15 Summer Internships for High School Students in Nevada

Participating in an internship as a high schooler can be a valuable way to explore potential career paths while building skills that strengthen your college applications and resume. Through an internship, you’ll gain work experience, develop professional habits, and see how classroom learning applies in workplace settings. These experiences also help improve your employability by building communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills that colleges and employers look for. 

Why should you participate in summer internships in Nevada?

If you’re from Nevada and are interested in exploring opportunities close to home, there is a wide range of summer internships and programs in the state. These internships span fields like healthcare, engineering, environmental science, government, and technology. Many of them are offered by prestigious institutions or government agencies, including the Clark County Information Technology Department, UNLV, DISCOVERY Children’s Museum, and more. They offer the chance to gain early exposure to professional environments, which can help you make more informed decisions about future majors or careers. 

To make your search easier, we’ve compiled a list of 15 summer internships for high school students in Nevada that run during the summer months and are hosted locally. 

15 Summer Internships for High School Students in Nevada

1. DISCOVERY Children’s Museum: YouthWorks Internship

Location: DISCOVERY Children’s Museum, Las Vegas, NV
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: Varies
Application Deadline: Rolling; Applications accepted year-round
Eligibility: High school students (ages 15-17) who are active museum volunteers in good standing and have completed training in all eight galleries

The YouthWorks Internship provides you with a paid, in-person work experience within a museum-based educational environment. You will work alongside professional staff while supporting daily operations across the museum’s galleries or in alternative departments based on your abilities and accommodations. The internship is structured to expose you to multiple functional areas, helping you understand workplace expectations, teamwork, and public engagement. In addition to completing assigned responsibilities, you will build transferable skills related to communication, professionalism, and time management. The program also allows you to document service and work hours that can support school credit and college applications.

2. Ladder Internship Program

Location: Remote
Cost: Varies by program type; Financial aid available
Acceptance Rate:
Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts available in spring, summer, fall, and winter
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary by cohort
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students able to commit 10-20 hours per week for 8-12 weeks

The Ladder Internship Program allows you to work remotely with a high-growth startup on a project-based internship. You will be matched with startups across fields such as technology, AI/ML, health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and operations, depending on your interests and skills. Throughout the internship, you’ll collaborate directly with a startup manager and contribute to real-world deliverables rather than observational tasks. The experience emphasizes professional communication, independent problem-solving, and project execution within a startup environment. Most internships last around eight weeks and conclude with a final presentation of your work to the company. 

3. James Lathrop and Wayne Capurro Memorial Internship

Location: Various Nevada Departments of Wildlife across Nevada
Stipend: $16.85 per hour
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Seasonal; 1-year basis
Application Deadline: February 6
Eligibility: Graduating Nevada high school seniors interested in pursuing wildlife management, biology, ecology, or a closely related field; Must have a GPA of 2.50+; More details here

The James Lathrop and Wayne Capurro Memorial Internship offers a paid, immersive field experience with the Nevada Department of Wildlife focused on applied wildlife management. As an intern, you will work as a seasonal NDOW employee and receive training through fieldwork such as wildlife surveys, radio telemetry tracking, and construction of water tanks and habitat infrastructure. The role requires extensive outdoor work, including hiking, camping, and operating 4WD vehicles in remote and mountainous areas across the state. You may be required to relocate during the summer and live independently at rural duty stations, gaining firsthand exposure to the realities of conservation fieldwork. This internship is designed to directly complement college-level studies while preparing you for long-term careers in wildlife and natural resource management.

4. Nevada Gold Mines: Summer Supply Chain Internship Program

Location: Barrick Gold Corporation, Elko, NV
Stipend: Paid (competitive compensation)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size:
Not specified
Dates: May/June – early August
Application Deadline: January 18 (tentative)
Eligibility:
High school seniors or college students enrolled for the following fall term with a minimum 3.0 GPA; Must meet pre-employment physical and screening requirements

The Nevada Gold Mines Summer Supply Chain Internship gives you hands-on exposure to large-scale industrial operations within the mining sector. You will work on-site alongside professionals in areas such as fulfillment, sourcing, logistics, systems analysis, and capital projects, contributing to operational and commercial initiatives. The program emphasizes applied problem-solving, collaboration, and understanding how supply chains function in a high-impact, resource-driven industry. From day one, you’ll gain direct mentorship and practical experience that goes beyond classroom learning. As an intern, you will be fully integrated into professional teams and complete projects tied to active business needs. 

5. Clark County Summer Business Institute (SBI)

Location: Clark County departments and partner organizations in Las Vegas, NV
Cost/Stipend: $12 per hour
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; 300 applicants
Dates: June 9 – July 30
Application Deadline: February 17
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores, juniors, or seniors (16+) with a minimum 2.0 GPA

The Clark County Summer Business Institute (SBI) is a paid internship designed to give you early exposure to professional careers within local government and partner organizations. As an intern, you will be placed in a department or business aligned with fields such as law, medicine, engineering, education, information technology, communications, and recreation, where you’ll work eight-hour days from Monday through Wednesday. On Thursdays, you’ll participate in structured seminars focused on financial literacy, life skills, and professional development. Throughout the program, you’ll gain hands-on workplace experience while learning how public-sector and private organizations operate together. The internship emphasizes reliability, professionalism, and career exploration rather than observation alone. SBI concludes with a formal graduation ceremony and may offer eligibility for college payment bonuses upon program completion.

6. Bank of America Student Leaders Program

Location: In-person at local nonprofit organizations in Nevada + Washington, D.C.
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size:
Highly selective; Approximately 300 students nationwide
Dates: 8 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: October 14 – January 15
Eligibility:
High school juniors and seniors who are legally authorized to work in the U.S. and reside in an eligible Nebraska location; More info here

The Bank of America Student Leaders Program is an in-person summer internship that places you with a local nonprofit organization focused on community development and civic engagement. During the internship, you’ll work on real projects related to budgeting, data tracking, program evaluation, and resource allocation, gaining insight into how nonprofits operate and measure impact. The experience emphasizes applied economics, social finance, and public policy rather than traditional corporate banking. You’ll collaborate closely with nonprofit staff and mentors while developing professional skills such as data analysis, communication, and problem-solving. The program concludes with a national Student Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C., where you’ll participate in leadership training and policy-focused discussions with peers from across the country. 

7. AFRL Scholars Program

Location: AFWERX, Las Vegas, NV
Stipend: Paid (varies by academic level)
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Typically, 8-12 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: October 10 – January 10
Eligibility: U.S. upper-level high school students (16-18) with a GPA of at least 3.0

The AFRL Scholars Program at the AFWERX site places you in a paid, full-time research internship supporting the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory’s innovation and technology transition initiatives. During the program, you’ll work alongside Air Force researchers, engineers, and industry partners on applied research and development projects tied to national defense, emerging technologies, and rapid prototyping. Your work may involve data analysis, engineering design, software development, experimentation, or technology evaluation, depending on your academic background and assigned project. The internship emphasizes hands-on contribution rather than observation, giving you exposure to real-world R&D workflows in a federal research setting. You’ll also gain insight into how research moves from concept to operational application within the defense ecosystem. 

8. U.S. Senate Youth Program (USSYP)

Location: In-person in Washington, D.C. (representing Nevada)
Cost/Stipend: None; $10,000 college scholarship provided to each delegate
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size:
Extremely selective; 2 delegates selected from Nevada
Dates: March 7 – 14
Application Deadline: October 24
Eligibility:
Nevada high school juniors and seniors holding a qualifying elected or appointed civic or student government leadership position

The U.S. Senate Youth Program offers an immersive, weeklong experience in Washington, D.C., designed for high-achieving high school leaders interested in public service and government. As a delegate, you’ll engage with U.S. Senators, cabinet members, senior military leaders, State and Defense Department officials, and a U.S. Supreme Court Justice, gaining exposure to how national policy and governance operate. The program emphasizes civic leadership, constitutional knowledge, and public service ethics rather than internships or job shadowing. In addition to structured briefings and discussions, you’ll represent Nevada as one of only two students selected statewide. Each delegate receives a $10,000 undergraduate scholarship, making USSYP one of the most prestigious government-focused programs available to high school students.

9. Clark County Information Technology Internship Program

Location: Clark County Information Technology Department, Las Vegas, NV
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: May 26 – July 30
Application Deadline: March 2 – 26
Eligibility: High school students eligible to work in the U.S.

The Clark County Information Technology Internship Program offers you an in-person opportunity to gain hands-on experience within a public-sector IT department supporting 38 county agencies. During the internship, you will work alongside professionals across areas such as software development, cybersecurity, data center operations, cloud platforms, help desk support, and project management. You will be matched to teams based on their stated interests and work closely with mentors who guide skill development and career exploration. The program emphasizes real-world problem-solving through participation in ongoing technology projects that support government services. You will be expected to commit to a structured schedule totaling approximately 260 hours over 6-17 weeks, with all work conducted on site. 

10. YES Tourism & Hospitality Program

Location: UNLV, Las Vegas, NV
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: June 2 – 27
Application Deadline: Rolling basis until capacity is reached
Eligibility: High school freshmen, sophomores, juniors, or seniors attending a Las Vegas–area high school who meet income, Title I, or first-generation college criteria

The YES Tourism & Hospitality Program is a college-level, in-person summer experience that introduces you to career pathways within hospitality, tourism, and resort management. You will participate in interactive workshops at UNLV alongside weekly field trips to major Las Vegas resorts, gaining exposure to industry operations. Throughout the program, you will collaborate on a final group project that emphasizes teamwork, leadership, and professional communication. The curriculum includes direct engagement with industry leaders such as executives and CEOs, offering insight into career progression and workplace expectations. In addition to academic and career development, you’ll explore the UNLV campus environment while building skills that strengthen college and scholarship applications.

11. Northern Nevada International Center (NNIC) Internship Program

Location: Northern Nevada International Center, Reno, NV
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts in the spring, summer, fall, and winter
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school seniors, college students, and young adults able to commit at least 10 hours per week

The Northern Nevada International Center Internship Program offers you hands-on experience in international affairs, public diplomacy, and community engagement within one of the region’s few globally focused organizations. You will support one of NNIC’s core teams, such as International Exchanges, Refugee Reception and Placement, Language Bank, Administration, or Social Media, depending on your interests and skills. Throughout the internship, you’ll contribute to real operational projects, including supporting international delegations, assisting with refugee resettlement efforts, and managing language access services. The program emphasizes professional skill development in communication, organization, and cross-cultural collaboration while working in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment. Internships can be completed for academic credit and may serve as a pathway to part-time or full-time roles at NNIC.

12. Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)

Location: Virtual (and in-person at George Mason University, Fairfax, VA)
Cost/Stipend: $25 application fee and $1,299 program fee upon acceptance (fee waivers available); Unpaid
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not publicly specified
Dates: June 18 – August 12
Application Deadline:
February 15
Eligibility:
Students who are 15+ for computer science and remote research tracks and 16+ for in-person wet-lab research

The Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) is a research-focused summer experience that allows you to work closely with university faculty on STEM research projects. You’ll join a research group aligned with your interests in areas such as cybersecurity, engineering, computational science, data science, or applied mathematics. Throughout the program, you’ll gain hands-on experience designing experiments, analyzing data, and applying quantitative and programming tools like Python, R, or MATLAB. The internship emphasizes how academic research is conducted in a university setting, including collaboration, documentation, and iteration. ASSIP concludes with a summer research symposium, where you’ll present your findings and learn about projects completed across the program. 

13. Mental Health Careers Summer Internship Program

Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not publicly specified
Dates: June 1 – 5 & June 8 – 12
Application Deadline: February 2
Eligibility: Rising 10th-12th graders 

The Mental Health Careers Summer Internship Program is a two-week, virtual experience designed to introduce you to a wide range of careers in mental health. You will participate in interactive sessions led by licensed clinical social workers, psychiatrists, neuropsychologists, and physician assistants who share insights into both clinical and research-oriented roles. Before live sessions, you’ll complete curated readings that draw from scientific literature and applied mental health resources. Throughout the program, clinicians demonstrate aspects of their day-to-day work and discuss training pathways, career decision-making, and professional challenges. The internship focuses on structured career exploration and mentorship rather than hands-on clinical practice. 

14. Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship

Location: Virtual
Cost: $45 application fee + $2,400 program fee; Need-based financial aid available
Cohort Size: Approximately 50 students per summer cohort
Dates: Session A: June 15 – 26; Session B: July 6 – 17
Application Deadline: December 15 – February 20
Eligibility: High school students (14+) residing in the U.S.; Strong preference for students with math, programming, or healthcare project experience

The Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship is a two-week virtual program that introduces you to the technical and clinical applications of artificial intelligence in healthcare. You will take part in structured lectures covering AI fundamentals in medicine, followed by team-based research projects focused on healthcare problems. Throughout the program, you’ll work with Stanford-affiliated researchers and student leads, gaining exposure to interdisciplinary collaboration at the intersection of data science, engineering, and medicine. The internship also includes mentoring sessions and “Meet the Expert” discussions with professionals from academia, industry, and the public sector. Rather than independent lab work, the program emphasizes research thinking, teamwork, and scientific communication. Students who complete the full program receive a Certificate of Completion.

15. Bishop Gorman High School Summer Internship Program

Location: Various partner organizations across Las Vegas, NV
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: May 31 – July 31
Application Deadline: March 28
Eligibility:
High school juniors at Bishop Gorman High School with strong academic standing; selection based on GPA, written application, and interview

The Bishop Gorman Summer Internship Program offers you early exposure to professional environments during the summer before your senior year. You will be placed with local organizations across industries such as healthcare, law, engineering, marketing, finance, media, construction, and sports management, allowing you to observe and participate in day-to-day professional work. Throughout the internship, you’ll gain practical insight into workplace expectations while developing communication, professionalism, and career awareness. The program emphasizes career exploration rather than specialization, helping you clarify long-term academic and professional goals. You will be required to complete a minimum number of work hours and submit reflective coursework tied to your experience.

Image Source - Discovery Children’s Museum Logo

Dhruva Bhat

Dhruva Bhat is one of the co-founders of Ladder, and a Harvard College graduate. Dhruva founded Ladder Internships as a DPhil candidate and Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University, with a vision to bridge the gap between ambitious students and real-world startup experiences.

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