Summer programs are a great way to explore subjects you like and build new skills beyond what the school curriculum can offer! If you want a rigorous learning experience and are ready to take on a challenge, competitive summer programs for high school students are worth considering. These intensive hands-on learning experiences are offered by well-known and respected institutions and are often guided by experienced university faculty and/or industry professionals.

Internships are one of the most effective ways for high school students to explore careers, especially in fields like engineering. They allow you to apply your knowledge, build skills, and explore your interests without committing to a full-time course or expensive training. Many of these internships are hosted by top universities, labs, and organizations, which means you’ll be learning from industry experts.

Boston is a major legal hub, home to top law schools, making it an ideal city for aspiring legal minds. If you are a student in Boston, Massachusetts, interested in law, we’ve rounded up 11 of the best law internships for high schoolers in Boston. Each internship on this list has a strong legal focus and is either based in Boston, nearby, or available online. These law internships for high school students are a great first step into the legal field.

For students in Washington interested in law, government, or justice, internships can provide invaluable early experience. Whether you're thinking about becoming an attorney, policymaker, or advocate, there's a program that fits your needs. To simplify your search, we’ve compiled a list of the top 12 law internships in Seattle, Washington, for high school students.

If you're a high school student in California interested in law, internships offer a practical and cost-effective way to gain firsthand experience in the legal field. These programs provide early exposure to legal research, courtroom processes, policy discussions, and professional mentorship, enabling you to develop practical skills and gain insight into potential career paths.

If you are in NYC, many top colleges, hospitals, and organizations offer high-quality internships that can give you a meaningful head start on your career, even before you set foot in college. Whether you are interested in mental health, psychology, neuroscience, or social work, these psychology internships for high school students are thoughtfully designed to support your theoretical knowledge. Some of these opportunities also offer stipends, making them more accessible and rewarding. Let’s dive in! 

If you are a high school student in the Bay Area looking to build computer science skills, an internship in the field is worth considering. Computer science internships designed for high school students combine learning with hands-on experiences. Internships also offer opportunities to explore career interests and connect with professionals without the high cost of summer programs. 

If you are a high school student in the Bay Area looking for opportunities to get some hands-on exposure to the field of business, an internship can be a great way to get started. Internships can help you explore careers, develop practical skills, and build valuable connections, without the high costs of regular summer programs! In the field of business, especially, such hands-on experience can offer you a real edge. Many top colleges, nonprofits, and companies offer internships that can help you get solid insights into business fields like management, marketing, entrepreneurship, and finance.

Bay Area High School Students — Make Your Breaks Count! If you're a high school student in the Bay Area, explore paid internships during your school breaks. They're an incredible chance to gain real-world experience, explore potential career paths, and build confidence before college.

Internships often pair you with mentors who’ll teach you valuable skills — the kind you won’t always find in a classroom. Some might even open doors to future opportunities. And with a stipend, you can start saving for college or handle your own expenses with pride.

If you're a high schooler in San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, or anywhere nearby, a summer internship could help you strengthen your college application, build confidence, and meet professionals in your field of interest. Whether you're interested in science, technology, business, healthcare, or the arts, high school internships in the Bay Area offer hands-on experience in various industries.

If you're a high school student interested in exploring the world of science, biology internships for high school students can be a great way to gain hands-on experience. These opportunities allow you to learn real lab techniques, collaborate with mentors, and build professional networks.

As a high school student with an interest in chemistry and STEM fields, chemistry internships for high school students offer an excellent opportunity to explore your interests and gain practical experience in real-world environments. They can also be a gateway to learning practical lab techniques, connecting with industry professionals, and exploring various career paths without paying a hefty fee for a traditional program.

For high school students interested in economics, summer internships offer a practical way to explore the field, build real-world skills, and gain insight into potential career paths. These programs allow you to work on meaningful projects, analyze data, and engage with government, research, finance, and policy professionals. They also provide a valuable way to strengthen college applications by demonstrating initiative, critical thinking, and academic curiosity.

Participating in architecture internships for high school students is a great way to gain hands-on experience, exposure to real-world projects, and connections with professionals in the field. Some esteemed institutions and organizations in NYC provide fantastic internships, making them accessible avenues for students to delve into the world of architecture. These programs, including both in-person and virtual options, are designed to provide practical experience in architecture and related fields. 

Government internships typically offer structured learning experiences and opportunities to build practical skills, explore career paths, and connect with professionals in your field of interest. As an intern, you will also get to learn from experienced researchers and professionals. These internships also offer opportunities to work on hands-on projects and/or research.

Government internships often go beyond textbook learning, giving you a front-row seat to how federal agencies and public institutions operate. As an intern, you could be researching environmental data, supporting community outreach, or shadowing professionals in legal or diplomatic settings, building skills and connections that can shape your future path.

Internships are an excellent way for high school students to gain practical experience without incurring significant expenses on academic programs. These programs offer exposure to professional environments, help build valuable skills, and open doors to mentorship and future opportunities. For students interested in government, public policy, or law, internships offer an opportunity to explore these fields and potential careers within them.

Students interested in pursuing a career in medicine can benefit from summer medical internships. These programs allow you to work alongside healthcare professionals, contribute to research efforts, and get a firsthand look at various medical careers.

If you’re a biology student looking to be productive and learn something new during the summer, consider taking up an internship. Biology internships for high school students can help you gain field-specific knowledge, hands-on experience, and meaningful connections with scientists and professionals.

If you're a high school student in Florida passionate about marine biology and looking for a chance to learn, network, and get your feet wet (literally!), biology internships for high school students in the state could be a great opportunity. From hands-on research and site visits to paid positions, these experiences can help you gain practical skills in the field while keeping costs low (owing to their local nature).