15 Summer Internships for High School Students in Florida
If you're a high school student in Florida, a summer internship can be a valuable way to explore a field you're interested in, gain practical experience, and build new skills outside the classroom. Internships also help you learn how professional environments operate and can make your college applications stronger by demonstrating initiative and real-world engagement.
Florida offers a wide range of internship opportunities across fields like science, business, healthcare, the arts, and more. Some programs are held in person, while others are virtual—making it easier to find an option that works for your schedule and location.
To help you get started, we’ve put together a list of 15 summer internships for high school students in Florida.
Location: Virtual
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; varies by cohort
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort.
Eligibility: Open to high school students (grades 9–12), undergraduates, and gap-year students; must commit to 10–20 hours per week
Ladder Internships is a selective virtual program where you will work with rapidly growing start-ups in industries like tech, AI, health tech, marketing, journalism, and consulting. These start-ups often have over $1M in funding, giving you the chance to gain high-level experience. The internship typically spans eight weeks, during which you will collaborate closely with both start-up managers and a Ladder Coach. You’ll work on meaningful projects and present your outcomes to the company at the end of the program. This is a great option if you're looking for a flexible but immersive summer internship for high school students in Florida.
2. Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience (MPFI) Summer Research Internship
Location: Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, Jupiter, FL
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly competitive
Dates: June 23 – August 1
Application Deadline: January 7 – March 4
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors aged 16+ residing in Palm Beach or Martin County with U.S. work authorization
Stipend: $13/hour
The MPFI Summer Research Internship is a great opportunity for students interested in neuroscience, programming, or mechanical engineering. Over the course of six weeks, you will work full-time on brain structure and function research, with access to imaging technologies and lab techniques. The program culminates in the development of a scientific abstract and a formal presentation, where you will share your findings with peers and mentors.
3. JJ Vance Memorial Summer Internship in the Biological and Computational Sciences
Location: University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Dates: June 16 – August 8
Application Deadline: December 1 - January 31
Eligibility: High school juniors in good standing from Miami and Broward-area schools
Stipend: Paid
The JJ Vance Memorial Summer Internship offers a paid research experience in the biological and computational sciences for juniors from Miami and Broward counties. You will be paired with faculty, post-doctoral fellows, or research staff from the John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics (HIHG). The internship emphasizes mentorship and practical learning, providing the chance to contribute to ongoing research projects at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. This program fosters scientific inquiry and honors the legacy of JJ Vance, helping students develop both technical skills and a deeper understanding of biomedical research.
4. FIU-CTS High School Summer Internship Program
Location: Florida International University, Center for Translational Science, Port St. Lucie, FL
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Dates: June 9 – July 10
Application Deadline: March - April 8
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who live and attend school in St. Lucie County
Cost/Stipend: None
The FIU Center for Translational Science offers a 5-week summer internship for motivated high school students interested in biomedical science. During the program, you will work alongside scientists in disciplines such as drug discovery, brain and spinal cord injury, pulmonary physiology, cancer biology, and neuroscience. You’ll gain experience conducting experiments in laboratories, attend scientific luncheons, and present your work in a formal research poster session. You will also receive over 100 volunteer hours, a signed letter of recommendation, and a certificate of completion.
5. Kenan Fellows High School Summer Internship
Location: Palm Beach State College (Palm Beach Gardens, FL) and The Wertheim UF Scripps Institute (Jupiter, FL)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive
Dates: June 2 – August 1
Application Deadline: March 2
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents entering their junior or senior year at a Palm Beach or Martin County high school with a GPA of 3.0+; must be 16+ years old by program start
Stipend: $4,480
The Kenan Fellows High School Summer Internship offers a full-time biomedical research experience for high school students in Palm Beach and Martin counties. The program begins with a one-week training course at Palm Beach State College, followed by eight weeks of lab research at the Wertheim UF Scripps Institute. You will work on scientific investigations in fields like drug discovery, biomedical engineering, and molecular biology under the mentorship of professional scientists. You will attend weekly research seminars, submit a scientific abstract, and give both an oral and poster presentation of your findings. This internship emphasizes lab technique, experimental design, and data analysis, making it a comprehensive summer internship for high school students in Florida.
6. Florida Education High School Summer Internship Program
Location: Martin and St. Lucie Counties, FL
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Dates: June 2 – July 25 plus orientation and graduation through July 29
Application Deadline: December 2 - January 31
Eligibility: Students in grades 10–12, aged 16+ by June 1; must live in Martin or St. Lucie County and be U.S. citizens or legal residents; 2.5 GPA preferred
Stipend: $15/hour
This paid summer internship offers high school students exposure to nonclinical careers in the healthcare industry, including fields like administration, finance, human resources, and marketing. Designed for students with a strong interest in business-related healthcare roles, the internship runs for 7 weeks, with a required orientation in early June. You will work 30 hours a week, Monday through Friday, gaining professional skills while participating in team projects and development sessions. The program emphasizes full-time participation and concludes with a formal graduation ceremony.
7. CareerSource Central Florida Summer Youth Program
Location: Central Florida (various counties)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Varies by program track; typically 4–5 weeks during summer
Application Deadline: Early Spring
Eligibility: High school students aged 14–19 residing in Central Florida
Stipend: $1,200 or $15/hour depending on the track
The CareerSource Central Florida Summer Youth Program offers high school students paid opportunities through three specialized tracks based on age and career goals. If you're 14–15, you’ll earn up to $1,200 exploring career paths, college life, and financial literacy. At 15–16, you'll engage in training to build a portfolio and prepare for the workforce. Students aged 17–19 can participate in a paid internship earning $15/hour for up to 30 hours per week, preceded by one week of paid job skills training.
Each track spans 4–5 weeks, and some include options to extend work beyond the summer. With a strong focus on skill development and career readiness, this program stands out as an accessible and flexible summer internship for high school students in Florida.
8. Nicklaus Children’s Hospital & M-DCPS Summer Youth Internship Program
Location: Miami-Dade County, FL
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Dates: 5-week summer session (exact dates vary)
Application Deadline: Facilitated through M-DCPS; deadlines announced via miamiinterns.org
Eligibility: Rising 10th–12th grade students (ages 15–18) enrolled in a Miami-Dade County Public School
Stipend: Unpaid; students may earn academic credit
Nicklaus Children’s Hospital partners with Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) to offer a structured, educational internship experience for high school students. Over five weeks, you’ll work a minimum of 30 hours per week at local businesses and organizations, gaining exposure to professional environments that align with your career interests. You will benefit from dual supervision, one academic and one workplace mentor, and have the opportunity to earn academic credit upon successful completion. This is a great work-based learning internship for high school students in Florida interested in healthcare or professional careers within the Miami-Dade region.
9. Cell-Science Summer Internship Program
Location: Florida, primarily in-person; includes visits to local biotech companies
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Dates: June – July
Application Deadline: Rolling; applicants must email their CV and letter of interest
Eligibility: High school students who have completed their junior year
Cost/Stipend: None
Science Gurus has been running the Cell-Science Summer Internship Program since 2012 to introduce high school students to drug discovery, bioinformatics, and biotechnology. Over 8 weeks, you will learn about the biotechnology industry, cancer biology, immunotherapies, and nanomedicine while engaging in a research project using bioinformatics tools. The program includes workshops on career development and guest lectures by pharma/biotech professionals. You’ll present your findings through oral presentations and a final report. This internship provides a gateway into translational science and applied biotechnology, making it a valuable summer internship for high school students in Florida interested in biosciences.
10. Computer Science Entrepreneur Summer Internship
Location: Virtual
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Dates: June 10 – July 17
Application Deadline: April 30
Eligibility: Rising 11th and 12th-grade students with prior experience in software programming
Stipend: $300
This virtual internship blends computer science education with entrepreneurship training for high school students interested in tech and innovation. You will spend six weeks learning about product strategy, software development methodologies, go-to-market planning, and personal branding. Sessions are held three times per week, and you are encouraged to work on your own startup ideas throughout the program. Using a collaborative teaching model inspired by Khan Academy, the internship emphasizes learning through discussion and project development.
11. Florida International University Summer Research Internship
Location: FIU campuses, South Florida
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Dates: June 13 – August 8
Application Deadline: Early spring
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors or recent graduates accepted to FIU; must be 16+ with a minimum 3.0 unweighted GPA
Cost/Stipend: None
This 8-week summer research internship provides high school students with an opportunity to explore cardiovascular health research in university laboratories. The program combines research time (minimum 15 hours/week) with a structured curriculum of workshops, journal clubs, and case studies. Each student is matched with an FIU faculty mentor, and the experience concludes with a formal presentation and awards ceremony. You will develop lab skills, scientific thinking, and presentation abilities while gaining exposure to interdisciplinary research.
12. Baptist Health South Florida Observer Program
Location: Various Baptist Health locations across South Florida
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Up to 4 weeks; offered year-round, including summer
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; applicants notified within 2 weeks of submission
Eligibility: Students aged 16+ with required health forms, proof of enrollment, and a sponsoring clinician
Cost/Stipend: None; an administrative fee may apply
The Observer Program at Baptist Health provides high school and college students the opportunity to shadow healthcare professionals in clinical environments. This shadowing experience allows you to observe doctors, nurses, and staff across departments like surgery, emergency care, and internal medicine. Although not a formal internship, the program offers insight into healthcare careers, great for students considering medical or allied health professions. To participate, you have to secure a sponsoring clinician, submit health documents and a background check (if over 18), and receive clearance through Baptist Health’s Office of Academic Affairs.
13. Redefining Internships for Student Empowerment Program
Location: Hillsborough County Government Departments, FL
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Dates: June 2 – August 1 for Parks & Recreation; June 9 – August 1 for all other departments
Application Deadline: January - March 31
Eligibility: Students aged 16+ enrolled in Hillsborough County Public Schools with a minimum 2.0 GPA; must submit a report card and two references
Stipend: Paid
The RISE Program offers Hillsborough County high school students the chance to gain public sector experience through paid summer placements across a wide range of government departments. You may be assigned to departments such as Emergency Management, Human Resources, Public Utilities, Parks & Recreation, or Fire Rescue, among others. You will be paired with a supervisor and receive mentorship and training throughout the eight-week program. In addition to job shadowing and daily work tasks, you will participate in professional development workshops covering interview skills, personal finance, resume writing, and more. The program concludes with a student-led presentation summarizing a department project or improvement recommendation.
14. Summer Youth Internship Program (SYIP)
Location: Miami-Dade County Public Schools, FL
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Dates: Varies by internship placement, typically 5 weeks during summer
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students in grades 10–12, ages 15–18, enrolled in a Miami-Dade County Public School with a 2.5 weighted GPA; must meet MDC and M-DCPS dual enrollment requirements
Cost/Stipend: None (dual enrollment credit awarded)
The Summer Youth Internship Program (SYIP) allows Miami-Dade high school students to earn dual enrollment credit through Miami-Dade College while gaining experience in local industries. You will be placed in roles aligned with your academic and career interests, such as engineering, business, hospitality, and technology. You will receive academic credit for courses like Business Internship, Engineering Co-op, or Educational Technology, depending on your placement. This internship combines career exploration, workplace readiness, and college-level learning.
15. Miami SAO High School Volunteer Internship Program
Location: Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office, FL
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Dates: Rolling basis; summer participation available with a minimum 3-month commitment
Application Deadline: Rolling; early application encouraged due to background check requirement
Eligibility: High school students aged 16+, able to commit 16–20 hours/week; must pass a background check
Cost/Stipend: None
This volunteer internship provides students with legal experience in criminal justice. As a high school intern, you may work in one of three divisions: the Criminal Intake Unit, Domestic Violence Unit, or Victim/Witness Unit. Duties include assisting with legal documentation, contacting victims and witnesses, attending bond hearings, researching case law, and supporting attorneys with case preparation. You will be oriented on courtroom procedures, ethics, and the functions of the State Attorney’s Office.