10 Paid Internships for High School Students in California
When you're in high school, gaining professional experience while still earning an income can be a major benefit, especially if you’re looking to explore potential career paths. California, with its diverse industries ranging from tech to aerospace, offers many paid internship opportunities for high school students.
These internships not only provide financial compensation but also offer valuable hands-on experience, mentorship, and a glimpse into what a future career in your field of interest might look like. In this blog, we’ll explore 10 paid internships for high school students in California, helping you find the right opportunity to start your career while still in school.
Subject Areas: Journalism
Location: L.A. Times office, El Segundo, CA
Cost/Stipend: Stipend of $16.90/hour provided
Application Deadline: February 19, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Dates: June 17 – August 2, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors legally authorized to work in the U.S.
The Los Angeles Times High School Insider Internship is a great opportunity for aspiring student journalists. This seven-week paid internship is designed for high school students who are passionate about journalism and storytelling. As a High School Insider intern, you’ll work on real-world news stories, features, and multimedia projects, gaining valuable hands-on experience under the mentorship of seasoned journalists.
The program has a hybrid work model—Monday through Wednesday at the El Segundo office and Thursday remotely. As an intern, you can expect to work roughly 24 hours per week. Each student must have an adviser, who can be an English or journalism teacher at your school.
Subject Areas: Engineering
Location: Labs available in California:
Cost/Stipend: The Stipend for new interns is $4,000 and the stipend for returning interns is $4,500. Students are responsible for their own housing
Application Deadline: November 1, 2024
Dates: Varies based on lab (8 weeks in the summer)
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are at least 16 years old by the start date and are solely U.S. citizens. Eligibility can vary by lab
The Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) offers high school students the opportunity to engage in real Naval research at Department of Navy (DoN) laboratories. SEAP allows you to work closely with top scientists and engineers, providing hands-on experience in cutting-edge research and technology. You will be mentored by professionals in the field, offering insight into Naval research and development.
SEAP is highly competitive, with an acceptance rate usually lower than 10%. To apply, you have to select up to 3 labs you’re interested in and submit personal statements, transcripts, and recommendations. This program aims to encourage students, especially those who are underrepresented, to pursue careers within the Department of Navy. For more information, check out our blog post on the Navy SEAP.
Subject Areas: STEM fields
Location: California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, CA
Cost/Stipend: No cost; CiS interns are paid above minimum wage
Application Deadline: April 1, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Dates: After school and on weekends, year-round participation for 2-3 years till graduation
Eligibility: Applicants must:
Be currently enrolled full-time as a 9th or 10th-grade student in an SFUSD school (check if your school qualifies here)
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
This program is open to San Francisco students from groups underrepresented in STEM, offering an opportunity to delve into science and sustainability. As an intern, you’ll complete fieldwork and facilitate science education for visitors to the California Academy of Sciences. You’ll receive training in skills like science communication, interact with STEM professionals to learn about their careers, and learn about financial literacy and the college application process.
You’ll have the chance to present at STEM conferences, which is useful training for a future academic career in science. Towards the end of the internship, you’ll work in groups to conduct research or work on an environmental project under the guidance of an Academy researcher or partner.
Subject Areas: Business, technology, coding, data science, and more
Location: Meta office, Menlo Park, CA
Cost/Stipend: No cost; Students will receive a stipend upon successful completion of the program!
Application Deadline: March 1, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Dates: June 17 – July 26, 2024 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Eligibility: High school sophomores who are full-year residents of East Palo Alto, Belle Haven, North Fair Oaks, or Redwood City with a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA
The Meta Summer Academy offers high school students the chance to immerse themselves in the operations of one of the world's largest social media companies. As an intern, you will develop coding skills, enhance your communication and interpersonal abilities, and explore various career paths within the tech industry. To make the program accessible to students across California, Meta provides transportation for all participants. Read more about the Meta Summer Academy in our blog.
Subject Areas: Chemistry and related fields
Location: Varies based on lab choice. Check opportunities available in California here
Eligibility: Applicants must:
Be current high school sophomores, juniors, or seniors or a recent graduate
Have completed at least one course in high school chemistry
Family income should not exceed 300% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines based on family size
Note: Project SEED has multiple methods of documenting eligibility that you can access here!
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in April
Dates: 8-10 weeks, June to August
Cost/Stipend: No cost; $4,000 is awarded to the interns.
Project SEED is a fifty-year-old summer fellowship program for high school students who are passionate about chemistry and laboratory research. Participants commit to working in a research lab for 8 to 10 weeks, typically 8 hours a day from Monday through Friday. These labs are located at universities and other research sites in various states. The program focuses on supporting over 350 students from underrepresented communities, offering them not only internships but also summer camps to assist with university applications and career development.
As a Project SEED intern, you will undertake an independent research project. There are a wide range of project types to choose from. Depending on your project location, you might also participate in field trips, campus tours, and career panels. Additionally, your coordinator may register you for the American Chemical Society National Meeting, where you can present your research findings.
Subject Areas: Engineering, media arts, finance, and more. See the full list here
Location: San Francisco area, CA
Stipend: Stipend amount has not been specified
Application Deadline: Information about summer 2025 internships will be available on February 1, 2025
Dates: Varies based on internship (6 weeks)
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores and juniors, with priority given to juniors
San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) offers a summer industry internship program that provides high school students with paid, hands-on work experiences in various industry sectors. Through this internship, you will work with industry mentors, gain valuable professional skills, and explore potential career paths. Interns work at least 20 hours per week and attend weekly seminars with their SFUSD Supervisor/Mentor to enhance their work-based learning.
Although 2025 internship options haven’t been released yet, internship opportunities are usually available in sectors like animation, automotive technology, computer science, culinary arts, hospitality and tourism, urban agriculture, and more.
Subject Areas: Administration in clinical settings
Location: Stanford Health Care, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: Stipend is provided but the amount is not specified
Application Deadline: Applications for Summer 2025 will open in Fall/Winter 2024
Dates: Varies based on the internship, usually 8, 10, or 12 weeks in the summer
Eligibility: Current high school students who are at least 16 years old or able to get a work permit
The Administrative Internship Program at Stanford University offers an opportunity for high school students to experience how clinical innovation is integrated into healthcare operations and leadership. Interns are matched with a department where they are guided by a preceptor, and they participate in professional development sessions, networking events, and social activities. For Summer 2024, the high school internship involved housekeeping, sterile processing, supply chain, emergency services, and anesthesia technical services among others.
Subject Areas: Science communication
Location: Exploratorium, San Francisco, CA
Cost/Stipend: No cost; Paid position, amount unspecified
Application Deadline: Applications for the year-round and summer High School Explainer programs are typically available in July and March respectively on the Current Openings page
Dates: Throughout the year and in the summer
Eligibility: Students aged 15 – 18 who can obtain a valid work permit
For high school students interested in science seeking a unique experience beyond traditional research, the Exploratorium’s High School Explainers Program offers an interesting alternative. The Exploratorium is a science education center that has been working with high school students since 1969. This internship invites students from various backgrounds to gain practical experience in science communication.
As an intern, you'll receive specialized training that covers science content, exhibit presentation, career development, and youth mentorship. This preparation enables you to effectively explain exhibits to museum visitors, enhancing your knowledge and interpersonal skills. The program is flexible, with opportunities available during both the summer and the academic year, allowing you to choose a schedule that works for you.
Subject Areas: Various fields, including arts, engineering & tech, business, and more
Location: Varies according to internship; Los Angeles, CA or remote
Cost/Stipend: No cost; Students will receive a stipend and college credit upon successful completion
Application Deadline: March 15, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Dates: June to August (8 weeks)
Eligibility: Students completing their sophomore, junior, or senior year at an LA County high school. Priority is given to high-need students
The Intern Project (TIP) provides high school students across Los Angeles County with the chance to delve into various professional fields such as Healthcare & Medical Technology, Media & Entertainment, Government, Non-Profit, Philanthropy, and Sports. These internships are hosted by TIP's network of company partners, which include aerospace firms and organizations like America on Tech. In addition to hands-on work experience, TIP offers mentorship, professional development sessions, and networking opportunities for interns.
Subject Areas: STEM
Location: J. Craig Venter Institute, La Jolla, CA
Cost/Stipend: High school students are paid $17/hour
Application deadline: Applications for 2025 will open in the first quarter of the year. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. You can check the current postings here
Dates: May to August
Eligibility: High school students who:
Are aged 16 and above
Reside in the U.S.
Are eligible to work in the U.S.
Have a 3.0/B average
The JCVI Summer Internship Program offers an opportunity for high school, undergraduate, and graduate students eager to dive into research across various STEM fields. This program connects you with mentors and allows you to collaborate with leading scientists on projects that align with your academic background, interests, and skills. Interns get hands-on experience with state-of-the-art equipment and technologies.
Additionally, you can attend a variety of workshops aimed at boosting scientific and professional competencies. These include journal clubs, career development sessions, and interdisciplinary scientific seminars. Designed to cultivate the next generation of leading scientists, this internship is an ideal stepping stone for students interested in pursuing academic careers in STEM.
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 Ph.D. 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.