Virtual and in-person options (Washington, DC).
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old can apply.
Application deadline: Applications typically close March-end.
Program dates: 10 weeks between May-August, with a flexible schedule for virtual internships.
Stipend: Students will receive a modest stipend.
The Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC) works toward improving K-12 education in collaboration with communities across the globe. The SSEC develops STEM curriculum and digital resources, conducts professional development for STEM teachers, and fosters STEM education leadership among school and community leaders. They have a range of internship positions open every year, in roles that cover communications, marketing, and public relations. As an intern, you will work with the SSEC team to create communications and marketing materials, assist in communications dissemination, strategy, and asset management. You will also learn how a communications team functions every day, and how to apply developed marketing materials to enhance the SSEC brand.
The Smithsonian Office of Internship Programs offers a number of internships, several of which have virtual options, like the one listed here. Some other opportunities include Administrative and Financial Internships with the Office of Sponsored Projects and the Office of Advancement Internship Program.
6. The Mary Miller Summer Program by the PHC Group
Location: Virtual
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors can apply.
Application deadline: Not specified, but you are urged to apply as soon as possible.
Program dates: Not specified, but the program takes place in the summer.
Stipend: This is a paid internship, but information on the exact amount is not available.
This is a solid internship opportunity for rising high school juniors and seniors with the PHC Group. As an intern, you will be expected to assist the team via social media-related projects, online community interaction, and technical support. Additionally, you are expected to engage in meaningful social marketing research and contribute to better remote collaboration and relationship building. Typical applicants possess strong technical proficiency in Microsoft Office, are fast learners, and are efficient workers for multiple projects and assignments.
Note: As part of your application, you are required to send in your resume to joinus@phcgconsulting.com
Location: Menlo Park, CA.
Eligibility: High school sophomores who are full-year residents of East Palo Alto, Belle Haven, or Redwood City are encouraged to apply.
Application deadline: March 1
Program dates: 6 weeks (June through July)
Stipend: Students will receive a stipend!
As a part of the Meta Summer Academy, you will have the opportunity to learn about the day-to-day operations of one of the world’s leading organizations. You will learn the ins and outs of a major social media company under leaders and experts in the field, and you’ll have the opportunity to grow in one of the most advanced technological cities.
You will be expected to participate for 30 hours/week, but you and your peers will have the opportunity to be mentored under Meta employees. You will not only gain exposure to the tech industry, but network with individuals who have years of experience working for both Facebook and now Meta. Transportation is provided for all interns, which makes it accessible to applicants from across California. Only 150 students are selected each year as the application process is highly competitive for this prestigious opportunity.
8. NASA Social Media Internships
Location: These internships are offered across NASA facilities. Students may select roles based in the cities they are in. Some virtual options are offered as well!
Stipend: Interns may receive a stipend based on academic level and session length.
Application deadline: January (Fall session) | August (Spring session) | October (Summer session)
Program dates: These internships are offered in 3 sessions – Fall (16-week program, from late August or early September to mid-December) | Spring (16-week program, from mid-January to early May) | Summer (10-week program, from late May or early June to August).
Eligibility: Internships are available for full-time high school students who meet a minimum 3.0 GPA requirement.
NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) offers an exciting and enriching social media internship designed for students possessing strong communication skills and a deep passion for science and technology. This internship could be more than just an opportunity — it is a pathway for students to immerse themselves in the world of social media management while promoting one of the most well-respected organizations on the planet, NASA.
Interns will play a crucial role in creating, curating, and managing engaging social media content across NASA's diverse platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly known as Twitter). This hands-on experience will allow interns to discover the nuances of audience engagement and content strategy in a fast-paced environment, where they can see the real impact of their contributions in real-time.
Furthermore, interns will have the unique opportunity to write compelling articles for blogs, press releases, and web stories, thereby gaining invaluable hands-on experience in public relations and social media strategy.
9. Benjamin Lawless Internship
Location: Washington, DC
Stipend: $3,200 ($400/week)
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in March.
Program dates: 8 weeks, July to August.
Eligibility: High school students and recent graduates.
The Benjamin Lawless Internship, offered through the Smithsonian, provides students with the opportunity to work in public affairs, social media, and exhibition design. Interns gain hands-on experience by helping enhance audience engagement and developing interactive storytelling strategies based on the Smithsonian's collections.
Throughout the program, interns work closely with museum professionals and artists, honing their creative and communication skills. Interns will focus on enhancing audience engagement using storytelling and interactive marketing strategies in the public relations office, working around 40 hours per week. During the program, participants will develop their creative skills under the mentorship of museum professionals and artists. The internship culminates with students presenting their work in a format of their choosing at the end of the program.
10. Social Media Internship at Smithsonian Associates
Location: Washington, D.C. (virtual and hybrid options available)
Stipend: Unpaid
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Program Dates: Spring (January - May), Summer (June - August), and Fall (September-December) for 20 hours/week minimum.
Eligibility: High school graduates and recent graduates.
The Smithsonian Associates Social Media Internship offers students a unique chance to develop digital marketing skills by working on the social media platforms of one of the world’s most renowned cultural institutions. Interns will work 20 hours a week, focusing on tasks such as creating and researching content for Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, managing an editorial calendar, and implementing creative strategies. You will also be attending events for content development, monitoring social media engagement, and designing visuals and content to connect with target audiences.
Interns can choose to work virtually or in a hybrid setting in Washington, where they will receive direct mentorship from marketing professionals. This internship provides valuable hands-on experience in representing the Smithsonian brand and building professional networks, laying a solid foundation for a career in media.