10 Internships for High School Students in San Francisco, California
If you’re in high school, internships are a great opportunity to gain experience in fields that interest you and explore potential career paths. San Francisco, a hub for innovation and creativity, provides high school students with internships across industries such as technology, healthcare, the arts, and nonprofits. These internships allow you to develop practical skills and build valuable connections. Internships can also enhance your college applications by demonstrating initiative and dedication to a particular field.
In this blog, we’ll highlight 10 internships for high school students in San Francisco, California!
Note: Please keep in mind the following information is for the most recent program, though dates tend to be similar year on year.
Location: Remote – work from anywhere in the world.
Eligibility: Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can commit to 10–20 hours per week for 8–12 weeks.
Cost: $2,490 (financial aid available).
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort.
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts offered throughout the year.
The Ladder Internship Program is a highly selective opportunity for ambitious students to gain hands-on experience by working with high-growth startups across diverse industries such as tech, AI/ML, health tech, journalism, marketing, and consulting. Startups in the program are typically high-performing, with many having raised over a million dollars and founded by alumni of YCombinator, Microsoft, Google, or Facebook. You can explore all the options here on their application form.
You will work closely with your managers and a dedicated Ladder Coach on impactful, real-world projects and present your contributions to company leadership at the end of the program. As an intern, you will also benefit from personalized one-on-one training in communication, time management, and other professional skills, alongside group training sessions with their cohort. This 8-week virtual program provides a unique combination of mentorship, industry exposure, and skill development, preparing students for future academic and career success. Here is the application form.
Location: SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA
Eligibility: Open to high school students (18 and older), undergraduates, and graduate students authorized to work in the U.S. All interns must pass a basic background check.
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Application Deadline: Varies based on department needs
Program Dates: Up to 12 weeks between May and September
The SLAC Summer Internship Program offers high school (18 and older), undergraduate, and graduate students the chance to gain work experience in a research environment. You will take on various roles depending on department requirements, ranging from entry-level tasks to mid-level technical tasks requiring specific knowledge and advanced projects demanding specialized scientific or engineering coursework. Apart from this internship program, high school students can volunteer at the SLAC Regional High School Science Bowl and SAGE Camp (Science Accelerating Girls' Engagement). Project topics span a range of fields, including Computer Science, Data Science, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Controls Engineering, Materials Science, High Energy Density Science, Laser Physics, X-Ray Physics, Accelerator Physics, Structural and Molecular Biology, Chemistry, Science Communication, Business Administration, and more.
Location: California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, CA
Eligibility: Applicants must:
Be a full-time 9th or 10th-grade student in an SFUSD school.
Maintain a GPA of 2.5 and a grade of C or higher in science and math.
Be able to obtain a valid work permit.
Be able to commute to the Academy.
Cost: No cost; interns are paid above minimum wage.
Application Deadline: April 1
Program Dates: Year-round participation after school and on weekends for 2–3 years until graduation.
The Careers in Science (CiS) Intern Program provides San Francisco students from underrepresented groups in STEM with experience in science and sustainability. You will participate in fieldwork and facilitate science education for visitors at the California Academy of Sciences. You will also train to improve science communication, learn financial literacy, and receive guidance on the college application process. Through the program, you will connect with STEM professionals to gain insights into career opportunities. You will also present your work at STEM conferences, building your academic and public speaking skills. In the final stages of the internship, you will collaborate on research or environmental projects guided by Academy researchers or partners.
Location: Various lab choices, San Francisco State University for San Francisco students.
Eligibility: Applicants must be current high school sophomores, juniors, seniors, or recent graduates who have completed at least one high school chemistry course and have a family income not exceeding 300% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
Cost/Stipend: No cost; interns receive a $4,000 stipend.
Application Deadline: Typically in April.
Program Dates: 8–10 weeks, June to August.
Project SEED is a summer fellowship program that provides high school students with laboratory research opportunities. As an intern, you will work in a university or research lab. This program focuses on students from underrepresented communities and offers resources such as university preparation camps and career development workshops. As a Project SEED intern, you will conduct an independent research project in a chemistry-related field. Depending on the lab location, you may also participate in field trips, campus tours, and career panels. Additionally, you will have the chance to present your findings at the American Chemical Society National Meeting.
Location: San Francisco area, CA
Eligibility: Open to current high school sophomores and juniors, with priority given to juniors.
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend amount not specified.
Application Deadline: Details for summer internships will be available on February 1.
Program Dates: Varies by internship; typically 6 weeks.
The San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) offers Industry Summer Internships that provide students with paid experiences across various fields. You will gain professional skills while working under the guidance of industry mentors. Weekly seminars with SFUSD supervisors will further enhance your learning and career readiness. Internship sectors include animation, automotive technology, computer science, culinary arts, hospitality, urban agriculture, and more.
Location: Exploratorium, San Francisco, CA
Eligibility: Open to students aged 15–18 who can obtain a valid work permit.
Cost/Stipend: No cost; paid position (amount unspecified).
Application Deadline: Applications for year-round and summer programs are typically available in July and March, respectively, on the Current Openings page.
Program Dates: Offered throughout the year and during the summer.
The High School Explainers Program at the Exploratorium allows students interested in science to gain experience in science communication. Since 1969, the Exploratorium has invited students to engage with science creatively, making this program an excellent alternative to traditional research internships. As an Explainer, you’ll receive specialized training in science content, exhibit presentation, and career development. You will work with museum visitors, explaining exhibits and facilitating their understanding of scientific concepts.
Location: San Francisco, CA
Eligibility:
Must be a rising high school senior or college student.
Must reside in District 10 or District 11 of San Francisco.
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipend provided.
Application Deadline: Typically mid-March
Program Dates: 20 hours per week from June to early August.
The San Francisco SSIP CityWorks Internship is a summer program for students from southeast San Francisco neighborhoods. This internship provides experience in engineering and urban planning through placements at the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) or private firms involved in the Sewer System Improvement Program. As a CityWorks intern, you will work alongside engineers, gaining mentorship and exposure to real-world projects. The program includes field trips and professional meetings. It’s a great way to build practical skills, connect with mentors, and explore future careers in engineering and infrastructure development.
Location: San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD)
Eligibility: Open to current SFUSD sophomores and juniors.
Cost/ Stiped: Free; stipend provided.
Application Deadline: The Summer Interest Form opens on December 20.
Program Dates: TBD
The SFUSD Summer Career Exploration Programs offer high school students a blend of classroom learning and worksite visits, enabling them to explore careers in key industries. This program is for students interested in gaining experience while earning college credits and expanding their professional networks. You will earn 3 units of college credit through a dual-enrollment course at CCSF and collaborate with industry mentors. You will design and develop work projects relevant to your program focus and build a professional resume.
Location: UC San Francisco (UCSF)
Eligibility:
Current high school junior.
Enrolled in an SFUSD high school, SF charter school, or College Track San Francisco.
From historically marginalized backgrounds in the sciences.
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship; Part-time (25 hours/week): $3,200 upon completion. Full-time (35 hours/week): $4,500 upon completion.
Application Deadline: February 29
Program Duration: 8 weeks.
The UCSF High School Intern Program (HIP) offers a summer internship for students interested in conducting biomedical research. You will work alongside UCSF scientist mentors to complete original research projects while building skills in science communication and networking. Ten interns are selected annually. HIP is an award-winning program, recognized with the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring. It is supported by UCSF and various foundations.
Location: South San Francisco, CA
Eligibility: Open to high school students aged 15–18 who live in or attend school in South San Francisco.
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship; participants earn $19/hour.
Application Deadline: April 12
Program Dates:
June 10: Paid virtual training begins (2 hours/day).
June 17 – August 2: Internship placement.
The Youth Summer Internship Program (YSIP) is South San Francisco’s official summer internship initiative, providing 8 weeks of professional experience to high school students. This program combines virtual training and work with various city departments, offering an opportunity to explore careers in public service. YSIP begins with a week of training to prepare you for your internship placement. Following the training, you will work under the guidance of supervisors to support city operations. The program aims to foster career readiness and introduce students to local government careers.
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.