11 Social Media Internships for High School Students in 2024-2025
Are you a high school student eager to dive into the dynamic world of social media? Then look no further! We’ve compiled a list of 10 social media internship opportunities to help you gain hands-on experience and enrich your resume and college applications.
These Internships offer a sneak peek into the daily operations of social media careers and allow you to gain practical skills and knowledge by working on real-world projects. You’ll learn the complexities of social media management and strategy, setting you apart or even ahead of your peers. Participating in these internships will not only bolster your expertise in digital marketing and communication but will also give you a competitive edge in a rapidly evolving field.
Many of these roles come with the added bonus of being paid, giving you the chance to save for college and hone your money management skills. By the end of your internship, you’ll have acquired new skills, produced tangible work for your portfolio, built a network of mentors and peers, and gathered compelling content for your college essays and interviews.
Let’s dive right in!
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. Past founders have included YCombinator alums, founders raising over 30 million dollars, or founders who previously worked at Microsoft, Google, and Facebook. 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.
Interns are offered one-on-one training in communication, time management, and other such valuable skills and will also have the opportunity to attend group training sessions with other interns in their cohort. The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long.
Cost: $2490 (Financial Aid Available)
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Application deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort
Program dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
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 Hillsborough County Library System offers a 5-week Teen Social Media Internship Program for high school students. This internship provides an excellent opportunity to earn volunteer hours while gaining practical experience in social media and public relations. You’ll work remotely, completing projects and weekly tasks to promote the library’s brand image.
Projects and tasks include creating social media graphics, conceptualizing and creating video content, and drafting social media posts. The program requires a commitment of 5-8 hours per week, totaling at least 25 hours by the end of the internship.
Cost: None
Location: Virtual (occasionally in-person at Hillsborough County Library, FL).
Application deadline: Applications open periodically year-round as slots open; check for openings or contact the library directly.
Program dates: 5 weeks; rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students ages 14-18 residing in Hillsborough County.
The MET in New York offers paid summer internships to high schoolers in grades 10 and 11. The program connects students with art, museums, and creative professionals. Interns will be assigned to mentors, either one-on-one or as part of a small cohort, based on their interests, including social media and marketing.
You can expect to work closely with experts and professionals to design social media campaigns, develop branding for artists and the museum, create content across various social media platforms, and learn to do SEO and user experience research. You’ll finish this program with a foundation of social media skills and a deeper understanding of how social media intersects with the real world. The MET encourages applications from students with diverse backgrounds and interests, particularly those underrepresented in arts and museum careers.
Cost: None; paid at New York State minimum wage.
Location: New York, NY
Application deadline: February 1, 2024 to March 8, 2024.
Program dates: Typically begins late June and ends mid-August; 2024 dates were June 22 - August 9, 2024.
Eligibility: 10th or 11th graders residing in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut.
4. Public Relations and Social Media Bootcamp By Quinnipiac University
The Public Relations and Social Media Bootcamp is hosted by Quinnipiac University, a prestigious private university in Connecticut. This 1-week program provides an immersive experience combining the fields of public relations and social media. Participants work on real-world projects for actual clients alongside public relations professionals. The program has many of the aspects of a traditional internship but also offers you the chance to get a taste of college life at the same time.
During the bootcamp, you’ll learn how to craft effective messages, develop social media content, and engage diverse audiences. The program includes workshops on various PR strategies and tools, insider tips on successful campaigns, and practical sessions on content creation.
You can find out more on their FAQ page.
Cost:
· 1-week residential program: $1,680
· 1-week commuter program: $1,400
· 2-week residential program: $3,360
· 2-week commuter program: $2,400
Location: Quinnipiac University, Hamden, CT
Application deadline: The deadline for 2025 has not been announced; check the website regularly for updates.
Program dates: The program has 1-week and 2-week options running from June to the end of July.
Eligibility: Current high school students, typically 15-18 years old.
The Summer in the City Interns Program hosted by the City of Knoxville is a paid 8-week internship for students aged 16-22. Interns are placed in various city departments and are expected to work 30 hours per week. The program provides practical work experience and includes weekly professional and personal development sessions on topics like civic education, economics, mental health, communication, and social justice. The program only accepts 20 applicants, making it highly competitive.
You’ll need to request placement in the 311 department, which deals with social media and AI use for the city. You’ll be assigned a mentor within your department who will guide your work and offer feedback. The 311 department works on developing surveys and expanding the city’s social media presence by creating posts and researching user needs and interests. You’ll walk away from this program with strong references, an entire summer’s worth of pay, and in-depth experience using social media for a government office.
Cost: None; paid at $15/hour.
Location: Knoxville, TN
Application deadline: Applications open February 10 and close March 31 every year.
Program dates: Typically runs from the first Monday of June through the last Friday of July; 2024 dates are June 3 - July 26, 2024.
Eligibility: 16-22 years old; must provide your own transportation to and from the worksite.
The ACLU of Georgia offers a comprehensive internship program each spring, summer, and fall. The ACLU is a nationwide, prestigious legal aid organization and one of its main internships is in communications, including social media. This competitive internship opportunity is paid and open to high schoolers, undergraduates, graduate students, and post-graduate students. You’re expected to commit 15 hours per week.
During a Communications Internship with the ACLU, you’ll be responsible for communicating the ACLU’s work to the public. You’ll create and edit video projects, take pictures, draft social media posts, create graphics, and format articles for posting. This internship is intensive and highly intersectional. You’ll learn about law and social justice as you develop your social media skills — giving you a holistic experience that you can also use to bolster your college applications.
Cost: None; paid at $15/hour.
Location: Atlanta, GA
Application deadline: Applications open on a seasonal basis; apply at least two months before your desired start date.
Program dates: Internships run for an entire season or semester (typically 12-15 weeks) and are available year-round.
Eligibility: High school students; you will only receive volunteer hours if ineligible to work in the U.S.
D Magazine is a Dallas-based publication that has been in cycle for 50 years. They offer a variety of internships during the fall, spring, and summer semesters. All internships are media-focused and are based around different aspects of print and digital media. Interns will work closely with editors and staff, gaining valuable insights into the fast-paced world of journalism and social media.
You’re expected to commit to the full semester and to work 12-24 hours per week. When you apply, you’ll choose from the Digital Internships they offer. As an intern, you will tailor the magazine content for social media while tracking engagement, website traffic, and social media analytics to improve performance and refine brand awareness. You’ll also get experience working with scheduling software like Tailwind and implementing social media campaigns.
Cost: None; this internship is paid.
Location: Dallas, TX
Application deadline: Applications typically open 3 months before each semester. For example, if you want to intern during the fall semester, you should look for applications to open on the last day of May or the beginning of June.
Program dates: Internships run for an entire semester, typically 12-15 weeks.
Eligibility: 18 years old; must be eligible to work in the U.S.
Girls on the Run is a nationwide program designed to help girls gain critical life skills and develop habits of health and fitness. They are continually hiring new interns in the Bay Area, which offers social media internships with a focus on content creation and social media management. Internships are paid, but there are also volunteer opportunities if all of the internships are currently full.
You can expect to create posts, implement marketing campaigns, and develop social media projects. This role is designed to provide practical experience and help you build up your portfolio while learning the nuances of social media in non-profit organizations.
Cost: None; this internship is paid.
Location: San Francisco Bay Area, CA
Application deadline: Rolling basis.
Program dates: Determined by mentor and intern upon acceptance.
Eligibility: For paid internships, you must be eligible to work in the United States.
The Pat Geis Public Media Internship Program at Northern California Public Media offers a paid internship opportunity designed to provide students with hands-on experience in digital media, with a strong focus on environmental storytelling and production. You’ll be assigned to digital media mentors to produce your own media projects. The internship also includes participation in the Center for Environmental Reporting, a unique initiative that uses traditional and social media campaigns to address environmental issues.
You’ll learn the ins and outs of campaigns and analytics for your target audience while working alongside experienced mentors. This internship offers small cohorts and the bonus of building a portfolio of published social media materials that can be used in college applications and resumes.
Cost: None; this internship is paid.
Location: Rohnert Park, CA
Application deadline: Rolling basis; apply three months in advance of your desired internship semester.
Program dates: The program is available on a semester-basis for fall, spring, and summer semesters.
Eligibility: Enrolled in high school or an accredited higher education institution.
Building-U is a Canadian organization dedicated to helping young adults in Canada and the US develop a plan for life after high school. They offer a wide variety of internships for high school students, including a Social Media Content and Analytics internship.
This internship is designed for high school students interested in strategizing and creating content across multiple platforms. You can expect to create content for TikTok, X, Instagram, and Facebook. You’ll work in a small cohort of 2-4 and will learn about the differences between each platform and how to create an effective social media calendar. You’ll also learn valuable cooperation skills as you work with the Research and Development, Marketing, and Business Development teams.
This internship is entirely virtual with flexible hours. You’ll end the internship with valuable training on creating content for multiple platforms and having completed a variety of campaigns.
If the social media internship isn’t available, check out some of their other internships because some of them have substantial social media components.
Cost: None
Location: Virtual
Application deadline: Applications are open with rolling admissions year-round
Program dates: Internships typically last three months. You can set your own start and end dates based on your availability.
Eligibility: Must be currently enrolled in grades 9-12.
The Intern Group offers a Virtual Marketing Internship open to high school students. This internship focuses on social media strategy and marketing, providing hands-on experience and mentorship. Participants work on projects like developing social media ad campaigns, drafting SEO-focused blogs, and creating cohesive branding. The program also includes career coaching, portfolio building, and the opportunity to work in a multi-functional team — equipping you with teamwork, organization, and professional communication skills.
Upon completion, you’ll also get 1-on-1 career coaching to help refine your resumes, prepare for interviews, and develop personal branding.
Cost: $1,990 - $2,490
Location: Virtual
Application deadline: Rolling basis; apply at least three months before your intended start date.
Program dates: Monthly cycles; can last between 4 weeks and 6 months, depending on your needs.
Eligibility: Must be at least 16 years old or older.
Bonus - AI Internship Program by Veritas AI
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.
Cost: $2,490
Application Deadline: October 20, 2024
Internship Date: The start date for the cohort is November 11, 2024
Eligibility: Open to high school students who have prior experience with AI/ML or have completed a Veritas AI program
One other option - Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research in STEM, 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!
Elise is a writer for Lumiere and a graduate of the University of Montana School of Law. She began writing for Lumiere in 2024 in order to help connect high school students to research opportunities. In her free time she loves to hike, swim, read, and drink copious amounts of coffee.