12 Internships for High School Students in Chicago
Internships while in high school are a great place to start exploring a field you’re interested in. You’ll get collaborate with peers, network with professionals, work on real-world projects, conduct research, and gain practical experience. Internships allow you to build essential knowledge and skills for your field of choice.
Here are top 12 internships for high school students in Chicago that will ensure a comprehensive, enriching learning experience for students:
Cost: Startup internship programs start at $1990 and are payable in installments. Financial aid is also available.
Location: Virtual, with flexibility to work from anywhere across the globe
Duration: 8 weeks in the spring, summer, fall, and winter cohorts
Application Deadline: Applications for the Summer cohort end on April 14, but depend on the cohort
Program Dates: June 3 to July 26 for the summer cohort
Eligibility Criteria: High school students are able to dedicate 10-20 hours a week for a duration of 8 to 12 weeks.
Founded by Harvard alumni, Ladder Internships offer aspiring highschool students online internships with startups and nonprofits across the world. They connect students with organizations working in various fields such as machine learning, AI, computer science, technology, and more.
Students receive one-on-one training to sharpen various soft skills such as communication and time-management, which can benefit them in their academic journey and professional careers. Group training sessions with their fellow interns facilitate further development in the students’ ability to work in team settings.
Students are paired with a manager at the startup they will intern at, along with a Ladder coach who mentors and guides the student as they conduct real-world projects over the course of the 8 week programs.
2. NASA Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) Internship Program
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Interns may be provided a stipend depending on their academic level and the duration of their internship session
Location: NASA facilities across the country. Virtual options are also available
Duration: 10 to 16 weeks depending on the program
Application Deadline: July (Fall session), November (Spring session), April (Summer session)
Program Dates: Exact dates may vary, but internships are offered in 3 sessions:
Fall- late August or early September to mid-December (16 weeks)
Spring - mid-January to early May (16 weeks)
Summer- late May or early June to August (10 weeks)
Eligibility: Applicants must be US citizens of at least 16 years of age, with a cumulative GPA of 3.0. They must be full-time high school or graduate students, or part-time college-level students enrolled in at least 6 semester hours.
NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) program offers high school students a range of paid internships both virtual, and in-person in various sites across the country. Over 2000+ students benefit from the training, mentorship, and career development opportunities provided by this program throughout the year.
Students can choose from opportunities available in a range of disciplines across various subjects including engineering, space science, microbiology, robotics, aeronautics, technology, and more. This includes internships such as Celestial Mapping System, Capacity Building Program Geographic Analysis, and more.
During the internship, students will interact with leading experts in the field, and perform various duties such as designing experiments, analyzing mission data, and developing innovative technologies.
3. Stanford’s SHTEM: Summer Internship
Stipend: May be provided to students who need financial assistance
Location: Virtual
Duration: 8 weeks, around 30 to 40 hours per week
Application Deadline: February 23 for the summer cohort
Program Dates: June 17 to August 9
Eligibility Criteria: Students must be enrolled in their junior or senior year of high school at the time of application, and be at least 14 years of age by the first day of the program. Full-time community college students between 17 to 21 years of age, within the first three years of their course are also eligible.
This program is aimed at students who are capable of inspiring new research paths with a multi-disciplinary approach to research and learning. Designed to introduce students to cutting-edge research in an academic environment, the SHTEM program will group students together to conduct multifaceted projects which will expose them to broader areas of study, and also encourage them to pursue their existing interests and hone their skills.
Students will be mentored by the faculty, staff, and students of the Stanford Compression Forum and its affiliated organizations, as they study themes spanning and combining various subjects in science, humanities, technology, engineering, and medicine. This includes linguistics, psychology, biology, computer science, philosophy, design, neuroscience, and more.
In case of hardware projects, the materials will be sent to students.
4. MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute
Cost: $1,750 for students from families with an income greater than $150,000
Location: Virtual
Duration: 4 weeks
Application Deadline: March 31
Program Dates: July 8 to August 4
Eligibility: High school juniors attending school in the United States
The MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute is a 4 week project-based STEM program with work-shop style courses that cover a broad range of subjects. It has received high praise from alumni for its networking and collaboration opportunities, diversity, and unique approach to education.
Students can select from a variety of courses available in the course list, which includes subjects such as Microelectronics and Hardware Development, Serious Games Development with Artificial Intelligence, and more.
5. John Hopkins Internship in Brain Science (JHIBS) Program
Stipend: Virtual interns receive a $500 scholarship to support their education upon successful completion of the program.
Location: Virtual
Duration: 5 weeks
Application Deadline: March 1
Program Dates: July to August
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors from underrepresented populations.
The John Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS) provides mentorship and hands-on research experience to high school students, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds in a bid to reduce disparity in the neuroscience field.
Students are offered professional development training, educational workshops, mentorship training, networking activities, and lessons on basic lab experiments and techniques. They also conduct collaborative discussion to facilitate projects, and the program is concluded with a final presentation so students can showcase their work.
6. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
Stipend: $3,000 stipend
Location: Depends on your locality. Hutton aims to match students within a 45-minute commute of their home)
Duration: 8 weeks, 30 to 40 hours a week
Application Deadline: January 16
Eligibility: Students who will be rising high school juniors, seniors, and college freshmen at the time of the internship, of at least 16 years of age at the time of application
An 8 week summer internship and mentoring program, the Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program is sponsored by the American Fisheries Society. It aims to inspire students to propose a career in the field of fisheries and aquatic sciences, and offers students hands-on experimentation and research opportunities.
Students are given the flexibility to work at a fishery closest to their home under the guidance of expert marine biologists and fisheries professionals. They will explore marine and freshwater species in the field and in laboratory settings, and perform activities such as data processing, electrofishing, establishing aquatic vegetation and fish habitats, and more.
For a comprehensive and in-depth learning experience, students will also receive an all-expenses paid trip to the Hutton Scholars Summit.
7. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) at the Department of Navy (DoN)
Stipend: $4,000 for new participants, $4,500 for returning participants
Location: Various labs to choose from within the state and across the country
Duration: 8 weeks with the possibility of extending for an additional 2 weeks
Application Deadline: Applications for summer internships open on August 1 and close on November 1 every year
Program Dates: Depends on the internship and lab in question
Eligibility: US citizens of at least 16 years of age, who have completed at least Grade 9 and are currently enrolled in high school. Certain labs may have other requirements or exceptions.
In this program, high school students are placed in Department of Navy (DoN) laboratories across the country for a research-focused internship opportunity to learn about Naval research and technology.
Students will be mentored by top scientists and engineers as they conduct naval research based on their subject of interest, with an option to select a maximum of three labs.
This is a competitive and prestigious opportunity with just 300 placements across 38 labs around the country, and students are selected based on their academic achievements, personal statements, career and research interests, and recommendations.
8. Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) High School Internships
Cost/Stipend: Depends on the location and organization
Location: Varies based on the internship
Duration/Program Dates: Vary based on the internship
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and all details pertaining to the opportunities can be found here
Eligibility: Current high school students who are US citizens or permanent residents. Additional criteria may depend on the internship/organization
The Army Educational Outreach Program offers highschool students the opportunity to work one-on-one with a Department of Defence (DoD) scientist mentor or a university researcher on research projects in various subjects. This aims to hone students’ problem-solving and critical thinking abilities, and improve their ability to work as a team in preparation for a career in STEM.
Students will be exposed to high-tech equipment in state of the art laboratories where they will learn about cutting-edge techniques as they interact with professional engineers and scientists. Students will also interact with other STEM practitioners, as they address the biggest challenges faced by the United States.
9. NASA and UT Austin’s SEES High School Summer Intern Program
Cost: Fully funded
Location: Hybrid (Virtual learning component and on-site experience at the University of Texas, Austin)
Program Dates: Between July 1 to to August 4, depending on the student’s grade
Application Deadline: February 24 for the Summer cohort
Eligibility: High school sophomores or juniors who are US citizens and have not previously interned at SEES, and will be at least 16 years of age by July 1.
The SEES is a highly prestigious and competitive program that offers students the opportunity to work beside NASA experts. It is focused on Earth and space research, and interns are expected to assist with analyzing and visualizing data on various projects. Teams will also be required to present their research during the Virtual SEES Science Symposium.
When applying for SEES, students are required to submit their academic records, an introduction video, a letter of recommendation, transcripts, a demonstration of interest in STEM, and a written application including answers to essay questions.
10. Northrop Grumman’s HIP – High School Involvement Partnership Mentoring Program
Location: Virtual/On-site at a local Northrop Grumman facility
Program Dates: November to May for the Junior Year, November to April for the Senior Year
Eligibility: Students attending a local high school participating in the Northrop Grumman program, who are US citizens with a minimum GPA of 3.25 and an interest in STEM. Interns must successfully complete the Junior Year to qualify for the Senior Year.
HIP aims to offer high school students a firsthand experience in STEM to help them develop the critical skills required to succeed in their chosen fields. They offer a pipeline to students from highschool, through college, and to employment at Northrop Grumman.
Students receive mentorship from Northrop Grumman employees, and are exposed to the organization’s products and programs as they work on a senior year project. Junior students are exposed to Northrop Grumman products, technologies, and workforce skills with virtual and onsite sessions 1-2 times a month, and facility-based activities 2-3 times a year. The Senior year involves individual or group mentoring with a Northrop Grumman employee, and project development.
11. Project SEED by American Chemical Society
Stipend: $4,000
Location: Virtual/various locations across the country
Duration: 8 to 10 weeks
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in April
Program Dates: June to August
Eligibility: SEED has various ways of documenting eligibility. Students must be current high school sophomores, juniors, seniors, or recent graduates, having completed one course in high school chemistry. Preference is given to students whose maximum family income does not exceed 300% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
Project SEED offers budding chemistry enthusiasts an in-depth educational experience on what it is like to work in a chemistry lab. Interns conduct research on independent projects at labs located in their nearest Project SEED location, and are given the freedom to choose the type of project they wish to work on. Interns may also go on field trips, campus tours, attend career panels, and more!
Project SEED’s primary goal is to equip students from underrepresented communities with the knowledge and skills to build a strong foundation in STEM subjects, by working in real laboratories.
Over the course of the internship, interns will conduct experiments, write reports, and create a poster presentation at the end of the internship. Coordinators can also choose to register interns for the American Chemical Society National Meeting, to present their work to thousands of attendees!
12. AU High School Summer Scholars
Cost: $965 per course
Location: Virtual
Duration: 4 weeks
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis
Dates: Vary based on the course selected
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a minimum GPA of 3.0
American University (AU) offers high school students the opportunity to immerse themselves in their subject of choice with their online one-credit college courses in a broad range of topics. Students can select from fields such as biotechnology, psychology, neuroscience, and more, and enjoy a stimulating, personalized, and rigorous college-level learning experience.
In this program, students enjoy the flexibility to engage with coursework as per their convenience on AU’s Canvas platform, and spend four weeks learning about a topic while guided by expert faculty.
Bonus!
University of Chicago’s After School Matters STEM Lab Internship
Cost: None. Interns of 16 years and older receive a stipend of 15.80/hour
Location: Various locations in Chicago
Duration: 6 weeks
Application Deadline: Interviews end on May 23
Program Dates: June 24 to August 2
Eligibility: High school students aged 14 to 18 residing in Chicago and attending a Chicago High School. Students must be at least 14 year of age by September 1
The After School Matters STEM Lab Internship is a 6 week summer research program that offers students the opportunity to conduct research in a lab for 20 hours each week. Students are also introduced to the basics of working in a lab in a 1 week research bootcamp. They receive support from a mentoring team of PME researchers and educational staff and are equipped with resources and support to aid in their college applications.
The program is designed to ensure that students receive science and communication training, and are also provided a platform to present their work in a variety of settings.
Looking for an immersive internship?
Check out Ladder Internships!
Ladder Internships is founded by a Harvard alum, and is a selective program that offers students an enriching experience as their intern with startups and nonprofits across the globe. All internships are virtual opportunities, allowing students the freedom to work from wherever they please.
Students are connected with diverse startups, particularly in the field of tech, and they work on a real-world project with the guidance of a mentor and a Ladder Coach. At the end of the internship, students present their work to showcase their progress and findings.