10 Internships for High School Students in Arizona
Are you a high school student looking for an internship in Arizona? Gaining real-world experience through internships is a good way to bridge the gap between classroom knowledge and practical application. Internships allow you to develop essential skills like communication, problem-solving, and teamwork. These experiences can clarify potential career paths and help you make informed decisions about your academic pursuits.
Additionally, internships can significantly enhance your college applications, showcasing initiative and a commitment to growth. Internships connect you with industry professionals, offering mentorship and networking opportunities that can benefit your future career. For high school students, internships are a chance to explore interests and stand out in a competitive academic landscape.
Here is a curated list of 10 internships for high school students in Arizona!
If you're looking for more general programs for high school students in Arizona, check out this blog. Or, if you're from Phoenix, check out this blog on internships for high school students based in Phoenix!
Note: The following information is based on the most recent program, with dates subject to change but generally similar from year to year.
Ladder Internships, founded by Harvard alumni, connects high school. students with startups and nonprofits worldwide for virtual internships. You will engage in data collection, analysis, and interpretation and also receive personalized training in communication, time management, and other essential skills. Each intern is paired with a research manager and a Ladder coach for mentorship throughout the program. You can explore all the options here on their application form.
Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies on average raising over a million dollars. Past founders have included YCombinator alumni, founders raising over 30 million dollars, or founders who previously worked at Microsoft, Google, and Facebook. In the program, you will work closely with your managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects and present your work to the company.
Location: Virtual.
Cost: $2,490. Some financial aid is available.
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year.
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. February 9 for the upcoming Spring cohort.
Eligibility: High school students who can work for 10-20 hours/week for 8-12 weeks are eligible to apply. Open to undergraduates and gap year students also!
The Mayo Clinic Career Advancement, Research, and Education Summer (CARES) Program is designed to introduce you to healthcare careers while providing mentorship to guide your professional journey. Through this summer internship, you’ll explore diverse healthcare fields, connect with professionals, and gain hands-on experience in a hospital setting. Beyond the summer, you’ll receive continued support from a Mayo Clinic physician or allied health professional to refine your goals. You’ll also learn about resume writing, presentation skills, and wellness strategies.
Location: Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ
Cost / Stipend: No cost. Interns receive a stipend for their full participation in the program.
Dates: June 3 – 26
Application Deadline: The application window opens on December 15 and closes on February 1.
Eligibility: Current Arizona high school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors can apply.
This research internship is for students interested in hacking, programming, and cybersecurity. It offers a chance to collaborate with researchers and PhD mentors. Whether you bring your own project ideas or work on current research, you’ll explore advanced topics such as binary analysis, vulnerability detection, and phishing prevention. Past interns have tackled projects like analyzing secure finance simulations, investigating social media ad scams, and comparing code linting tools with AI models. Over eight weeks, you’ll gain experience, refine your tech and research skills, and connect with experts in the field. At the program’s conclusion, you’ll present your findings to professors, graduate students, and peers.
Location: Hybrid. In-person sessions take place at the Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ.
Cost / Stipend: No cost. Interns receive a stipend of $1,800 at the end of the internship if completed in full.
Dates: The internship runs for 8 weeks starting from May 27.
Application Deadline: The application window opens on January 13 and closes on January 27.
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors enrolled in a Phoenix-area high school at the time of application are eligible to apply.
The KEYS (Keep Engaging Youth in Science) Research Internship offers an opportunity to gain experience in bioscience, biostatistics, biomedical science, biomedical engineering, data science, and environmental health research. This seven-week summer internship equips you with practical skills in biotechnology, science literacy, ethics, and communication. KEYS is competitive, with a 13% acceptance rate for the last cohort. The internship begins with a one-week training session introducing you to essential bioscience and data science techniques. Following this, each student is matched with a University of Arizona researcher leading an interdisciplinary project. Under the mentorship of faculty, university students, and lab staff, you will contribute to research. The program concludes with a showcase event where you will present your findings to peers, family, and the academic community.
Location: BIO5 Institute, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Cost: Free!
Dates: June 2 – July 18
Application Deadline: The application window opens on November 1 and closes on December 13.
Eligibility: Current high school students who are at least 16 years old at the start of the internship and have at least one year of Arizona residency are eligible to apply.
The Barrow Neurological Institute, the world’s largest center for neurological disease treatment and research, offers a Summer High School Internship Program. This internship provides experience in professional labs, where you’ll work with state-of-the-art technology under the mentorship of experts. Through this program, you’ll learn to evaluate research literature and effectively communicate your findings. You’ll explore biological principles, the causes of diseases, and potential treatments. You’ll have the chance to develop your own scientific projects, which could be showcased at competitions or even contribute to publications.
Location: Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ
Cost: Free!
Dates: May 30 – July 3
Application Deadline: The application window opens on January 6 and closes on February 14.
Eligibility: High school students at least 16 years old can apply.
The Hand in Paw Youth Internship Program is for high school students passionate about animal welfare and serving as role models for younger children. This internship offers valuable volunteer experience for those considering careers working with animals or children and fosters a sense of compassion. As an intern, you’ll volunteer at least three events or shifts per semester with the HSSA Education Department and make a one-year commitment. Your responsibilities may include helping with presentations and activities like summer camps and kids club events, assisting with shelter tours, guiding children through educational programs and crafts, and supporting office-related tasks.
Location: Humane Society of Southern Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Cost: $100. Scholarships are available to all students selected for the internship program.
Dates: The internship runs for an academic year starting in May.
Application Deadline: The application window opens on December 1 and closes on January 31.
Eligibility: High school students between 13-18 years old can apply.
By participating in this museum internship, you will explore the rich history of Arizona and your local area and develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and creative skills. You’ll receive guidance to challenge yourself and complete projects aligned with your interests and academic goals. The High School Internship Program at Sharlot Hall Museum will mentor you as you research, design, and execute projects. Past projects have included creating educational programming, developing interactive exhibit features, and conducting historical research for potential publication, public presentations, or exhibit panels. Your work will enhance public understanding of Arizona’s history, particularly in Prescott and the Central Highlands.
Location: Sharlot Hall Museum, Prescott, AZ
Cost / Stipend: There is currently no information available.
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year.
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Eligibility: Arizona high school juniors and seniors are eligible to apply.
Arizona Department of Transportation’s Intern Program allows high school students to gain experience and prepare for a career in the transportation industry. As an intern, you will benefit from an orientation, ongoing mentorship, and the chance to develop practical skills in a professional setting. This program also provides insights into various careers within the transportation field.
Location: Arizona Department of Transportation, Phoenix, AZ
Cost / Stipend: No cost. Interns' pay scale is based upon the number of semester hours or equivalent quarter hours an intern has completed.
Dates: Late May
Application Deadline: Internship positions are advertised in the spring.
Eligibility: High school graduates who have been accepted to a college, university, or technical school with a declared major in transportation or a closely related field are eligible to apply.
Translational Genomics Research Institute’s (TGen) academic year internships offer volunteer opportunities for high school students. With dedicated mentorship from TGen faculty and staff, you’ll contribute to the research goals of your host laboratory. These internships span various areas of translational bioscience, including laboratory research, computational biology, bioinformatics, mathematics, statistics, and research administration fields like communications, IT, business development, legal and regulatory affairs, and compliance. Course credit may be available based on the mentor’s and program manager’s approval.
Location: Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, AZ
Cost / Stipend: There is currently no information available.
Dates: The availability of internships depends on the needs of TGen scientists and finding a good fit between projects and potential interns.
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Eligibility: High school students at least 16 years old at the internship start are eligible to apply.
Honeywell partners with K-12 schools to bridge the gap between classroom learning and industry, enhancing STEM education in Arizona. As an intern, you’ll take on projects with clear S.M.A.R.T objectives and real-world deliverables. You will collaborate with Subject Matter Experts in traditional and emerging aviation industries. You’ll also participate in networking events, leadership discussions, site tours, and job shadowing. The program offers workshops and development opportunities. With guidance from your manager and a one-on-one mentor, you’ll grow personally and professionally. As part of a team designing, developing, and testing aerospace components and systems, you’ll apply your technical expertise to maintain quality standards, ensure compliance, and efficiently process customer orders.
Location: Various locations in Arizona.
Cost / Stipend: There is currently no information available.
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year.
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Eligibility: Current high school seniors are eligible to apply.
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, 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 4,000 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.