11 Humanities Internships for High School Students
The humanities encompass a diverse range of subjects, including history, literature, philosophy, the arts, and languages. These fields offer extensive theoretical knowledge and significant practical applications. Participating in an internship during high school can provide an excellent opportunity to explore these practical aspects.
An internship can help you identify your career options while gaining hands-on experience. Engaging with the humanities in a real-world setting can deepen your understanding of the world and enhance your analytical and critical thinking skills.
The breadth of subjects within the humanities means there are numerous career paths available. By choosing an internship that aligns with your interests, you can broaden your perspective, enhance your skills, gain valuable knowledge, and strengthen your university applications.
To help you get started, we've compiled a list of 11 humanities internships for high school students.
Location: VirtualEligibility: High school students able to work for 5-15 hours/week for 8-16 weeksApplication Deadline: Summer cohort (regular admission 1): April 14, 2024 | Summer cohort (regular admission 2): May 12, 2024Dates: The summer 2024 cohort starts on June 3 and runs till August. Multiple cohorts run throughout the year.Cost: Starts at $1,990 (financial aid available)
Founded by Harvard alumni, the Ladder Internships program annually accepts 100 applicants, pairing them with startups and nonprofits across the world for virtual internship opportunities. Some of these organizations include Softenmind, JuneBrain, IPMD, Fair Opportunity Project, and Billion Dollar Startup Ideas. Students in the program can choose the industry and field they wish to intern in – such as media or journalism. Companies are spread across tech, computer science, business development, healthcare tech and more.
As a Ladder intern, you will work closely with your startup manager, and with a Ladder coach who will help you navigate the professional environment. You will work on a project that’s of genuine importance to the organization, and present your work at the end of the program. This internship includes 1-on-1 sessions with your mentor, training sessions and soft skill development.
Location: Washington, D.C. / Virtual / Hybrid / other locations available based on position
Eligibility: High school seniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Application Deadline: Varies based on position
Program Dates: Varies based on position
Stipend: Paid (amount varies based on position)
The Smithsonian Office of Internship Programs offers various opportunities for high school students, particularly in the humanities. Here are two notable programs:
Youth Ambassador Program: A nationwide initiative aimed at high school seniors on the verge of graduation, this program focuses on nurturing the next generation of socially-conscious leaders within the Latino community. It leverages the vast resources of the Smithsonian Institution to provide comprehensive training in fields such as the arts, sciences, and humanities, along with leadership and community-building skills. Participants attend a week-long educational seminar in Washington, DC, at the Smithsonian and work at museums and cultural institutions across 18 US cities and Puerto Rico.
Benjamin Lawless Internship: This internship offers students a chance to delve into fields such as art and art history, cataloging, collections management, education, exhibits, public affairs, social media, research, and analysis. Interns engage in audience engagement, exhibition design, and identifying collections and collectors of artifacts, all while participating in a structured educational experience. This intensive internship encourages students to present their work in a format of their choice at the program's conclusion.
Location: Hybrid
Eligibility: Current high school students. In-person interns must be available to come into the Library once a week during the program.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in April.
Program Dates: The internship is typically held over June and July.
Stipend: N/A
The Library of Congress High School Summer Internship Program offers high school students the chance to explore and work at the world’s largest library. This esteemed internship provides students with hands-on experience, allowing them to delve into the Library's extensive collections, assist with various research projects, and interact with experts across multiple disciplines.
Participants in the program will develop a strong foundation in exhibition development and research, particularly in the fields of history and archives. This summer internship is designed to ignite curiosity, promote academic growth, and pave the way for future opportunities in the realms of knowledge and culture.
Location: New York Historical Society, New York, NY
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 10, 11, or 12 can apply. Applicants must live in and attend school in the New York City metro area (includes the five boroughs of New York City, as well as areas of New York State, Connecticut, and New Jersey).
Application deadline: April 7, 2024
Program dates: July 9, 2024 - August 15, 2024
Stipend: Interns who attend a Title 1 School or are eligible for free or reduced lunch will be offered a stipend to participate. Unpaid internships will be provided for all other accepted students, with the option to receive community service hours or school credit. Participation in this program can be used to fulfill the extracurricular requirement for the NYSED Seal of Civic Readiness.
The New-York Historical Society’s Student Historian Internship Program offers students the opportunity to utilize the society’s resources for research and to share their findings through innovative digital projects. Interns collaborate with professional mentors and peers on practical projects, gaining insights into history, the museum and library operations, and digital humanities, with a particular focus on the theme "Our Composite Nation: Frederick Douglass’ America."
Throughout the internship, students participate in sessions led by industry experts, providing a deep dive into the fields of museums, libraries, digital humanities, and history. Additionally, the hands-on activities are designed to enhance interns' understanding of American history and digital humanities. This program aims to develop students' skills in communication, critical and historical thinking, and digital media.
Location: Varies with the internship position. IL, MI, IA, GA, or Washington, D.C.
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old and are U.S. citizens
Application Deadline: Applications close for summer internships in March. Fall and spring internships are also available.
Program Dates: Late May/early June - August (10-40 hours/week for 10 weeks)
Stipend: This is an unpaid internship.
The National Archives is a federal agency dedicated to cataloging, preserving, and providing public access to documents of significant historical importance. Internships at the National Archives offer a variety of opportunities across numerous departments, including archival processing, communications and marketing, editorial work, digitization of archival materials, education and exhibits, history, external affairs and public relations, museums and public programs, reference services, and special events.
Interns will have the chance to delve into the agency’s vast archives, conduct research, enhance their communication skills, and contribute to meaningful projects within their assigned departments.
Location: New York, NY / Hybrid / Remote
Eligibility: High school students can apply to some internships, so make sure to check which ones you are eligible for.
Application Deadline: Applications usually close in late March.
Program Dates: June-August, with flexible start and end dates
Stipend: $16 per hour
The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History is a non-profit organization committed to enhancing the education of American history for K-12 students and the broader public. It offers a variety of internships for high school students, providing hands-on experience in museum collection management, educational programming, and nonprofit operations.
Current internships available for high school students include roles in the Citizenship Project, Hamilton Education Program, History School, and Teacher Seminars. The institute updates its internship offerings throughout the year, so it’s advisable to regularly check their website for new opportunities.
Location: Hybrid (online on Thursday + L.A. Times office, El Segundo, CA on Monday-Wednesday). The on-site internship is a commuter program.
Eligibility: High school students graduating in 2024, 2025, or 2026
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in February.
Dates: June 17, 2024 - August 2, 2024 (24 hours a week for 7 weeks)
Stipend: $16.90 per hour
The L.A. Times High School Insider Summer Internship offers a prestigious platform for aspiring journalists and reporters. Selected interns, numbering around 8-10, will have the chance to cover breaking news, create feature stories, and engage in multimedia storytelling. Throughout the internship, interns will receive guidance and training from experienced professional journalists and participate in multiple workshops.
Interns are expected to reach out to potential sources via text, email, or social media, schedule timely interviews, draft stories incorporating multimedia elements, and make necessary edits and revisions.
Location: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10 and 11 in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut
Application Deadline: Applications for summer internships close in March.
Dates: July 8, 2024 - August 9, 2024. School-year internships are also available.
Stipend: $1,100
The Met’s high school internships offer students an opportunity to develop skills, expand their professional network, and gain hands-on work experience by engaging with art, museums, and creative experts. Interns will participate in various activities, including a reception, bootcamp (training and workshops), Teen Fridays, Career Labs, biweekly check-ins, and a concluding event to present their learnings and experiences.
Internships are available in several departments, such as communications and marketing, conservation and research, development, publications and editorial, curatorial, education, MetLiveArts, and special events.
Location: Virtual, with occasional commuting to certain NYC locations
Eligibility: NYC high school juniors, seniors, and graduating seniors
Application Deadline: The applications for summer 2024 cohorts will open soon. Keep checking the Apply page to find out the dates.
Dates: To be announced. The summer 2023 program took place for 10 days in July.
Stipend: $500
The City Limits Accountability Reporting Initiative for Youth (CLARIFY) is an internship offered by New York City’s oldest non-profit investigative news agency. This program is designed to empower students through public service journalism, enhancing civic engagement, and boosting news and media literacy. Participants will also develop essential research, writing, and interviewing skills.
Interns will undergo comprehensive training in various facets of reporting and news writing, including research, investigative techniques, interviewing, media ethics, story structure, photojournalism, drafting, and more. Additionally, the internship involves collaborating with City Limits reporters on local news stories.
Location: Virtual / Monmouth County, NJ
Eligibility: High school students aged 15-18
Application Deadline: June 17, 2024
Dates: June-August (3 months)
Stipend: This is an unpaid internship but students will receive community hours.
The Project Write Now Teen Internship Program offers various internship roles:
Teaching Assistant: Interns will support instructors in teaching writing to children enrolled in youth summer programs. They will receive training to design lesson plans effectively.
Editorial Assistant: Interns will contribute to editorial projects for PWN teen programming, creating marketing materials and blog content, and assisting with the management of the organization’s online young adult literary magazine, Bridge Ink.
The Interview Project: Interns will identify compelling stories, conduct interviews and research, and write narratives for publication.
Each of these internships accepts only 10 students.
The AI Internship Program by Veritas AI is founded and run by Harvard graduate students. Through the 8-week internship, students have the opportunity to work with VC-backed startups on real-world AI/ML projects. Students work directly with mentors from Harvard, Wharton, Google, Microsoft, McKinsey & Company, and more. This program is a great opportunity for students who have prior experience with AI/ML and are looking to gain real-world exposure to a career in the field. Students get a chance to network with industry professionals, work closely with company leadership, and receive a letter of completion from the company at the end of the internship. You can learn more about the program here and apply here.
Cost: $2,490
Application Deadline: October 20, 2024
Internship Date: The start date for the cohort is November 11, 2024
Eligibility: Open to high school students who have prior experience with AI/ML or have completed a Veritas AI program
One other option — the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, you could also consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.