15 Summer Internships for High School Students in Washington State

Summer high school internships give you a structured way to gain professional experience, strengthen your resume, and explore potential career paths before college. Through practical work, mentorship, and exposure to professional environments. Internships help you develop practical skills that go beyond what you learn in the classroom while improving your employability. An internship can also strengthen your college applications by showing admissions officers that you’ve taken the initiative to pursue your interests. 

Why should you participate in summer internships in Washington as a high schooler?

If you’re searching for summer internships for high school students in Washington that offer meaningful experience and skill development, this guide is a practical place to start. Many internships for high schoolers in Washington span STEM, public service, healthcare, environmental science, and business. These experiences allow you to build an industry-ready skillset while working alongside professionals. 

Because opportunities vary widely in quality and accessibility, finding the right fit can be challenging—especially when programs differ in focus, expectations, and eligibility. In this blog, we’ve compiled a list of 15 summer internships for high school students in Washington.

1. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)

Location: Multiple U.S. Navy laboratories nationwide, including facilities in Washington State
Stipend: $4,000 – $4,500
Acceptance Rate: Highly competitive
Dates: 8 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: August 1 – November 1
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (16+) 

The Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program will place you in one of several Department of the Navy research laboratories, where you’ll work on active science and engineering projects. During the internship, you will collaborate with professional scientists and engineers on research in areas such as robotics, materials science, cybersecurity, ocean engineering, and applied physics. Your work may include data analysis, laboratory experimentation, modeling, or prototyping, depending on the focus of the host lab. You will also receive one-on-one mentorship designed to build research skills and expose you to real-world applications of STEM in government research settings. SEAP is highly selective, with placements determined by academic performance, recommendations, personal statements, and alignment between student interests and available lab projects.

2. Ladder Internships

Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; Financial aid available
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: 8-12 weeks; Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students 

Ladder Internships places you in project-based teams at high-growth startups across sectors such as health tech, AI/ML, journalism, marketing, consulting, and software. During the internship, you will work on clearly scoped deliverables for real companies, contributing to tasks such as market research, data analysis, content strategy, or product development. You will be supported by a dedicated Ladder Coach who provides structured mentorship and weekly feedback. You will present your final work directly to startup leadership, strengthening both technical execution and professional communication skills. Because teams are small and startups are often venture-backed, the program emphasizes ownership, accountability, and exposure to fast-paced entrepreneurial environments.

3. Seattle Children’s Research Institute: Research Training Program (RTP)

Location: Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA
Stipend: $2,000
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly competitive; ~24 students per cohort
Dates: July 13 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 5 – March 8
Eligibility: Current 10th-11th graders who live within commuting distance of downtown Seattle; SSN or ITIN required

The Research Training Program is a laboratory research experience designed for high school students seeking their first exposure to biomedical research. As an intern, you will learn how to work in a professional research lab while developing foundational skills in areas such as biochemistry, immunology, gene editing, and infectious disease research. The program includes hands-on lab activities such as microscopy, PCR, gel electrophoresis, immunoassays, and bacterial transformation. In addition to technical training, you will participate in college readiness workshops, facility tours, and career exploration sessions. By the end of the program, you will have completed an independent research project and will deliver a final oral presentation.

4. Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center: Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP) 

Location: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance Rate: Highly competitive
Dates: June 22 – August 14
Application Deadline: March 13
Eligibility: High school students entering senior year (16+) who reside in the Greater Seattle area; U.S. citizens or permanent residents only

The Summer High School Internship Program is a full-time research internship designed for students with limited prior research experience. You will begin with two weeks of structured training focused on laboratory safety, research techniques, and an introduction to biomedical research at Fred Hutch. For the remaining six weeks, you will work in pairs within a Fred Hutch research group, contributing to ongoing projects under the guidance of professional scientists. The program includes research seminars, college and career workshops, and opportunities to engage with peers through organized activities. You will present your work to the Fred Hutch community at the end of the internship, developing both scientific communication and professional skills.

5. UW Neuroscience Summer Student Program (NSSSP)

Location: University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Stipend: $3,200
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly competitive; ~8-12 students per cohort
Dates: June 22 – August 14
Application Deadline: December 15
Eligibility: U.S. high school seniors who are at least 18 years old; Must have a minimum 3.2 GPA

The UW Neuroscience Summer Student Program is an NIH-funded, eight-week research internship offering “bench-to-bedside” exposure in neuroscience. As an intern, you will be placed in a neuroscience research lab, where you will participate in clinical observations in neurology and neurological surgery settings. The program combines hands-on laboratory research with structured educational components, including weekly faculty lectures, neurosurgery grand rounds, and resident education sessions. You will complete an individual research project and present your work at the end of the program. You will also observe neurosurgical procedures and shadow clinicians to understand how neuroscience research translates into patient care. 

6. Bank of America Student Leaders Program

Location: Multiple locations nationwide, including Washington State
Stipend: Paid
Cohort Size: ~300 students selected annually
Dates: 8-week summer internship
Application Deadline: October 14 – January 15
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors in good academic standing

The Bank of America Student Leaders Program places you in paid summer internships with local nonprofit organizations. During the eight-week program, you will support community-based initiatives while learning how nonprofits operate, from program delivery to organizational strategy. You will gain hands-on exposure to social impact work while developing professional skills related to communication, teamwork, and civic engagement. The program also includes a week-long Student Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C., where you will examine how government, business, and nonprofit sectors collaborate to address societal challenges. Through service-based projects and leadership training, the program emphasizes community impact and long-term civic involvement.

7. Port of Seattle High School Internship Program

Location: Port of Seattle sites, including Seattle–Tacoma International Airport and Seattle waterfront locations, WA
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Summer internship (typically, June – August)
Application Deadline: Applications open in May
Eligibility: High school students (16+), recent high school graduates (within 12 months), or students enrolled in a GED program; Must be authorized to work in the U.S.

The Port of Seattle High School Internship Program offers summer internships across departments such as aviation operations, maritime operations, governance, community engagement, and green jobs. During the internship, you will work on real projects that support regional infrastructure, transportation, and economic development initiatives. You will receive training in professional workplace skills, including project management, communication, networking, and leadership, alongside exposure to the Port’s operational systems and code of conduct. The program also includes mentorship sessions, facility tours, resume and LinkedIn workshops, and career awareness activities. Designed to provide early professional experience, the internship emphasizes practical skill development and exposure to public-sector career pathways.

8. SPARK Summer Mentorship Program (SMP)

Location: Various sites across the Greater Seattle area, WA
Cost/Stipend: No cost to participate; Some projects offer stipends, while others are unpaid
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: 8-10 weeks during the summer (typically, June – August)
Application Deadline: April
Eligibility: High school students who are permanent U.S. residents and reside in the Greater Seattle area

The SPARK Summer Mentorship Program connects you with mentors from industry, academia, and the local community for project-based STEM research experiences. During the summer, you will work closely with a mentor on a defined project, with past topics including Python programming, machine learning, data visualization, and spiking neural networks. Projects are designed to emphasize applied problem-solving and technical skill development rather than classroom-style instruction. In addition to hands-on project work, the program offers structured resources focused on college preparation, STEM career exploration, and professional development. Through consistent mentorship and collaboration, you’ll gain exposure to real-world research workflows and insight into STEM career pathways in the Seattle region.

9. Evergreen Goodwill: Goodwill Youth Maritime Program

Location: Job Training & Education Center, King County, WA
Stipend: $65/day during the school year; $100/day during the summer
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: School year: January – June, September – December; Summer: July – August
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students in King County interested in maritime careers

The Goodwill Youth Maritime Program is a year-long, paid workforce development program designed to prepare high school students for maritime careers and postsecondary pathways. During the school year, you will attend training sessions twice per month on Saturdays, focusing on career readiness, financial literacy, and professional skills. In the summer, you’ll gain experience and exposure to maritime-related industries. The program integrates service learning, civic engagement, and team-based activities while offering certifications such as CPR, OSHA, and Food Handlers permits. You’ll also receive case management support and opportunities to connect with maritime professionals, helping build both technical skills and long-term career awareness.

10. Washington Park Arboretum: Youth Summer Internship

Location: Washington Park Arboretum, Seattle, WA
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Summer internship
Application Deadline: Opens in spring
Eligibility: High school students (16-18) with an interest in environmental fields

The Youth Summer Internship at Washington Park Arboretum is a paid, interdisciplinary program designed to introduce you to careers in environmental and sustainability-related fields. During the internship, you will explore environmental career pathways through projects, leadership development activities, and meetings with professionals from a wide range of environmental organizations across the Puget Sound region. You will participate in environmental projects within the Arboretum, work with children in camp-based settings, and develop teamwork and community engagement skills. The program emphasizes equity, collaboration, and exposure to diverse ways of working in environmental professions. You will also receive support with resume building, career exploration, and identifying personal strengths relevant to future education and employment.

11. Clean Water Ambassadors Internship 

Location: Downtown Seattle, WA (field trips/workshops across the region; transit-supported)
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: 5 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: April 1 – 22
Eligibility: High school students (16+) who are eligible to work in the U.S. and have a valid ID

Clean Water Ambassadors is a paid, cohort-based internship focused on clean water issues and environmental careers in the Seattle area. Over five weeks, you will learn about local environmental challenges and solutions through workshops, field trips, and discussions that include environmental and social justice topics. A core part of the internship involves practicing public communication, such as teaching others and delivering a final presentation, so you build confidence explaining technical ideas to non-technical audiences. You will also explore environmental career pathways by interviewing professionals working in water and environmental fields. The program is designed to be accessible to students who are new to environmental topics, and it emphasizes curiosity, teamwork, and applied learning rather than prior experience.

12. Young Scholars Program – REACH (YSP-REACH)

Location: University of Washington, Seattle, WA (virtual option available)
Cost/Stipend: $500 (in-person); $100 (virtual); None
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: 5-day summer program
Application Deadline: Applications typically open in January/February
Eligibility: Current high school students, including graduating seniors

The Young Scholars Program – REACH is a short, immersive summer program hosted by the University of Washington’s Center for Neurotechnology. During the program, you will receive an introduction to neuroscience, neural engineering, neuroethics, and scientific communication, with a focus on emerging technologies such as brain-computer interfaces. The program includes lectures, seminars, workshops, and guided tours of CNT-affiliated laboratories across departments like Computer Science and Electrical Engineering. You will engage with faculty and researchers to better understand how neuroscience and engineering intersect in academic and applied research. Designed as an exposure and preparation program, YSP-REACH helps students build foundational knowledge relevant to future college coursework and STEM career pathways.

13. Microsoft High School Discovery Program

Location: Microsoft, Redmond, WA
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: July 7 – August 1
Application Deadline: Early February
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors within 50 miles of Redmond, WA, who have completed pre-calculus and are members of Microsoft-supported organizations 

The Microsoft High School Discovery Program is a four-week, in-person internship designed to introduce graduating seniors to careers in technology. During the program, you will work in teams on projects focused on the early stages of the product development lifecycle, with an emphasis on user experience design and problem definition. You will engage in hands-on project work, professional development workshops, and structured mentorship with Microsoft employees. You will collaborate on a group project that involves identifying user needs and proposing product design solutions. The program provides early exposure to software engineering and product design while helping students explore potential pathways in the technology industry.

14. PNNL High School Internship Program

Location: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Summer internships: June – August
Application Deadline: Summer: early February – March
Eligibility: High school students (18+) for lab or field-based work; Business roles may have additional flexibility

PNNL’s High School Internship Program offers paid, hands-on experience in either business operations or STEM research environments. During the academic year, you may work up to four hours per day while earning elective credit through school-based work-learning programs, while summer interns can work full-time. Depending on placement, you will collaborate with scientists, engineers, or business professionals on projects aligned with national research priorities. You’ll also receive structured mentorship and participate in leadership development activities, laboratory tours, and career awareness workshops. The program emphasizes professional skill-building alongside applied research or business experience, making it suitable for students exploring long-term pathways in STEM or industry-focused careers.

15. Systems Education Experiences (SEE) High School Programs

Location: Institute for Systems Biology (ISB), Seattle, WA (hybrid + virtual available)
Cost/Stipend: STiSA program: free; Summer internship includes paid or volunteer positions, depending on placement
Cohort Size: Summer internship: ~4-10 interns from 300+ applicants
Dates: STiSA workshops: spring and summer; Internship runs for 8 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: Mid-January – mid-March
Eligibility: STiSA: current 10th-11th graders; Internship: current 11th graders only (full application required)

Systems Education Experiences (SEE) offers two structured pathways for high school students interested in systems biology and interdisciplinary research. Through the open-enrollment STiSA program, you will participate in virtual workshops covering systems thinking, systems medicine, and environmental systems, with optional micro-courses and ongoing engagement through an online community. The competitive summer internship places rising seniors in ISB research labs, where you’ll work on projects related to computational biology, microbiomes, cancer systems, microbial interactions, or personalized medicine. You will collaborate closely with ISB scientists, document your work through a project website, and conduct informational interviews with professionals across research and industry. Depending on placement, you may develop skills in coding, data analysis, laboratory techniques, and scientific communication.

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