15 Software Internships for High School Students in New Jersey
Getting an early start through internships can shape how you approach both academics and future career decisions. As a high school student, stepping into a real-world work environment helps you build a stronger resume, develop practical skills, and understand what different career paths actually look like beyond the classroom. You’ll also gain exposure to professional expectations – deadlines, collaboration, and communication – that can give you an edge later on.
If you want to see what other technology internships are available in other states, find a list of technology internships in North Carolina here & Washington here.
Why should I do a software internship in high school?
A software internship in high school allows you to apply programming knowledge in structured, real-world settings, which is something most classroom environments can’t fully replicate. You’ll gain hands-on experience with tools, languages, and workflows used by professionals, while also learning how to debug, collaborate on code, and manage technical projects. These experiences can significantly strengthen your college applications by demonstrating initiative, depth of interest, and the ability to engage with advanced material early on.
Which programs should I look at?
To make that search easier, we’ve curated a list of the most valuable software internships for high school students in New Jersey, focusing on programs that combine mentorship, skill-building, and meaningful project work.
1.Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)
Location: Various labs across the country, including the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division in NJ
Stipend: $4,000 for new participants; $4,500 for returning participants
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~300
Dates: 8 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: November 1
Eligibility: High school students who have completed at least grade 9 and are 16 or older; labs may have additional requirements
In this prestigious software internship for high school students in New Jersey, you’ll spend your summer contributing to real-world STEM projects alongside professional scientists and engineers. Your work may involve programming simulations, supporting modeling workflows, or assisting with software systems tied to defense technology. Depending on your placement, you could work on data analysis, cybersecurity evaluations, or engineering tool development. Mentors guide you through research processes while introducing you to lab protocols and technical documentation. You’ll also observe how interdisciplinary teams collaborate across engineering and software domains.
2.Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies according to the program type; financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 10 – 25%; 70 – 100 students
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer, fall, winter, and spring
Application deadline: Varies depending on the cohort; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November); apply here
Eligibility: High school, undergraduate, and gap year students who can commit 10 – 20 hours/week for 8 –12 weeks
Working with a startup team, you’ll contribute to projects that often involve coding, product development, or data-driven decision-making. Your responsibilities may include building features, testing software, analyzing user data, or supporting technical operations. As you collaborate with mentors, you’ll adapt to real workplace expectations and iterative development cycles. Regular check-ins with a dedicated Ladder coach help refine communication, accountability, and workflow management. Exposure to early-stage companies shows how software products evolve from concept to execution. The program concludes with a presentation summarizing your contributions and project outcomes.
3.Liberty Science Center – Partners in Science
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Typically ~30 students; varies by year
Location: Liberty Science Center, Jersey City, NJ, or other university labs in NJ
Stipend: $1200
Dates: June 24 – August 22
Application deadline: January 18
Eligibility: Rising 11th- and 12th-grade students who will be 16 years of age before July 1
Through this research-focused software internship for high school students in New Jersey, you’ll work closely with mentors in university labs or technical institutions across the state. Some placements include computational or data-oriented projects, allowing you to engage with software tools used in scientific research. You’ll contribute to ongoing investigations by assisting with data collection, analysis, or model development. There will beworkshops throughout the program that strengthen your ability to write, present, and communicate technical findings. The experience is centered on structured inquiry, critical thinking, and collaborative problem-solving. You’ll present your research at a final symposium, gaining exposure to formal scientific and technical communication.
4.NJCCIC High School Cybersecurity Internship Program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: Basics Program: August 3–7 | Advanced Program: July 20 – October | Elite Advanced Program: July 20 – October
Application Deadline: April 15
Eligibility: New Jersey high school students (grades 9–12) interested in cybersecurity
Diving into cybersecurity, you’ll explore how digital systems are protected against evolving threats. This software internship for high school students in New Jersey begins with foundational concepts like encryption, network security, and threat identification before progressing into deeper technical areas. In advanced tracks, you may work on simulated scenarios involving vulnerability assessments, digital forensics, or threat analysis. Tasks often include evaluating system weaknesses, interpreting data, and proposing mitigation strategies. Comprehensive modules and mentorship guide your progress while exposing you to industry-relevant tools and practices. By the end, you’ll understand how cybersecurity integrates with software systems and real-world infrastructure.
5.Governor’s School of Engineering & Technology (GSET) @ Rutgers University
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Fewer than 100 students
Location: Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: July 6 – 31
Application Deadline: January 8
Eligibility: High school juniors residing in New Jersey
At the Governor’s School of Engineering & Technology, you’ll engage in a combination of coursework, workshops, and collaborative research. Your project work may involve programming, data analysis, or system-level problem-solving, depending on your focus area. Working in small teams, you’ll investigate a technical problem and develop a solution under faculty or industry mentorship. The experience connects theoretical concepts to practical applications, particularly in engineering and computing contexts. Site visits and guest sessions introduce you to how technology is used in professional environments. You’ll present your findings in a formal symposium setting, mirroring the format of real research conferences.
6.Kean University – Group Summer Scholars Research Program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Location: Kean University, Union, NJ
Cost: 4 Week Session: $3000 (Early Commitment Discount Deadline) / $5,000 | 2 Week Session: $1500 (Early Commitment Discount Deadline) / $3,000
Dates: 4-week session: July 6 – 30 | 2-week session: July 20 – 30
Application deadline: March 6
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
This software internship for high school students in New Jersey lets you contribute to projects that often integrate computation, data analysis, and machine learning. Your role as an intern may include coding models, processing datasets, or assisting with software-based experiments in scientific fields. Faculty mentors and research staff guide you through each phase, from problem framing to analysis and interpretation. You’ll gain exposure to how computational tools support areas like biology, chemistry, or engineering research. Additional sessions focus on professional development and research communication.
7.Rowan University – STEAM Academy Pathfinders
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Location: Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ
Cost: $4,200
Dates: July 5 – 17
Application deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Students entering 10th, 11th, and 12th grades in the fall with a GPA of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale
Balancing coursework and research, you’ll explore academic interests while building practical technical skills in this software internship for high school students in New Jersey. In computing-focused tracks, you may work on programming assignments, algorithm design, or analytical problem-solving through code. Faculty mentorship supports both your academic progress and your approach to research projects. Living on campus adds context, helping you adjust to college-level expectations and time management. Various scheduled sessions also offer guidance on leadership, collaboration, and academic planning.
8.EDIT AI Summer Internship Program
Acceptance rate/cohort size:Competitive
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: June 13 – August 31
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school students with a demonstrated ability in computer science
As an EDIT intern, you’ll work with complex datasets to build and refine machine learning models in this remote internship. Tasks may include writing code, training algorithms, evaluating outputs, and improving model performance. The program introduces tools and workflows commonly used in advanced computational research environments. Mentorship and workshops provide guidance on both technical methods and responsible AI practices. You’ll also gain experience working with large-scale data and high-performance computing systems. This remote software internship for high school students in New Jersey concludes with a formal presentation that demonstrates your ability to apply software and analytical skills to real-world problems.
9.CS@Mines – Computing For Good (C4G)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~30-50 spots available
Location: Virtual
Cost: $200
Dates: June 22 – July 28
Application Deadline: April 10
Eligibility: High school and community college students
This internship lets you use programming as a tool for impact, as you collaborate with peers to develop a project addressing a real-world issue. Your work may involve designing applications, writing code, or building data-driven solutions aligned with social challenges. The program focuses on teamwork, requiring clear communication, task division, and iterative development. Weekly sessions with guest speakers introduce different areas within computer science and technology careers. You’ll also explore how technical skills can be applied in nonprofit, community, or public-interest contexts. By the end, your project reflects both your coding ability and your understanding of technology’s broader impact
10.SparkSMP
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 3–5%
Location: Virtual, with some opportunities in Greater Seattle, WA
Stipend: Some projects offer stipends
Dates: 8–12 weeks, typically between May and August
Application Deadline: Varies by session and opportunity
Eligibility: U.S.-based high school students who are citizens or permanent residents
Through SparkSMP, you’ll contribute to work that often includes software development, machine learning, or data analysis. Each project has defined objectives, giving you structure while allowing you to explore technical concepts in depth. You’ll collaborate with a small team, learning how tasks are divided and managed in real development environments. Mentors guide you through workflows such as planning, testing, debugging, and documentation. Exposure to real-world challenges helps you build both technical and analytical skills. The online software internship for high school students in New Jersey concludes with a presentation showcasing your team’s process and results.
11.George Mason University: Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Acceptance rate/cohort size:Competitive
Location: Online
Cost: $1,299 +$25 application fee
Dates: June 18 – August 12
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 15 years old (remote internships)
ASSIP lets you work alongside researchers and contribute to projects that may involve coding models, analyzing datasets, or developing computational solutions. Your tasks reflect real academic research, requiring both technical execution and critical thinking. There will be workshops throughout the program that strengthen your scientific writing, documentation, and presentation skills. You’ll also interact with professionals who provide insight into STEM career pathways. The program concludes with a research symposium where you formally present your findings.
12.Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; ~50 students per year
Location: Online
Cost: $2,400 + $45 application fee; Financial aid is available
Dates: June 15 – 26 and July 6 – 17
Application Deadline: December 15 – February 20
Eligibility: U.S. high school students (14+) with solid math or computer programming skills, or those who have worked on a healthcare project
Exploring the intersection of AI and healthcare, you’ll work on projects involving medical datasets and machine learning applications. Small-group collaboration allows you to apply concepts while learning research and development processes. The sessions introduce how software tools are used in clinical and research environments. You’ll also examine ethical considerations, including bias and responsible AI deployment. Guest speakers provide insight into real-world applications across healthcare and technology sectors. By the end, you’ll present your work, demonstrating both technical understanding and the ability to communicate complex ideas clearly.
13.Girls Who Code – Pathways Program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: June 29 – August 14
Application Deadline: Early Application Deadline: February 27 | General Application Deadline: April 10
Eligibility: 9th–12th-grade girls and non-binary students
The Girls Who Code Pathways Program gives you a flexible way to engage in computer science through self-paced learning. You’ll build projects aligned with your interests in areas like web development, AI, or cybersecurity. Each track emphasizes applying coding concepts to practical challenges, from designing interfaces to solving real-world problems. Optional workshops and panels introduce you to professionals and emerging trends in the tech industry. You’ll also engage with a virtual community, exchanging ideas and feedback with peers. By the end, you’ll have a portfolio of projects that demonstrate your technical growth.
14.MIT’s Beaver Works Summer Institute
Acceptance rate/cohort size:Competitive
Location: Online
Cost: Free for students belonging to families earning under $150,000; $2,350 for others
Dates: Online courses: Early February – mid-June
Application Deadline: Typically, the end of March
Eligibility: High school students entering their senior year who are U.S. citizens
MIT’s Beaver Works Summer Institute lets you take on advanced technical challenges and gradually move from foundational learning into intensive, project-based work. Your experience may involve programming systems, building computational models, or working with AI-driven applications. Team collaboration mirrors professional engineering environments, requiring structured communication and iterative problem-solving. You’ll also explore topics such as system design, human-computer interaction, and ethics. The program culminates in a capstone project that demonstrates your ability to apply software skills to complex problems.
15.Kode With Klossy
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: Multiple 2-week sessions available between June and August
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Girls and gender-expansive teens between the ages of 13 and 18 years
You’ll spend your time building real projects – ranging from websites to data-driven applications – while learning how code translates into functional products. The curriculum places focus on hands-on implementation, guiding you through core programming concepts using languages like Python or JavaScript. As you progress, you’ll test, refine, and improve your work through structured feedback and iteration. The experience also introduces broader considerations such as inclusive design and the societal impact of technology. By the end, you’ll walk away with a completed project that reflects both your technical ability and your approach to building thoughtful software.
Frequently Asked Questions
1.A lot of these programs (EDIT AI, Stanford AIMI, Girls Who Code, MIT Beaver Works) are fully online and not specifically tied to New Jersey. Why are they included on this list, and does that matter for my application?
These are included because they're genuinely accessible to New Jersey students even though they're not run by a New Jersey institution, which broadens your options considerably beyond the state-specific programs like SEAP or GSET at Rutgers. For your application, it doesn't matter that the program isn't NJ-based, what matters is the depth and relevance of the work itself. If you want a more distinctly local credential or in-person network, prioritise NJ-specific programs like Liberty Science Center, GSET, or NJCCIC, all of which connect you with state institutions and local mentors. If you're optimizing purely for technical depth and don't mind a remote format, the national programs like Stanford AIMI or MIT Beaver Works carry strong name recognition regardless of location.
2.The cost range here varies enormously, from completely free (NJCCIC, GSET, EDIT AI) to $4,200 or $5,000 for university residential programs like Rowan and Kean. What's actually different about the paid experience?
The paid, residential programs generally offer something the free options can't replicate: living on a college campus, full-time faculty mentorship, and a more immersive, structured research environment over several consecutive weeks. Kean and Rowan both place you in faculty-guided computational research with the added experience of college-level living and time management, which can be valuable preparation for the transition to university life specifically. The free programs, like GSET at Rutgers or NJCCIC's cybersecurity tracks, are just as rigorous in their technical content and are run by credible institutions, they simply don't include the residential or full-immersion component, making them excellent options if cost is a deciding factor.
3.Several programs on this list (Girls Who Code, Kode With Klossy) are specifically for girls and gender-expansive students. What if I don't fall into that eligibility category?
If you don't meet that specific eligibility, you still have strong open alternatives covering similar technical ground. For web development and hands-on coding projects similar to what Kode With Klossy offers, CS@Mines' Computing for Good program and SparkSMP both involve team-based software development with mentorship, open to all eligible high school students. For AI and machine learning specifically, EDIT AI, Stanford AIMI, and ASSIP at George Mason are all open regardless of gender and cover comparable technical territory in model building and data analysis.
Key Takeaways
This list covers 15 software internships for high school students in New Jersey, blending genuinely state-specific programs like SEAP at the Naval Air Warfare Center, Liberty Science Center, and GSET at Rutgers with several nationally available remote programs, including Stanford AIMI, MIT Beaver Works, and Girls Who Code, that happen to be open to New Jersey students without requiring in-state residency. Cost varies dramatically by format, from completely free options like NJCCIC, GSET, and EDIT AI to paid residential university programs at Kean ($3,000 to $5,000) and Rowan ($4,200) that add full campus immersion and faculty mentorship to the technical work. For students who want flexibility without university admission criteria or a fixed academic calendar, Ladder Internships remains the most adaptable option on this list, placing students directly inside a startup for hands-on coding and product development work year-round.