12 Summer Tech Internships for High School Students
If you’re in high school and wondering how you can get a leg up in the competitive field of tech, we’ve got a list of tech internships that can help you gain valuable experience, while you understand the practical necessities and nuances of this field. This list covers everything from opportunities at prestigious agencies like NASA, to internships at leading tech companies like Amazon. These internship experiences take you beyond the classroom, building a strong foundation of knowledge and skill on which your college applications, future academics and career can stand on.
Tech is also a hugely varied field – and getting some early exposure can help you narrow down which aspects or parts of technology you’d like to be in. Note that tech internships can be fairly competitive, and often have a set of prerequisites you’ll need to fulfill to get it or apply. Challenging but highly rewarding, here’s a list of 16 tech internships that can help you get started on your future career!
Location: Virtual
Eligibility: High school students (and undergraduates and gap year students) who can contribute 5-15 work hours per week for 8-16 weeks
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring
Cost: Starting at $2,490
Financial Aid: Full and partial need-based financial aid is available.
Founded by Harvard alumni, Ladder Internships pairs high school students with leading start-ups and nonprofits across the world, giving them a chance to work on real-world projects. The startups and organizations range across a variety of industries, with a large number of them in tech, AI, biotech and computer science. You can choose the field you wish to work in! During this internship, students will work with their manager at the startup and with a Ladder coach, who serves as a second mentor. You will work on a project that’s of genuine importance to your startup, while also attending 1-on-1 and group professional skill development sessions. In the past, student interns have worked on projects that included: software engineering, app management, using AI to set up systems at their organizations.
Ideal for: Students who want to to intern with startups and nonprofits that they would not be able to access in-person or do not see immediate openings for high school students, especially in the fields of tech, AI, machine learning, engineering, deep tech – and their intersections. This is also a great program for students who would like a more closely mentored internship experience.
2. NASA OSTEM High School Internships
Location: Varies depending on the internship. Interns are responsible for making their own housing arrangements. Some virtual internships are also offered!
Eligibility: Students at least 16 years old with a 3.0 CGPA and a U.S. citizenship
Application Deadline: Varies from internship to internship. Spring programs typically have an August deadline, summer internships have an October deadline, and fall internships come with a January deadline.
Dates:
- Spring internships run 16 weeks from mid-January to early May
- Summer internships run 10 weeks from late May/early June to August
- Fall internships last 16 weeks starting in late August/early September to mid-December/January
Stipend: The majority of interns receive a stipend based on academic level and session length.
NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement offers limited and competitive internships for high school students. Selected interns will learn about and use NASA’s advanced technology to work on current projects under NASA’s experienced researchers and engineers.
After filtering the internships to show options for high school students, multiple options will show up to choose from, like computer and informational sciences, measuring land surface temperature via satellite and remote sensing technologies, analyzing climate events and changes, simulating environments for mobile robots, developing communications software, and more.
Ideal for: High-achieving students who are looking for a prestigious, competitive internship, and are interested in aerospace tech, astrophysics and related fields.
3. Amazon Future Engineer Internships and Scholarships
Location: Amazon HQ, Seattle, WA
Eligibility: Here are the eligibility requirements:
- U.S. high school senior with a minimum 2.3 (out of 4.0) CGPA
- Studying computer science, engineering, or robotics and plan to obtain a bachelor’s degree in them
- U.S. work authorization
- Demonstrable financial need
Application Deadline: Applications close in December.
Dates: Selected students will receive an internship offer for the summer (May-August) after their freshman year of college.
Stipend: Paid internship (amount not mentioned) + up to $40,000 to pay for the bachelor’s degree
Every year, 400 students are selected as Amazon Future Engineers and receive college funding based on their unmet need. They will begin their Amazon internship after their freshman year and will work in a software or hardware engineering team comprising co-interns, mentors, and a manager. They will work on platforms like Amazon’s retail site, Amazon Web Services, and Alexa and will be able to send production-level code to Amazon by the end of their internship.
Interns will also receive access to chats with senior leaders, hackathons, and deep dives from tech teams.
Ideal for: Highly motivated, talented students interested in computer science and computer engineering. This is also great for students who want to work with tech companies in the future.
Location: NIST campuses, Boulder, CO and Gaithersburg, MD
Eligibility: High school students (with a U.S. citizenship) in their junior or senior year and students who have graduated high school but not yet started college
Application Deadline: February 9
Dates: June 17 - August 9
Stipend: This is an unpaid internship.
SHIP is a reputed program providing high school students a chance to work on real-world projects with NIST’s experienced researchers and engineers. There are 6 laboratories where students may choose to work:
For tech-specific internships, we recommend applying to the ITL (networking and communications, software engineering, human interaction with computers, security) or the CTL (public safety communications, wireless communications, radio frequency advanced tech).
Ideal for: Students who are interested in specific fields of tech, as offered by NIST and would like a more research-focused internship.
5. Sandia National Laboratories Internships
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico and Livermore, California
Eligibility: Students at least 16 years old with a 3.0 CGPA and a U.S. citizenship
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Students should apply at least 3 months prior to their preferred start date.
Dates: May-August (10-12 weeks). Year-round and co-op internships are also available.
Stipend: $17.20 per hour (New Mexico) / $19 per hour (California)
As interns at the Sandia National Laboratories, students will work under research scientists and engineers to contribute to their projects using state-of-the-art instruments and technologies. Interns will have a team and a mentor to work with in addition to social and professional development activities to participate in.
Some tech projects that interns will work on include cyber security, software development, engineering design, and energy surety technologies. The profiles and projects may differ for each assignment, so make sure to thoroughly go through the list of internships.
Ideal for: Academically motivated students who wish to add a government-affiliated internship to their profile, or are interested in a specific area of research that Sandia Labs offers.
Location: San Francisco, California
Eligibility: High school students in their sophomore or junior year
Application Deadline: February 29
Dates: 6 weeks between May and August
Stipend: Paid for working a minimum of 20 hours per week
The San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) works with industry partners to offer internships to high school students so that they can work in a hands-on environment. Internships are available in multiple industry sectors, including automotive technology, computer science, biotechnology, and engineering, all in the tech hub of the country.
Interns will work with industry mentors on various projects to develop professional skills. Networking opportunities with professionals and peers are also a part of this internship. Additionally, interns will get access to a Work-Based Learning seminar that they will attend with their supervisor.
Ideal for: Students in grade 11 who wish to study and intern in specifically one of the many subject areas offered, or are looking for internships that offer a range of subject choices. This is also particularly useful for networking and getting an ‘industry’ view into the areas you are interested in.
7. Tech Flex Leaders by America on Tech (AOT)
Location: Hybrid (online + AOT offices in NYC, NY; LA, CA; Miami, FL)
Eligibility: High school students in New York City, Los Angeles, and Miami
Application Deadline: August
Dates: 9 months starting in September. The internship takes place in the months of summer after those 9 months.
Cost/Stipend: Free of cost with a $1,000 stipend paid at the end of the program. NYC participants can move on to a paid summer internship after training, with select roles also available to LA and Miami participants.
The Tech Flex Leaders (TFL) program is a work-learn internship program that runs for 9 months after school hours. It provides weekly technical training from industrial experts, professional development sessions, and mentorship opportunities. The technical training sessions provide lessons in coding through web development, using scripts like HTML, CSS, and Bootstrap.
Students can then choose a tech track (data science, UX design, web development, product management, or digital marketing) to advance their skills. Projects and presentations are key parts of this program.
Ideal for: Students who are interested in data science, UX design, web development, product management, and are comfortable working during the school term.
8. Research Science Institute (RSI) at MIT
Location: MIT
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors. It is recommended that PSAT Math Scores be at least 740 or higher and the evidence-based reading and writing score be 700 or higher. ACT math scores should be at least 33 and verbal scores at least 34.
Program dates: July - August
Application Deadline: December 13
Cost/Stipend: No cost, unpaid.
Research Science Institute (RSI) is perfect for tech-inclined students interested in research. This prestigious program, hosted by the Center for Excellence in Education, offers students a chance to collaborate with like-minded peers from around the globe. You dive into high-level scientific inquiry, exploring technological frontiers through hands-on projects, and engaging in discussions with leading researchers and experts in the field. The RSI experience extends beyond traditional classroom learning, providing you with access to state-of-the-art laboratories, cutting-edge equipment, and mentorship opportunities with scientists. You can work on projects in areas like artificial intelligence, robotics, nanotechnology, and more.
Ideal for: High-achieving students who wish to conduct academic-level research in high school. If you are looking to get into a top college and land up being selected for RSI, it will give your profile a significant boost.
9. Stanford’s SHTEM: Summer Internship
Location: Virtual
Eligibility: Must be currently a high school junior or senior (i.e. 11th or 12th grade at the time of application) or a full-time CC student (within first three years of CC)
Program dates: End of June to Mid August
Application Deadline: January
Stipend: None
This is an opportunity for students to dive into the heart of technological innovation. Throughout the internship, you'll find yourself engaged in cutting-edge projects and collaborative endeavors, providing hands-on experiences. You will spend most of the time conducting research from where you are residing (if you are working on hardware projects, they will send you materials) and be in regular communication with your mentor(s) and group members. Stanford's distinguished faculty and industry experts will help deepen your understanding of the evolving tech landscape.
Participating in Stanford's SHTEM program not only equips you with technical skills but also cultivates a mindset crucial for success in the dynamic field of technology. The program's emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration mirrors the real-world scenarios in tech industries.
Ideal for: Students who cannot access an in-person internship, who are interested in the intersection of technology with other subjects such as STEM and the humanities.
10. SPARK Summer Internship Program
Location: Greater Seattle Area. Some internships could be virtual or hybrid
Eligibility: High school students who can work for 40 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks
Program dates: 6-8 weeks, June to August
Application deadline: May (based on past year's dates)
Stipend: $500 for some. Some internships might be unpaid.
Spark SIP is a prestigious internship open to all high schoolers interested in tech, computer science, engineering and related disciplines. Students will dive into research, interact and learn from scholars and leaders, and gain real-world experience. The internship caters to a spectrum of technological interests, from software development and data analytics to cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.
Students must select 5-6 projects that they’d like to work on. For the past cohort, the research project list included the following topics (among others):
2D Materials - A new class of conductors and semiconductors for future
Preparing Python script for crossbar architecture and exploring its various non-idealities.)
Understanding spike-timing and spike-rate impact on Spiking Neural Network (SNN)
The program not only allows you to work on real-world applications of concepts in machine learning, computer programming, computer vision, and neural networks, but also lets you interact and learn from industry leaders, university professors and mentors.
Ideal for: Since SPARK SIP offers a range of projects to choose from, the program is ideal for students who are interested in the niche subjects covered by the project options in that year.
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, California
Eligibility: High school and community college students considering careers in biomedical and biological sciences and/or healthcare can apply. Students must be aged 16 or older at the time of the program to apply.
Program dates: June 17 to August 4
Application Deadline: Applications for this program typically close in November.
Cost/Stipend: None.
The Stanford Science, Technology, and Reconstructive Surgery Internship Program offers an opportunity for students interested in biotechnology to explore the intersection of medical innovation and advanced biotech applications. It’s focused on the field of reconstructive surgery, which relies heavily on biotechnological advances to improve the outcomes of surgical procedures. Participants gain hands-on experience working alongside leading reconstructive surgeons and researchers, exposing them to state-of-the-art biotech tools and techniques. This program helps students develop practical skills in areas such as tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and medical devices; while instilling a deep appreciation for the transformative impact of biotechnology in the medical field.
Ideal for: Students interested in the intersection of biotechnology and medicine, specifically the field of reconstructive surgery.
12. Department of Navy’s Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)
Location: Varies based on lab locations
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old, have completed Grade 9, and are U.S. citizens
Application Deadline: Applications close in November
Dates: June-August (8 weeks)
Stipend: $4,000 (new participants) | $4,500 (returning participants)
SEAP is a highly regarded program that places 300 high school students in over 38 laboratories across the country. Selected interns will take part in crucial naval research under the guidance of professional engineers and scientists.
For tech enthusiasts also interested in matters of naval defense, SEAP is an enriching and valuable internship option. Students can choose the lab of their choice based on their locations and research areas, with many labs offering projects in cyber security, software engineering, data analysis, algorithm design, programming, robotics, and manufacturing technology.
Ideal for: High-achieving students looking for a prestigious, government-affiliated internship.