Topics We Cover:
- Why Do Internships in High School?
- How to Find Political Internships for High School Students in New York
- 10 Political Internships for High School Students in New York
- Cold Outreach Strategy for Political High School Internships
- Email Template for Finding a High School Internship
Whether you aspire to hold public office, work behind the scenes as a campaign manager or staff member, or work to influence legislation with an advocacy group or lobbyist, a political internship for high school students in New York can put you on the path to your dream job. As the saying goes, if you can make it in New York, you can make it anywhere.
Why Do Internships in High School?
What’s the value of political internships for high school students in New York? One benefit of high school internships is that they provide a significant boost to your odds of admission at your first-choice college. Consider that PRISM, the student-run consultancy at the University of Chicago, found that 70% of students at U.S. News Top 50 universities engaged in at least one internship while in high school.
Applicants to top schools generally have strong academic records, but real-world experiences—such as completing a political internship—can set them apart, demonstrating that they’ve explored their interests beyond the classroom and begun developing the skills needed for success in the field.
Furthermore, completing a high school internship can also pave the way for future opportunities, for example, making it easier to secure college internships and gain admission to pre-professional groups and organizations like:
- Student government
- Debate societies
- Model UN
- Advocacy groups
- College Democrats/College Republicans
- Civic engagement clubs
- Nonprofits
How to Find Political Internships for High School Students in New York
The internet provides a host of resources to students searching for political internships for high schoolers. Using online search tools and lists like StandOutSearch—the web’s largest free database of high school internships—is a proven strategy for identifying internships. Another useful tool is a list of summer programs and internships collected by MIT Admissions.
Official internship programs are easy to discover, but can be difficult to land, as there are more applicants than open positions. Consequently, students committed to participating in an internship will want to also launch a cold outreach strategy—that is, a method of contacting potential internship providers with a plan that highlights their strengths and opens the door to an opportunity.
Uncertainty and fear of rejection make many students uncomfortable with cold outreach; however, the guide and templates below make the process straightforward and less stressful.
10 Political Internships for High School Students in New York
Many of the political internships for high school students in New York listed below are extremely competitive, with acceptance rates under 20%. Because of this, we recommend applying to at least five official programs.
If you see an internship that’s a good fit for you, take a minute and mark its deadline on your calendar, so you don’t miss out on an opportunity.
1. StandOut Connect
Ages: 15-19
Location: Virtual
Timeline: Summer, Spring, Fall, or Winter
Deadline: November 23, 2026 (Winter cohort)
StandOut Connect is a program that helps match gifted high school students with online internships in their industry of interest. Potential sectors include finance, STEM, medicine, law, arts, and more. StandOut Connect is funded by StandOutSearch, the largest free database for high school internships. The program has been featured in Forbes and was created with the help of investment from The University of Chicago's Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
2. YouthBridge-NY Fellowship
Ages: Juniors
Location: New York, NY
Timeline: School Year
Deadline: Not yet announced
The YouthBridge-NY Fellowship is a year-long leadership and diversity program for about 30 high school juniors from across the New York City metro area, run by the Center for Shared Society at the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York. Fellows meet two weekday evenings each month at the program's Manhattan office and join quarterly off-site programs. Sessions cover identity, allyship, and building community across differences, and guest speakers discuss issues such as criminal justice reform, housing, and healthcare disparities. Quarterly programs include visits to government agencies, community groups, and cultural institutions.
3. Mayor’s Office Internship Program
Ages: 16-18
Location: New York, NY
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: Not yet announced (March 29 in 2026)
The Mayor’s Office Internship Program places students in the mayoral units that interest them most, with positions in a wide number of fields, including:
- Administration
- Communications
- Operations
- Policy and planning
- Risk and compliance
- Special projects and community events
Interns engage with staff and work on a range of projects. Additionally, interns attend a bi-weekly speaker series, tour city facilities, and design and execute a service project that makes a lasting impact on New Yorkers.
4. Columbia Pre-College Programs
Ages: 14-18 (15+ for Residential)
Location: New York, NY
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: February 1, 2027
Columbia Pre-College Programs offer more than 100 non-credit college-level courses across a dozen subject areas, including politics and international affairs, law and conflict resolution. Residential students also get a taste of campus life, living in dorms and eating in the dining halls. Summer 2027 options include a three-week residential program on the Morningside campus in Manhattan, three-week and one-week commuter programs, and two-week online programs, all held between June 21 and August 6. Estimated 2027 costs range from $2,883 for the one-week commuter program to $12,838 for a residential session, plus an $80 application fee. Students from rising 9th grade through current 12th grade can apply.
5. NYU High School Law Institute
Ages: Freshmen-Seniors
Location: New York, NY
Timeline: Fall and Spring
Deadline: Not yet announced (August 14 in 2026)
This free law-focused program takes place on Saturdays during the school year and is student-run—it’s staffed by NYU Law students. The program covers a variety of fields, including:
- Constitutional law
- Criminal law
- Speech and debate
In addition to learning about the law, students build valuable skills such as communication, collaboration, and critical thinking.
6. Bella Abzug Leadership Institute (BALI) Journey to Leadership Program
Ages: 13-21
Location: New York, NY
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: Not yet announced (May 1 in 2026)
Youth, including those from underrepresented groups such as female-identifying, LGBTQI, and gender-expansive individuals, are given the tools required to achieve greatness during this summer program.
Students are inspired to become leaders and active participants in political, civic, corporate, and community life. They also build skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to lead in every aspect of life.
7. Barnard College Pre-College Programs
Ages: Juniors and Seniors
Location: New York, NY
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: Not yet announced
This New York City summer program is Barnard College's only pre-college option that earns college credit: each participant takes one three-credit course over six weeks, taught by Barnard faculty, in classes of 10 to 25 alongside Barnard undergraduates. Course offerings change every year, so students interested in politics can check each summer’s course list for a politics class. The program is commuter-only, and each course lasts six weeks (in 2026, July 6 to August 14). Tuition applies, and limited need-based aid is available; for summer 2026, base tuition was $7,065, and optional dining and excursion add-ons brought the maximum to $10,954. Rising juniors, seniors and gap year students with a rigorous courseload may apply, but international students are not eligible.
8. Manhattan District Attorney’s Office | High School Internship Program (HSIP)
Ages: Juniors and Seniors
Location: New York, NY
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: Not yet announced
The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office offers a paid five-week summer internship that gives Manhattan high school juniors and seniors an inside look at the criminal justice system. Interns join workshops and group discussions, take part in a mock trial program, and build professional skills in an office setting, working in person on weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at minimum wage.
Most recently, the session ran June 29 to July 31, 2026. Applicants submit a one-page résumé and a 300-word essay on their interest in criminal justice.
9. Ladders for Leaders
Ages: Rising Seniors
Location: New York, NY
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: Not yet announced (January 16 in 2026)
NYC Ladders for Leaders is a paid summer internship program that places rising high school seniors and college students with government agencies, companies and nonprofits across New York City. Before placement, students complete up to 30 unpaid hours of pre-employment training in business etiquette, résumés, cover letters and interviewing, then are matched to a position that fits their career interests. Most recently, internships ran six weeks at 25 to 40 hours a week and paid at least $16.50 an hour. High school applicants must be rising seniors, and all applicants must be 16 to 24, live in one of the five boroughs, be legally able to work in the U.S., and have prior paid or volunteer work experience.
10. Center for Justice Innovation Youth Action Institute
Ages: 16-21
Location: New York, NY
Timeline: School Year
Deadline: Not yet announced
Policy recommendations written by young New Yorkers are the end product of the Youth Action Institute, a paid fellowship that the Center for Justice Innovation offers to city residents ages 16 to 21. Fellows research issues affecting young people's agency and safety, focusing on where those topics intersect with the legal system and public safety. The commitment spans one academic year at roughly five hours a week: the group meets on two weekday afternoons, and each fellow checks in individually with staff once a week. Pay is $15 an hour. Applicants need no prior work experience, and they must have attended at least a year of school in New York City.
For more options beyond New York, see our list of political internships for high school students.
Cold Outreach Strategy for Political High School Internships
If the official internship programs above aren’t a good fit for you, developing a cold outreach strategy is the next logical step in finding a political internship for high school students in New York. Putting yourself out there via cold outreach can make many people feel anxious, but the guide below simplifies the process and should help ease your anxiety.
How to Find Companies to Reach Out to for a High School Internship
LinkedIn is a great tool for uncovering organizations that would host a high school political internship. Smaller teams often need an extra set of hands to assist with tasks like:
- Phone banking
- Canvassing
- Communicating with constituents
- Data entry
- Assisting with events
- Monitoring press coverage
- Tracking community issues
Try to find a common trait or interest when reaching out to professionals to connect over—for example, having attended the same high school, volunteering for the same community group, or a passion for solving a particular social issue.
Keep safety in mind when reaching out to professionals you don’t know; online interviews and virtual meetings offer a safe alternative to meeting in person.
How to Find Professors to Reach Out to for a High School Research Position
Scan university faculty directories online to identify professors who might be open to working with high school students on research. Just know that remote roles are uncommon. Most professors rely on high school interns to provide hands-on lab support, which can’t be done from home.
One exception is computational research. Projects that involve coding or data analysis are often done remotely; however, they usually require a basic knowledge of Python or R. It’s possible to learn on your own, over the course of a few months, using free courses like Coursera’s Python for Everybody or R Programming.
How to Structure and Send Outreach Emails
Securing a high school political internship is a numbers game, and the more inquiries you make, the better your chances of landing a position. We recommend sending at least 50 emails to potential internship providers as part of your cold outreach plan.
Include a Google link to your resume when contacting professionals about internship opportunities. Links are less likely to trigger spam filters than Docs or PDFs—just make sure that the link’s settings allow anyone with it to view its contents. Be sure to include any relevant work experience you may have, such as:
- Phone banking
- Canvassing
- Community outreach
Also, include a portfolio if you helped create any fliers, social media posts, or newsletters.
Whether you have an existing resume or need to create one, our resume guide and template are packed with tips for building an internship-ready resume. Give them a look and edit accordingly before beginning your outreach or sending your resume. The University of Chicago’s resume toolkit is another handy resource.
Email Template for Finding a High School Internship
If you are unsure how to structure your outreach emails to potential internship providers, here are some basic templates you can customize to your needs.
Template for Finding an Internship
Subject: Student Reaching Out
Dear Mr./Ms.____,
I hope you are having a great day! My name is [your name], and I am a rising [grade] at [your school]. I read about your company on LinkedIn and found the concept quite interesting. For context, [briefly state how the company relates to your interests or experience].
I was wondering if you might be looking for interns. I know I would have a great deal to learn from working with you, and I would love to contribute in any way I can. I have included my resume here. Thanks so much!
Sincerely,
[Your name]
Template for Finding a Research Position
Subject: Student Reaching Out
Dear Professor/Dr. ____,
I hope you are having a great day! My name is [your name], and I am a rising [grade] at [your school]. I recently read your paper on [restate the abstract] in [name of publication] and was quite intrigued by [part you found interesting]. I was wondering if I might be able to intern for you over this summer. [Elaborate on your relevant skills and experience and why you are passionate about the field].
I have included my resume here. Thanks so much!
Sincerely,
[Your name]
Conclusion
Whether you’re applying to an established political internship program or pursuing a cold outreach strategy, persistence is essential when trying to land a high school internship. These positions are typically competitive, but students who stick with the process gain an early edge in their future careers.
If this article helped you, save it for later or share it with someone else who might benefit from it. Good luck with your internship search!
