14 Summer Internships for Rising High School Juniors
If you are a high school student, summer internships can be a great way to explore a field you’re interested in. Summer internships for high school students help you gain work experience, explore potential career paths, and develop skills that go beyond the classroom. For rising high school juniors, this is an ideal time to start exploring what you want to pursue long-term. Whether you’re interested in research, business, engineering, or healthcare, internships can strengthen your resume, enhance your college applications, and give you confidence in professional environments.
Why should I participate in a summer internship before junior year of high school?
Participating in a summer internship before junior year gives you a competitive edge when it comes to college and your future career. You’ll develop skills that prepare you for advanced academic work and professional environments. You’ll also learn how to collaborate with peers, communicate effectively, and take ownership of projects. These early experiences can help you identify the college major or career path you might want to pursue in the future.
To help you get started, we’ve compiled a list of 14 summer internships for rising high school juniors.
1. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote, with opportunities to work with Silicon Valley–based startups
Cost/Stipend: Paid (stipend varies by startup)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; small cohorts accepted year-round
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year (8 to 12 weeks)
Application Deadline: Rolling; varies depending on the cohort
Eligibility: Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap-year students able to commit 10 – 20 hours per week
Ladder Internships connects ambitious high school students with paid, project-based placements at fast-growing startups across fields such as finance, marketing, consulting, and technology. You’ll work directly with startup founders and managers on real-world projects, conducting market research, building financial models, and supporting product development. Each intern is paired with a Ladder Coach, a professional from leading organizations like Google, Meta, or Y Combinator–backed ventures, who provides 1-to-1 mentorship throughout the program. You’ll also participate in cohort-wide workshops designed to strengthen leadership, communication, and critical thinking skills. This flexible, remote internship gives you an opportunity to build both professional and entrepreneurial expertise early in your academic journey. Apply now!
2. Norman Mineta Bay Area Summer Academy
Location: Bay Area, California (remote program)
Cost/Stipend: Paid (stipend provided upon completion)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; limited regional cohort
Dates: Summer (exact dates to be announced)
Application Deadline: Spring
Eligibility: Bay Area high school students aged 15 years and older who have completed at least 9th grade
The Norman Mineta Bay Area Summer Academy offers paid opportunities for high school students to explore how innovation, civic leadership, and public policy shape communities across the Bay Area. Named in honor of former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta, the program introduces participants to major regional issues such as transportation, housing, and environmental justice. You’ll attend weekly expert-led virtual seminars hosted by regional agencies, including the Metropolitan Transportation Commission and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District. The experience concludes in a capstone presentation where interns address a local policy challenge. Interns earn both a stipend and a completion certificate, making this program an excellent introduction to public-sector innovation and sustainable urban planning.
3. SF YouthWorks Internship Program
Location: San Francisco, California
Cost/Stipend: Paid ($19.18 – $19.93 per hour)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; several hundred interns annually
Dates: Summer and school year sessions
Application Deadline: Spring
Eligibility: Rising juniors, seniors, and graduating seniors who reside or attend school in San Francisco
The SF YouthWorks Internship Program offers paid experience in city government and public service for high school students in San Francisco. You will be placed in departments such as the Public Utilities Commission, SF International Airport, and the Department of Technology, where you will gain exposure to government operations, community development, and project management. Each participant is paired with a city employee mentor and attends professional development workshops focused on communication, leadership, and financial literacy. The program also includes site visits and field trips that connect civic work to broader social impact initiatives. Returning interns may join the Youth Leadership Team, where they help design future programming and mentor new participants.
4. Red Hat High School Internship Program
Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
Cost/Stipend: Paid; $18 per hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; limited placements each session
Dates: Session 1: July 7 – 18; Session 2: July 21 – August 1
Application Deadline: March 28
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors (must be at least 16 years old with a minimum GPA of 2.0; Raleigh-area residents preferred)
The Red Hat High School Internship Program offers a paid, 2-week summer experience for students interested in exploring technology, business, and operations within a global software company. Over roughly 70 hours, you’ll rotate through departments such as product management, marketing, and operations, completing hands-on projects that reflect real workplace challenges. You will also attend professional development workshops, networking sessions, and team-based learning activities designed to strengthen leadership and communication skills. Guided by Red Hat mentors, you’ll gain firsthand insight into how open-source innovation fosters collaboration and problem-solving in a corporate environment.
5. Chicago Summer Business Institute (CSBI)
Location: Chicago, Illinois (in-person)
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; several hundred students accepted annually
Dates: June – August
Application Deadline: February 1 – March 31
Eligibility: Chicago residents who are current high school sophomores or juniors with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and a family household income below $80,000 per year
The Chicago Summer Business Institute (CSBI) offers a 6-week paid internship that introduces high school students to Chicago’s business and professional sectors. You will work 4 days a week at partner organizations such as law firms, banks, accounting offices, and engineering companies, completing administrative tasks and contributing to real-world projects. Each Friday, participants attend seminars on financial literacy, professional development, and leadership, featuring guest speakers from Chicago’s corporate community. The program concludes with a formal graduation ceremony recognizing interns’ achievements. CSBI offers an excellent early opportunity for students to gain workplace experience and build professional connections in a structured, supportive environment.
6. Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) One Summer Chicago High School Internship
Location: Chicago, Illinois (hybrid: CTA offices and remote sessions)
Cost/Stipend: Paid; $16.20 per hour with free CTA, Pace, and Metra transportation
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; approximately 250 students accepted annually
Dates: June 23 – August 8
Application Deadline: April 18
Eligibility: High school students ages 16–18 years with a minimum GPA of 2.5; must be eligible to work in the U.S., and submit one letter of recommendation
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) One Summer Chicago Internship offers paid experience in public service and business operations for high school students across the city. You will work within various CTA departments while participating in hybrid workshops focused on financial literacy, professional development, and career readiness. Each student is paired with a CTA mentor and provided with the necessary technology to support both in-person and remote learning. You will also earn college credit through Olive-Harvey College, combining academic learning with professional experience. With free transportation and structured mentorship, this program helps students develop leadership, communication, and workplace skills in a real-world environment.
7. Chicago Architecture Center (CAC) Teen Fellows
Location: Harold Washington College and Chicago Architecture Center sites (in-person)
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipend provided; college credits are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small cohort of students chosen annually
Dates: 15-month program including two summers and school-year sessions
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Incoming sophomores, juniors, and seniors at Chicago-area high schools who can commit to the full program duration
The Teen Fellows Program at the Chicago Architecture Center (CAC) is a 15-month paid and credit-bearing opportunity for students interested in architecture, design, and urban planning. Fellows take college-level courses at Harold Washington College, develop technical design skills using software such as AutoCAD, Rhino, and Illustrator, and participate in studio projects exploring Chicago’s built environment. You’ll visit professional architecture firms, build models, and create portfolio-ready work under the guidance of mentors in the field. The experience concludes in a paid summer internship at a local design or architecture firm, offering direct professional experience and an introduction to the city’s vibrant design community.
8. SFUSD Summer Internships with Industry Partners
Location: San Francisco, California
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; priority given to rising seniors
Dates: Six weeks (typically June – July)
Application Deadline: February
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors enrolled in SFUSD
This program provides paid experience for high school students across a range of professional fields. You’ll work directly with mentors in industries such as engineering, computer science, finance, marketing, law, and public service, gaining practical insight into day-to-day operations. You will work a minimum of 20 hours per week and attend weekly work-based learning seminars led by SFUSD mentors. The program emphasizes career readiness, communication, and problem-solving, helping you connect academic learning to real-world applications. By the end of the internship, you’ll gain both professional experience and a clearer sense of future career pathways.
9. Pediatrics Internship Program (PIPS)
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, California (in-person with limited remote flexibility)
Cost/Stipend: Free to participate; students with financial need may receive a $3,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; approximately 40 students accepted each year Dates: June 16 – July 25
Application Deadline: Opens in winter; typically due in February
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors (aged 16+ years) residing in Northern California counties: San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Marin, Alameda, Contra Costa, or Santa Cruz; minimum unweighted GPA of 3.0
PIPS is a free, 6-week opportunity for high school students to explore biomedical research and clinical science under the guidance of Stanford faculty and graduate mentors. Designed for students with limited lab experience, the program introduces essential research skills such as data collection, analysis, and presentation. You will spend about 30 hours per week conducting experiments, attending lectures, and participating in discussions about pediatric health and medicine. The experience also includes networking sessions and mentorship opportunities with professionals in the medical field. By the end of the program, you will gain foundational exposure to pediatric research and scientific inquiry within an elite academic environment.
10. Girls Who Start Impact Internship – University Startups
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment with selective team placement
Dates: February 24 – April 30
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Open to all high school students interested in entrepreneurship and social impact
The Girls Who Start Impact Internship, offered in partnership with University Startups, provides a free, virtual work-learn experience focused on social entrepreneurship and business innovation. You’ll collaborate on team-based projects that replicate real startup operations — developing business ideas, refining resumes, and strengthening presentation skills. You will attend live webinars led by university professors and industry professionals from leading innovation hubs like Silicon Valley, exploring topics such as leadership, financial planning, and social impact strategy. A points-based leaderboard tracks engagement across workshops and pitch challenges, motivating consistent participation. This program is ideal for students eager to build entrepreneurial confidence and learn professional skills in a collaborative, remote setting.
11. EnergyMag Virtual Internship Program
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small cohorts accepted each cycle
Dates: Half-time (Summer): 2–8 weeks (~20 hours/week); Quarter-time (Year-round): 1–9 months (~8 hours/week)
Application Deadline: Rolling (summer positions fill early)
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a minimum GPA of 3.25
The EnergyMag Virtual Internship Program offers high school students the opportunity to explore renewable energy and energy storage through research-based projects. Under the mentorship of industry professionals, you’ll analyze technologies, companies, and market trends driving the clean energy transition. You will develop reports and written analyses, improving your ability to communicate technical and business concepts with clarity. Some participants may also have their work published on EnergyMag’s website, providing early exposure to professional research and writing. With flexible scheduling options available during both summer and school-year participation, this program helps students build analytical, research, and communication skills in a rapidly growing STEM field.
12. Interns4Good – Nonprofit Internship Program
Location: Remote (placements available nationwide)
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment
Dates: Year-round; duration and weekly hours vary depending on the placement
Application Deadline: Rolling (applicants typically hear within one week)
Eligibility: Open to high school students in grades 9 –12
The Interns4Good Nonprofit Internship Program connects high school students with virtual placements at nonprofits across the country, helping them gain professional experience while making a social impact. You may work in areas such as marketing, communications, human resources, or social media management, contributing directly to a nonprofit’s mission and growth. Interns complete weekly assignments and receive feedback from supervisors to strengthen accountability, teamwork, and leadership skills. Participants can also join internal Interns4Good teams focused on tutoring, content development, or curriculum design. With its flexible schedule and service-oriented focus, this program provides an excellent opportunity for students to explore the intersection of business, community engagement, and entrepreneurship.
13. High School Internship Program – Young Founders School x BSD Education
Location: Remote; projects hosted by companies worldwide
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on placement; some sponsored spots are also available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small cohorts per industry pathway
Dates: Year-round; internships typically 4–6 weeks
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Open to high school students
The High School Internship Program by Young Founders School and BSD Education offers you a global, project-based experience across industries such as finance, healthcare, marketing, and technology. You will begin with a 10-hour online training module covering essential workplace skills, including professional communication, marketing strategy, and digital tools. You’ll then be matched with a company to complete a real-world project — often collaborating in small, international teams under professional mentorship. Over the course of 4 to 6 weeks, you’ll develop problem-solving and collaboration skills while building industry-specific knowledge. Each cohort concludes with a formal presentation to company partners, providing valuable experience in public speaking and project delivery.
14. The Citadel – Tommy & Victoria Baker School of Business Internship Program
Location: Charleston, South Carolina
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on the placement; some internships are paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; limited placements across South Carolina businesses
Dates: Semester-based; Fall, Spring, and Summer terms
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the semester
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors at The Citadel with a minimum GPA of 2.5; completion of COMM 216 is mandatory
The Tommy & Victoria Baker School of Business at The Citadel offers internship opportunities that blend academic learning with professional experience. You will be matched with companies across South Carolina in fields such as accounting, finance, economics, management, and supply chain. Each internship serves as a for-credit course requiring at least 120 hours of supervised work, typically over 8–10 hours per week. You will apply classroom knowledge to real business challenges while receiving guidance from both a faculty mentor and a company supervisor. The program enhances students’ understanding of workplace dynamics and develops the professional skills essential for success in business and entrepreneurship.
Image source - Chicago Summer Business Institute logo