15 Paid Internships for High School Students
Engaging in an internship not only provides practical, hands-on experience but also offers a multitude of advantages. It's an excellent chance to apply classroom knowledge to real-world scenarios, fostering a deeper understanding of concepts. Often, students are faced with the reality of having to do an unpaid internship – so we’ve curated this list of 15 paid internships across the U.S.! These internships provide students with a platform to explore a range of subjects, concepts, and fields.
This internship is an ideal choice if you want to explore your leadership skills. With this program, the bank aims to foster community-mindedness, encouraging and training students who are passionate about improving their community. Every year, Bank of America selects about 300 driven high school students from over 100 diverse communities. Selected students will get a chance to work at a local non-profit organization, as they develop leadership and community skills. While you learn about the various aspects of running such an organization, engage in community service projects and develop a deeper understanding of social issues, you will simultaneously work on skills that will aid in your future academics and career.
As part of the program, you will engage in real-world projects and assignments related to financial analysis and community leadership. This hands-on experience allows you to apply their classroom knowledge to practical situations. The internship includes a week-long National Student Leadership Summit held in Washington, DC. The travel, food and stay for the same will be covered by the bank. This internship is well-regarded because Bank of America has a pretty strong reputation with corporate and not-for-profit entities. For a deep dive into this program and its benefits, check out this article!
Stipend/Cost: It is a paid internship, but no information is available on the exact amount. The trip to Washington DC is covered by the bank!
Application deadline: January 17, 2024
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors are eligible to apply. See all eligibility criteria here.
Program dates: Applicants will be notified by April 2024. Dates vary by location, but the internship usually begins shortly after the school year ends, and lasts 8 weeks (including the trip to Washington, DC).
Location: The program is held all across the country – you will be assigned a local non-profit organization to work with in your region/area. Use the location finder to find an internship location near you!
NASA’s Office of STEM Engagements offers paid internships at all its locations across the country. These internships are an exceptional opportunity for high school students to work on current projects at the agency under the guidance of a NASA mentor. The program offers training, mentoring, and career development opportunities along with the chance to work with some of the best science, engineering, financial, information technology and business minds in the world. The internships are offered in a range of subjects and disciplines, including space science, engineering, aeronautics, technology, space microbiology, ecology, and even outreach and communications.
During these internships, you could design experiments, analyze data from space missions, or develop new technologies – gaining valuable experience and insight into NASA's work. You can check out a complete list of positions here - you may have to use the “Filter” option to see opportunities only open to high school students. Interning with NASA is the most prestigious experience you can showcase in your college application!
Stipend/Cost: No application cost. A stipend is provided, based on academic level and session length.
Application deadline: February 2, 2024 (Summer Internships). The office also offers internships in the fall and spring, deadlines for which are different. Check for updates!
Eligibility: Internships are available for full-time high school students who meet a minimum 3.0 GPA requirement and are US citizens.
Program dates: These internships are offered in 3 sessions – Summer (10-week program, from late May or early June to August) Fall (16-week program, from late August or early September to mid-December) | Spring (16-week program, from mid-January to early May) |
Location: These internships are offered across NASA facilities. Students may select roles based in cities they are in.
Kaiser Permanente, known for its focus on healthcare, offers an internship opportunity that introduces students to the world of professional work and career development in the field of healthcare. As an intern, you will work alongside healthcare professionals and learn about various medical disciplines, such as nursing, pharmacy, laboratory sciences, and more. This program also encourages students to explore the business and administration aspects, offering them hands-on experience in areas like accounting, administration, R&D, and beyond. Interns receive an hourly wage and engage in weekly workshops on professional development. The internship is mentored, ensuring a guided learning experience beyond practical exposure. We’ve covered more about this internship in our guide here.
Stipend: No cost, interns receive a stipend of $15.50-18 per hour.
Application deadline: January 2, 2024
Eligibility: Students who
are aged 16-19 by June 1, 2024;
are legally eligible to work in the U.S.;
are current high school students and/or graduating seniors of the Class of 2024, can apply.
Priority is given to juniors and seniors.
Program dates: June 17, 2024 - August 2, 2024
Location: You can intern at a Kaiser Permanente Medical Center or business office closest to where you are. Find a location near you.
This is a multi-year, year-round immersive internship and youth development program for students who come from communities underrepresented in STEM, including girls and students of color. The program cultivates critical thinking, problem-solving, workforce readiness, and community leadership in interns. Starting as rising sophomores or juniors and continuing through high school, interns at the California Academy of Sciences grow in responsibility based on their performance. Interns attend bi-monthly interactive sessions focusing on science communication, career insights from STEM pros, and essential life skills like financial literacy. As an intern, you will work alongside scientists, researchers and educators at the California Academy of Sciences. This internship includes outdoor field activities and guidance on your college applications. In groups, you will work on a science research or environmental action project.
Check out this detailed dive into the program.
Stipend/Cost: No application cost, a stipend is provided, but information on the amount is not available. Applicants will have to manage their own commute to the Academy and nearby sites.
Application deadline: April 5, 2024
Eligibility: Students who
are currently enrolled full-time as a 9th or 10th-grade student in an SFUSD school - check if your school qualifies here;
have maintained a GPA of 2.5 and a grade of C or higher in science and math
can obtain a valid work permit (US citizens and others authorized to work in the US);
can commit to all attendance requirements for 2 or 3 years, through high school graduation;
can commute to the Academy and nearby locations after school and on Saturdays during the school year, and on weekdays in the summer (some remote work may be required);
demonstrate interest and enthusiasm for learning, teaching, and doing science can apply.
Program dates: Multi-year, year-round participation, selected applicants will be invited for an in-person group interview on April 27, 2024.
Location: California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, California
Explore an array of summer internship programs at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), specifically tailored for high school students passionate about delving into the world of scientific exploration. HS-SIP presents a distinctive opportunity for students to immerse themselves in hands-on biomedical research, collaborating alongside esteemed scientists and mentors. This program involves active participation in ongoing research projects, data analysis, and the acquisition of fundamental laboratory skills. Within the HS-SIP framework, two programs, namely the High School Scientific Training and Enrichment Program (HiSTEP) and HiSTEP 2.0, have been extensively detailed here.
HiSTEP stands as a beacon for inspiring the upcoming generation of scientists while championing diversity in STEM fields. Partnering with esteemed research institutions, HiSTEP exposes participants to cutting-edge scientific investigations spanning diverse disciplines. It’s a multifaceted program, offering not only an introduction to essential scientific, professional, and personal skills but also leadership training, wellness initiatives, and an in-depth exploration of STEM-M (science, technology, engineering, math, and medically related) careers. Furthermore, it serves as a valuable preparation ground for future scholarships and internships.
Stipend:
$2,300–2,530 (for students currently in high school)
$2,570–2,840 (for students who have graduated high school)
Application deadline: February 1, every year.
Eligibility: Students who are high school juniors or seniors at the time of application (or have recently graduated), and are 17 years or older on June 15, 2023, may apply. Please review all eligibility requirements before applying. Additional criteria apply for HiSTEP and HiSTEP 2.0.
Program dates: Minimum 8 weeks in summer; specific dates are not available.
Location: Students have the option to select from various NIH campuses nationwide. For those in DC, the Bethesda, MD campus is the closest to Washington, DC — only 30 minutes away — and serves as the main NIH campus.
The NYC Mayor’s Office Internship Program is a multifaceted experience encompassing work assignments, government engagement, and service projects for students interested in the functioning of city governance and policy. Students can apply to the department of their choice. As an intern, you will collaborate with full-time staff at the office, and work on diverse projects such as research and data analysis, managing incoming inquiries, staffing events, and outreach initiatives. Through the bi-weekly Speaker Series, you also learn more about the inner workings of the City government. Guest speakers include Deputy Mayors, Commissioners, Program Directors, and other senior staff. You will also get a chance to develop a service project with other interns! The goal is to design and execute a project to impact the most deserving communities and uplift New Yorkers in need.
Stipend: No cost. High school students are paid $15/hour.
Application deadline: March (Summer term) | August (Fall-Spring term). Exact dates are yet to be announced for 2024–25.
Eligibility: Students who
are 16 years or older;
are enrolled in high school or have been accepted to an undergraduate degree program; and
are New York City residents (only if you’re applying to the Fall/Spring term), can apply.
Program dates: June - August (Summer term) | October - April (Fall-Spring term)
Location: New York City, New York
The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program, an 8-week internship and mentoring program sponsored by the American Fisheries Society (AFS), is a summer internship focused on cultivating interest in fisheries and aquatic science among underrepresented groups. Each Hutton Scholar will be matched with a fisheries professional in your area who will be their mentor for the program. You will participate in resource conservation and management projects as a Hutton Scholar, gaining hands-on fisheries science experience in marine or freshwater, as you learn how to conduct laboratory and field research. You can expect to work 32-40 hours a week.
Moreover, you will learn about career opportunities while receiving resources on potential course students. Moreover, you will learn about career opportunities while receiving resources on potential course students. Some possible activities include electrofishing, examining specimens, data procession, establishing aquatic vegetation and fish habitats, and more! An added benefit is an all-expense paid trip to the Hutton Scholars Summit conducted at the University of Arkansas!
Stipend: No cost, $3000 stipend, and all-expense paid trip to the Hutton Scholar’s Summit.
Application deadline: January 16, 2024
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors, seniors and rising college freshmen who live and have residency in the United States, Mexico, and Canada are eligible to apply. Those applying must be at least 16 years old by the application deadline.
Program dates: Program start and end dates are flexible and determined by the student and their mentor. Typically, 8 weeks in the summer.
Location: Based on your locality (Hutton aims to match students within a 45-minute commute of your home).
The American Psychological Association (APA) is a scientific and professional organization that represents psychologists in the United States. APA internships cater to students enthusiastic about applying psychological expertise for societal benefit. These internships span roles in policy, research, communications, and financial services, available in paid and unpaid formats. Securing an internship with APA offers a valuable chance to deepen your understanding of professional psychology within a renowned and nationally recognized organization.
Stipend: No cost. Paid and unpaid internships are available.
Application deadline: Varies based on the internship.
Eligibility: While specific details may vary based on the internship, students who are enrolled at least part-time in an academic institution at the time of applying are eligible. Students under the age of 18 must submit an official District of Columbia Work Permit with their application.
Program dates: Internships are offered year-round, exact dates vary based on the internship selected.
Location: Remote or Washington, DC.
Meta, formerly known as Facebook, recently launched this summer opportunity for high schoolers. As a participant in the Meta Summer Academy, you will learn about various practices in Meta and learn and be a part of its day-to-day environment as an extern. Marking its thirteenth year, this six-week internship has already benefited hundreds of high school students.
As an extern, you will be expected to participate for 30 hours per week. You will be mentored by Meta Summer Academy mentors, who are Meta employees.
The academy also offers students unique exposure to the tech industry. Your transportation from anywhere in California will be taken care of. Securing an internship at Meta as a high school student is a matter of prestige, as the selection process is quite competitive, with only 150 students making it to the final cohort.
Check out our review here!
Stipend: No cost. Students will receive a stipend.
Application deadline: March 1, 2024
Eligibility: Students who
are high school sophomores;
have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0; and
are full-year residents of East Palo Alto, Belle Haven, or Redwood City; can apply.
Program dates: June 17, 2024 - July 26, 2024
Location: Meta headquarters, Menlo Park, CA
The Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP) offers a competitive, 8-week, full-time paid internship tailored for rising 12th grade students. The program is specifically designed for students from underrepresented communities, who are interested in the field of biomedical science. The program commences with a 2-week intensive focusing on laboratory safety techniques and essential skills. The subsequent 6 weeks involve interns working alongside mentors in research groups in Seattle. Interns engage in research seminars, attend professional development workshops, and participate in team-building social activities. The program culminates in presentations showcasing interns’ contributions.
Check out our guide to this program here.
Stipend: No cost, a stipend is provided. Details will be given to you during your interview.. Interns must arrange their housing and transportation as the program doesn’t offer these provisions.
Application deadline: March 31, 2024.
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors can apply.Program dates: The program will be held from June-end to mid-August (tentatively, based on previous years).
Location: Fred Hutch Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington.
The KPMG U.S. Empower High School Experience is a specially designed program crafted to immerse high school students in the dynamic realm of accounting and professional services. This comprehensive initiative offers more than just theoretical learning, providing a hands-on introduction to fundamental accounting principles, auditing procedures, tax concepts, and advisory services. Through interactive workshops, collaboration on real-life case studies, and direct engagement with KPMG professionals, participants dive deep into the practicalities of this industry.
Within this program, teamwork takes center stage, fostering the development of problem-solving prowess and the honing of critical thinking skills. It’s an invaluable opportunity for students to establish a robust foundation for their future careers in finance and accounting. A standout feature of the KPMG U.S. Empower High School Experience lies in its emphasis on networking and mentorship. Moreover, attendees have the privilege of attending guest lectures and workshops led by industry experts, further enriching their understanding of this field.
Stipend: $25 an hour
Application Deadline: Unspecified
Eligibility:
Rising Junior or Senior in high school.
Commitment to all dates and times of the internship.
Live in commutable proximity to the KPMG local office and can participate in person during normal business hours.
Program dates: 3 weeks in July
Location: New York City
This intensive 7-week summer internship offers a unique opportunity for students eager to contribute to groundbreaking research at Fermilab. Under the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science, Fermilab stands as a prominent hub for particle physics exploration in the nation. Focused on the domains of particle physics and accelerator research, this program embeds interns within the sphere of Fermilab’s scientific endeavors. Collaborating directly with leading scientists, interns delve into projects spanning particle physics, particle accelerators, detectors, computing, and quantum science.
Throughout the internship, interns play a pivotal role. This involves tasks such as data collection via surveys, contribution to the team’s research abstract, and regular oral presentations that encapsulate the progress made during the program. While interns are encouraged to share their preferences for specific research areas they’re passionate about, project assignments evolve yearly, contingent upon ongoing lab projects. These projects represent a subset of Fermilab’s mission-aligned research areas, all detailed on the lab’s official webpage.
Stipend: $16.20 per hour
Application Deadline: January 15, 2024
Eligibility:
Students who are high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors at the time of application are eligible.
Juniors with experience programming computers or working with mechanical or electrical systems are encouraged to apply.
Students applying must be enrolled in an Illinois high school, and be US citizens or have a permanent resident status.
Program Dates: June 17, 2024 — August 2, 2024
Location: Fermilab, Batavia, IL. Note that transportation, housing, or meals will not be provided. Fermilab can help you with discounted rates for local hotels near the internship site.
The Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) immerses high school students in Department of Navy (DoN) laboratories for an 8-week summer stint, engaging them in authentic Naval research. This program is ideal for students who are looking to explore science and engineering in their future academics. It’s an opportunity to work alongside leading researchers and engineers at Navy laboratories and facilities across the country, on real Naval research. You will be mentored by expert scientists and engineers, while rocking on STEM projects hands-on. You will build your knowledge base in disciplines such as computer science and aeronautics. Your lab choice is based on your subject of interest.
Prestigious and selective, SEAP hosts around 300 placements across 38 labs nationwide. Look through this deep dive for more info on the program.
Stipend: $4,000 (New participants) | $4,500 (Returning participants)
Application deadline: Applications close November 1 every year.
Eligibility: High school students who have completed at least grade 9, are at least 16 years old when the internship begins, can apply. Graduating seniors are eligible as well. There is room for some exceptions. Students are recommended to check whether their preferred lab choice has any other particular requirements.
Program dates: Eight weeks in the summer. Exact dates vary depending on the lab you choose.
Location: There are several lab locations to choose from across the country.
The Met offers fully-funded internships annually for high school students passionate about art, design, and art, design, architecture, and creative expression. They have two internship tracks –one during the school year and another exclusively in the summer. These internships immerse students in art, museums, and various creative professions, fostering skill development, networking, and work experience. MET interns engage regularly with museum experts and professionals in marketing, scientific research, social media, law, and education. Additionally, they participate in Career Labs, where they gain insights and advice from working professionals.
Stipend: $1,100
Application deadline: October (year-round internships) | March (summer internships)
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors based in and around New York City
Program dates: January 14, 2024 - June 9, 2024 (year-round) | June 25, 2024 - August 12, 2024 (summer)
Location: The Met Fifth Avenue, New York
A highly prestigious internship opportunity for students keen on computer science and related fields, SPARK SIP has an acceptance rate of about less than 5%. The program allows students to immerse themselves in research opportunities in the field, interact and learn from scholars and leaders, and gain real-world experience through a full-time summer internship program.
Students must select 5-6 projects that they’d like to work on, and will be assigned sponsors to selected students. For the 2023 cohort, the research project list included the following topics (among others):
The program encourages you to work on real-world applications of concepts in machine learning, computer programming, computer vision, and neural networks, and creates a platform for you to interact with and learn from industry leaders, university professors and mentors. Moreover, SPARK provides opportunities and resources that can be used during and after college applications.
Stipend/Cost: A $500 stipend is offered. For in-person internships, students are expected to manage their own boarding, lodging, and local transportation.
Application deadline: Applications typically close May (tentatively based on previous years’ dates).
Eligibility: All high school students (grades 9-12) who are US citizens or permanent residents, can apply.
Program dates: 6-12 weeks in the summer.
Location: Various locations across the country, varies with the internship. Some may be remote.
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
If you’re looking to gain research experience alongside your internship, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs!
This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from.
You can find the application link here
One other option - the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in carrying out advanced research in a subject of your choice, you can also explore the Lumiere Research Scholar Program, an exclusive online high school initiative I founded with Harvard and Oxford researchers. It’s geared towards those passionate about top-notch research spanning major high school subjects. With over 4000 applicants vying for just 500 spots last year, it’s a competitive opportunity! Check out the application form here!
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students.
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.
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