Summer Internships For High School Students

It is never too early to get a jump start on your career. And the best way to do that is by interning this summer. There are hundreds of companies and organizations, including some of the world’s biggest, that run internship programs for high school students.

An internship will look impressive on your resume and perhaps even help you get into a college program. But most importantly, internships will help you decide what you do and don’t want to do in your future. With an internship, you get to witness, first-hand, what professionals do each day.

Although you might find yourself working full-time, don’t expect to make anything close to a full-time wage. Many high school internships pay nothing at all. But with a summer internship, you gain valuable experience, which, in the long run, may be worth more than an hourly wage washing dishes at the local restaurant or sitting in the lifeguard stand.

Here are the best summer internships for high school students.

Bank of America’s Student Leaders Program

Each year, Bank of America grants paid summer internships to high school juniors and seniors throughout the United States. Interns are paired with local nonprofit organizations and spend eight weeks learning about how nonprofits support community needs. Throughout the internship, interns can also expect to pick up civic, social, and business leadership skills. At the end of the internship, interns participate in an all-expenses-paid trip to a national leadership summit in Washington D.C., where they learn about how government, businesses, and nonprofits work together to support communities.

Pay: $17/hour + all-inclusive trip to Washington D.C.

Length: 8 weeks

Eligibility:

Must be a current junior or senior
Must be able to participate in an 8-week internship and work 35 hours per week
Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship
Must be able to participate in a week-long Student Leaders Summit in Washington D.C.
Must be a student in good standing
Must obtain a letter of recommendation from a teacher, guidance counselor, or school administrator
Must not be the family member of a Bank of America employee
Must meet residency requirement — check here for detailed list

Note: If you need help with your cover letter, check here. And check here for resume tips.

NASA Internship

NASA offers fall, spring, and summer internships to high school, undergraduate, and graduate students over 16 years old. Upon the start of the program, interns are split up, integrated into NASA teams, and assigned to work on authentic NASA projects. That way, interns are actively contributing to NASA missions. For high school students interested in STEM fields, there are few experiences more rewarding and exciting than NASA’s internship program.

Pay: Interns are paid a stipend that varies based on academic level and length of the internship.

Length: 10 weeks

Eligibility:

Must be 16 years of age at the time of application
Must be a U.S. citizen
Must be a full-time student
Must have a cumulative 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale

Army Educational Outreach Program High School Apprenticeship

The Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) High School Apprenticeship gives high school students the opportunity to spend a summer in a local university research lab or in one of the U.S. Army Research Laboratories receiving formal mentorship from professional scientists and/or engineers. Those chosen for the program get hands-on research experience, build their professional networks, and are taught about education and career opportunities in STEM fields.

Pay: All participants receive a stipend. The stipend amount varies depending on location and program duration.

Length: 5-8 weeks

Eligibility:

Must be U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents
Must be current high school students
Must meet any other additional eligibility requirements (vary based on location)

Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program

Administered by the American Fisheries Society, the Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program is meant to “engage, inspire, and diversify the next generation of fisheries professionals.” Those selected are paired with local fisheries professionals and engage in hands-on fisheries science experiences in nearby bodies of water. The program is specifically geared towards students from underrepresented demographic groups, including minorities and women.

Pay: $3,000 stipend

Length: 8 weeks

Eligibility:

Must live and have residency in the United States, Mexico, or Canada
Must be a current high school sophomore, junior, or senior

Indiana University Simon Cancer Center Summer Research Program

Indiana University’s Simon Cancer Center’s Summer Research Program is a 6-week program designed to help students from underrepresented populations gain the exposure they need to pursue careers in biomedical and behavioral science. Students are paired with mentors and work 40 hours per week on projects that involve laboratory-based research, computer-based database research, or clinical research. Through the program, students are connected to a large network of professionals and peers who could be valuable resources for their future careers.

Pay: $3,200 stipend

Length: 6 weeks

Eligibility:

Must be a graduating high school senior
Must display an aptitude for science and math
Must have a cumulative 3.0 or higher GPA on a 4.0 scale

NIH High School Summer Internship Program

Each year, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) runs the High School Summer Internship Program, which gives high school students ages 17 and older an opportunity to work with leading NIH scientists on biomedical research. The program is intended to help students understand the biomedical research process and help them become informed, responsible, and resilient scientists.

Pay: Current high school students receive a monthly stipend of $2,000. Graduated high school seniors receive a monthly stipend of $2,230.

Length: Minimum of 8 weeks

Eligibility:

Must be 17 or older by June 15
Must be high school juniors or seniors at the time of application
Must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents
If 17 years old, students must live within 40 miles of the NIH campus on which they will intern (the program is virtual in 2021)

Google CSSI

Google’s Computer Science Summer Institute (CSSI) is a 3-week introduction to computer science program for college-bound high school seniors interested in the subject. Those selected are introduced to like-minded peers and active Google engineers. Students will learn the fundamentals of computer science, get to check out some of Google’s technologies, and develop their own applications. Students will leave the program knowing the fundamentals of HTML/CSS, JavaScript, Python, and Google App Engine.

Pay: Transportation + housing + meals

Length: 3 weeks

Eligibility:

Must be a current high school senior
Must intend to enroll as a full-time student in a 4-year BA/BS program in the United States for the entire upcoming academic year
Must be able to “demonstrate an interest in and motivation for studying computer science”
Must be able to attend every day of the 3-week program

Scripps Student Research Internship

The 8-week Scripps Summer Research Internship provides highly motivated high school students with an opportunity to work with a team of Scripps scientists and investigators in the areas of genomics, computational biology, and mobile health research. The purpose of the internship is to help young scientists develop the skills and knowledge necessary to be future leaders in their fields.

Pay: Unpaid

Length: 7 weeks

Eligibility:

Must be at least 16 years old
Must have a strong interest in genomics or mobile health translational research

Geosciences Bridge Program

The Geosciences Bridge Program, which takes place on the campus of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, is a 6-week internship program for high school seniors interested in pursuing careers in geosciences. Interns are paid a stipend to study and participate in hands-on activities in ocean sciences, atmospheric sciences, and geographic information systems (GIS)/Remote Sensing techniques.

Pay: $500/week + meals + housing + travel

Length: 6 weeks

Eligibility:

Must be a graduating high school senior
Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
Must plan to pursue a bachelor’s degree in a geoscience discipline

National Agriculture Library Internships

Each year, the National Agriculture Library (NAL) offers internships to high school and college students over the age of 16. Student interns are essentially volunteers who help the NAL with a wide variety of tasks. As an intern, you can step in to work on pre-existing projects, or you can essentially develop your own internship or volunteer position to fit your specific interests or career goals.

Pay: Unpaid

Length: Varies

Eligibility:

Must be at least 16 years old
Must be a high school, undergraduate, or graduate student

Kaiser Permanente LAUNCH Program

Each year, health care company Kaiser Permanente (KP) offers internships to high school students in Northern California through its KP LAUNCH high school program. The six-week paid internship program places high school students in local KP offices and medical centers, where they participate in workshops and projects, gain valuable experience in the health care industry, and expand their professional networks. The program is targeted towards students from diverse backgrounds and underrepresented communities.

Pay: $13-$15 per hour

Length: 6 weeks

Eligibility:

Must be between the ages of 16-19 (Priority is given to juniors and seniors)
Must be a high school student or recent high school graduate
Must be able to work full-time during the six-week program
Must provide proof of eligibility to legally work in the United States
Must have a permanent residence in a service area designated by Northern California Kaiser Permanente

Facebook Summer Academy

Each year, Facebook hires high school sophomores living in and around the Palo Alto area as “externs.” The externs have the opportunity to work with mentors and learn about the day-to-day operations of one of the world’s largest social media networks. Externs work 30 hours a week for six weeks. This year, the program will be held virtually and students will work with Facebook employees to learn to code and develop an app.

Pay: $1,500 stipend

Length: 6 weeks

Eligibility:

Must be a current high school sophomore
Must be full-time residents of either East Palo Alto, Belle Haven, North Fair Oaks, or Redwood City
Must have a minimum cumulative 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale

Conclusion

There are many great internships listed in this article, but you should know that they aren’t the only options available. Many of the other companies and organizations that offer summer internships may be in your own backyard. If there is a company or organization that you really want to work for that doesn’t have an online internship listing, don’t be afraid to reach out and ask if they are hiring interns or need any help!

Also, check out TUN’s Job Search Engine to find other opportunities that may be perfectly suited to you.