15 Summer Internships for High School Students Raleigh, NC
Summer internships are a way to build skills, offering high school students structured environments to learn by doing, meet mentors, and explore potential career paths. These experiences often combine projects with professional settings, helping you develop technical abilities, communication, and teamwork. You will find that many internships for high schoolers are hosted by universities, research institutes, nonprofits, and city agencies, adding credibility to the programs.
For students in Raleigh, North Carolina, there are a range of higher education institutions, city departments, and research organizations that offer internships for high school participants. The city’s internships include the Raleigh Summer Youth Employment Program, YMCA internships, and partnerships with startups through Ladder Internships. To simplify the search, this guide curates the top 15 summer internship opportunities in Raleigh, NC, focusing on programs that balance skill-building and industry exposure.
15 Summer Internships for High School Students Raleigh, NC
1. Raleigh Summer Youth Employment Program
Location: Various Raleigh Parks and Nature Preserves, Raleigh, NC
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies based on project needs.
Dates: June – August
Application Deadline: Typically mid-March
Eligibility: High school students aged 15 to 18
The Raleigh Summer Youth Employment Program allows you to gain hands-on work experience during the summer months. It places you with local government offices, businesses, or community organizations that match your skills and interests. Through this program, you learn how to navigate a professional environment and build essential workplace habits such as reliability and communication. You can expect to develop practical skills that can strengthen your resume and prepare you for future job opportunities. By the end of the program, you have a clearer sense of career possibilities and more information about what it takes to enter the workforce.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Remote/Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies according to program type; financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 10 – 25%; 70 – 100 students
Dates: Multiple 8-week cohorts throughout the year; Summer Cohorts I and II start June 2 and July 14 respectively
Application Deadline: Varies as per cohort; Summer Cohort I: May 12; Summer Cohort II: June 23
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can commit 10-20 hours per week for 8 – 12 weeks
Ladder Internships connects you with remote internship experiences at high-growth startups across various technology sectors, including artificial intelligence, deep technology, health technology, marketing, and consulting. You will work directly with startup founders and managers on genuine business projects, receiving guidance from experienced Ladder Coaches. This program exposes you to fast-paced entrepreneurial environments and innovative problem-solving approaches, allowing you to contribute to real organizational needs. You will engage in project-based work tailored to your interests, spanning software development, machine learning implementation, market research, or digital marketing initiatives. The program includes individual and group training sessions focused on communication skills, time management, and professional development.
3. North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) High School Internship Program
Location: Raleigh, NC (various NCDOT divisions and units across North Carolina)
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Year-round program, students can work one semester or consecutive semesters
Application Deadline: Not specified, apply through the N.C. Office of State Human Resources website
Eligibility: Currently enrolled as a high school student in North Carolina | At least 16 years old at employment time | Minimum overall GPA of 2.3 (on 4.0 scale)
This internship offers you a paid, hands-on work experience within various divisions of the NCDOT across the state. It focuses on areas such as civil engineering, environmental sciences, transportation planning, and administrative support, exposing you to real-world applications of these fields. You participate in activities like data collection and analysis, assisting with project planning and design, conducting site visits, and supporting office tasks such as documentation and communication. You also have the opportunity to work alongside experienced professionals in transportation, gaining direct insight into the public infrastructure sector. Through this internship, you develop technical skills such as research, data management, problem-solving, teamwork, communication, and time management.
4. NC State University Young Investigators Program (YIP)
Location: NC State University, Raleigh, NC
Cost/Stipend: $2,100
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive, typically small cohorts.
Dates: July 7 – 25
Application Deadline: April 30
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors and graduating seniors
The Young Investigators Program at NC State University offers you intensive research opportunities for high school students in nuclear engineering. You will work alongside university faculty and graduate students on cutting-edge research projects within various departments, gaining hands-on laboratory experience. This program allows you to apply classroom knowledge to real-world scientific problems, developing critical thinking and experimental design skills. You will learn advanced research methodologies, data collection techniques, and scientific analysis pertinent to your chosen project. Mentorship from leading researchers provides invaluable guidance for your academic and career aspirations. You will have opportunities to present your findings at a final symposium, enhancing your public speaking and scientific communication abilities.
5. WakeMed High School Junior Volunteer Program
Location: Cary Hospital and Raleigh campus
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited spots, competitive
Dates: Summer: May/June - August 31 | School year sessions: September - May 31
Application Deadline: Summer: Late May/early June | School year: Typically May
Eligibility: Open to high school students ages 16+
By participating in the Junior Volunteer Program, you will gain direct exposure to a hospital environment through this comprehensive summer program, working in various departments. This internship provides you with an understanding of healthcare operations and patient care, allowing you to assist staff and interact with patients. You will observe different medical professions and learn about the diverse roles within a large healthcare system. The program emphasizes empathy, responsibility, and teamwork, fostering essential soft skills for any career path. You can expect to observe technology used in medical imaging, records management, or patient monitoring systems. Mentors are experienced healthcare professionals who guide you through daily tasks.
6. North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences Teen Volunteer Program
Location: North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh, NC
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: June 10 – August 9 (various shifts available)
Application Deadline: Typically March - April
Eligibility: High school students aged 14-17
In this program, you will contribute to the museum's mission by assisting with educational programming, exhibit interpretation, and visitor engagement. You will engage in hands-on experience in public science education, where you might lead activities, answer visitor questions, or help prepare materials for summer camps. You will gain valuable communication and presentation skills, learning how to convey complex scientific concepts to diverse audiences. Mentorship is provided by museum educators and staff, who will guide your understanding of natural history and informal science learning environments. You will participate in training sessions covering various scientific disciplines and museum operations, deepening your appreciation for the natural world.
7. Duke University STAR
Location: Duke University, Durham, NC (25 miles from Raleigh)
Cost/Stipend: None / $2,600 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 20 – 25 students
Dates: June 22 – July 24
Application Deadline: January 2
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Duke University’s STAR Program immerses you in a structured, mentored experience that mirrors real academic research from question design to manuscript writing. You will work on a hypothesis-driven project with a Duke faculty mentor and teammates, learning research methods, scientific writing, statistics, and responsible conduct of research. You may also have an opportunity to shadow clinicians to see how research connects to patient care, which will deepen your understanding of clinical contexts. The program’s goal is for you to qualify as a co-author on a peer-reviewed paper, helping you build a strong academic profile. You receive focused instruction from medical writers and statisticians while attending lectures across areas like neonatology, pharmacology, and pharmacoepidemiology.
8. UNC-Chapel Hill Project Uplift Plus
Location: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC (short commute from Raleigh)
Cost/Stipend: $1,200; financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 27 – July 11
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who reside in North Carolina
Project Uplift Plus is an intensive two-week summer experience designed to introduce you to the academic and social environment of UNC-Chapel Hill. While not a traditional internship, it provides immersive exposure to various academic fields, including science and technology, through campus visits and workshops. You will participate in mock classes, leadership development seminars, and cultural enrichment activities, simulating the college experience. This program emphasizes preparing you for competitive university admissions and academic success. You will connect with current UNC students and faculty, gaining insights into campus life and academic resources. Although it does not provide direct research opportunities for high school students, it can spark your interest in scientific inquiry.
9. Novant Health Bridges to Healthcare High School Internship
Location: Raleigh-area medical centers
Cost/Stipend: None / Stipend paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 10 participants per site
Dates: 16 weeks (exact dates vary)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students attending one of the partner schools in the Charlotte or Winston-Salem areas | Minimum 2.5 GPA | Household income $40,000 or less
The Bridges to Healthcare program at Novant Health offers high school students a paid internship experience lasting 6–8 weeks, where they rotate through various clinical and non-clinical departments such as nursing, radiology, information technology, and community engagement. This program targets students from schools in Winston-Salem and Charlotte that primarily serve underserved communities. You benefit from workshops on resume writing and personal finance, and you are paired with a preceptor for mentorship while contributing to team projects and observing real healthcare workflows. The internship provides a comprehensive understanding of healthcare roles, helping you clarify career goals and gain practical experience in a supportive environment.
10. Duke University Neuroscience Experience (DUNE)
Location: Duke University campus, Durham, NC
Cost/Stipend: None / Stipend paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: June 16 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 9
Eligibility: current high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors | At least 16 years old by June 16 | Attend a public or a charter school in Durham, NC, list here | U.S. citizens or permanent residents
In this eight-week placement, you will work full-time in a Duke neuroscience lab matched to your interests, contributing to a defined research project under day-to-day mentorship from scientists and research staff. You will gain practical skills such as experiment design, data collection, basic analysis, and laboratory techniques aligned to the host lab’s focus areas (e.g., neurobiology wet lab methods, computational modeling, or behavioral assays). You can also expect to participate in structured professional development designed to help you present your work and navigate future academic steps. The program includes a final presentation of your research to peers and mentors, providing a formal venue to share findings and practice scientific communication.
11. NCSU Summer Textile Exploration Program (STEP)
Location: Wilson College of Textiles, Raleigh, NC
Cost/Stipend: $450; partial and full scholarships are available / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; about 30 – 35 students
Dates: 4 weekly cohorts between June 8 – July 18
Application Deadline: April
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors
In this one-week session, you will rotate through focused activities in marketing, engineering, design, or even chemistry, completing hands-on projects in Wilson College labs and studios under the guidance of faculty, staff, and student mentors. You will be living on campus and following a structured daily schedule that blends lab work with presentations on degree programs, admissions, and scholarship pathways within the college. You will also participate in industry tours that highlight manufacturing practices and brand operations, giving direct exposure to professional contexts and current technologies in textiles and apparel. You will collaborate with peers on defined projects or modules, practicing basic design, testing, or analysis workflows that mirror first-year college experiences within the discipline.
12. NCSU Horticultural Science Summer Institute
Location: NCSU Campus, Raleigh, NC
Cost/Stipend: $675; need-based scholarships are available / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective
Dates: July 5 – 10
Application Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: High school students entering 10 to 12 grades in the upcoming school year
In this one-week session, you will work through workshops led by NC State faculty, staff, and students on topics such as plant breeding, propagation, floral longevity, sustainable production, and design practices, building a practical understanding of plant processes and tools used in horticulture. You will be expected to participate in field trips to local farms, markets, greenhouses, and gardens, observing professional operations and seasonal practices that contextualize classroom and lab learning. Mentored sessions emphasize hands-on tasks such as grafting tomatoes, cross-pollinating ornamentals, and data collection that align with the week’s modules. The week concludes with a comprehensive set of experiences like lab modules, site visits, and cohort activities.
13. NCSU College of Design - Design Immersions Residential Program
Location: NCSU Campus, Raleigh, NC
Cost/Stipend: $1,550 / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 100 students
Dates: June 17 – July 19
Application Deadline: April 11
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors
In this program, you will complete one focused studio project intended to reach portfolio quality, working within the methods and critique culture used in undergraduate design studios at NC State. The program begins with an online orientation to access design fundamentals videos and activities, and then moves to the on-campus week that builds directly on your interests. During the residential week, you will focus on skill-building sessions in drawing, model-making, or digital workflows aligned to the selected discipline area. You can also expect to participate in evening activities designed to strengthen critical and creative thinking while learning about college-level expectations, portfolio development, and program pathways within the College of Design.
14. Governor’s School East at Meredith College
Location: Meredith College campus, Raleigh
Cost/Stipend: $500 | None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: June 22 – July 19
Application Deadline: Typically mid-November
Eligibility: North Carolina high school students currently enrolled in 11th grade in public or non-public schools in NC | Students are nominated by their schools based on GPA, test scores, essays, and auditions (for arts). Minimum GPA and test score criteria apply (e.g., unweighted GPA 3.25 or higher for academics)
Governor’s School East at Meredith College is a highly selective, prestigious summer residential program designed for intellectually gifted high school students from North Carolina. The curriculum is crafted to provide in-depth exploration across diverse disciplines, including science, mathematics, humanities, social sciences, and the arts. You actively participate in intensive seminars, creative projects, collaborative research, and artistic performances or exhibitions throughout the five-and-a-half-week program. This immersive experience fosters the development of critical thinking, problem-solving, communication skills, creativity, and teamwork. Overall, the program offers a transformative opportunity to deepen knowledge, engage with peers of similar talents, and grow both intellectually and creatively.
15. Science and Research Summer Program at North Carolina Central University (NCCU)
Location: North Carolina Central University campus, Durham, NC (25 miles from Raleigh)
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; approximately 15 – 20 participants
Dates: June 23 – July 18
Application Deadline: June 1
Eligibility: North Carolina high school students ages 13–17, especially juniors between junior-senior summer from North Carolina high schools
The Science and Research Summer Program (SRSP) at North Carolina Central University (NCCU) is designed for high-achieving high school students, offering them a unique opportunity to engage in hands-on research across various STEM fields. During this program, you'll work directly with NCCU professors on active research projects in disciplines like biology, chemistry, or environmental science, gaining practical lab skills and contributing to real scientific investigations. The program aims to expand your interest in research careers and help you visualize your future academic pathway, especially if you're considering NCCU or a research-focused college. It prioritizes student learning and direct interaction with faculty members, providing mentorship and deep insights into scientific inquiry.
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