14 Summer Internships for High School Students in Charlotte, NC
If you are a high school student, a summer internship can be a worthwhile way to explore a field you’re interested in. Summer internships for high school students can shape your academic and career path by exposing you to the applications of your subject. They provide work experience and practical skills, which can help you make informed decisions about your college major. An internship can also strengthen your college applications by showing admissions officers that you’ve pursued your interests outside the classroom and built advanced skills in your subject.
As one of the largest financial hubs in the U.S., Charlotte has major banks, fintech firms, and corporate headquarters that offer internships for high schoolers. You can also find opportunities in healthcare, engineering, data science, nonprofits, and public policy through the city’s universities, research centers, and community organizations. To help you get started, we’ve put together 14 summer internships for high school students in Charlotte, NC, based on structure, credibility, and how they are viewed by colleges.
1. Mayor’s Youth Employment Program (MYEP)
Location: Various locations across Charlotte; virtual options available
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend of $1,950
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies depending on the placement
Dates: 6 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the placement
Eligibility: High school students aged 16+ years enrolled in CMS or residing in Charlotte
MYEP is a career exploration program that connects high school students with local employers across Charlotte’s nonprofit, public, and private sectors. The program focuses on helping you develop transferable workplace skills, including communication, teamwork, and adaptability. You gain exposure to professional environments that may be unfamiliar or new. Because placements vary depending on the host organization, experiences can differ in scope and level of responsibility. The program emphasizes personal growth with early workforce readiness.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on the program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the cohort
Eligibility: High school students able to work for 8 - 12 weeks, devoting 10 - 20 hours/week
Ladder Internships offers a selective, virtual internship that connects high school students with high-growth startups or mission-driven nonprofits. You work on real projects in areas such as AI, health tech, journalism, and sustainability. Each intern is supported by both a startup manager and a dedicated ladder coach. This program helps you stay accountable while learning professional workflows. You also participate in group training sessions focused on communication and collaboration. The program emphasizes responsibility, deliverables, and real-world impact rather than observational learning. Apply now!
3. Bank of America Student Leaders Program
Location: Offered in multiple NC locations, including Charlotte
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~300 students across 100 communities
Dates: Early June - mid/late August
Application Deadline: January 15
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors | legally authorized to work in the U.S. | meet residency and academic requirements
This eight-week program focuses on leadership development through community-based work rather than traditional corporate internships. You are placed with a local nonprofit organization and learn how businesses, governments, and nonprofits collaborate to achieve common goals. The experience focuses on teamwork, communication, and reflection on leadership. A key component is the national summit in Washington, D.C., where students interact with peers from across the country. You participate in workshops focused on civic engagement and economic challenges. This program is especially relevant for students interested in careers in public policy, leadership, or social impact.
4. Atrium Health Summer Internships
Location: Atrium Health, Charlotte, NC
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective
Dates: 7 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: May 30
Eligibility: High school students at least 16 years old
This internship offers exposure to healthcare systems through non-clinical roles focused on administrative or operational projects. Opportunities may be in person, virtual, or hybrid, depending on department needs. The program includes structured skills training and professional development support. You submit bi-weekly reports to reflect on your learning progress. Weekly virtual sessions with Atrium Health leaders offer insight into healthcare careers. The experience emphasizes professionalism and an understanding of how large healthcare organizations operate.
5. Novant Health Bridges to Healthcare Internship Program
Location: Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center (Charlotte, NC); Forsyth Medical Center (Winston-Salem, NC)
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: March - June (8 - 16 weeks, tentative)
Application Deadline: Applications usually open in the spring
Eligibility: High school students; income and GPA requirements apply
This program helps high school students explore healthcare careers through exposure to hospital departments in both clinical and non-clinical roles. Tasks may include supporting projects, attending meetings, and observing day-to-day hospital operations. The internship emphasizes professional skills such as time management, communication, and teamwork. You also gain familiarity with using common workplace tools, such as Microsoft Word and PowerPoint. The program is designed to help students understand the range of career paths available within modern healthcare systems.
6. MeckPathways High School Internship Program
Location: Various Mecklenburg County departments, Charlotte, NC
Cost/Stipend: Paid at $15/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; limited placements
Dates: June 11 - August 7
Application Deadline: To be announced
Eligibility: CMS high school students; age 16+ years; Social Security number required
MeckPathways places high school students in paid roles across Mecklenburg County departments focused on public service. You work between 20 and 40 hours per week, depending on your placement and department needs. Assignments connect classroom learning to real-world applications in areas such as emergency services, libraries, and environmental management. County staff provides mentorship on professional behavior and workplace expectations. Tasks may include organizing information, assisting with outreach programs, or supporting field operations. The experience emphasizes civic responsibility and practical job skills.
7. CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen LLP) High School Internship Program
Location: Select CLA offices nationwide, including Charlotte, NC
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; varies depending on the office
Dates: June 17 - July 19 (tentative)
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the location
Eligibility: High school students aged 16 - 18 years
This internship introduces you to accounting and professional services through client-related work. You support project teams assisting with financial documentation, reports, and basic business analysis tasks. Interns are placed in CLA offices and collaborate with professionals on real projects. You may also shadow staff during meetings to understand client interactions better. The experience helps you learn how financial services support business decision-making. It is well-suited for those considering careers in accounting, finance, or consulting.
8. New Professionals High School Internship Program
Location: McColl Center, Charlotte, NC
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small cohort
Dates: 5 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: To be announced
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors enrolled in local schools
This program focuses on the operational and administrative functions of arts organizations. Interns support projects related to artist residencies, events, marketing, and community engagement, working behind the scenes to help the McColl Center manage day-to-day operations. You collaborate with staff across departments, gaining exposure to nonprofit operations. The experience highlights how creative institutions balance artistic goals with organizational needs. It is a strong fit if you are interested in arts management or nonprofit work.
9. NASA OSTEM High School Internship Program
Location: Virtual and in-person placements available; NC applicants often work with Langley Research Center or regional NASA partner facilities
Cost/Stipend: Paid (stipend amount varies by session and academic level)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June - August (tentative)
Application Deadline: February 27 (summer)
Eligibility: U.S. citizens; high school students age 16+ years with a GPA of 3.0 or higher
This internship allows you to work on projects within a federal research agency, offering experience beyond simulated assignments. You will collaborate with NASA mentors and contribute to ongoing initiatives related to business operations, communications, budgeting, or program analysis. The work emphasizes professional documentation, collaboration, and structured problem-solving. You also gain exposure to how large, complex organizations coordinate across teams. Throughout the program, you gain transferable workplace skills that apply beyond STEM fields. Because the internship is paid and nationally competitive, it is often viewed by colleges as a strong indicator of academic readiness.
10. Summer Ventures in Science and Mathematics (SVSM)
Location: Residential at UNC system universities across North Carolina, including UNC Charlotte
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 170 - 200 students statewide
Dates: June 25 - July 1 (virtual); July 5 - 25 (on-campus)
Application Deadline: January 5
Eligibility: North Carolina residents; rising high school juniors and seniors
SVSM is a residential program designed for high school students with a strong interest in STEM. You take college-level courses taught by university faculty in advanced scientific and mathematical topics while completing a hands-on research project, either independently or with a partner. Living on campus helps you experience the pace and expectations of college academics. You also write a final research paper and deliver an oral presentation. The program emphasizes analytical thinking, research literacy, and independence.
11. UNC Charlotte AEOP STEM Research Program
Location: University of North Carolina at Charlotte, NC
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 16 - July 25 (tentative)
Application Deadline: April 11 (tentative)
Eligibility: High school rising juniors and rising seniors who have taken chemistry, biology, and algebra I and II
This research-focused program places you at UNC Charlotte, where you will work alongside scientists and engineers on STEM research projects. The internship involves designing experiments, data collection, and analyzing results. You are paired with a mentor who guides your research process and provides regular feedback. You also present your findings to panels or peers, building confidence in scientific communication. The experience closely mirrors early undergraduate research and is well-suited for students considering research-driven STEM pathways.
12. UNC Nutrition Research Institute (NRI) Virtual Internship Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 54 students nationwide
Dates: June 3 - 26 (tentative)
Application Deadline: Applications open in February (tentative)
Eligibility: Rising 9th graders to college freshmen
This virtual internship introduces you to the fundamentals of nutrition research through a structured, faculty-led program. You participate in online lectures and group mentoring sessions with scientists and staff from the Nutrition Research Institute. The program covers topics such as research methods, the role of nutrition in health and brain development, and academic pathways in nutrition science. You also work on an individual project that involves creating and presenting a scientific poster presentation focused on a nutrient of your choice. The experience emphasizes foundational research skills rather than advanced lab work. It is especially useful if you want early exposure to research and mentorship in nutrition or health-related fields.
13. Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2400 plus $45 application fee; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 50 students
Dates: Session A: June 15 - 26 | Session B: July 6 - 17
Application Deadline: February 13 (financial aid); February 20 (application)
Eligibility: High school students aged 14+ years; U.S. citizens or permanent residents; math or programming skills required
This program introduces you to the applications of artificial intelligence in medical imaging research. You work on guided research projects while attending lectures led by Stanford-affiliated faculty and graduate students. The curriculum focuses on foundational machine learning concepts and healthcare applications. You also practice data analysis and scientific inquiry. Mentorship is integrated throughout the experience, allowing structured feedback and academic guidance. Due to its short duration, the experience is intensive but manageable for motivated students.
14. Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: Fairfax, VA (virtual or in-person)
Cost: $1,299 plus $25 application fee (waivable)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 18 - August 12
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Students must be 15+ years by June 18 for remote or computer-lab internships and 16+ years by June 18 for in-person or hybrid wet-lab internships
ASSIP allows you to work with university faculty on research projects in a structured environment. You gain access to research tools, software, and academic resources needed for your project. The program emphasizes scientific writing and communication along with technical research skills. Projects span across fields, such as neuroscience, molecular medicine, and epidemiology. You work independently while receiving ongoing guidance from a faculty mentor. The experience is well-suited if you want early exposure to academic research pathways.
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