Top Online Internships for High School Students in 2025
by
Indigo Research Team
&
Published:
March 8, 2025
Last Updated:
March 11, 2025
Did you know you can work as an intern at top companies without stepping out of your home? Online internships can help high school students acquire practical experience and develop valuable skills useful in advanced studies or career development. When you include your experience in any of these programs in your college application essay, you increase your chances of getting admitted.
Besides the academic benefits, online internships allow students to build professional competencies and relationships with industry professionals. The best part is that you can discover diverse experiences and coursework depending on your interests. These internship opportunities usually span many fields from science and technology to business and marketing. Read on to discover the best programs that align with your interests.
Here are some of the best remote internships for high schoolers:
The American Psychological Association organizes one of the best online research internships in the country—the Internal Internship Program (IIP). This program helps high school students discover psychology beyond the boundaries of their classrooms. Here students are engaged in research projects, policy development, educational activities, and publishing projects. They complete this non-clinical internship at a nonprofit where they apply psychological theories to real-world projects.
Under the guidance of seasoned mentors, interns engage in structured team projects and attend workshops that teach them professional skills. Students are also given specific department assignments that expose them to diverse psychology aspects such as research methods and scientific communication. The program teaches participants to understand the application of psychological concepts in various fields.
If you're looking for free international relations remote internships, the Junior Academy (The New York Academy of Sciences) might be an ideal choice. It's an online project-based program that organizes students in international teams to solve real-world problems. Participants will have STEM experts guide them in creating innovative solutions for major business challenges. The program begins with a one-week introductory period. In this period, students learn basic concepts in research methods, data analysis, and design thinking.
Students participate in two challenges each year which take place in September and February. The initial phase requires teamwork. Students create teams by beginning new projects or joining existing groups. All their work takes place on Launchpad, the Academy's online learning environment. With a low age requirement, the Junior Academy is one of the best internships for 14-year-olds online.
Building-U is a nonprofit organization that empowers high school students to lead business operations, develop content, and solve business problems. Spanning over 3 months, Building-U presents one of the most comprehensive virtual internship programs. During your internship, you'll work on real-world projects in multimedia, marketing, blog writing, animation, coding, business development, and social media.
Some of your responsibilities may include:
Participants receive practical experience by developing business strategies, implementing digital marketing tactics, and creating content. Besides these technical skills, interns also improve their communication skills and learn how nonprofits are being managed. They also learn leadership skills and learn how to collaborate with peers.
If you're looking for online medical internships, you might want to try out Medicine Encompassed. This program gives high school students opportunities to explore STEAM, biology, and medical fields by placing them in executive and general roles. Interns contribute to 18 medical committees to develop resources that support an inclusive medical curriculum and outreach programs.
Different roles are available. Writers create formal articles for publication while editors review their work for scientific accuracy. Resource creators produce study guides, educational materials, and slideshows. Beyond content creation, students can join general departments within the organization such as sponsorships and partnerships, marketing, social media, or graphic design. All positions offer practical learning opportunities in medical communication, research methods, and organizational management.
The Green Scholars Program by Seaside Sustainability is an excellent online research internship in the sustainability field. This program gives high school students a chance to help produce educational materials that reach classrooms across the country. Here you'll be engaged in research, writing, data analysis, outreach, and content creation.
The program is divided into three sub-teams:
Interns develop educational content and revise curriculum materials while working alongside sustainability experts. The program encourages them to actively participate in environmental advocacy and educational activities. Semi-finalists need to submit academic records, essays, and recommendation letters to complete the competitive application process. Find out how to ask a teacher for a recommendation. Ultimately, finalists complete interviews and submit further documentation requirements.
United Planet offers one of the best summer virtual internships for high school students who want to work with international organizations. This program places you in organizations that support education, community development, and environmental sustainability. You'll be involved in initiatives that focus on bettering children's educational outcomes. You may also work on projects that advocate for human rights.
This virtual summer internship pairs you with local professionals who will guide you on hands-on projects to address global cultural and social challenges. You may choose to work with schools and shelters or decide to support economic and social development programs. Some notable past projects in this program include supporting a sea turtle conservation project in Costa Rica, operating a youth center for disadvantaged children, and teaching plastic recycling as a climate change solution in Sierra Leone.
Johns Hopkins University (JHIBS Virtual Program) offers one of the best online internships for high school students interested in psychology or neuroscience. The Psychology and Brain Sciences internship offers advanced courses such as Neuroscience and Human Behavior. Here you'll research the connection between brain function and human behavior. The program operates asynchronously. This means that you learn via pre-recorded videos or presentations. You can access your materials and complete tasks at your own pace but within specified deadlines.
While most coursework includes pre-recorded videos, students can engage with instructors in real time through optional live sessions. During these sessions, they can ask for help and receive support. The program encourages critical thinking and a fundamental understanding of neuroscience. It's an excellent starting point for students who want to study brain science in the future.
Only a few internships for teenagers offer the opportunity to publish a research paper, the Oxford Scholastica Academy Internship is one of them. This program enables high school students to explore research opportunities within business domains, medical sciences, and psychological studies. Interns select specific research topics such as fintech, AI in breast cancer, and PTSD & Trauma.
During the one-month internship, students receive guidance from mentors who help them build their research skills. They perform literature reviews, explore real-world solutions, and improve their analytical skills. By the end of the program, each intern completes a research paper, which is submitted for publication in an academic journal. After undertaking this project, they can now write about research in college applications which will help them stand out and boost their chances of getting accepted.
The Indigo Research Intensive Seasonal (IRIS) Program might not be a from-home internship, but it still offers online research opportunities with top university professors. In this program, students work alongside educators from prestigious universities such as Stanford and Oxford to study various fields ranging from AI and Engineering to Genetics and Environmental Science.
Throughout the program, students acquire critical skills such as time management, note-taking, and proper citation. With solid research skills and expert guidance, they go on to publish an advanced paper in their chosen field. They then submit these papers to the most prestigious science journals for professional review.
Delta Institute provides high school students with virtual work experience programs in top global companies like Amazon, PwC, Uber, and Ferrari. Students in this program gain real-world professional experiences and receive guidance from leading university experts.
Delta Institute offers multiple programs. The Discover Program helps students explore career options, the Delve Program offers practical industry experience, while the Deepen Program focuses on skills development. Here students learn through real-world projects and afterwards, present their results to company representatives. Delta Institute graduates have gained admission to top universities like Stanford and MIT, UC Berkeley, Oxford, and Cambridge with acceptance rates that are significantly above the average.
Yes, most internships don't require experience to get you on board. They are often more interested in your enthusiasm, academic performance, and willingness to learn.
Of course! Many reputable companies, nonprofits, and universities offer remote internships. The fact that you gained the experience online doesn't make it less valuable. Some of these internships even offer course credits and certifications, and they can improve your chances of getting admitted into college.
It depends. Some virtual internships are free, especially those offered by nonprofits, universities, or government programs. Others may have fees, especially if they provide certifications or academic credit. Always research the program to understand any costs involved.
Yes! Though most internships start at 16, some programs, such as The Junior Academy, Medicine Encompassed, and the Green Scholars Program are open to 15-year-olds.
Yes! Many online internships offer certificates upon completion. For example, Intern Abroad HQ and Oxford Scholastica Academy Internship award certificate when you complete your program. These certifications can boost resumes and college applications.
Interested in doing research? Begin your online learning experience today with the Indigo Research Intensive Seasonal (IRIS) Program. Besides collaborating with leading university professors, you get to publish your research findings—a feat that will set you apart in college admissions and career development.
Interested in doing research? Begin your online learning experience today with the Indigo Research Intensive Seasonal (IRIS) Program. Besides collaborating with leading university professors, you get to publish your research findings—a feat that will set you apart in college admissions and career development.
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