15 Summer Internships for High School Students in Austin, Texas
Doing an internship while you're still in high school is one of the best ways to strengthen your resume, build professional skills, and explore real-world career paths early on. Whether you're interested in science, tech, business, or the arts, an internship will help you gain hands-on experience, work alongside professionals, and understand what a future in that field might look like. They also show colleges and employers that you're motivated, curious, and ready to take initiative.
If you're based in Austin, you're in a city that’s home to some of the most vibrant industries in the country—tech, healthcare, creative arts, and more. With so many opportunities available locally (and virtually), it can be hard to know where to start. That’s why we’ve put together a curated list of the best summer internships for high school students in Austin. These programs are designed to give you meaningful, guided experiences, whether you want to work in-person or explore your interests remotely.
15 Summer Internships for High School Students in Austin, Texas
1. UT Austin: SEES Internship Program
Location: Hybrid; in-person at UT Austin
Cost/Stipend: None; travel grants available for out-of-state students
Acceptance Rate: Approx 11%; Nationally competitive
Dates: Online modules are available beginning May 1; All internships end by early August
Eligibility: Current U.S. high school sophomores and juniors with a strong interest in STEM; U.S. citizenship required; First-time interns only
The STEM Enhancement in Earth Science (SEES) program is a selective national internship run by NASA and the University of Texas. Each year, it receives thousands of applications and offers limited spots—just over 200—to students passionate about Earth and space science. During the program, you'll dive into topics like climate science, satellite data analysis, and natural hazard research while working with NASA scientists and engineers. The experience begins with online learning modules, followed by remote project work, and culminates in an immersive, on-campus session in Austin. Housing, meals, and local travel are fully covered during the in-person phase. Past projects have explored everything from microgravity and astronaut photography to galaxy mapping, climate modeling, and high-altitude balloon experiments.
2. Austin Youth Initiatives Office Internships
Location: Austin, TX
Stipend: $13/hour
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; Recent cohorts included around 300 placements citywide
Dates: June 2 – July 11
Application Deadline: Late January – late February
Eligibility: Austin-area high school students (ages 15-18) who are rising sophomores, juniors, seniors, or currently enrolled seniors; City of Austin residents
Austin’s Youth Initiatives Office offers many internships, ranging from STEAM, aviation, hospitality, to civic leadership. You'll spend 20 hours a week working in a professional environment, developing skills in communication, teamwork, and industry-specific tools. Internships also include mentorship from city staff, group training sessions, and educational field trips that deepen your understanding of how city services operate. By the program’s end, you’ll participate in a culminating event to present what you’ve learned and receive a formal acknowledgment of your work.
3. Ladder Internships
Location: Remote
Stipend: Varies by program type (financial aid available)
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary based on cohort
Eligibility: High school students
This competitive internship program is designed for motivated high school students who want to gain experience with a fast-growing startup. As a participant, you’ll be matched with a company in industries like tech, AI/ML, health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. These are typically high-growth startups that have raised over a million dollars in funding. Throughout the internship, you’ll collaborate directly with your manager and receive guidance from a dedicated Ladder Coach while working on real-world projects. As part of the program, you’ll be expected to present your work to the company team towards the end.
4. Travis County Internships
Location: Austin, TX
Stipend: Paid or unpaid; Academic credit is sometimes available
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: Varies by internship
Application Deadline: Late January – early February
Eligibility: There are several classifications of internships: Student 1 and Student 2 are open to high school students
Travis County offers both paid and unpaid internships for high school students in Austin. You can get places in various departments like hospitals, parks departments, libraries, and police labs. You’ll attend job-readiness training and then apply those skills in real-world tasks, from office coordination to community outreach. The program includes a job fair and a final showcase where you present your experience and achievements. Plus, being part of a large, county-wide cohort gives you the chance to meet peers and mentors from diverse backgrounds, all while building your resume and gaining independence.
5. University of Texas Southwestern Department of Psychiatry Mental Health Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: June (two weeks)
Application Deadline: Typically, early February
Eligibility: Rising 10th-12th-grade students (must not have prior felonies)
The University of Texas Southwestern Department of Psychiatry offers this two-week online internship. It puts high school students in direct contact with psychiatry professionals—like social workers, neuropsychologists, psychiatrists, and PAs—across daily live video sessions. Before classes begin, you'll complete curated readings to prepare for interactive panel discussions and Q&As about career paths, day-to-day responsibilities, and academic journeys. As part of the experience, you'll dive into different facets of mental health, such as psychotherapy, neuropsych testing, neuroscience, and community psychiatry. You’ll learn how real professionals make an impact.
6. Moody Center Internships
Location: Moody Center, Austin, TX
Stipend: $13/hour
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: Varies by position and semester
Application Deadline: Varies by position
Eligibility: High school and college-level students
Moody Center, a live entertainment venue, offers paid internships in areas like event services, premium sales, sustainability, or community relations. As an intern, you will learn the ins and outs of a major live entertainment venue. You'll work during event and non-event periods, collaborating with event managers, marketing teams, operations staff, and community partners. You'll help plan and execute large-scale events, develop customer service skills, and contribute to behind-the-scenes operations. You'll also gain professional mentorship, build event-industry connections, and round out your resume with real-world experience. Whether you're interested in event management, communications, or sustainability, this internship is a meaningful way to explore career options while getting paid.
7. Austin Angels High School Ambassador Program
Location: Hybrid/Austin, TX
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Flexible (tailored to the academic quarter/semester you choose); Typically, internships last for one semester or quarter
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Current high school students
Austin Angels is a nonprofit that supports children, youth, and families in foster care. They offer a flexible ambassador program for high school students. Designed to align with your personal and academic goals, the program gives you the chance to engage in meaningful advocacy and community service. Whether you're passionate about mentorship, social impact, or supporting vulnerable youth, this experience can help you explore those interests. As an ambassador, you'll take part in educational sessions, learn about the organization’s work, help organize a fundraiser or supply drive, and earn verified volunteer hours. Upon completing the program, you’ll also receive a letter of recommendation.
8. Build Up High School Internship
Location: Austin, TX, and other locations available nationwide
Stipend: Paid (competitive hourly wage); Transportation stipends provided
Acceptance Rate / Cohort Size: Highly competitive; Typically selects ~200 interns from nearly 2,000 applicants
Dates: 8-week summer program; Exact timeframe varies by project
Application Deadline: April 18
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors, seniors, or recent grads; Must be U.S. work-authorized; family income must be below the HUD median for your county
The Build Up Internship is hosted by DPR Construction, a nationwide contractor. During the internship, you will spend eight weeks working alongside project engineers, superintendents, and safety managers on active construction projects right here in Austin. You’ll get hands-on experience, tracking schedules, learning safety procedures, using software like BIM 360 and Primavera, and helping with quality inspections. Throughout the summer, mentors will guide you as you complete a capstone presentation that highlights what you’ve learned. By the end of the program, you'll gain real-world construction experience, a project in your portfolio, and a stronger resume.
9. Texas Department of Transportation (DOT) Grants and Internships
Location: Multiple worksites across Travis County and Austin, TX
Stipend: Paid at $13/hour
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive; About 630+ high school interns placed each summer
Dates: Typically, June – July with ongoing year-round positions
Application Deadline: Typically late January to early February
Eligibility: High school students aged 16+ who are Travis County residents or attend school there; Must have work authorization in the U.S.; Minimum GPA of 2.5; More details here
TxDOT’s internship program gives you a chance to dive into real transportation and engineering work. Over the summer (or during the school year), you'll spend around 20 hours weekly assisting with maintenance, construction inspection, engineering support, or administrative tasks. You will gain practical skills in teamwork, project management, and technical processes. You'll also attend training sessions and mentor-led discussions that deepen your understanding of how transportation infrastructure shapes communities. Some interns even rotate across divisions, giving them insight into various roles from design to operations.
10. Austin Chamber of Commerce Summer Internship Program
Location: Various organizations in Austin, TX
Stipend: $2,000
Cohort Size: 68 interns
Dates: June 9 – July 25
Application Deadline: February 28; Student interest form opens in early January; Host-site deadlines may vary
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, or seniors enrolled in Austin ISD
Austin Chamber of Commerce offers a Summer Internship Program for high school students in Austin. Over six weeks, you'll work at one of 40 local businesses, gaining real-world experience tailored to your interests, whether that’s in business, tech, hospitality, or non-profit sectors. The program includes two days of career training and weekly mentorship from certified teachers. This means you're not just working—you’re learning how to succeed. You’ll also complete a capstone project for course credit and get to present your work at the end.
11. Textron Aviation High School Internships
Location: Austin, TX
Stipend: Approximately $13/hour
Acceptance Rate: Approx. 10%; Nationally competitive
Dates: June 3 – July 12
Application Deadline: January to mid-February
Eligibility: High school students aged 16-19
Textron Aviation’s internships for high school students offer hands-on experience in aviation. During the internship, you will work alongside engineers, technicians, and industry professionals on areas like aviation maintenance, engineering, finance, IT, and more. You’ll spend your time working on real projects—whether it’s in manufacturing, flight operations, or customer support—then apply those skills to meaningful tasks that benefit your host team. The internship also includes mentorship, professional training, and opportunities to network with peers and senior staff. At the end, you'll complete a capstone presentation to showcase what you’ve learned.
12. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS)
Location: Virtual (in-person options in Baltimore available too)
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: 5-week session during the summer
Application Deadline: December 1 – March 1
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors interested in neurology, neuroscience, or behavioral/brain health sciences; U.S. or Canadian citizens
The Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS) offers a five-week virtual internship for high school juniors and seniors interested in neurology and neuroscience. As an intern, you’ll learn about basic laboratory techniques and experiments and undergo mentorship training. You’ll also attend sessions focused on professional development training and educational presentations. JHIBS offers a deep dive into the world of neuroscience, combining research, clinical exposure, and mentorship to help you explore future careers in medicine. Once you complete the program, you will receive a certificate of completion.
13. NASA OSTEM Internship
Location: Virtual or in-person at various NASA centers across the country
Stipend: Paid and unpaid internships available
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: 10 weeks; Late May/early June to August
Application Deadline: February 27
Eligibility: Must be a full-time high school student with a GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale and must be a U.S. citizen
NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) provides a range of internship opportunities across multiple STEM disciplines focused on space exploration and scientific discovery. As an OSTEM intern, you’ll collaborate with mentors and gain hands-on experience through tasks like research, data analysis, and contributing to active NASA projects. They offer many opportunities in different fields. You can check the available positions here.
14. Medicine Encompassed (ME) Student Internships
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Ongoing year-round participation, including summer sessions
Application Deadline: Rolling applications
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-12
Medicine Encompassed is a student-led nonprofit that gives high school students a platform to explore medicine, biology, and STEAM through creative content development and community-focused projects. With over 18 specialized committees, you’ll collaborate on creating educational materials, contributing to outreach initiatives like Project Cultivation, and advancing accessible medical education. Your involvement might include writing, editing, or designing study guides, blog posts, and presentations. You’ll also research medical topics and translate them into easy-to-understand resources for a wider audience. By the end of the program, you’ll have contributed to real-world learning tools that are shared with students across the country.
15. EDIT ML Summer Internship Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: April 15 – June 15
Application Deadline: April 15
Eligibility: High school students with a background in computer science
The EDIT ML Summer Internship Program at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center is designed for high school students eager to explore how artificial intelligence is applied in healthcare. As an intern, you'll work on research projects focused on developing and evaluating machine learning models that can enhance clinical decision-making and patient outcomes. Throughout the program, you'll gain hands-on experience with medical imaging, natural language processing (NLP), and data analysis using tools like Python and R. You’ll also collaborate with medical professionals and have the chance to present your research findings after the internship.
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