10 Computer Science Internships for High School Students in New York
- Estelle Reardon
- Aug 28
- 8 min read
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Before digging into a comprehensive list of computer science internships for high school students in New York, it’s vital to understand why these opportunities are important. According to the consultancy PRISM, 70% of students attending U.S. News’ top 50 universities completed at least one high school internship.
Why Do Internships in High School?
Engaging in a high school computer science internship demonstrates interest in exploring the field, provides firsthand insight into career paths, and ultimately makes it easier to target a job after graduation. It also makes it easier to secure college internships and join student organizations, such as tech clubs or coding teams.
Participating in high school internships can also help develop essential skills, including programming in Python, Java, and C++; software development; data analysis; and problem-solving. Interns may also gain exposure to emerging technologies like AI, cybersecurity, and machine learning. These skills can lead to a number of careers in technology—for example, software engineer, data scientist, cybersecurity analyst, and IT consultant.
In the end, a high school computer science internship builds a solid foundation for advanced studies and future tech job opportunities.
How to Find Computer Science Internships for High School Students in New York
Online search tools and lists are a great place to begin searching for computer science internships in New York and beyond. The StandOutSearch database is a fantastic resource— it’s home to a comprehensive collection of internships for high schoolers. Another great reference is a list of high school internships curated by MIT Admissions.
Official internship programs are a great option, but they’re often extremely competitive. Pursuing a cold outreach strategy—contacting potential internship providers in the computer science and tech space about opportunities—is another smart way to secure an internship. At the end of this article, we’ve included step-by-step guidance on building an effective cold outreach strategy, complete with email templates, making it easier to connect with possible internship providers.
Combining official program applications with cold outreach can greatly improve the chances of securing a rewarding computer science internship.
10 Computer Science Internships for High School Students in New York
Most of the computer science internships for high school students in New York listed below have acceptance rates less than 20%. Because there are more high school students interested in internships than available opportunities, we suggest applying to at least five internships.
Excited about an opportunity? Mark the deadline on your calendar!
Ages: 15-19
Location: Virtual
Timeline: Summer, Spring, Fall, or Winter
Deadline: Various Deadlines
Created with the help of investment from The University of Chicago’s Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, the StandOut Connect program pairs high-achieving high schoolers with online internships in areas of interest, such as:
Finance
STEM
Medicine
Law
Arts
The program is powered by the StandOutSearch database, the largest free online database of high school internships, and has been featured in Forbes.
Ages: Freshmen, Sophomores, and Juniors
Location: New York City, NY
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: May 15
CS4CS introduces high school students with no background in cybersecurity or computer programming to the basics of cybersecurity and computer science. In the program, participants engage in lessons on topics including:
“White-hat” hacking
Cryptography
Steganography
Digital forensics
Privacy
Data usage
Students will also explore other issues relevant to the cyber industry and build vital soft skills, like communication, through theater training.
Ages: Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors
Location: Virtual
Timeline: Summer, School year
Deadline: Varies by program
NASA STEM Gateway offers students a variety of research and internship opportunities involving artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), data preprocessing, and the application of complex algorithms. Interns gain practical on-the-job experience while working side-by-side with mentors who are research scientists, engineers, and individuals from many other professions.
Interested in a high school internship with NASA? Our ultimate guide to NASA high school internships contains everything you need to know about these astronomically amazing opportunities.
Ages: 16 and above
Location: New York City, NY
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: Contact for deadline
While not an internship per se, the Columbia University NYC Residential Summer is a fantastic opportunity for ambitious high schoolers. It provides the chance to live on Columbia University’s campus and take classes from its professors. Courses cover a broad span of tech topics, including an introduction to basic programming, data science, AI/ML, and cryptocurrencies.
Ages: Freshmen-Seniors
Location: New York City, NY
Timeline: Summer, School year
Deadline: Varies
The New York Historical Society offers a variety of tech-focused programs for high school students throughout the year. Projects include podcasting, web design, and game development. Depending on the program, interns gain hands-on experience with HTML and CSS to design, code, and build websites, while also developing valuable soft skills such as communication, writing, and research.
Ages: Sophomores and Juniors
Location: New York City, NY
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: February 21
Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE) is a 10-week program that includes a 4-week block focused on lab safety, research skills, and college workshops, followed by a 6-week authentic research experience. Interns work in NYU research labs and are mentored by graduate or postdoctoral students. Internships are available in labs working on cybersecurity, machine learning, and artificial intelligence.
Interns receive a $1,000 stipend for completing the program.
Ages: 14-16
Location: New York City, NY
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: April 14
High school students will develop their STEM skills while digging into the science behind urban infrastructure in NYU’s 5-week Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and the Science of Smart Cities (ieSoSC) program. The program allows participants to push their computer science, engineering, and technology skills to the next level while gaining hands-on experience designing prototypes for smart city solutions.
Ages: 13-17
Location: Virtual
Timeline: Fall, Spring
Deadline: Contact for deadline
The Junior Academy at the New York Academy of Sciences gives high school students the chance to take on innovation challenges through hands-on, project-based learning. Students form teams with other students from around the world, and work with STEM experts online to create solutions to real-world problems.
During the program, students develop skills in areas like research methods, design thinking, and data analysis. They also build a worldwide network of professionals and peers.
Ages: 15-17
Location: New York City, NY
Timeline: Spring, Summer
Deadline: Contact for deadline
The STEM Research Academy is a two‐semester program, consisting of a spring pre‐college science course and the opportunity to conduct hands-on research with CUNY faculty members in a summer research experience. The Academy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to build essential literacy and numeracy skills by engaging in ‘authentic inquiry’ activities.
Ages: Juniors
Location: Stony Brook, NY
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: Contact for deadline
Academically talented and highly motivated high school students are given the chance to engage in hands-on research at Stony Brook University. Opportunities are available in science, math, and engineering. Participants are paired with faculty mentors and learn lab techniques and tools, actively work on research teams, and gain real-world experience at a research university.
This program is extremely competitive—only about 5% of applicants are admitted.
Cold Outreach Strategy for High School Internships
If none of the above New York computer science high school internships excite you, the next step is to develop a cold outreach strategy. This can feel intimidating, but the guide below will simplify the process. Exercise caution when contacting professionals you don’t know and keep in mind that it’s safer to meet or interview online, rather than in person.
How to Find Companies to Reach Out to for a High School Internship
LinkedIn is a valuable tool for finding small tech firms and startups where you can assist with coding, software development, data analysis, or IT support. Smaller firms are often more open to hiring high school interns—they’re typically shorthanded, making them more inclined to hire a high schooler.
When reaching out, seek personal connections with professionals, such as being from the same area, attending the same school, or sharing common interests like a favorite sports team. Personalizing your outreach can boost your chances of a positive response. Focusing on smaller companies and leveraging these connections can help you secure a valuable computer science internship in New York.
How to Find Professors to Reach Out to for a High School Research Position
Online university staff directories are a fantastic resource for discovering professors to contact for computer science research positions. Remote opportunities can be challenging to secure, as professors often prefer high school students for in-person tasks. However, for computational research, remote positions are more feasible if you have basic knowledge of Python or R to analyze large datasets.
You can learn these programming languages for free using resources like Coursera’s R Programming Course or Python for Everybody.
How to Structure and Send Outreach Emails
For an effective cold-outreach strategy, plan to send at least 50 emails to potential internship providers. Include a link to your resume—kept to one page while you’re in high school. If you don’t have an existing resume, our high school resume template and tips are a great place to get started. The Univeristy of Chicago also provides a helpful free resume template and guide.
We recommend sharing your resume as a Google Drive link rather than a PDF, since PDFs can sometimes reduce email deliverability. Just be sure your sharing settings allow anyone with the link to view it. Consider adding work samples to your resume, such as a website you’ve designed, a social media account you manage, or your GitHub profile.
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 are applying to established computer science internships for high schoolers or trying to unlock one yourself through a cold outreach strategy, perseverance is the name of the game. It’s challenging to secure a high school internship, but most students find the outcome justifies the investment—getting a leg up in college admissions and a jump start on their careers.
If you found this article helpful, bookmark it for reference or share it with a friend. Good luck with your internship search!
