10 Internships for High School Students in South Carolina
Internships offer high school students an excellent opportunity to gain real-world experience by developing practical skills, exploring industries, and building professional connections. These experiences can clarify potential career paths, allowing you to make informed decisions about college majors and future goals. Additionally, including internships in your college applications can demonstrate initiative and a commitment to learning beyond the classroom. This can give you an edge in the admissions process.
Here are 10 internships for high school students in South Carolina!
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 Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) provides high school students with an eight-week summer internship focused on Naval research. As a participant, you’ll work in a Department of Navy laboratory, collaborating with scientists and engineers on STEM challenges. The program emphasizes hands-on learning, allowing you to develop practical skills in research and engineering while contributing to meaningful projects. Personalized mentorship is a core component, and the program offers guidance from professionals. With the option to extend the internship by up to two weeks, SEAP provides a unique environment to gain technical experience. To learn more about this program, check out our full guide here.
Cost/Stipend: No cost. A stipend of $4,000 is provided for new participants and $4,500 for returning participants.
Location: NIWC Atlantic Naval Information Warfare Center Atlantic, Charleston, SC. There are other labs across the United States.
Application Deadline: November 1
Internship Date: 8 weeks in the summer with the possibility of extending up to 10 weeks
Eligibility: High school students who have completed grade 9, are solely U.S. citizens, and are at least 16 years old by the internship start date. Each lab may have additional requirements.
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 Hutton Program provides high school students with an introduction to fisheries science through hands-on experience guided by industry mentors. As a participant, you’ll work on practical projects like habitat restoration, fish population surveys, and ecosystem conservation efforts, gaining valuable fieldwork and research skills. The program promotes diversity in fisheries science and encourages collaboration with professionals, offering insights into various career paths. You will engage in hands-on activities, mentorship, and community-focused initiatives, helping you build technical knowledge and professional connections. Check out our full guide to this internship here!
Cost/Stipend: No cost. $3,000 provided, plus an all-expenses-paid trip to the Hutton Scholars Summit.
Location: Hutton works to place participating students within a 45-minute commute from their homes, including those in South Carolina!
Application Deadline: January 19
Internship Date: 8-week program with start and end dates determined by the student and their mentor.
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors or incoming college freshmen who are at least 16 years old and live in the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, or Mexico.
The High School Intern Program offers 11th-grade students in the Charleston area the chance to work with the Aquarium’s educators and biologists. The program begins with training classes for 20 participants, where you’ll learn about ocean science, animal care, career development, and team-building. During this time, you’ll be evaluated on your interest, commitment, and progress, with an interview process determining the 10 students who will continue as paid summer interns. As a summer intern, you’ll gain hands-on experience in educational programming, animal care, and conservation activities. Through this role, you’ll contribute to initiatives like Teen Job Shadow Days for middle and high school students.
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Interns work 20 hours/week at $10/hour.
Location: South Carolina Aquarium, Charleston, SC
Application Deadline: November 1
Internship Date: June – December
Eligibility: 11th-grade students in the Charleston, SC area can apply!
The Palmetto Promise Institute internship offers high school and college students the chance to engage in state policy development through hands-on experiences in policy research, legislative analysis, and communications. Located within walking distance of the South Carolina Statehouse, the program provides a conducive setting to observe and contribute to policy-making processes. As an intern, you’ll work alongside policy researchers and analysts, developing your skills in research, critical analysis, and effective communication of policy issues. Opportunities include attending state legislative hearings to deepen your understanding of government operations and contributing to policy reports that align with the Institute’s mission.
Note: High school participants in the Junior Policy Scholars program focus on independent research and policy advocacy during the summer, working remotely with regular staff mentorship to guide their progress.
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Information regarding the stipend is not available.
Location: Palmetto Promise Institute, Columbia, SC. Remote positions are also available.
Application Deadline: Rolling
Internship Dates: Variable based on the role selected
Eligibility: High school and college students in the Columbia, SC, area can apply for in-person positions. South Carolina high school students outside of Columbia can consider remote roles.
The Summer Youth Internship Program offers Charleston County residents the chance to gain practical work experience, develop workplace readiness skills, and explore county government operations. Opportunities include positions with Charleston County Government, local public library branches, the Charleston Animal Society, and the Public Works Department. Depending on your placement, you may assist in administrative tasks, participate in community outreach, or contribute to projects like animal care or library programming. The program also fosters mentorship, offering guidance from professionals in your chosen field, and allows for collaboration with peers and staff members.
Cost/Stipend: No cost. A stipend of $15/hour is provided for a total of 120 hours worked in 4-hour/day shifts.
Location: Variable based on role, but sites are in Charleston, SC
Application Deadline: May 15 or until 125 applicants are accepted
Internship Dates: June 14 – July 5
Eligibility: Applicant needs to be between the ages of 16–21 at the program start, enrolled in high school or college, and a resident of Charleston County.
The South Carolina AHEC Health Careers Program helps high school and college students explore and prepare for careers in healthcare. Designed to reflect the diversity of South Carolina’s communities, the program provides various opportunities to gain insights into the healthcare field. Depending on your region, you may participate in workshops, college-level courses, internships in healthcare offices or facilities, or hands-on health professions training. Activities may include assisting in healthcare settings, engaging in interactive training, and collaborating on community health projects. The program emphasizes mentorship, connecting you with healthcare professionals who can guide you as you navigate your career journey.
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Information on stipend was not provided
Location: Multiple different regions throughout South Carolina
Application Deadline: Variable based on region and role.
Internship Dates: Variable based on region and role. Typically in the summer.
Eligibility: South Carolina high school students, particularly from underrepresented backgrounds, interested in healthcare are encouraged to participate.
The Teen Science Ambassador program is an internship for individuals from groups underrepresented in STEM. As an Ambassador, you’ll attend weekly meetings at the Medical University of South Carolina in downtown Charleston. During these sessions, you’ll explore clinical research, developmental neuroscience, addiction science, and professional development. You’ll also build valuable skills in résumé writing and presentation by creating a research exploration project, which you’ll present at the program’s conclusion.
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Stipend provided (amount unspecified).
Location: Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
Application Deadline: March 31
Internship Dates: TBD
Eligibility: Charleston high school students interested in healthcare can apply.
South Carolina’s Youth Apprenticeship program offers high school students the chance to combine classroom learning with hands-on career training. Through this program, you can integrate your high school curriculum with technical education and training provided by a local employer. These programs provide the opportunity to develop practical skills, apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings, and build connections with professionals in your chosen field. Upon completing the program, you’ll receive a nationally recognized credential reflecting your workforce expertise and readiness.
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Stipend provided (amount unspecified).
Location: Various locations throughout Charleston, SC
Application Deadline: Unspecified
Internship Dates: Variable based on role
Eligibility: Charleston high school students interested in interning throughout their high school term can 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.