Top 10 Internships for High School Students in 2024
by
Indigo Research Team
&
Published:
March 15, 2024
Last Updated:
November 15, 2024
As a high school student, you're constantly asked, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" But how can you truly know without exploring different paths? That's where internships for high schoolers come in; it is your chance to gain hands-on experience in fields that pique your curiosity.
Instead of flipping burgers or scooping ice cream, you can spend your summer break interning at a cutting-edge tech company, assisting at a prestigious law firm, or conducting research at a renowned university. These cool internships for high school students not only provide valuable insights into your potential career paths but also look impressive on college applications.
Now that you are ready to take your summer plans to the next level, read on to discover the top internship programs for high school students in 2024 and the criteria you need to meet to get them.
You might have seen interns fetching coffee or doing mundane tasks in your favorite Hollywood series, making you think internships are just a long shot. Or perhaps you've wondered if internships are even meant for high schoolers. But the reality is internships for high school students offer so much more than just getting coffee runs.
According to a report from American Student Assistance, a whopping 85% of HR managers consider past internship experience as relevant work experience when evaluating candidates for full-time roles. This means internships give you a valuable edge in the job market by demonstrating your ability to apply classroom knowledge in a professional setting.
If you're still not convinced, we've outlined more compelling reasons to pursue an internship as a high schooler:
Classrooms teach theories, but an internship shows you the reality of your dream job. You will experience the day-to-day responsibilities of working with professionals in your desired field and see if this career path fits your interests and goals. This valuable real-world exposure is priceless for making informed decisions about your future career.
Unlike low-wage summer jobs, great internship programs let you explore exciting career fields like medicine, tech, or business right from high school. If it's a paid internship, you'll earn money while learning from professionals. Even unpaid internships provide valuable experience, skills, and connections that will improve your future job prospects and increase your earning potential.
There are two ways to increase your chances of being admitted to a top-level college and make your application stand out. One is conducting independent research in high school, and the other is having top-quality internship experiences. Top internship experience sends a positive message to the college application review boards of your intended institution, indicating that you possess initiative, dedication, and a proactive approach to learning.
Internships aren't just temporary gigs - they can open doors to full-time jobs. Companies often hire their top interns after graduation. When you impress your employers during your internship, you will have a head start on scoring your dream job right out of college. It's an inside track to employment that your peers won't have access to.
Now that you understand why internships are a game-changer for high school students, let's dive into the top internship opportunities across various exciting fields in 2024.
If you're interested in exploring a career in the medical field, these prestigious internships for high school students are an excellent way to gain hands-on experience and exposure.
Are you fascinated by the mysteries of the human brain and the field of neuroscience? The JHIBS program at Johns Hopkins offers an incredible opportunity to explore this fascinating area. As a high school intern, you'll get to discover firsthand if a career in neurological sciences is the right path for you.
Eligibility:
If you're a junior or senior attending a Baltimore City public high school, you can apply for the in-person JHIBS experience. Or, if you're a junior or senior from anywhere in the United States, the virtual JHIBS internship could be perfect for you.
Duration and Location:
The in-person program runs for eight weeks during the summer, and you will be based at the renowned Johns Hopkins Department of Neurology in Baltimore. But the virtual experience lasts 5 weeks and can be completed entirely online.
What You'll Do:
As an in-person intern, you'll have the chance to work on an actual research project under the guidance of faculty, staff, and student mentors. Plus, you will get to observe neurologists in action through clinical rotations. If you choose the virtual route, you'll attend educational presentations, receive professional development training, and even learn basic laboratory techniques and experiments – all from the comfort of your home.
Application Process:
To apply, you must complete an application form that includes essay questions. Be sure to submit your resume, academic transcript, and a letter of recommendation too.
Compensation:
If you land the in-person JHIBS internship, you'll receive an hourly wage and funds to cover transportation costs. While the virtual experience is unpaid, successful interns will receive a $500 scholarship to support their education at the end of the program.
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If you're a low-income, first-generation high school junior living in the California Bay Area, the Stanford Medical Youth Science Program (SMYSP) offers another medical internship for high schoolers. To be eligible, you must attend high school in one of these eight Northern California counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, or Solano. The application deadline for this program is March 15, 2024, with invitations for interviews going out on April 15.
Application Process:
You are required to complete an online form with your personal information, financial information, and essay questions. If selected as one of the 24 participants, you'll be mentored throughout the five-week program by medical professionals, faculty, and college students passionate about science. This on-campus experience will take place at Stanford University from June 24 to July 26, 2024, and you will be expected to commute to the main campus Monday through Friday.
What To Expect:
As an SMYSP intern, you'll gain firsthand experience in various aspects of healthcare delivery at Stanford Hospital. This includes hands-on laboratory activities, departmental rotations, shadowing opportunities, and patient interactions. To complement your practical training, you have to attend two weekly lectures covering public health and research methodology to prepare for your summer research project.
Interns also participate in weekly lectures on human anatomy taught by Stanford medical students, as well as academic planning workshops to get you ready for the college application process making it good internships for high schoolers.
Compensation:
Admitted students will even receive a $1,250 clinical research stipend, making it a paid internship opportunity.
The Scripps Research Translational Institute (SRTI) is a leader in personalized medicine. The institute conducts cutting-edge translational research focusing on personalized healthcare by studying genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics related to health and disease.
The Scripps student internship program focuses on translational research that translates scientific discoveries into real-world medical applications. As a student Intern at Scripps, you will work on projects that use an individual's genetic makeup to develop personalized treatments, also known as precision medicine.
Eligibility:
The internship is open to high school students interested in health sciences, statistics, computer science, or any field that uses data and technology to improve healthcare. High school students must be at least 16 years old before the start of the internship. If you're 18 or older, you'll need to complete background checks and drug screening before being allowed to work in clinical areas. Since this is an unpaid internship, you'll need to provide proof that you're receiving educational credits or confirmation that you're receiving a stipend from your home institution.
What To Expect:
Interns will develop research skills by learning to design and analyze relevant studies. Based on your interests, you'll be paired with a mentor for guidance and career advice. The program primarily focuses on dry lab settings using computational tools, but few wet lab positions are also available. Indicate your lab preference (dry, wet, or either) during application.
Duration and Location:
The SRTI is a 10-week summer internship program. In 2024, the program expects to offer primarily on-site positions where interns will live near the institute. However, a limited number of virtual positions will also be available. Students are responsible for finding their own housing during the internship.
Application Process:
The application deadline for the SRTI internship is March 30, 2024, and students will be notified of their selection by May 4, 2024. To apply, you will need to submit a form that includes your resume, academic transcript, a statement of purpose outlining your goals and interests, and a letter of recommendation.
Cost and Compensation:
Participation in the program is free, and while it's primarily an unpaid internship, a limited number of interns may receive a stipend of $1,000-$2,000. However, regardless of receiving a stipend, all interns will still be required to secure a letter of credit to cover their living expenses during the program.
Nova Southeastern University's College of Osteopathic Medicine internship is designed to provide an immersive experience that offers an inside look into the fascinating world of medical professions. It is considered one of the top internships for teens and high schoolers in 2024. You will get to learn from experienced professionals in many medical specialties like pharmacy, sports medicine, and more.
Eligibility:
Nova Aim-High offers their medical internship for 17-year-olds and above; you must have a minimum GPA of 3.2. The application deadline is May 1, 2024, and there's a non-refundable $40 application fee.
Duration and Location:
The AIM-High Internship runs a five-day program offered during three different sessions: June 24-28, July 8-12, or July 15-19. You can attend either the NSU Davie/Fort Lauderdale Campus or the NSU Tampa Bay Regional Campus in Clearwater, Florida. However, you can only participate in one session.
What To Expect:
During this hands-on internship for high school students, you will be exposed to various medical sessions, including suturing, dissection, pharmacy, sports medicine, cancer detection, and Stop the Bleed training. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to attend social events and roundtable discussions with NSU medical students, providing valuable insights into the field.
One of the highlights is the chance to get certified in first aid and CPR, and take part in disaster medicine training with the Sunrise Fire and Rescue team.
Application Process:
To apply for this top internship opportunity, you'll need to complete an online application, which includes an essay, your high school transcript, and a recommendation letter. Successful applicants will be notified by email within four weeks of their application submission or by mid-April at the latest.
Cost:
While the program itself is likely free for accepted students, there is a non-refundable $40 application fee.
If numbers, marketing, and the corporate world excite you, check out these top business internships for high school students.
Bank of America offers a yearly internship program that allows high school juniors and seniors to gain valuable real-world experience through an eight-week paid summer internship with a local non-profit organization. Not only that, but you will also attend leadership summits where you can connect with other young leaders and learn from industry professionals. This program is designed to help you develop your practical skills, gain civic engagement experience, and build your network for the future.
Eligibility:
Junior or senior high school students who are legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship through the end of September 2024 and can travel for a week-long Student Leaders Summit in Washington are eligible to apply. If you applied in a previous year and were not selected, you can reapply if you meet the other eligibility criteria.
Duration and Location:
The program lasts eight weeks and requires 35 hours of work per week, including a week-long Student Leaders Summit in Washington, DC (July 22-27, 2024). The summit week is counted within the 8-week experience.
Application Process:
The application process for the business internship typically opens in the fall of each year. During the application window, complete the online application form and be prepared to submit essays or short answer responses as part of the application.
Cost:
Fully funded with hourly stipends available for successful candidates
The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) offers a semester-long business internship program for high school students. In this program, you will work with PNNL's business professionals on real projects. Interns typically spend up to four hours a day, five days a week, on projects in a specific business area like marketing, finance, or human resources. The program will also expose you to educational and leadership development activities to complement the hands-on experience.
Eligibility:
The PNNL High School Business Internship program is open to students who are currently enrolled as sophomores, juniors, or seniors in a public or private high school. It is also an internship for 16-year-olds and above at the time it begins. Additionally, you must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher (from 9th grade to current standing). While not an explicit requirement, previous extracurricular activities like independent high school projects related to business might be looked upon favorably.
Duration and Location:
The internship is a semester-long experience and takes place at the PNNL facilities located in Richland, Washington. The exact length may vary slightly depending on the specific academic calendar of the semester (fall or spring) you participate in.
Application Process:
To apply for the PNNL High School Business Internship, ensure you meet the eligibility requirements. If you do, gather your resume, unofficial transcript, and a personal statement about your interest in business and PNNL. Then, head online during the application window (announced on the PNNL website) and submit your materials through the program portal.
Cost:
The internship program is unpaid. There is no mention of a cost associated with the business internships for high schoolers.
If you're a curious and passionate junior or senior with a knack for science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM), this could be your dream opportunity. STEM internships over the summer are perfect for high schoolers who want to get hands-on with research.
NASA offers limited competitive internship positions across various locations throughout the year. As a NASA High School Intern, you'll gain firsthand experience working alongside NASA professionals on real-world projects. You could assist with research projects, learn about spacecraft operations, or even get involved in STEM outreach initiatives.
Eligibility:
To be eligible, you'll need to be a go-getter in your junior or senior year of high school with a passion for STEM (science, technology, engineering, or math). Most importantly, you must be at least 16 years old and a U.S. citizen by the internship start date.
Application Process
Before the start date, internship applications open months in advance, apply directly online through the NASA internship page for the program that best suits you.
Duration and Location:
Internships can be full or part-time, on-site or remote at a NASA facility.
Cost:
NASA internships for high school students are typically unpaid. However, once application announcements are available, program descriptions or contact information for coordinators will be included. Use this information to reach out and inquire about any potential stipend associated with the internship you're interested in.
The Science Internship Program (SIP) by the University of California, Santa Cruz is a competitive 9-week summer program that places you alongside UC Santa Cruz's leading researchers, allowing you to conduct real scientific research in your area of interest. You will be working on real-time projects in science, engineering, social sciences, humanities, and art under the mentorship of UCSC researchers.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the program, students must be at least 14 years old. However, for certain research project placements, they must be at least 16 years old. Selected students will be chosen based on their interest in the relevant subject area, eagerness to learn new concepts, and analytical thinking skills. The program will be held in person, and on-campus accommodation will be provided.
Application Process
If you're interested in applying for the SIP 2024 Internship Program, you can register online through the program's portal. As part of the application process, you'll need to pay an application fee on a separate payment portal. Additionally, you'll be asked to provide a reference from a teacher or mentor. The application period for the SIP 2024 internship starts on Friday, March 1, 2024, and ends on Sunday, March 31, 2024.
Duration and Location:
SIP 2024 is set to last for 9 weeks. The first two weeks will be dedicated to online research preparation, while the remaining 7 weeks will be for in-person active research. You can either choose to stay in on-campus accommodation in Santa Cruz, California, or opt for the SIP shuttles to commute to the UCSC campus if you stay close.
Cost:
The cost of applying to the academic program is $60, which is nonrefundable. If you get selected for the program, you'll have to pay $4,750 as the academic program fee. Additionally, you'll have to bear the cost of either the dorm housing fee or the shuttle fee, depending on your choice.
However, if you're unable to pay the application fee, you can request an application fee waiver. Also, there's a financial aid package available that can cover a percentage of your program fee. Stipends are also available for selected interns.
For high schoolers with an artistic flair, these art high school internships offer exciting opportunities to explore arts and creativity projects
ArtWorks in Cincinnati offers a program for high school students to work with professional artists on public art projects. This apprenticeship program lets teens and high school students gain experience in different art forms, such as painting, drawing, photography, and design. It's an excellent opportunity to learn from experts and peers while creating public art and positively impacting the community.
Eligibility:
To qualify, you must be 14-21 years old, passionate about art, and able to work for 20-30 hours per week for 10 weeks. You need a valid Ohio State ID and a Birth Certificate or Social Security Card. An art portfolio is recommended. If you're aged 14-15, you must have a Completed Ohio Minor Work Permit.
Application Process:
To apply for ArtWorks' Spring or Summer Apprenticeship program, interested candidates must fill out an online application for a specific project. For the Summer program, candidates are required to attend ArtWorks' in-person Apprentice Hiring and Interview Session on April 6 at the Hamilton County Youth Employment Office, bringing along the necessary forms of identification and their art portfolio.
Duration and Location:
The Spring program runs from April 2 to May 25, with work hours from Monday to Thursday, 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm, and Saturdays, 11:30 am to 2:30 pm. The Summer program runs from June 3 to August 8, with work hours from Monday to Thursday, 9 am to 4 pm, and enrichment sessions on Fridays from 10 am to 12 pm.
Cost:
The application for the program is free. Successful applicants will receive a wage of $13 per hour. The apprenticeship period lasts 10 weeks, during which apprentices are expected to work between 20 and 30 hours per week.
The Art Institute of Chicago's internship program is a fantastic opportunity for teenagers to gain valuable experience in a well-established and esteemed art museum. The program offers paid internships for teens and provides studio, leadership, or mentorship experience. As an intern, you will be able to work alongside other teens and support various events, workshops, and gallery tours catering to thousands of local and international visitors. The program also aims to help you develop soft and interpersonal skills, which can be helpful in any career path you choose.
Eligibility:
Chicago high school teens who are at least 16 years old at the time of the internship are eligible for these summer internships.
Application Process:
Apply for the Art Institute internship online through the After School Matters (ASM) program portal. The internship runs from late June to early August, and the application process begins in April.
Date and Location
This paid program will be hybrid, with both virtual and onsite meetings held on Wednesday evenings and Saturday afternoons. Participants should expect to commit 3–4 hours a week.
Cost:
Successful students will receive a stipend through the ASM program, the exact amount of which will be disclosed later. There are no fees for applying.
Internships aren't just about fetching coffee or doing grunt work. They give you a glimpse into your future career. A High school internship increases your chances of getting into your dream university. Mentioning an internship on a college admission essay boosts your application.
While exploring these top internships, check out Indigo Research's programs for high school students. Combining an Indigo Research program with internship experience is an excellent hack to boost your college applications. It has all the features to help high schoolers like you gain an edge in your college admissions through a mentored independent research project.
