15 Software Internships for High School Students in New York
If you are a high school student interested in software engineering, internships provide a worthwhile way to explore this field in great detail. These programs combine technical training with professional mentorship, allowing you to apply classroom concepts to real-world coding projects. Software internships expose students to professional environments while learning collaboration and problem-solving skills essential for any career pathway. Software internships allow you to engage directly with codebase architecture and programming languages, helping you understand the field far beyond what is taught in the classroom. They also provide networking opportunities that connect you with senior developers and peers who share a similar passion for technology.
If you’re open to considering virtual internships in fields like AI, check out our blog here! For those interested in summer-specific programs, check out the list here.
Why should I do a software internship in high school?
Securing a software internship early gives you a strong advantage in a competitive industry by transforming your resume from a list of coursework into a portfolio of professional achievements. By working on real-world products, you can enhance your employability and demonstrate your ability to contribute to a professional development team. These internships also strengthen college applications by showcasing initiative and technical curiosity to admissions officers. The mentorship and guidance you receive can lead to valuable recommendation letters and a professional network that supports you throughout your college and the early stages of your career.
To help you get started, we have compiled a list of 15 software internships available to high school students in New York.
Quick Look
15 programs total spanning cybersecurity, machine learning, web development, and general computer science, hosted by institutions including NYU, MIT, Harvard, Columbia, and Stanford
America on Tech appears twice through distinct programs: TECH360 is a shorter summer career-exploration program, while Tech Flex Leaders is a nine-month leadership pathway, both prioritizing financially needy and first-generation students
NYU appears twice through distinct pre-college programs: CS4CS focuses specifically on cybersecurity, while the Machine Learning Program centers on AI and data science fundamentals
Girls Who Code Pathways is the most broadly accessible free option for young women and non-binary students, alongside the fully free NY Academy of Sciences Junior Academy
Costs vary enormously, from free options like NYU CS4CS and Girls Who Code to premium programs like NYU's Machine Learning Program (over $4,000 with housing) and Stanford AI4ALL Online ($4,120)
1. The NYU CS4CS (Computer Science for Cyber Security)
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: NA
Dates: July 13 - August 7
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: Open to current 10th and 11th-grade students who are residents of New York City, select areas of New Jersey, or Nassau County.
The NYU CS4CS (Computer Science for Cyber Security) is a two-week summer computer science program in which high school students work on practical projects related to cybersecurity and programming at NYU. You spend the program learning foundational concepts in Python, cryptography, ethical hacking, and network security through structured technical instruction and applied exercises. Mentorship is built into the experience, so you learn from university instructors and computer science professionals while working through collaborative challenges. You also gain exposure to a university computing environment, which helps you understand how academic and technical teams approach cybersecurity problems. The program is designed to provide direct experience with coding practice, problem-solving, and core cybersecurity concepts.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Cost: Starting at $2,490 (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates : Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap-year students who can work for 8 - 12 weeks, devoting 10 - 20 hours/week
Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students interested in gaining professional experience with high-growth start-ups. Students are matched with start-ups across industries, such as tech/deep tech,AI/ML, health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies raising over a million dollars on average. During the program, interns work closely with their managers and a ladder coach on real-world projects and present their work to the company. The internship is conducted virtually over eight weeks, making it accessible to students from different locations.
3. The Cooper Union - Summer STEM Program
Location: The Cooper Union, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: 3-week courses: $3,150 and 6-week courses: $5,150 | Financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: 3-week courses: Session I: July 6 - July 23 and Session II: July 27 - August 13 | 6-week courses - July 6 - August 13
Application Deadline: To be announced
Eligibility: Current high school students who have completed their 9th, 10th, and 11th grade years are eligible to apply
The Cooper Union Summer STEM Program offers you an immersive opportunity to solve real-world engineering challenges through intensive design and research projects. You engage in hands-on work in areas such as robotics, green infrastructure, or biomedical engineering while using professional-grade tools and software to create and refine your prototypes. The curriculum emphasizes the engineering design process, helping you to refine your ideas through iterative testing and peer collaboration. You participate in workshops led by expert faculty members and industry professionals who provide mentorship on technical communication and career pathways. The program also includes site visits to engineering firms and guest lectures that expose you to the evolving landscape of STEM innovation. By the end of the session, you present your completed projects to a panel of experts and community members.
4. Kode with Klossy Summer Program
Location: Kode with Klossy, New York, NY, and 8+ cities, including Chicago, Dallas, D.C., London, NYC, Pittsburgh, SF, Seattle | virtual options are also available
Cost/Stipend: free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly available
Dates: June 1 - June 12, July 6 - July 17, July 20 - July 31, August 3 - August 14
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Young women and gender expansive teens aged 13 - 18 years.
The Kode with Klossy summer program provides you with a focused introduction to the fundamentals of computer science and software development. You explore multiple technical areas such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, along with specialized tracks in mobile app development, machine learning, and data science, while building functional applications and websites from scratch. The curriculum is designed to foster your creative problem-solving and collaboration through group projects that address community-driven challenges. In addition to technical instruction, the program includes guest speakers from the technology industry and sessions on career exploration. By the end of the program, you will have completed a portfolio of digital projects that demonstrates your foundation in the technical skills required for modern software engineering.
5. The NYU Machine Learning Program
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: $3,180 and an additional cost for housing fee, which is $654.00 ($327 per week), and meal packages per week ($229 for 12 meals)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly available
Dates: Session 1 (June 15 - 27) | Session 2 (July 6 - 17) | Session 3 (July 20 - 31)
Application Deadline: Session 1 - April 17 | Session 2 & 3 - May 1
Eligibility: Open to current 9th–12th grade U.S. and international students with prior coursework in precalculus and programming.
The New York University Machine Learning Program is a pre-college summer program in which high school students study the foundations of machine learning through coursework at New York University Tandon School of Engineering. You spend the program learning core machine learning concepts such as supervised and unsupervised learning, data analysis, and algorithmic modeling while applying programming techniques and mathematical skills to practical exercises. Instruction is delivered in an academic environment, allowing students to engage with university-level material and develop a stronger understanding of how machine learning systems are built and evaluated. The program also provides exposure to collaborative technical learning, where students work through computational challenges and applied projects alongside peers. It is designed to give high school students direct experience with machine learning concepts, programming applications, and quantitative problem-solving.
6. America on Tech - TECH360 Program
Location: Hybrid | locations across New York, Miami, Los Angeles, and Atlanta
Cost/Stipend: $500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly available
Dates: Cycle 1: June 29 - July 16 and Cycle 2: July 27 - August 13 (in NY)
Application Deadline: May 24 | Priority Deadline is May 3
Eligibility: Eligible applicants are current rising high school juniors or seniors attending high schools in New York City, Los Angeles County, Miami-Dade/Broward County, or Atlanta, with priority given to financially needy, first-generation, or under-resourced students | graduating seniors are not eligible.
The America on Tech TECH360 Program is a summer technology career development program in which high school students explore career pathways in software engineering, data science, UX design, and product management through a hybrid learning format. You participate in technical workshops, career-readiness training, and project-based activities designed to build foundational digital skills and industry awareness. Mentorship is a core part of the experience, so students engage with technology professionals, instructors, and peers while developing practical knowledge of the technology sector. The program also includes exposure to professional environments and collaborative learning experiences that help students understand how technology teams operate. It is designed to provide early hands-on experience with technical concepts, professional development, and career exploration in technology.
7. The New York Academy of Sciences Junior Academy Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly available
Dates: To be announced
Application Deadline: Fall deadline - July 2
Eligibility: Applicants must be 13 - 17 years old and able to participate in a fully virtual program conducted through the Launchpad platform | A strong proficiency in English is required, as all instruction and communication are in English, and this will be assessed during the application process | Applications must be submitted in English, and parental or guardian consent is mandatory.
The Junior Academy Program is a virtual innovation platform that allows you to join a global community of problem-solvers to solve real-world global challenges. You collaborate in international teams to develop data-driven solutions for challenges related to sustainability, public health, and urban infrastructure. The program provides you with access to professional mentors from major technology and science companies who guide your research and development process. You gain experience using the Launchpad platform for project management and cross-cultural communication, which are essential skills for the modern workforce. Throughout the program, you participate in webinars and networking sessions that connect you with experts and peers from around the world. At the conclusion of the program, your team submits its final project for evaluation to a panel of judges, with outstanding solutions receiving recognition and rewards.
8. Girls Who Code Pathways Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: No cost
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not applicable
Dates: To be announced
Application Deadline: April 10
Eligibility: 9th-12th girls and non-binary students, including rising 9th-grade students
The Girls Who Code Pathways Program is a virtual learning experience designed to build your technical skills and confidence in the field of computer science. You explore coding projects covering web development, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity, while learning how technology can be used to address social challenges. The curriculum focuses on building a supportive community where you can share ideas and collaborate on digital projects with peers from diverse backgrounds. You also engage with women leaders in technology through guest speakers and virtual site visits, providing you with a roadmap for your own professional journey. The program also offers workshops on career readiness, including resume building and professional networking strategies. By the end of the program, you will have completed a capstone project that demonstrates your technical growth and creative vision.
9. America on Tech - Tech Flex Leaders
Location: Hybrid | locations across New York, Miami, Los Angeles, and Atlanta
Cost/Stipend: No cost to attend stipend is provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not applicable
Dates: 9 months from September 14
Application Deadline: Priority Application Deadline: July 5 | Final Application Deadline: August 17
Eligibility: Eligible applicants are current rising high school juniors or seniors attending high schools in New York City, Los Angeles County, Miami-Dade/Broward County, or Atlanta, with priority given to financially needy, first-generation, or under-resourced students; graduating seniors are not eligible.
The America on Tech Tech Flex Leaders Program is a nine-month technology leadership program in which high school students develop technical knowledge alongside professional and leadership skills through a hybrid format. You spend the program participating in structured workshops, career development sessions, and project-based learning focused on areas such as technology, innovation, and workplace readiness. Mentorship is a key component of the experience, allowing students to engage with industry professionals, instructors, and peers while building a practical understanding of technology careers. The program also provides exposure to collaborative professional environments and internships, helping students understand how teams in the technology sector operate and solve problems. It is designed to give students practical experience with technical learning, leadership development, and long-term career exploration within the technology industry.
10. University of Michigan – Joy of Coding
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $149 plus taxes | financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly available
Dates: June 17 – August 28
Application Deadline: May 31
Eligibility: 9th-12th grade students (including rising 9th graders and recently graduated seniors) with prerequisites that students should have completed Algebra, amongst others.
The Joy of Coding program provides a foundational yet rigorous introduction to the logic and creativity involved in computer programming. You explore the core concepts of coding through interactive, online modules that emphasize problem-solving and algorithmic thinking. The program is designed to be accessible but challenging, helping you understand how to write clean and efficient code using popular programming languages. You receive support from university instructors and teaching assistants who provide guidance on complex programming concepts and debugging tasks. Beyond technical skills, the course highlights the real-world applications of coding in various industries, from healthcare to entertainment. Upon completion of the program, you will have a solid understanding of programming fundamentals that can be applied to future academic pathways or personal projects.
11. MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute
Location: Virtual or hybrid
Cost/Stipend: Attendance is free for families with an annual income below $200,000, while families earning above $200,001 are required to pay $2,400 | housing is not included for in-person programs in either case.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly available
Dates: July 6 - August 2
Application Deadline: April 3
Eligibility: Primarily rising U.S. high school seniors who must complete the specific BWSI online prerequisite course for their chosen track to be eligible for the July program.
The MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI) is a rigorous, project-based program that challenges you to solve complex engineering problems using modern technology. You select from various specialized tracks, such as autonomous RACECARs, cubesats, or AI for health, and collaborate in teams to design and build your solutions. The program emphasizes a "learning-by-doing" approach, requiring you to apply concepts from your prerequisite coursework to hands-on hardware and software development. Weekly seminars with MIT researchers and industry professionals provide you with context on emerging trends in engineering and technology. The final event features a competition or technical demonstration where your team showcases completed projects to a panel of experts.
12. Harvard Secondary School Program - Computer Science and Engineering Course
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $4,180 (for 4 credits/one course) or $8,160 (for 8 credits/two courses) | There is also a non-refundable application fee of $75
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly available
Dates: June 20 - August 8
Application Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: High school students between the ages of 16 (by June 20) and 19 years old before July.
This program at Harvard University offers you the chance to earn college credit while studying advanced topics in computer science and engineering in a virtual environment. You enroll in rigorous, university-level courses covering subjects such as data structures, software engineering, and machine learning. The program encourages you to participate in live lectures and interactive discussion sections where you can engage deeply with the course concepts and your peers. You work on challenging assignments and labs that test your ability to apply theoretical knowledge to practical engineering problems. Throughout the summer, you have access to academic advising and university resources that help you prepare for the expectations of a top-tier university environment. You conclude the course with a final project or examination that demonstrates your mastery of complex technical concepts.
13. Columbia University Pre-College Programs in Technology
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $2,867 for the 1-week session and $4,017 for the 2-week single-course session
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly available
Dates: Session AA (1 week): June 22 - 26 | Session A (2 weeks): July 6 - 17 | Session B (2 weeks): July 20 - 31 | Explore tech courses here.
Application Deadline: To be announced for session AA & A, Session B is June 1
Eligibility: Students in grades 9 - 12, both domestic and international, are eligible to apply | NYC Residential Summer Program is only open to students aged 15 years or above, and applicants who are 15 years old must turn 16 years old by December 31 of their program year.
The Columbia University Pre-College Programs in Technology offers high school students the opportunity to explore emerging technology fields through intensive online coursework led by Columbia instructors. You can choose from short-term academic courses covering areas such as coding, artificial intelligence, engineering, and other technology-focused disciplines, gaining exposure to university-level learning in a flexible virtual format. The program is designed to help students strengthen their academic profiles, explore potential STEM career interests, and engage with peers from around the world. With both 1-week and 2-week session options, students can select a format that fits their schedule and academic goals.
14. Stanford AI4ALL Online Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $4,120 | financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly available
Dates: June 15 - 26
Application Deadline: February 6
Eligibility: open to students who are in 9th grade at the time of application and have a strong interest in science, computing, and using technology for social impact
The Stanford AI4ALL Online Program is a two-week virtual artificial intelligence program in which high school students explore the foundations of AI and its applications to real-world social challenges. You spend the program learning core topics in machine learning, data science, and computer programming through structured lessons and applied projects. Mentorship is an essential part of the experience, so students can engage directly with Stanford researchers, instructors, and peers while developing technical and analytical skills. The program also introduces students to discussions around the ethical and social implications of artificial intelligence, helping them understand the broader impact of emerging technologies. It is designed to provide direct experience with AI concepts, collaborative problem-solving, and socially focused technology applications.
15. Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY) Computer Science & Technology
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies according to course | need-based financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly available
Dates: Fall A (starting as early as September 8), Fall B (starting as early as October 11), Spring A (starting as early as January 24), Spring B (starting as early as March 21), Summer A (starting as early as June 20), Summer B (starting as early as July 11)
Application Deadline: Fall A (August 11), Fall B (September 15), Spring A (December 8), Spring B (February 16), Summer A (May 10), Summer B (June 7)
Eligibility: Advanced learners in grades 2 - 12, and individual courses may have grade-level requirements, minimum test scores, and prerequisites | For example, the computer science course Fundamentals of Computer Science is for grades 7 - 11 and requires Quantitative - Advanced CTY-Level identification
The Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY) Computer Science & Technology program is an online academic program in which advanced students explore computer science and technology through structured virtual coursework. You spend the program developing technical skills in programming, computational thinking, and problem-solving through instructor-led lessons and course-specific technical assignments. Instruction is delivered in a guided online classroom environment, allowing you to engage with challenging academic material while working alongside peers sharing similar interests. The program also provides interaction with instructors and collaborative learning opportunities that help you understand technical concepts in greater depth. It is designed to give students direct experience with computer science learning, analytical thinking, and advanced virtual academic study.
Questions Students Often Ask About Software Internships
NYU has two different pre-college programs on this list. How do CS4CS and the Machine Learning Program differ?
CS4CS is focused specifically on cybersecurity, covering cryptography, ethical hacking, and network security, and it's free and limited to students from NYC, parts of New Jersey, and Nassau County. The Machine Learning Program is broader in scope, covering supervised and unsupervised learning and algorithmic modeling, is open to a wider geographic pool, and comes with a significant tuition cost. If cybersecurity specifically interests you and you meet the residency requirement, CS4CS is the more accessible option; if you want a deeper dive into AI and are willing to pay tuition, the Machine Learning Program offers that.
I don't have any coding experience yet. Which programs are appropriate for a true beginner?
Kode with Klossy and Girls Who Code Pathways are both designed for students building foundational skills in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and web development from scratch, with no prior experience assumed. The University of Michigan's Joy of Coding program is similarly beginner-friendly, requiring only Algebra as a prerequisite. Programs like MIT Beaver Works and the NYU Machine Learning Program, by contrast, expect prior programming coursework, so those are better suited once you've built some foundational experience.
America on Tech has two programs, TECH360 and Tech Flex Leaders. How do I decide between them?
TECH360 is a shorter, summer-only program focused on career exploration across software engineering, data science, UX design, and product management. Tech Flex Leaders is a longer, nine-month commitment that builds toward a potential internship placement and deeper leadership development. If you want a concentrated summer introduction to tech careers, TECH360 is the better fit; if you want sustained mentorship and a pathway toward paid internship opportunities, Tech Flex Leaders offers more depth over time.