60 Summer Internships for High School Students
- Estelle Reardon
- Apr 3
- 21 min read
Topics We Cover:
While it’s tempting to use your summer break to hit the beach or binge-watch your favorite shows, many high schoolers take the time to get a head start on their careers. Summer internships for high schoolers offer a fantastic opportunity to begin building the skills, experience, and network needed for professional success.
Why Do Internships in High School?
Before exploring the wide variety of available summer internships for high school students, it’s important to understand the value these activities have on your future. High school internships demonstrate an ambition to pursue your interests outside of the classroom, are an impressive addition to your resume, and verify your future goals with real-world insight.
Engaging in a summer internship while in high school can also help you stand out in competitive college applicant pools and significantly improve your odds of gaining admission to a top school. Consider that, according to PRISM, a student-run consultancy at the University of Chicago, 70% of students at U.S. News Top 50 universities have completed at least one internship while in high school.
Completing a high school internship can open doors to future opportunities. Having one on your resume makes it easier to land internships in college, gain acceptance into pre-professional organizations, and stand out when entering the workforce.
How to Find Summer Internships for High School Students
Online search tools and lists are an easy way to discover official internship programs. One noteworthy resource is StandOutsearch. The largest free online database of high school internships, StandOutSearch, makes finding a “right fit” opportunity easy with filters ranging from field of interest to location to format (in-person, online, hybrid). MIT Admissions also provides a helpful list of summer programs and internships.
Official programs are often super competitive. If you are serious about finding a summer internship in high school, it’s also smart to prepare a cold outreach strategy—that is, a plan for contacting potential internship providers about possible opportunities.
At the end of this article, you can read more about how to form a cold outreach strategy to find a high school internship, along with email templates to simplify the process of reaching out to professionals.
60 Summer Internships for High School Students
Order:
Official high school internship programs are competitive—most of the opportunities listed below accept 20% of applicants or fewer. To improve your chances, we suggest applying to at least five programs. And if something catches your eye, be sure to note the deadline on your calendar, so you don’t miss out on a valuable opportunity!
Programs that Match You With an Internship in Your Interest Area
Ages: 15–19
Location: Virtual
Timeline: Summer, Spring, Fall, or Winter
Deadline: Various
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.
Ages: 16–18
Location: Remote
Timeline: School Year or Summer
Deadline: Varies
The U.S. Department of State’s Pathways Internship Program offers two tracks: the Internship Experience Program (IEP) and the Internship Temporary Program (ITEP). Both tracks are paid and allow participants to explore careers with the Federal government.
Ages: 17–18
Location: Across the U.S.
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: Early January
High schoolers interested in producing, journalism, web development, engineering, business, public relations, sales, or any other career in media or tech will want to take a close look at the Emma Bowen Foundation (EBF) Internship. Interns are placed directly within an organization, gaining hands-on experience that builds real skills and accelerates their path to a successful career.
Ages: Rising Juniors and Seniors
Location: San Francisco, CA
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: February 13
The City and County of San Francisco offer various internships and summer programs for high school students in several departments, including:
Airport
City Attorney
Department of Children, Youth, and their Families
Department of Elections
District Attorney
General Services Administration
Office of Economic Workforce Development
Public Utilities Commission
Opportunities for All
Public Works
Interns work 20 hours a week—Monday through Friday—over eight weeks during the summer.
Ages: 14–17
Location: San Antonio, TX
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: April 3
This paid summer internship program allows San Antonio middle and high school students to build college and career readiness. Participants build valuable soft skills, set career goals, and are matched with a local organization where they complete a 120-hour internship over the summer.
STEM Internships for High School Students
Ages: 16–18
Location: Across the U.S.
Timeline: Summer, Spring, and Fall
Deadline: Various
The NASA Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) offers paid internships for high school and college students. Participants work with research scientists, engineers, and other NASA professionals to gain real-world experience, build career readiness, and strengthen their resumes.
Check out our article, NASA High School Internships: Your Ultimate Guide, to learn
more about this out-of-this-world opportunity.
Ages: 16–18
Location: Across the U.S.
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: January 10
The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program offers summer internship opportunities to upper-level high school students. Interns gain valuable hands-on experience working with full-time AFRL scientists and engineers, contributing to cutting-edge research and technology projects while earning a stipend.
Ages: Juniors and Seniors
Location: Across the U.S.
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: January 25
This eight-week paid summer internship has available positions in all 50 states, as well as Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. Scholars work in fisheries and aquatic science while receiving professional mentorship, gaining hands-on experience, and becoming inspired to pursue fisheries or aquatic science.
Ages: Seniors
Location: Across the U.S.
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: N/A
The National Institutes of Health Summer Internship Program (SIP) offers the opportunity to work alongside some of the world’s most accomplished scientists. Research opportunities span the biomedical, behavioral, and social sciences, covering basic, translational, and clinical research.
In addition to research, students participate in educational, career, and professional development programming. They also share their research at a Summer Poster Day at the end of the summer.
Ages: Rising Seniors
Location: Across the U.S.
Timeline: School Year
Deadline: TBD
The National Security Agency (NSA) High School Work Study Program provides high schoolers the opportunity to work at NSA Headquarters in Maryland or one of its field sites in Alaska, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Texas, or Utah. Positions are available in fields including:
Chinese Language and Intelligence Analysis
Computer/Engineering Technology
Facilities/Logistics
Office Administration
Printing/Graphic Arts and Model Shop
Interns are paid, making this a great chance to build work experience while earning a paycheck.
Ages: Rising Juniors and Seniors
Location: Across the U.S.
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: May 24
Participants in this summer program learn how AI is disrupting the workforce and changing the world around us. Students build the knowledge, skills, and mindset to understand AI, while exploring how to use these tools effectively. The program culminates in a group project, pitching an AI-powered tool to mock clients, with top teams invited to showcase their work at a future event.
This is a paid program. Participants receive a $500 stipend.
Ages: Rising Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors
Location: Across the U.S.
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: November 1
Students in the Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) conduct research in Department of Navy (DoN) laboratories, gaining hands-on STEM experience, exploring research and development opportunities, and receiving mentorship from professional scientists and engineers.
New students receive a $4,000 stipend for their participation in the eight-week internship. Returning interns earn a $4,500 stipend.
Ages: Juniors
Location: New York, NY
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: February 6
Students in this summer program engage in an eight-week internship in a biomedical or computational lab. Working under the supervision of a mentor, participants build skills, complete a self-directed project, and explore life as a scientist. Opportunities are available in a variety of research areas, including:
Cancer Biology
Cell, Molecular, and Developmental Biology
Chemistry/Chemical Biology
Computer Science/Computational Biology/Genomics
Engineering/Optics/Imaging/Research Tools
Immunology/Immuno-oncology
Pharmacology and Drug Development
Structural Biology
Students receive a $1,200 stipend for their participation in the program.
Ages: Sophomores and Juniors
Location: New York, NY
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: TBD
Participants in the BRAINYAC program help prepare high schoolers to become the next generation of scientists. Participants engage in a hands-on research experience, connect with working scientists, and build the skills required to succeed in a research environment.
Ages: Freshmen, Sophomores, and Juniors
Location: New York, NY
Timeline: Summer and School Year
Deadline: March 15
BioBus Junior Scientist Interns explore scientific careers, gain hands-on lab experience, and discover the excitement of scientific research. Interns develop their own research projects, receive mentorship from professional scientists, and develop leadership skills by serving as co-instructors at science events and programs.
This is a paid internship—students receive $17 an hour.
Ages: 16–18
Location: New York, NY
Timeline: School Year and Summer
Deadline: Various
Students explore the latest advances in genetic engineering while building both biology laboratory skills and scientific communication skills in this science-focused internship. Participants work on a research project, take lab tours, go on field trips, and meet real-life scientists while earning a $2,000 stipend.
Ages: Sophomores and Juniors
Location: New York, NY
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: December 5
The Hk Maker Lab is an intensive six-week summer program that introduces students to engineering and health innovation through hands-on projects and real-world problem-solving. The program culminates with a Hackathon for Health Equity—challenging students to create digital media, such as an app or website, to address health disparities.
Ages: 16–18
Location: Princeton, NJ
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: March 15
This free summer program for high schoolers provides research experience in the sciences and engineering. Participants are placed in ongoing research programs and work under the supervision of Princeton faculty and staff.
Admission to the program is extremely competitive—more than 3,500 students applied last year.
Ages: Sophomores
Location: Menlo Park, CA
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: February 14
Externs of Meta Summer Academy—formerly known as Facebook Summer Academy—explore the day-to-day operations of one of the world’s leading social media networks. Participants learn how to code and explore careers in tech while developing career-ready skills.
Learn more about this awesome internship opportunity in our article, The Definitive Guide to the Facebook High School Internship.
Ages: Juniors and Seniors
Location: Across California
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: January 9
Participants in this paid seven-week program explore administrative and supporting careers in healthcare, such as:
Accounting, Finance, and Actuarial
Administration, Clerical, and Supporting Services
Customer Service
Human Resources
Information Technology
Research and Development
Sales and Marketing
Interns also engage in skill-development workshops, gain firsthand insight into healthcare careers, and build their professional network.
Ages: 16–19
Location: Livermore, CA
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: Various
Sandia applies science to help detect, repel, defeat, or mitigate national threats. It also welcomes student interns—including those in high school—to assist with challenging real-world projects contributing to Sandia’s mission.
Ages: Juniors and Seniors
Location: Stanford, CA
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: February 21
Students in the eight-week Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR) perform basic research on a medically oriented project. Students work under the supervision of Stanford faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and researchers while learning how scientific research is performed.
Ages: 15–17
Location: Atlanta, GA
Timeline: School Year and Summer
Deadline: Various
This high school program aims to create the next generation of environmental and conservation leaders. The program runs three four-month sessions per year. Participants work in guest interpretation and engagement—taking the skills they built volunteering at the aquarium to complete a community project.
Ages: 13–18
Location: Chicago, IL
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: Various
Chicago’s Adler Planetarium provides several opportunities for teenagers to participate in STEAM-based programs, including:
Far Horizons Teens
Youth Leadership Council
Youth Organization for Lights Out (YOLO)
Participants gain experience with science, technology, engineering, arts, and math while exploring careers, meeting like-minded peers, and learning to think about their community and how to enact change.
Ages: 16–17
Location: Medford, MA
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: April 17
High schoolers gain real-world experience performing cutting-edge biomedical research, investigating biomedical questions, and developing new methods to study cells, tissues, and organs in this six-week summer program.
Students receive academic guidance from undergraduates and graduate students involved and their research mentors, seeing the work of professional researchers firsthand. They also learn to think critically and independently.
Ages: Juniors
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: February 15
The Aspirnaut Summer Research Internship Program at the University of Michigan is a free six-week program that introduces students to the life sciences. Participants gain hands-on lab experience by assisting with real research projects at the forefront of scientific discovery. Interns live and work on the University of Michigan–Ann Arbor campus, experiencing life firsthand at a major research university.
Not only is this program free, but students earn a $3,000 stipend for their participation.
Ages: Juniors
Location: Cambridge, MA
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: February 2
This six-week summer program introduces talented high school juniors to rigorous college coursework—it’s like a semester of college packed into one exciting summer. Students explore high-level math, science, and humanities classes, as well as electives in fields like architecture, electronics, and machine learning.
Outside the classroom, participants explore the Greater Boston area, prepare for college, connect with college counselors, and enjoy a college-like experience.
Ages: Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors
Location: Boston, MA
Timeline: School Year and Summer
Deadline: Various
The Massachusetts General Brigham Youth Program exposes Massachusetts high schoolers from Boston, Revere, and Chelsea to careers in healthcare. Participants build valuable skills and experience through internships, job shadowing, summer jobs, and workshops. Positions are available in fields such as:
Anesthesia and Sleep Medicine
Emergency Medicine
Neurology and Neurosurgery
Nursing
Pathology and Clinical Laboratories
Psychiatry and Behavioral Health
Pulmonary and Respiratory Services
Radiology and Imaging
Research Labs and Global Health Initiatives
Students also build a community of students similarly interested in healthcare, as well as their network of professionals in the industry.
Ages: Juniors and Seniors
Location: Lebanon, NH
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: March 11
This highly competitive seven-week summer internship provides teens with real-world healthcare experience and insight into careers in the field. Participants work across departments to see firsthand how a healthcare organization runs while learning valuable workplace skills like communication, empathy, and problem-solving. Departments interns may work in include:
Blood Donor Clinic
Clinic Support
Environmental Services
Facilities and Engineering
Inpatient Administration
Medical Laboratory
Perioperative Services
Pharmacy
Radiology
Supply Chain
Students also engage in team-building activities and receive mentorship from experienced advisors.
Business Internships for High School Students
Ages: 18
Location: Across the U.S.
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: March 16
This prestigious six-week summer internship program pairs students with nonprofits, where they gain hands-on experience in their community while learning about the critical role nonprofits play. The program culminates with an all-expenses-paid trip to the Student Leaders Summit held in Washington, D.C., where participants connect with other Student Leaders and learn how the public and private sectors work to meet community needs.
Ages: 13–18
Location: New York, NY
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: May 1
The Bella Abzug Leadership Institute (BALI) is a summer leadership program for all youth, including those who are female-identifying and gender expansive. Participants learn to become active and creative and to lead in all circles of life, from civic and political to corporate and community.
Ages: Rising Juniors and Seniors
Location: Princeton, NJ
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: April 5
Students interested in business, finance, and entrepreneurship will want to check out this hybrid 10-week summer internship. Participants gain industry experience and build their professional network while helping with responsibilities like:
Administrative support
Deal sourcing
Investment analysis
Market research
Portfolio monitoring
This internship is ultra-competitive—typically, just three to four applicants are selected from a pool of hundreds.
Ages: Juniors
Location: Knoxville, TN
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: March 31
Participants in this six-day summer program learn about the intersection of business and technology, exploring:
Business analytics
Coding
Computer technology
Entrepreneurship
Personal branding
Supply chain management
Students also engage in college-readiness workshops, connect with industry professionals, and learn about the professionalism, etiquette, and networking needed for a successful career.
Ages: Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors
Location: New York, NY
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: Rolling
The Athena Institute is a three-week bootcamp instilling the skills participants need to change the world. During the program, students work in teams to create a venture—such as a startup, nonprofit, or advocacy campaign—that disrupts the traditional way of doing things and creates change. Participants also build career-ready skills like public speaking, presentation, and leadership.
The program concludes with a pitch competition, in which teams present their ideas to each other and provide feedback.
Ages: Sophomores and Juniors
Location: Chicago, IL
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: March 31
Chicago high school students are paired with paid internships with leading companies through the Chicago Summer Business Institute (CSBI) Internship Program. Students connect with professionals working in fields like finance, law, and government—building the skills and making the connections needed to kickstart their careers.
Ages: 15–18
Location: Boston, MA
Timeline: School Year and Summer
Deadline: Contact for Deadline
The Federal Reserve Bank of Boston’s Today’s Interns, Tomorrow’s Professionals (TIP) program offers a paid internship for eligible Boston Public Schools students who have finished their sophomore year.
The program begins with a hands-on summer work experience that combines job coaching and skill-building workshops. Students who demonstrate interest, effort, and strong performance may have the opportunity to continue in a year-round internship, lasting up to three years.
Ages: Freshmen and Sophomores
Location: New York, NY
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: May 15
Students in this program explore the science of urban infrastructure, applying computer science, engineering, and technology to create innovative solutions for cities. The five-week summer program culminates in a design challenge, where teams present their ideas and prototypes to engineers, urban planners, STEM professionals, friends, and family—demonstrating how their solutions address real-world problems.
Ages: Rising Juniors
Location: Knoxville, TN
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: April 10
Accounting and Information Management (AIM) Academy is a six-day summer program exposing high schoolers to accounting, information management, and other business fields. Students attend business-related workshops, participate in college-readiness workshops, and build skills that will serve them in their personal, academic, and professional lives.
Law and Politics Internships for High School Students
Ages: 16–18
Location: Washington, D.C.
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: Varies
One of the most prestigious internship programs in the country, just 30 students are chosen to live in the capital and assist in the daily operations of the Senate. Pages gain firsthand public service experience and meet some of the nation’s most prominent leaders while supporting senators by delivering correspondence and legislative material.
Pages leave the program having gained personal responsibility, time management, and discipline while having a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Ages: 16–18
Location: New York, NY
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: January 12
For more than three decades, the Thurgood Marshall Summer Law Internship Program has paired high school students with paid internships at law firms, corporations, nonprofits, and government agencies. Students gain firsthand insight into day-to-day legal work, build professional experience, and become more prepared for a career in law.
Ages: Juniors and Seniors
Location: New York, NY
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: N/A
The Manhattan District Attorney’s High School Internship Program is a five-week summer experience providing students with an up-close view of the criminal justice system. Participants engage in workshops and discussions on topics like:
Criminal justice
Police brutality
Civic engagement
Leadership
Students will also engage in a mock trial program and build career readiness—developing professional skills and gaining office experience.
Ages: 16–18
Location: Chicago, IL
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: June 1
This week-long program exposes high schoolers to the legal profession, with a focus on social media and digital technology. Students follow a curriculum focused on writing and negotiation, take field trips, listen to guest lectures, and participate in mock legal proceedings.
Ages: Freshmen–Seniors
Location: New York, NY
Timeline: School Year
Deadline: August 15
The New York University High School Law Institute (HSLI) is a free student-run program offering courses in constitutional law, criminal law, speech, and debate. Courses are led by NYU Law and undergraduate students and supported by NYU Law faculty. Courses are designed around the group’s interests, and participants are encouraged to think critically, work together, and evaluate ideas based on reasoning and evidence.
Ages: Juniors
Location: New York, NY
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: January 9
The Sonia & Celina Sotomayor Judicial Internship Program helps high school students explore potential careers in law. Participants spend the summer interning for a state or federal judge while gaining experience in the legal field and building their professional skills.
Ages: 18
Location: New York, NY
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: TBD
Students in this internship program spend four and a half weeks learning about the work of the United Nations (UN) and exploring careers in foreign affairs. Participants attend some open UN meetings and research a topic they’re passionate about—creating an oral presentation and written paper to present at the end of the program.
Ages: 16–18
Location: Hartford, CT
Timeline: Fall, Spring, and Summer
Deadline: Various
The State of Connecticut’s Office of the Attorney General offers internships to a number of students, including those in high school. Internships are volunteer, unpaid positions; however, participants can earn school credit. During the internship, students develop their communication, research, and writing skills.
Ages: 16–18
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Timeline: Fall, Spring, and Summer
Deadline: Varies
Volunteers in this internship program gain firsthand experience with the criminal justice system—working closely with staff, including deputy district attorneys, investigators, and court and law enforcement personnel. Interns assist with tasks like:
Answering phones
Delivering and filing documents
Photocopying, scanning, and shredding
Typing
Ages: Freshmen–Seniors
Location: Boston, MA
Timeline: School Year and Summer
Deadline: Contact for Deadline
High schoolers learn about civic leadership and community development through this program, making them active participants in the decisions affecting their lives—collaborating with city officials, voicing their opinions, and developing solutions to the issues facing young people. They also build leadership skills, gain public service experience, and gain insight into local government.
Ages: 16-18
Location: New York City or Washington, D.C.
Timeline: Spring, Summer, Fall, or Winter
Deadline: Various
Interns collaborate closely with office staff to support residents of New York’s 14th Congressional District while gaining firsthand exposure to how Congress operates. The program is designed to be educational and immersive, offering interns a broad look at the day-to-day work of a congressional office.
Ages: Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors
Location: New York, NY
Timeline: School Year and Summer
Deadline: Contact for Deadline
Throughout the year, the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office offers internships to a variety of students, including high schoolers. Positions are competitive and offer the opportunity to gain real-world experience working in a district attorney’s office. An intern’s duties may include:
Assisting in investigations
Attending trials
Conducting and analyzing legal research
Preparing and compiling documents and data
Supporting community outreach programs
Interns are assigned to a general trial zone or specialized units like Civil Rights, Homicide, and the Special Victims Unit.
Ages: 15–18
Location: New York, NY
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: March 2
This rigorous summer program provides ambitious high school students the chance to explore their interests while getting a taste of college life and exploring one of the world’s great cities: New York. Courses are offered across a broad range of fields, with legal and political offerings including:
Constitutional Law
International Relations
Law as a Tool for Social Justice
Legal Reasoning
Political and Economic Ideologies
Ages: 16–18
Location: Newark, NJ, and Camden, NJ
Timeline: Fall, Spring, and Summer
Deadline: Varies
Senator Cory Booker’s office offers a limited number of fall, spring, and summer internships to high schoolers in Senator Booker’s Washington, D.C.; Newark, New Jersey; and Camden, New Jersey offices. Interns learn first-hand how Congress works while assisting with a wide spectrum of constituent-focused tasks like:
Answering phones
Attending events
Conducting research
Drafting memos
Processing mail and email
Tracking constituent opinions
Ages: Seniors
Location: Oregon
Timeline: School Year, Summer
Deadline: May 1
Scholars work one-on-one with an attorney mentor during the school year, engaging with Oregon’s legal and civic communities. Participants attend events related to law and civil rights and, depending on their mentor, may observe legal proceedings, network with professionals in their field of interest, and receive guidance on writing their college essays.
Ages: 15–18
Location: Washington, D.C.
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: April 13
This isn’t a formal internship, but it’s still a great way to get up close with people doing real civil rights work. Students spend a week learning from ACLU lawyers, lobbyists, and community activists, diving into current issues through talks, discussions, and small seminars. The experience wraps up with a day of action, giving participants a chance to speak out and get involved in a hands-on way.
The biggest downside is the price tag—it costs $2,700. That said, financial aid and travel assistance are available for students who need help covering the cost.
Ages: 16–18
Location: In-person, Hybrid, and Remote
Timeline: School Year and Summer
Deadline: Varies
Interns in this competitive program connect with members of the foreign relations community and gain experience working with a prestigious think tank. Interns are paired with professionals to develop industry-specific skills along with soft skills like communication, collaboration, and critical thinking.
Arts and Marketing Internships for High School Students
Ages: 16–18
Location: Remote
Timeline: School Year and Summer
Deadline: Varies by Position
The Smithsonian Office of Internships provides high school students with the opportunity to gain experience in the world’s largest museum, education, and research institution. There are a variety of virtual, hybrid, and in-person internship opportunities across its various museums, including the National Museum of Natural History, National Portrait Museum, and National Museum of the American Indian.
Ages: Sophomores and Juniors
Location: New York, NY
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: March 13
This internship at one of the world’s largest art museums isn’t just for students passionate about art—it gives high schoolers the chance to work with professionals across a variety of museum roles, from curation and education to marketing.
Ages: 14–18
Location: New York, NY
Timeline: School Year and Summer
Deadline: April 25
The Poetry Society of New York interns help the group achieve its mission to redefine and reestablish poetry’s essential position in the culture at large. Positions are tailored to interns’ interests, with roles available in:
Development
Editorial work
Event production
Fundraising
Marketing and PR
Participants gain experience working for a small nonprofit and are empowered with considerably more responsibility than those at most other organizations.
Ages: 16–18
Location: New York, NY
Timeline: School Year and Summer
Deadline: Varies
CITYarts brings young people together with professional artists to create public art, such as murals and mosaics. Talented students are invited to apply for internships that offer arts training, hands-on experience with real projects and artists, school credit, and stipends. Positions are available in fields such as:
Design and Social Media
Development
Photo/Video
PR/Marketing Internship
Projects Internship
Ages: 14–18
Location: Chicago, IL
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: Contact for Deadline
The Chicago Philharmonic Summer Internship provides opportunities in a variety of fields, including:
Arts administration
Community engagement
Development
Marketing
Operations
Students receive training, mentorship, and a musical performance guided by Chicago Philharmonic musicians.
Cold Outreach Strategy for High School Internships
If none of the opportunities listed above are right for you, cold outreach is a smart next step to landing a position. Many people find cold outreach intimidating, but the template and tips below make the process simple.
How to Find Companies to Reach Out to for a High School Internship
The professional networking site LinkedIn is a great place to find small companies and organizations willing to take on a high school intern. Smaller groups are excellent internship targets as they’re often shorthanded and more willing to take on a high school-aged student.
Try to establish personal connections when reaching out to professionals, such as coming from the same hometown, sharing a passion for a particular cause, or loving the same sports team—it creates rapport, makes your message feel personal, and improves response rates.
Keep your safety in mind when reaching out to people you don’t know and schedule meetings and interviews online, which is the safest option.
How to Find Professors to Reach Out to for a High School Research Position
Search university staff directories online to identify professors who might take on a high school research assistant. Just know, remote research roles are rare—in most cases, professors rely on high school interns for in-person, hands-on tasks like maintaining lab equipment or assisting with basic procedures, which don’t translate to a remote setting.
One notable exception is computational research. These roles often involve working with large datasets and typically require a basic understanding of programming languages like Python or R. The good news is that you can build these skills on your own in a few months using free resources, such as Coursera’s Python for Everybody or R Programming courses.
How to Structure and Send Outreach Emails
Success with cold outreach is often a numbers game, and the more inquiries you make, the better the odds of landing a position. We recommend sending at least 50 emails to potential internship providers.
When emailing possible internship hosts, include a Google link to your resume. Links work better than attachments like PDFs and Docs, which can trigger spam filters. Limit your resume to a single page, include any relevant work experience, and make sure the link’s settings allow anyone with it to view its contents.
If you don’t have a resume or want to polish your current one before sending it out, our resume template and guide are packed with information about creating an internship-earning resume. The University of Chicago’s resume toolkit is another valuable 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 official programs or reaching out on your own, persistence is key when searching for a high school internship or research opportunity. These roles can be challenging to land, but most students find the experience well worth the effort as they begin building a foundation for their future careers.
If you found this guide useful, be sure to save it or share it with a friend—and best of luck in your internship search!