10 Internships for High School Students in Arkansas
Internships give high school students a unique opportunity to gain experience outside the classroom. By participating in an internship, you can develop practical skills, explore different industries, and gain valuable insights into professional environments.
Internships also open doors to industry connections and strengthen your college applications by showcasing your initiative and desire to learn. Whether you’re interested in healthcare, technology, agriculture, or business, there are internships in Arkansas that can give you experience in your field.
Here’s a list of 10 internships in Arkansas designed for high school students!
Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students! In the program, you work with a high-growth start-up on an internship. Start-ups that offer internships range across a variety of industries, from tech/deep tech and AI/ML to health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. 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. In the program, interns work closely with their managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects and present their work to the company. Here is the application form.
The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long.
Cost: Starting at $2,490 (financial aid available)
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Application deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
Program dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
The UAMS Summer Research Internship Program offers high school juniors and seniors an opportunity to gain experience in science research. You will work with assigned mentors, receive training in research ethics, and strengthen your understanding of various scientific topics. The program emphasizes networking, leadership development, and mentoring. You will receive a stipend, and limited campus housing is available. This program is ideal for those interested in careers in research or healthcare.
Cost: $25 application fee; stipend will be provided
Location: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in March
Internship Date: The program usually runs between May and July
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors with a minimum GPA of 3.0 or better (on a 4.0 scale) who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
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.
Location: VirtualCost: $2,490
Application Deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
Program Dates: Multiple 8-week cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Eligibility: Open to high school students who have prior experience with AI/ML or have completed a Veritas AI program
The Southern Arkansas University Work Internship Program is a summer initiative for rising seniors. You will work in various campus departments or at local businesses, gaining hands-on experience and developing professional skills. The program is designed to instill motivation and an understanding of workplace ethics, preparing you for college and future careers. The program aims to help you align your academic interests with your professional goals.
Cost: No cost; a $300 stipend will be provided monthly
Location: Southern Arkansas University, Magnolia, AR
Application Deadline: TBA
Internship Date: TBA
Eligibility: The student must be a current Upward Bound participant who has completed the 11th grade and has at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA
The Pathways Internship Program is a year-round paid initiative offering work experiences to high school students. Opportunities span fields like business development, law, and finance. You can work during the summer, fall, spring, or throughout the year. Designed to integrate academic learning with professional development, this program is useful for career exploration. It emphasizes mentorship for interns.
Cost: No cost
Location: Various locations based on internship opportunity
Application Deadline: Year-around
Internship Date: Varies on internship
Eligibility: Open to high school, undergraduate, and graduate students
The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program is an 8-week paid summer internship focused on fisheries and aquatic science. Sponsored by the American Fisheries Society, it offers mentorship from fisheries professionals and hands-on experience in marine and freshwater environments. You will gain exposure to resource conservation projects and conduct tasks like electrofishing, habitat restoration, and data processing. The program includes a stipend and an all-expenses-paid trip to the Hutton Scholars Summit. To learn more about this program, check out our full guide here.
Cost: No cost; students receive a $3,000 stipend
Location: Based on your locality (Hutton aims to match students within a 45-minute commute of their home)
Application Deadline: January 19
Internship Date: 8 weeks in the summer
Eligibility: High school students
The Bank of America Student Leaders Program is a prestigious summer internship for high school juniors and seniors invested in community leadership. You will intern at local nonprofit organizations, gaining experience in community service and organizational management. The program includes a week-long, fully funded Student Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C. The summit focuses on social impact, networking, and professional growth. Each year, about 300 students are selected nationwide. This program provides a unique opportunity to connect with peers and professionals from diverse backgrounds. We cover this program in detail here.
Cost: No cost, stipend provided
Location: The program takes place nationwide, and you will be assigned to collaborate with a local non-profit organization in your specific region. The Leadership Summit will be hosted in Washington, D.C. from July 21 – 26
Application Deadline: January 15
Internship Date: 8-week summer internship. The program usually begins shortly after the school year ends.
Eligibility: Current juniors and seniors in high school. See all eligibility criteria here.
The Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art Internships Program offers paid opportunities for high school seniors to gain museum experience. You will work in diverse roles, gaining insights into museum operations and career paths in the non-profit world. Programming includes community engagement, professional networking, and exploring museum departments. The program emphasizes both personal and professional growth, offering a comprehensive understanding of museum careers and operations.
Cost: No cost; high school interns will receive $12/hour
Location: Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, AR
Application Deadline:
Spring cohort: Applications are open from September through November.
Summer cohort: Applications are open from November through March.
Fall cohort: Applications are open from January through April.
Internship Date:
Spring cohort: January to April.
Summer cohort: June to July.
Fall cohort: The end of August through November.
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors
The Station Intern Program, offered by the Arkansas Broadcasters Association, gives high school students an introduction to broadcasting. You will gain experience in programming, sales, production, and news reporting. You will also pick up skills such as music rotation, log management, and client relations. You must complete 54 hours over the program duration and receive a certificate and reference letter. Each broadcast cluster hosts one intern per semester.
Cost: No cost; interns will be paid $595 as a stipend
Location: Arkansas Broadcasters Stations, Little Rock, AR
Application Deadline: Based on the space available
Internship Date: Rolling
Eligibility: Applicants must be at least 16 years old and currently enrolled in either high school or college
The EnergyMag Research Internship offers high school students a virtual opportunity to explore renewable energy. Internships focus on developing research and analytical skills through studies of companies, technologies, and markets. Options include half-time roles and quarter-time roles. As an intern, you will receive mentorship, produce publishable reports, and earn a Letter of Accomplishment. You will build skills like networking and communication, all in a flexible, remote environment.
Cost: No cost
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: Applications are open all year round
Internship Date: Rolling dates
Eligibility: Sophomores, juniors, and seniors who have taken at least one honors science or honors English class with a minimum GPA of 3.25
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.