13 Seattle Summer Internships for High School Students
Summer internships offer high school students in Seattle the chance to gain valuable exposure to the professional world, develop essential skills, and make meaningful industry connections. These internships allow students to apply their academic knowledge to real-world challenges, while also boosting their resumes with hands-on experience.
Seattle has many organizations that provide a range of opportunities across industries, such as tech, healthcare, engineering, and the arts, allowing students to find internships that match their interests and career goals.
Here are 13 internships for high school students in Seattle!
The Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP) at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center offers rising 11th and 12th graders a paid opportunity to gain hands-on experience in research. During the 8-week program, students spend the first two weeks learning laboratory safety and research techniques. For the remaining six weeks, they collaborate with researchers on active projects.
The program also includes seminars and workshops focused on career development, as well as social events that provide networking opportunities. At the end of the internship, students will present their research to the Fred Hutch community. This experience provides exposure to the research field and helps build professional skills.
Stipend: Provided (amount unspecified) after successfully completing the internship. Students must manage their own housing.
Location: Seattle, WA
Application Deadline: March 31
Program Dates: June 23 — August 15
Eligibility: Open to high school students entering their senior year or final term after the summer with a strong scientific background. Designed for students from underrepresented backgrounds in biomedical sciences.
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. 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!
Starting in 2025, Seattle Children’s Hospital Research Institute offers a two-year, in-person Research Training Program (RTP) for high school students, beginning with 10th graders. In Summer 2025, you will work in a research lab, exploring topics like biochemistry, immunotherapy, gene editing, and infectious diseases, while also attending workshops on college readiness and career exploration.
You will conduct an independent project using the skills learned and during the school year, participate in monthly Science Communication workshops. The following summer, you will return to the institute to work with research mentors. The program focuses on local Seattle students and aims to increase diversity in biomedical research.
Stipend: Students will receive stipends to help cover transportation and meal expenses: $2,000 for the first summer, $200 for the first school year, and $2,500 for the following summer.
Location: Seattle Children’s Hospital, Seattle, WA
Application Deadline: March 9
Program Dates: mid- July 14 — early- August 8 (first summer) + mid-July — mid-August (following summer)
Eligibility: 10th, 11th, and 12th-grade high school students who will be able to reside within commuting distance for the program’s duration
The Port of Seattle’s Internship Program offers high school students the opportunity to explore careers in various port operations, including aviation, maritime, governance, community engagement, and green jobs. Interns work on meaningful tasks while developing professional skills in areas such as project management, diversity and inclusion, and public speaking.
Throughout the program, you will receive mentorship, participate in facility tours, and attend resume workshops to support career exploration. The program also introduces business skills and communications technology. This internship aims to provide a foundation for future port-related careers, fostering both personal and professional growth.
Stipend: A stipend is provided- amount unspecified.
Location: Seattle, WA
Application Deadline: The deadline for the summer program is May, and for the winter program it is November.
Program Dates: 8 weeks in the summer, 10 weeks in the winter
Eligibility: Open to high school students aged 16–18 who are authorized to work in the U.S.
The UW Medicine Department of Neuroscience Summer Scholars Program offers high school students an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in both basic and clinical neuroscience research. Over eight weeks, students are placed in a neuroscience lab at UW, exploring areas like neurological surgery, clinical observations, and research.
In addition to lab work, you will attend weekly lectures, including Neurological Surgery Grand Rounds and faculty talks, and engage in discussions with residents. The program also offers opportunities to observe surgeries and present your research at the end of the summer. Stipends are provided for eligible students, and housing is available for some out-of-area participants. This program encourages students, particularly from underrepresented backgrounds in STEM, to consider careers in research or medicine.
Stipend: Stipend of $3,200 provided.
Location: University of Washington, Seattle
Application Deadline: January 1
Program Dates: June 23 — August 15
Eligibility: Participants must be high school students or recent high school graduates that are at least 18 years old with a minimum GPA of 3.20.
The Microsoft Discovery Program is a 4-week internship offering high school students the opportunity to work on real-world projects in computer science, engineering, and technology. During the program, you will develop programming skills and work on tasks within the tech industry.
The program focuses on hands-on learning, with direct interaction with Microsoft professionals and industry experts. In addition to technical skills, you will participate in career development workshops and mentorship, exploring various career paths in technology. This internship provides valuable experience and can be a strong addition to your resume if you're interested in pursuing a career in tech.
Stipend: $20/hour
Location: Redmond, WA
Application Deadline: Applications typically open in February and are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Program Dates: July 7— August 1
Eligibility: Open to graduating high school seniors who have completed pre-calculus or an equivalent course. Must live and attend high school within 50 miles of Redmond, WA, and be legally allowed to work in the U.S. throughout the program.
The Seattle Good Business Network’s internship program offers high school students a paid opportunity to gain work experience with local businesses, manufacturers, and public agencies. Open to students of various backgrounds and skill levels, the program requires interns to complete a minimum of 240 work hours, with flexible schedules set by the business host and the intern.
Interns may engage in tasks such as administrative support, social media management, eCommerce, inventory management, and customer service. Sponsored by the Seattle Office of Economic Development and the Workforce Development Council of Seattle, this program provides valuable experience and networking opportunities to help students build professional skills.
Stipend: Interns are paid an hourly rate based on local living wage standards (For last year, it was $22.77 per hour).
Location: Seattle, WA
Application Deadline: Applications typically open in April and close in May
Program Dates: June 17 — August 23
Eligibility: Open to high school students aged 18–24 in the Greater Seattle area. The program prioritizes young people from underrepresented and underserved backgrounds, such as those who are low-income, people of color, refugees, immigrants, and others.
The Youth Maritime Program, managed by Evergreen Goodwill in partnership with the Youth Maritime Collaborative, offers a two-year internship for high school students interested in maritime careers. The program helps you transition through your senior year, preparing you for college or employment in the maritime industry.
You will participate in field trips and learn skills like boat maintenance, repair, and small-boat sailing. The program also offers networking opportunities with maritime professionals and provides insights into various career paths. Additionally, you can earn short-term certifications and receive support for up to four quarters of college or direct employment placement.
Stipend: Stipend provided of $100/day for the summer internship component and $65/day during the school year component.
Location: Seattle, WA
Application Deadline: Currently accepting applications with no deadline specified.
Program Dates: The 2-year internship runs during the school year (January to June, September to December) with sessions held two Saturdays each month, and full-time (9:00 am to 5:00 pm) during the summer (July to August).
Eligibility: Open to high school juniors and seniors based in Seattle.
KEXP’s Internship Program offers hands-on experience to interns from historically underrepresented communities, focusing on emerging leaders in music programming, audio production, and nonprofit operations. As an intern, you will gain practical skills in communication, project management, problem-solving, audio editing, and database management. You will also have opportunities to network with industry professionals in Seattle. Internships are available in Audio Production, Design & Marketing, Latin American Content, and Library & Archives.
Stipend: $22 per hour.
Location: KEXP’s headquarters, Seattle, WA
Application Deadline: February 7
Program Dates: May 6 — November 21
Eligibility: High school students, or recent graduates that are 18 or older and reside in the Greater Seattle Area and have legal authorization to work in the United States can apply.
Seattle City Light offers an 8-week, paid summer internship program for high school students interested in the utilities sector. The program provides hands-on experience in energy production and distribution, helping you develop essential skills. As an intern, you will assist with administrative tasks, contribute to projects, and participate in professional development training sessions. The program also offers insights into the utilities industry while working on community-focused projects with experienced professionals.
Stipend: Internships are paid- amount unspecified.
Location: Seattle, WA
Application Deadline: Opportunities are posted in early April each year.
Program Dates: Mid-June/early July to end of August.
Eligibility: Open to high school students aged 16 with a minimum GPA of 2; Must be a U.S. citizen.
The Clean Water Ambassadors Internship is a 5-week paid program for high school students, offered through a partnership between the King County Wastewater Treatment Division and Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust. This internship focuses on local environmental issues and clean water careers, particularly for students new to environmental topics or from underrepresented backgrounds. During the program, you will develop communication skills, plan and implement projects, and participate in field trips and workshops. The internship offers exposure to careers in communications, community engagement, education, engineering, and environmental science, with opportunities in both office and field settings.
Stipend: $20/hour and an ORCA card.
Location: Downtown Seattle, WA
Application Deadline: April 21
Program Dates: July 7— August 7
Eligibility: Open to high school students 16+
The Junior Naturalist program at UW Botanic Gardens Summer Camp offers high school students the chance to volunteer and gain experience working with children. As a Junior Naturalist, you will assist a Summer Camp Naturalist in managing a small group of campers, helping lead activities and games. This role provides valuable experience in teaching, child engagement, and leadership development. You will also gain hands-on experience in camp management and child-focused activities, enhancing skills in communication and leadership.
Stipend: Free and unpaid.
Location: University of Washington, Seattle
Application Deadline: Accepted on a rolling basis- currently accepting applications.
Program Dates: 2-week session.
Eligibility: Teens ages 15–18 can volunteer.
The SPARKSIP program connects high school students in the Greater Seattle area with industry professionals, professors, and community leaders for hands-on learning. Students can choose from up to five projects, with small groups guided by mentors. The program covers topics like machine learning, AI, and data visualization, with past projects including Python scripting and exploring Spiking Neural Networks.
In addition to technical skills, SPARKSIP offers professional development resources, including support for college applications and career preparation in STEM. Mentorship and networking opportunities are integral to the program, fostering growth in the field. Learn more about this internship in our in-depth article here.
Stipend: Varies; some projects offer stipends, and others cover transportation costs.
Location: Greater Seattle area
Application Deadline: Applications open in March/April and close in May. Check the website for updates next spring.
Program Dates: Dates are dependent on the project
Eligibility: Open to high school students in grades 9–12 residing in and are permanent residents of the U.S.
One other option — the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re a high school student in Seattle 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.
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