Internship Opportunities for High School Students

Gain real-world experience, build your resume, and explore potential career paths through meaningful internship opportunities.

What Are High School Internships?

High school internships provide students with hands-on experience in professional settings, helping them explore potential career paths and develop valuable skills before college.

Professional Experience

Internships offer students the opportunity to work in real-world professional environments, gaining exposure to workplace dynamics, expectations, and cultures that can't be replicated in a classroom.

Career Exploration

Through internships, students can explore potential career paths before committing to a college major or career track. This hands-on experience helps students make more informed decisions about their future.

Network Building

Internships help students build professional networks by connecting them with mentors, colleagues, and industry professionals who can provide guidance, references, and future opportunities.

Benefits of High School Internships

Internships provide numerous advantages for high school students, from enhancing college applications to developing essential workplace skills.

College Application Enhancement

  • Demonstrates initiative and passion for specific fields
  • Provides material for compelling college essays
  • Offers opportunities for strong recommendation letters from professionals
  • Sets you apart from other applicants with similar academic achievements

Skill Development

  • Professional communication and workplace etiquette
  • Time management and organizational skills
  • Problem-solving and critical thinking in real-world contexts
  • Industry-specific technical abilities and knowledge

Career Development

  • Early exposure to potential career paths
  • Understanding of industry expectations and workplace cultures
  • Opportunity to discover personal strengths and interests
  • Potential pathways to future internships, scholarships, or job offers

Personal Growth

  • Increased self-confidence and independence
  • Development of a professional identity and sense of purpose
  • Better understanding of personal values and career preferences
  • Formation of lasting professional relationships and mentorships

Prestigious Internship Programs for High School Students

These established programs offer exceptional opportunities for high school students to gain professional experience and develop valuable skills.

NASA STEM Internships

The NASA Office of STEM Engagement offers paid internships for high school students to work alongside NASA researchers and scientists on real space mission projects.

Duration: 10-16 weeks (Fall, Spring, Summer)
Location: Various NASA centers
Eligibility: Ages 16+, 3.0+ GPA, US citizenship
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Microsoft High School Internship

Microsoft's Discovery Program offers high school students the opportunity to work on real-world projects, gain technical and business skills, and receive mentorship from Microsoft employees.

Duration: 8-12 weeks (Summer)
Location: Redmond, WA and other locations
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors
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Bank of America Student Leaders

This program connects high school juniors and seniors to paid internships with local nonprofits, including a week-long leadership summit in Washington, D.C.

Duration: 8 weeks (Summer)
Location: Various cities across the US
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
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Smithsonian Internship Programs

The Smithsonian offers internships for high school students in museums, research centers, and administrative offices, providing unique learning opportunities.

Duration: Varies by program
Location: Washington, D.C. and virtual options
Eligibility: Varies by program
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Stanford Institutes of Medicine

SIMR offers high school students the opportunity to engage in biomedical research, working in labs at Stanford University alongside leading scientists.

Duration: 8 weeks (Summer)
Location: Stanford, CA
Eligibility: Juniors and seniors, strong science background
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Meta Summer Academy

Formerly known as Facebook Summer Academy, this program offers high school students hands-on experience working with Meta mentors and teams on real projects.

Duration: 6-8 weeks (Summer)
Location: Various Meta offices and virtual options
Eligibility: High school students from partner schools
Learn More

Virtual Internship Opportunities

Remote internships offer flexibility and accessibility, allowing students to gain valuable experience from anywhere.

Advantages of Virtual Internships

  • Geographic Flexibility

    Access opportunities from anywhere without relocating or commuting, opening doors to national and international experiences.

  • Scheduling Adaptability

    Many virtual internships offer flexible scheduling, making it easier to balance with school, extracurricular activities, and personal commitments.

  • Digital Skill Development

    Remote work builds valuable skills in virtual collaboration, digital communication, and online productivity tools that are increasingly important in today's workforce.

  • Diverse Opportunities

    Access a wider range of industries and roles that might not be available locally, providing exposure to various career paths.

Top Virtual Internship Platforms

Forage

Free, self-paced virtual work experiences from leading companies like JP Morgan, KPMG, BCG, and more. Complete 5-6 hour programs that simulate real work tasks.

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Virtual Internships

Connects students with guaranteed remote internships at global companies across various industries with personalized matching and support.

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Intern Abroad HQ

Offers remote internships for high school students aged 16-18 across various fields with support services and potential for earning college credit.

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Ladder Internships

Connects high school students with start-up internships across various industries including tech, health tech, AI/ML, marketing, and more.

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Internship Application Tips

Stand out from other applicants with these strategies for securing competitive internship positions.

1 Research and Preparation

  • Start early - many competitive programs have deadlines 6-9 months before the internship begins
  • Research the organization thoroughly to understand their mission, values, and current projects
  • Identify the specific skills and qualifications the internship requires and how your experiences align
  • Follow all application instructions carefully and note any specific requirements or deadlines

2 Resume and Cover Letter

  • Create a concise, one-page resume highlighting relevant coursework, activities, skills, and any prior work/volunteer experience
  • Tailor your resume and cover letter specifically for each internship opportunity, matching keywords from the description
  • Use action verbs and quantify achievements when possible (e.g., "Led a team of 5 students," "Increased club membership by 30%")
  • Write a personalized cover letter explaining your interest in the specific organization/role and how your skills fit
  • Proofread carefully! Have teachers, counselors, or parents review your materials for errors and clarity

3 Interview Preparation

  • Research common interview questions ("Tell me about yourself," "Why this internship?", "Strengths/Weaknesses")
  • Practice your answers out loud with mock interviews, focusing on clear communication and enthusiasm
  • Prepare specific examples (STAR method: Situation, Task, Action, Result) demonstrating your skills and experiences
  • Dress professionally (even for virtual interviews) and ensure a quiet background with good lighting if remote
  • Prepare 2-3 thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer about the role, team, or organization

4 Follow-Up and Professionalism

  • Send a brief, personalized thank-you email within 24 hours after an interview
  • Use a professional email address (e.g., firstname.lastname@email.com) for all communications
  • Review your social media profiles (LinkedIn, Instagram, etc.) to ensure they present a positive and appropriate image
  • Respond promptly and professionally to all emails or calls from the internship provider
  • Line up references (teachers, coaches, mentors) and ask their permission before listing them

Pro Tip: Build Your Portfolio

Create an online portfolio or personal website showcasing your projects, relevant coursework, volunteer work, and achievements. This provides a dynamic view of your capabilities beyond a resume and demonstrates digital literacy—a valuable asset for many internships.

Resources for Finding Internships

Leverage these tools and platforms to discover internship opportunities that align with your interests and goals.

School & Community

  • School Guidance Counselors / Career Centers
  • Teachers & Mentors
  • Alumni Networks
  • Local Community Centers & Libraries
  • Chamber of Commerce
  • Homeschool Co-ops & Groups
  • Volunteer Organizations

Networking & Outreach

  • Family & Friend Connections
  • Informational Interviews
  • LinkedIn Networking
  • Contacting Local Businesses Directly
  • Attending (Virtual) Career Fairs
  • Checking Company Career Pages
  • Professional Organization Websites (if applicable)