High School Summer Internships Near You That Actually Pay Off

High school students often search for “internships near me for high school students” to gain real-world experience, build their skills, and boost their college applications. Summer internships can be a fantastic way to explore potential career paths beyond the classroom. Not only do these programs provide hands-on learning, but many high school summer internships are paid or come with stipends – so they pay off both in experience and earnings. 

Below, we’ve compiled a comprehensive state-by-state guide to high school internships across the U.S., focusing on major cities and unique opportunities. We’ll also touch on organizations like HOSA that support aspiring professionals. Whether you’re interested in STEM, healthcare, law, business, or the arts, there’s likely an internship nearby to suit your interests.

How to Use This Guide: Find your state in the list below to discover high school internships near you. Each state section highlights 1–3 top programs (with location and a brief description). Remember that application deadlines can be early (often winter or spring), so plan ahead for next summer!

For Students Interested in Healthcare and Medicine

Many students start exploring career interests through general summer programs, but those drawn to healthcare should look for experiences that go beyond observation. Hospitals, clinics, and global health programs expose students to real patient care settings and introduce them to public health, anatomy, and medical ethics before college begins.

For high schoolers who already know they’re interested in medicine, International Medical Aid’s IMA Internships for High School Students provide a structured path to gain practical exposure. Students shadow medical teams in hospitals and community clinics abroad, take part in public health outreach, and learn directly from licensed professionals. These experiences help them see what patient care looks like in real settings while developing cultural awareness and teamwork skills.

Admissions officers notice when applicants have taken initiative in healthcare fields. Students who can describe specific medical experiences—such as observing clinical rounds, assisting in outreach campaigns, or learning about rural healthcare—stand out from those who only mention general interest.

However, while healthcare experience is a clear advantage, a well-rounded background is also valuable. Some of the most successful applicants balance medical exposure with broader internships in research, communication, technology, or social service. A student who volunteers in a hospital while also completing a data science or journalism internship, for example, demonstrates both compassion and analytical skill—qualities that colleges look for in future healthcare professionals.

That’s why this guide includes a range of opportunities across all fifty states. The programs listed here offer high school summer internships that build leadership, curiosity, and independence—qualities essential for any future medical career.

Healthcare and Medical Internships for High School Students in the U.S.

For students who already know they want to pursue a career in healthcare, the best internships give real experience in hospitals, labs, and clinics. These programs help students understand the daily realities of medicine, build discipline, and gain the confidence to pursue pre-med or health science degrees later on. While International Medical Aid’s IMA Internships for High School Students offer immersive international experience, many students also benefit from strong domestic programs.

The following examples highlight well-respected healthcare and medical internship programs across the United States that accept high school participants. These programs combine structured supervision, academic learning, and exposure to real patient care environments.

Northeast

MSK HOPP Summer Student Program – New York, New York
An eight-week experience at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center where students assist researchers in biomedical and cancer research labs under professional supervision.

Boston University RISE Internship Track – Boston, Massachusetts
An advanced research internship that places high school students in university laboratories to work on projects in neuroscience, public health, and medicine.

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Summer Scholars Program – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
A program introducing students to pediatric research, ethics, and hospital operations within one of the nation’s top children’s hospitals.

Southeast

Emory Winship Summer Scholars Research Program – Atlanta, Georgia
Students work with Emory University faculty on cancer research projects, gaining hands-on lab experience and mentorship from medical professionals.

JJ Vance Memorial Summer Internship – Miami, Florida
A genetics-focused internship at the University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine where students participate in lab work and explore genomics research.

University of South Carolina AHEC Summer Health Careers Program – Columbia, South Carolina
A multi-week healthcare program that exposes students to medicine, dentistry, and allied health fields while visiting local hospitals and clinics.

Midwest

Mayo Clinic CARES Program – Rochester, Minnesota
A hospital-based experience that introduces students to healthcare careers through shadowing, workshops, and seminars with Mayo Clinic professionals.

C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital Summer Volunteer Program – Ann Arbor, Michigan
Students gain insight into pediatric care by assisting hospital teams and interacting with patients and families.

Northwestern Medicine Discovery Program – Chicago, Illinois
An educational initiative offering clinical observation, medical technology sessions, and professional mentorship.

West

UCSF High School Intern Program – San Francisco, California
A research internship that provides exposure to clinical and biomedical science while working alongside university researchers.

UCLA Health Care Internship for High School Students – Los Angeles, California
Students observe various hospital departments, learn professional communication, and gain exposure to patient-centered care.

University of Washington Summer Health Professions Education Program – Seattle, Washington
A pre-college program introducing students to careers in medicine, dentistry, and public health through lectures and simulation-based learning.

Southwest

University of Arizona KEYS Research Internship – Tucson, Arizona
A selective biomedical research experience pairing students with faculty mentors for summer laboratory projects.

UT Southwestern STARS Summer Research Program – Dallas, Texas
A research internship that allows students to assist in active biomedical labs and attend medical seminars.

Texas Tech Health Sciences Center Future Healthcare Professionals’ Experience – Lubbock, Texas
A mentorship and education program for students exploring healthcare fields, emphasizing laboratory skills and career exposure.

Central and Mountain States

University of Colorado Pre-Collegiate Health Careers Program – Denver, Colorado
An academic and experiential program that helps students prepare for college majors in medicine, nursing, and public health.

University of Utah Health Academies Summer Program – Salt Lake City, Utah
A program featuring simulation lab training, medical technology exploration, and discussions on healthcare teamwork.

Creighton University High School Health Sciences Camp – Omaha, Nebraska
A hands-on experience focusing on clinical skills, healthcare ethics, and health sciences exploration.

Mid-Atlantic

Johns Hopkins CARES Summer Program – Baltimore, Maryland
A research internship introducing students to biomedical investigation and mentoring relationships with Hopkins faculty.

Georgetown University Health and Medical Institute – Washington, D.C.
Students explore anatomy, pharmacology, and healthcare delivery through labs and lectures led by Georgetown faculty.

Virginia Commonwealth University Health Summer Academic Enrichment Program – Richmond, Virginia
A summer experience helping students understand health sciences and prepare for pre-professional academic tracks.

National Programs

HOSA–Future Health Professionals
A national student organization that promotes leadership and career development in healthcare through local chapters, competitions, and conferences.

National Student Leadership Conference on Medicine and Healthcare
A nationwide series of summer programs combining clinical simulations and healthcare policy workshops for aspiring medical professionals.

CDC Disease Detective Camp – Atlanta, Georgia
A hands-on program by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention where students study public health, epidemiology, and outbreak investigation.

Alabama (Birmingham, Huntsville, etc.)

UAB Medicine Summer Health Internship (Birmingham): The University of Alabama at Birmingham offers research internships where high schoolers work with medical researchers and gain lab experience. These programs expose students to “real” science and medical careers, often including shadowing doctors or participating in hospital-based projects.

NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Internships (Huntsville): NASA’s OSTEM program provides paid summer internships to high school students at sites like Marshall in Huntsville. Interns contribute to engineering and space missions alongside NASA professionals. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, at least 16, with a 3.0 GPA.

Alabama Power Workforce Internship (Selma): A local paid program in Selma that combines on-the-job work experience with academic support. For example, the Edmundite Missions Alabama Power Internship pays students $12/hour to work ~15 hours/week while building workplace and technical skills. This semester-long internship helps Selma high school seniors develop communication and professional competencies.

Alaska (Anchorage, Fairbanks, etc.)

Alaska Department of Fish & Game Internship (Statewide/Aniak River): Through Alaska EXCEL, high schoolers join biologists for an 11-day summer field internship on river ecology. Participants assist with fish habitat research, collect samples, and even earn high school science credit. A stipend (around $500) is provided upon completion. This hands-on internship is great for those interested in environmental science and wildlife conservation.

Foundation Health Partners “SHIP” (Fairbanks): The Summer High School Internship Program at Fairbanks Memorial Hospital gives rising seniors a 5-week rotation through hospital departments. Interns shadow doctors and nurses in areas like radiology, surgery, and labs, even talking one-on-one with patients under supervision. It’s a free program and includes a modest stipend, designed to spark interest in healthcare careers in Alaska.

Alaska Native Science & Engineering Program (Anchorage): ANSEP’s Summer Bridge offers Alaska Native high school grads a paid summer internship in an engineering or science field, along with a scholarship. (This program isn’t a direct competitor to IMA, as it focuses on local STEM development for indigenous students.) Interns gain experience at partner companies or research labs before starting college.

Arizona (Phoenix, Tucson, etc.)

Mayo Clinic CARES Internship (Phoenix): A summer program at Mayo Clinic’s Phoenix hospital that introduces Arizona teens to healthcare careers. Students spend June shadowing medical professionals, learning clinical skills, and receiving mentorship. Cost/Stipend: Free to participate, and interns receive a stipend upon full completion. Eligibility is open to Arizona high school freshmen through juniors, and continued mentorship is provided beyond the program.

UArizona KEYS Research Internship (Tucson): The Keep Engaging Youth in Science (KEYS) program is a 7-week research internship at University of Arizona’s BIO5 Institute, ideal for students interested in bioscience, engineering, or data science. Interns (who must be at least 16) start with a one-week training “boot camp,” then work in a lab with faculty mentors on real research projects. It’s a free program with a selective 13% acceptance rate – and it provides a great intro to lab techniques, ethics, and science communication.

Barrow Neurological Institute Summer Program (Phoenix): A highly regarded internship at Barrow Neurological Institute where Phoenix-area students 16+ spend 5 weeks in cutting-edge neuroscience labs. Interns assist with research on brain diseases and may even develop their own project to present. Cost: Free; students commit full-time and gain invaluable lab skills (some past interns’ work has even led to science fair awards). This is an excellent opportunity for those considering neuroscience or medical research.

Arkansas (Little Rock, etc.)

UAMS Summer Research Internship (Little Rock): The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences hosts a summer research internship for high school juniors/seniors interested in science and healthcare. Interns are paired with research mentors and participate in biomedical projects at UAMS. The program emphasizes networking and leadership, and students receive a stipend for their work. (Limited campus housing is also available for those outside Little Rock.)

Little Rock Career Climb (City of Little Rock Youth Program): Formerly the city’s Summer Youth Employment initiative, this program places local teens in paid summer jobs with partner businesses and city departments. High schoolers earn at least minimum wage while learning workplace skills in fields like government, parks and recreation, or community programs. It’s a great way to earn income and build work experience; the program also provides mentorship and job-readiness training throughout the 6-week session.

(Bonus – Southern Arkansas:) SAU Work Internship (Magnolia): Southern Arkansas University offers a summer internship for rising seniors (Upward Bound participants) to work on campus or with local businesses. Interns receive a $300 monthly stipend while developing professional skills and exploring career interests in a structured work setting.

California (Los Angeles, San Francisco, etc.)

L.A. Times High School Insider Internship (Los Angeles): Budding journalists can apply for the LA Times’ seven-week summer High School Insider program. Interns (sophomores to seniors) work 24 hours/week in the newsroom, reporting and writing stories with mentorship from Times journalists. It follows a hybrid schedule (in-office Mon–Wed, remote Thurs) and pays $16.90/hour. Each student is required to have a teacher adviser from their school, ensuring they get support both at the internship and academically.

UCSF High School Intern Program (San Francisco): UCSF’s Science & Health Education Partnership (SEP) runs an 8-week paid biomedical research internship for San Francisco students. Rising seniors from SF public schools are matched with scientist mentors at UCSF and conduct hands-on research projects. This paid internship focuses on students from underrepresented or low-income backgrounds, though all SFUSD seniors may apply. Interns complete a unique research project and present a poster at the end, gaining both lab skills and confidence in pursuing STEM careers.

NASA JPL & Aerospace Internships (Southern California): California is home to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab and several aerospace companies that offer high school opportunities. For instance, NASA’s nationwide OSTEM program lets high school students intern at centers like JPL (Pasadena) on space exploration projects. Closer to San Diego, the Medical Immersion Summer Academy (MISA) in Oakland (Northern CA) is another unique option: a 5-day intensive where high schoolers learn medical skills like suturing and CPR from physicians. (MISA is a short-term program rather than a summer-long internship, but it’s a notable hands-on experience in California.)

Colorado (Denver, Boulder, etc.)

Child Health Research Internship (Denver/Aurora): At Children’s Hospital Colorado (Anschutz Medical Campus), high school seniors 18+ can spend 9 weeks in a paid research internship in pediatrics. This program, run jointly with University of Colorado’s Department of Pediatrics, places students in hospital labs to assist faculty on child health research. Interns receive a stipend (~$3,500) to help with travel and housing costs. It’s a competitive opportunity to do real lab work in topics like pediatric medicine and immunology, complete with a final research presentation.

Lockheed Martin Space Internship (Littleton/Boulder): Aerospace-minded students in Colorado can aim for the Lockheed Martin High School Internship program. This 9–10 week summer internship pays hourly (30–40 hours/week) for students to work at Lockheed Martin’s facilities in Littleton, Boulder, or Colorado Springs on space and engineering projects. Interns must be at least 16 and live within commuting distance of a Lockheed site. This non-residential internship immerses students in real aerospace engineering teams – interns help solve problems and even participate in networking and career development activities during the summer. (It’s a fantastic resume boost for future engineers!)

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) – Boulder Labs: NIST’s Summer High School Intern Program (SHIP) in Boulder offers juniors and seniors a chance to do research in physics, engineering, or computer science at a federal lab. It’s an unpaid internship (volunteer) but provides invaluable experience working with NIST scientists on projects like quantum physics or materials testing. Students in the Boulder/Denver area with a strong STEM interest (and U.S. citizenship) can apply by February for this highly selective program.

Connecticut (New Haven, Hartford, etc.)

Yale “Discovery to Cure” Internship (New Haven): The Yale School of Medicine hosts the Peter E. Schwartz Discovery to Cure High School Internship, a six-week summer program for Connecticut high school juniors passionate about biomedical research. Interns (16+ years old) are placed in Yale’s laboratories (often in fields like reproductive science, oncology, or immunology) and get to contribute to ongoing research projects under Yale faculty mentorship. 

The program is competitive and is particularly aimed at students considering careers in medicine or science. Cost/Stipend: There’s no cost to participate; students who are accepted receive a stipend and invaluable research experience in a world-class lab setting. (One Cheshire Academy student noted it was “prestigious” with over 200 applicants for around 20 spots!)

Travelers Insurance Summer Internship (Hartford): For a taste of the corporate world, Connecticut students can look at companies like Travelers (headquartered in Hartford). Travelers offers a Future Leaders Internship Program at its Hartford offices, which occasionally extends opportunities to high school seniors or recent grads interested in business, finance, or IT. Interns work full-time for 8–10 weeks in departments like underwriting or claims and earn competitive pay while learning professional skills. (Note: This program is primarily aimed at college students, but some companies in CT have begun piloting high school-level internships – it’s worth checking local corporate career pages for high school opportunities.)

UConn Pre-College Summer Research (Storrs/Hartford): The University of Connecticut encourages high schoolers to explore research through initiatives like the UConn High School Research Apprentice program. For example, UConn Health’s Health Career Opportunities Program (HCOP) runs a Medical/Dental Summer Research internship for high school juniors from underrepresented backgrounds in the health fields. These students spend 5 weeks at UConn Health (Farmington) shadowing physicians and conducting simple lab projects. They also attend college prep workshops. 

Stipend: Many such programs offer a stipend or scholarship upon completion (HCOP provides around a $1,000 stipend). This is a great way for Connecticut youth to see if a career in medicine or research is for them.

Delaware (Wilmington, Dover, etc.)

Bank of America Student Leaders (Wilmington): Delaware teens can take advantage of the national Bank of America Student Leaders program, which selects community-minded high school juniors/seniors for paid summer internships at local nonprofits. For example, a Wilmington Student Leader might intern at a Habitat for Humanity or Boys & Girls Club, earning an hourly stipend while learning leadership skills. The program also includes a week-long, all-expenses-paid leadership summit in Washington, D.C., where students meet peers from across the country and learn about civic engagement. (Application deadline is typically January 15 each year.)

Delaware State Parks Youth Conservation Corps (statewide): If you love the outdoors, the DSP Youth Conservation Corps is a perfect summer gig. High schoolers (ages 14–21) are hired as paid crew members (earning about $13.25/hour) to work in Delaware state parks on conservation and park improvement projects. Participants do everything from trail maintenance and habitat restoration to assisting park staff with visitors. It’s hard work – usually 32 hours/week for 8 weeks – but you get hands-on environmental experience and a paycheck. The program runs in various parks (like Cape Henlopen, Killens Pond, etc.), so you can serve at a park near your community.

Delaware Public Health Scholars (New Castle County/Dover): The Delaware Academy of Medicine and Delaware Public Health Association jointly offer a summer internship program for high school students interested in public health and medicine. Interns are placed at health-related organizations around the state (from hospitals to public health departments) to shadow professionals and assist with projects. Students learn about healthcare policy, community health initiatives, and medical research happening in Delaware. Many interns also attend weekly seminars on public health topics. This program is typically free and may provide community service credit or a small stipend. It’s an excellent introduction to local healthcare systems and public health challenges in Delaware.

Florida (Miami, Orlando, Tampa, etc.)

Max Planck Florida Institute Internship (Jupiter): The MPFI Summer Research Internship is a 6-week program where Palm Beach-area high schoolers delve into neuroscience research alongside world-class scientists. Selected students (must be entering junior or senior year) work in labs at the Max Planck Institute for Neuroscience, learning advanced imaging techniques to study the brain. Interns even attend professional development workshops on topics like data analysis and scientific careers. Stipend: ~$12.50/hour is provided, making this a paid, competitive opportunity for STEM-focused students in South Florida. Only about 8 seniors were selected in a recent year, underscoring the prestige of this internship.

University of Miami – JJ Vance Biomedical Internship (Miami): The JJ Vance Memorial Summer Internship at UM’s Miller School of Medicine is an 8-week program for rising seniors in the Miami/Broward area. Interns are paired with mentors in the John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics to work on genetics and computational biology research. They gain experience in laboratory techniques and bioinformatics, working on projects related to human disease genetics. Stipend: A stipend is provided (exact amount varies by year). Students also participate in enrichment sessions on topics like scientific writing and college prep. This internship is ideal for those interested in biomedical research or genetic counseling.

Orlando Health Summer Teen Volunteer Internships (Orlando): Several hospital systems in Florida offer structured volunteer internships for high school students. For example, Orlando Health and AdventHealth host summer teen programs where students volunteer in clinical departments (like patient transport, nursing units, or hospitality) under supervision. 

These are typically unpaid volunteer roles (so not internships in the employment sense), but participants gain exposure to healthcare environments and often receive letters of recommendation or service hour credit. Some hospitals provide extras like free meals or parking. (While not paid, we mention this because of the invaluable experience – Florida hospitals are popular among students seeking healthcare careers.) For a paid healthcare experience, Tampa’s Moffitt Cancer Center occasionally offers a Summer Student Research Internship with a stipend for working on cancer research projects – another option for Florida students eyeing medicine.

(Florida is rich with opportunities, from tech companies in the Miami metro to government internships in Tallahassee. Check out resources like the Florida Department of Education’s students page or local science museums/zoos for additional “near me” internships.)

Georgia (Atlanta, Savannah, etc.)

Microsoft Discovery Program (Atlanta): Tech giant Microsoft runs a High School Discovery Program at its Atlanta campus, offering a 4-week paid internship for local high school seniors. Students earn $20/hour while rotating through teams in software engineering, product design, and program management. They work in groups on a real design project, learn about the product development lifecycle, and receive mentorship from Microsoft employees. (Eligibility is limited to students attending school within 50 miles of Atlanta or those in the Seattle/Redmond area for the parallel program.) This is a selective opportunity to get a head start in the tech industry – essentially a crash course in working at a leading tech company, complete with a final project presentation.

Emory University – Winship Cancer Institute Summer Scholars (Atlanta): Emory’s Winship Cancer Institute hosts a 6-week Summer Scholars Research Program where 10–12 high school students work on cancer research projects under top oncologists. Interns receive a $2,400 stipend and spend June–July in labs learning techniques in molecular biology and cancer genetics. 

The program includes field trips (like visiting the CDC) and weekly lunch seminars with experts, giving students a broad view of cancer care and research. It culminates in a symposium where interns present their findings. Rising seniors 16+ can apply (applications open in the fall prior). This internship not only strengthens your knowledge in biomedical science but also lets you contribute to important cancer research efforts.

Atlanta Bar Association Summer Law Internship (Atlanta): For students interested in law, the Atlanta Bar’s Summer Law Internship Program (SLIP) places high school juniors and seniors in paid summer positions at local law firms, courts, and legal departments. Interns work during June–July and also attend weekly enrichment sessions (e.g. guest speakers like judges, and an essay competition on a U.S. Supreme Court case). 

Stipend: A stipend is provided (amount varies, often around minimum wage or a flat sum for the program). This internship aims to increase diversity in the legal profession by giving teens firsthand experience in law offices and the justice system. It’s a fantastic “near me” opportunity for Atlanta-area youth to network with attorneys, learn professional etiquette, and clarify if a legal career might be in their future.

Hawaii (Honolulu, Maui, etc.)

Hawai‘i Pacific Health Careers Internship (Honolulu): One of Hawaii’s best-known programs, this six-week paid internship immerses high school juniors and seniors in hospital careers. Interns are placed at HPH’s network of medical centers (such as Kapiʻolani Medical Center or Straub Clinic) and rotate through departments to shadow nurses, doctors, pharmacists, and technicians. They might assist staff with non-critical tasks, observe surgeries or patient care (with consent), and attend skill workshops. 

Pay: Yes – students are hired and paid as temporary employees (hourly wage) during the program. It’s a competitive internship designed to nurture local talent for Hawaii’s healthcare workforce. Participants not only gain insight into healthcare but also join a mentorship network of HPH professionals that often continues beyond summer.

Maui County Ag & Tech Internship (Kahului/Maui): STEMworks, a Hawaii STEM education nonprofit, runs the Maui County Ag Business & Technology Internship for Maui high school students. Over summer, interns work on projects at local farms, agribusinesses, or tech companies focusing on agriculture. They might do anything from using drones to monitor crops to developing marketing plans for farm products. Interns earn a stipend while gaining experience in Hawaiʻi’s important agriculture sector. This internship not only teaches modern farming technology but also reinforces environmental stewardship. (Similar STEMworks programs exist on other islands, too, connecting students to industries like renewable energy or GIS mapping.)

Hawaii STEMworks Innovation Internship (statewide – virtual/in-person): The STEMworks Innovation Internship is a statewide program where high schoolers tackle real-world projects for Hawaii companies or nonprofits (often in fields like engineering, coding, or design). It’s a project-based internship – for example, one team of interns helped a local business create a mobile app, while another worked with a conservation group to analyze environmental data. 

Many projects can be done remotely, which is great for students on various islands. Interns are usually paid a stipend or hourly wage through grant funding. By the end, participants have a tangible project to add to their portfolios. This program shows that even if you’re in a remote location, you can collaborate and innovate with peers and mentors across the state, truly making it a “near you” experience for any Hawaii student with internet access.

Idaho (Boise, Idaho Falls, etc.)

Idaho National Laboratory High School Internship (Idaho Falls): STEM-loving students in Idaho can apply to INL’s 6–8 week paid summer internship program at the national lab. High school interns (16+ and at least rising juniors) are matched with INL scientists and engineers to assist on real research – from nuclear energy projects to cybersecurity and environmental science. 

They work full-time in the summer, alongside top-tier researchers, and contribute to solving real-world problems. INL emphasizes that interns “actively contribute to solving authentic challenges” and build confidence as they apply STEM concepts in a cutting-edge setting. Why it pays off: This internship is paid (competitive hourly wage) and stands out on any resume. Plus, you’ll network with scientists and potentially find a long-term mentor. (INL does note they don’t provide housing or transport, so interns generally are from the Idaho Falls/Pocatello region or arrange their stay.)

Boise State Summer Engineering Internship (Boise): Boise State University’s College of Engineering offers a few summer research internships for high schoolers in the Boise area. For example, BSU has hosted a Computing Research for High School Students program where selected juniors/seniors worked with faculty on computing projects (like app development or robotics).

Additionally, some Boise-based tech companies (such as Micron Technology) have partnered with schools to create summer intern spots for teens. These local opportunities may not be widely advertised, so interested students should inquire with BSU’s engineering outreach or their high school counselors. Often, paid positions are available for students to help in university labs or tech company pilot programs, giving Boise-area youth a chance to experience engineering work without leaving home.

Idaho Youth Conservation Corps (state parks, various): Similar to other states, Idaho runs youth conservation crews in the summer. High school students can join programs to work on trail building, forestry, and conservation projects in Idaho’s state or national forests. These are paid outdoor internships (essentially summer jobs) that last 4–8 weeks. For instance, the Student Conservation Association (SCA) often has crews in Idaho – participants might clear hiking trails in the Sawtooths or help with wildlife surveys in partnership with the Forest Service. If you enjoy nature and don’t mind physical labor, these internships pay an hourly wage and let you work outdoors in beautiful Idaho landscapes while making a tangible environmental impact.

Illinois (Chicago and beyond)

Field Museum Teen Internship (Chicago): Chicago’s Field Museum offers a Digital Learning Internship for local high school students interested in science, education, or museum technology. Interns work about 20 hours/week in the summer, assisting with the Field’s educational programs and digital initiatives (like developing museum apps or creating youth-friendly exhibit content). 

Notably, teens are paid $16.50/hour in this program. They also get behind-the-scenes museum access – handling artifacts, learning from scientists, and helping run public events. It’s a fantastic opportunity for Chicago students to turn their love of natural history or computers into a formative job experience. Applications typically open in late winter, and preference may be given to students from Chicago Public Schools.

Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum – TEENS Program (Chicago): The Nature Museum’s “Teenagers Exploring and Explaining Nature and Science” (TEENS) program is a renowned paid internship engaging about 60 Chicago high schoolers annually. During fall, spring, or summer sessions, interns conduct urban ecology research, contribute to citizen science projects, and even help with habitat restoration in local parks. 

They work in teams with museum scientists on projects like tracking migratory birds or studying Chicago river water quality. Along the way, interns gain skills in data collection, public speaking, and leadership. The program has been running for over a decade and even earned accreditation for its educational impact. Teens are paid (stipend or hourly) for their participation, and many continue across multiple sessions. If you’re a Chicagoland student into environmental science or conservation, TEENS offers a way to get paid to do science and give back to the community.

University of Chicago STEM Research Programs (Chicago): For those looking at more traditional lab research, Chicago’s universities have options. The University of Chicago runs the STEM Research Initiative for Students where select high schoolers can intern in UChicago labs over the summer. Likewise, Northwestern University has a summer program placing a few high school students in campus research (for example, in chemistry or materials science labs). 

These positions are often paid via a stipend or provide other benefits (like meal allowances). One example is the Northwestern Medicine Discovery Program which, while primarily a mentoring program during the school year, sometimes sponsors summer internships for its participants at Northwestern hospitals or research centers. Keep an eye on college outreach pages – Chicago’s vibrant research community is increasingly opening its doors to high achievers from local high schools.

Indiana (Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, etc.)

IU Simon Cancer Center Summer Research (Indianapolis): The Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center hosts a Summer Research Program (SRP) focused on cancer research for high school seniors (particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds in STEM). For 8 weeks, students work full-time in labs at the IU School of Medicine in Indy, each under the mentorship of a cancer researcher. They might explore anything from molecular biology experiments to clinical data analysis. 

Benefits: Students receive a stipend (around $3,000) and on-campus housing and meals. They also participate in professional development workshops on topics like scientific writing and college admissions. This is a prestigious program – it has a January deadline and seeks students with strong science interests. By the end, interns present their research to peers and faculty. If you’re considering medicine or biomedical research, this internship “pays off” by giving you a huge head start (plus a network at IU).

Allison Transmission High School Co-op (Indianapolis): Indiana is home to many manufacturing and engineering companies. For example, Allison Transmission in Indianapolis runs a high school co-op program where students from certain local schools can work part-time at Allison’s facilities during the school year or summer. These interns get paid hourly and learn about advanced manufacturing, engineering processes, and even business operations in a 

Fortune 1000 company. It’s like a trade internship that can lead directly to job opportunities after high school or college. Students often split their day between classes and work shifts at Allison, gaining work experience without delaying graduation. Similar opportunities exist at companies like Rolls-Royce (aerospace) in Indy or Cummins (diesel engines) in Columbus, IN – so Indiana teens interested in engineering should inquire with big employers in their area about high school roles.

Purdue University Research Apprenticeships (West Lafayette): Purdue’s summer programs for high schoolers include the Research Computing Summer Internship and the Minority Engineering Program (MEP) Summer Research internships. These bring a handful of high school juniors to Purdue’s campus to work in engineering or computer science labs for 6–8 weeks. Interns are often assigned a project (like programming a robot or analyzing soil samples in an agriculture lab) and are supervised by a graduate student or professor. 

Stipends are provided (approximately a few hundred dollars per week). Beyond lab work, students experience campus life and can network with Purdue faculty – which is great if you plan to apply there. It’s an excellent stepping stone for any student in Indiana looking at STEM fields.

Iowa (Des Moines, Iowa City, etc.)

John Deere High School Internship (Des Moines area): Iowa’s strong agriculture and manufacturing base means companies like John Deere offer internships to local youth. In the Des Moines/Ankeny area, John Deere has hired high school interns (often rising seniors) in departments such as IT, engineering, and business operations. These are paid positions over the summer, where a student might help test new farming software, assist engineers with CAD drawings, or support the marketing team. 

Students gain corporate experience and often continue part-time during the school year. To find these, students typically need a referral through a school career program or apply directly on company websites in early spring. For a teen interested in agri-tech or mechanical engineering, a stint at Deere is both a résumé booster and a realistic preview of a future career in Iowa’s signature industry.

University of Iowa SSTP (Iowa City): The Secondary Student Training Program (SSTP) at the University of Iowa is an immersive 5-week research internship for high-achieving high school juniors. (This is Iowa’s equivalent of a “RISE” program.) Students from Iowa and across the country live on campus in Iowa City and work in research labs according to their interests – such as biology, astronomy, or psychology. They also earn college credit for a research course. 

Cost/Stipend: SSTP has a program fee (since it includes room & board and college credit), but many Iowa students receive scholarships or financial aid to attend, and some labs provide stipends to their high school intern. Participants present their research at a symposium at the end. This program is highly regarded and can even lead to submitting research to national competitions. If you’re a junior in Iowa with a passion for science or engineering, SSTP is a stepping stone to advanced research (and to networking with professors for future opportunities).

Des Moines Register Young Scholars Program (Des Moines): Aspiring writers or journalists in Iowa can look to the Young Scholars internships that local media like the Des Moines Register offer. Each summer, the Register takes on a few high school or early college interns in their newsroom. These interns (often paid a stipend or hourly wage) get to report on community events, write articles under guidance of editors, and learn the ropes of journalism. 

One might cover the Iowa State Fair, local business openings, or even high school sports. It’s a fantastic local opportunity for teens to get published and see if communications is the right field for them – all while being mentored by professional reporters. And since it’s right in Des Moines, students can often commute from home. Keep an eye on the Register’s careers page or reach out to an editor; smaller Iowa newspapers also sometimes take on high school correspondents.

Kansas (Wichita, Kansas City KS, etc.)

KU School of Engineering High School Internship (Kansas City/Lawrence): The University of Kansas hosts a summer research experience for high school students, particularly through programs like Project SEED (an American Chemical Society initiative) or their Engineering Summer Internship. 

For example, KU’s Department of Chemistry has partnered with ACS Project SEED to place local low-income high school students in chemistry labs for 8 weeks, where they earn a stipend (around $3,000) to do research under a KU professor. Similarly, KU Engineering faculty sometimes take on high school interns from the KC or Lawrence area to help with projects in aerospace or mechanical engineering. If you’re a student near Lawrence or Kansas City, reaching out to KU’s Office of Engineering Outreach or local ACS chapter can uncover these paid research internships – a perfect way to spend a summer if you’re eyeing a STEM major in college.

Garmin High School Internship (Olathe): Garmin, the GPS technology company, is headquartered in Olathe, KS (Kansas City metro). They have offered a summer internship for high school juniors interested in software development, electrical engineering, or marketing. Interns at Garmin get assigned to a team building real products – for instance, working with software engineers on a navigation app or assisting in product testing for fitness trackers. 

They are paid hourly and treated much like entry-level employees for the summer. Besides technical skills, interns learn about corporate culture and often continue in Garmin’s college internship pipeline. This is a great local option in Johnson County for tech-savvy students – check Garmin’s careers site in the spring for “High School Intern” listings.

Kansas City “Youth Tech Project” (KCK/Wyandotte County): In the Kansas City, KS area, the local government and school district collaborate on various internship-like summer programs. One example is a Youth Tech Project where high school students from Wyandotte County are hired to assist with improving community tech access – such as helping at public library computer labs, or teaching basic coding at community centers. 

These positions are paid (often via a grant) and last about 6–8 weeks. Students not only get work experience, but they also positively impact their community by bridging the digital divide. Keep an eye out via KCK public schools or the Mayor’s office for such youth summer employment initiatives, which can range from tech to arts to parks & recreation jobs. They may not be labeled “internships,” but they function similarly: you apply, get selected, work, and earn money while learning.

Kentucky (Louisville, Lexington, etc.)

University of Kentucky Healthcare Summer Program (Lexington): The UK Markey Cancer Center and UK College of Medicine jointly run the Summer Health Experience in Oncology (SHE in Oncology) for Kentucky high school students. This program selects a handful of rising juniors and seniors (with emphasis on underrepresented groups) to spend about 4 weeks shadowing cancer researchers and clinicians in Lexington. Students rotate through labs and clinics, attend workshops (like on health disparities or college admissions), and receive mentorship from UK faculty. 

Stipend: It’s free to participate, and often students receive a stipend (in 2024 it was about $1,000) plus mileage if commuting. This experience can be eye-opening – one student might follow an oncologist during patient rounds in the morning and then help in a genetics lab in the afternoon. If you live within driving distance of Lexington and are interested in medicine, keep an eye out for this and similar UK programs (application info usually on UK Healthcare’s website).

Louisville Youth Police & EMS Academy (Louisville): Louisville Metro Government runs several youth leadership programs, such as the Louisville Metro Police Youth Academy and the EMS High School Program, which can be considered internships in public service. For example, the EMS program allows high school seniors 17+ to ride along with ambulance crews and shadow paramedics over the summer. Participants get first-hand emergency medical experience – responding to 911 calls, learning CPR and first aid, etc. While these may be volunteer experiences (unpaid), they sometimes include free training certifications and can lead to part-time jobs (some graduates become paid EMTs right out of high school). 

Similarly, the Police Youth Academy is usually a one-week intensive (not a work internship), but graduates can apply for longer-term volunteer/intern roles with the department or the city’s Office of Youth Development. These programs “pay off” by building discipline, leadership, and inroads to public safety careers – and they look great on a resume or service academy application.

Lexmark High School Internship (Lexington): Lexmark International (a large tech company in Lexington) has occasionally offered summer intern positions to local high schoolers, especially through the STEAM Academy partnership. Students interested in programming, graphic design, or business may land a paid internship at Lexmark between junior and senior year. They might do tasks like software testing, social media marketing, or assist engineers with CAD drawings for printers. It’s a professional office environment, so interns learn workplace etiquette and teamwork. 

If you’re a Lexington student strong in tech, inquire at your school’s career center or reach out to Lexmark HR about high school opportunities – these are not highly advertised, but the opportunities exist if you seek them out, often through school-business collaborative programs in Fayette County.

Louisiana (New Orleans, Baton Rouge, etc.)

Ochsner STAR Summer Program (New Orleans): Ochsner Health System in New Orleans runs the Science, Technology, Academics and Research (STAR) program – a free, selective summer research internship for Louisiana high schoolers. Rising juniors and seniors spend 8 weeks at Ochsner’s hospitals and research labs, working on projects under physician or PhD mentors. For example, one intern might assist with a clinical study on pediatric asthma, while another works in a biomedical engineering lab on prosthetics. Students also attend academic sessions to prepare for college and careers in healthcare. 

Stipend: Historically, STAR has offered a stipend or scholarship upon completion (sometimes around $250–$500) and covers any program costs, making it accessible to all. New Orleans area students who are serious about medicine or biotech will find this program both challenging and rewarding – many alumni go on to pre-med tracks in college.

Baton Rouge Area Chamber Internship – InternBR (Baton Rouge): The Baton Rouge Area Chamber (BRAC) coordinates an InternBR initiative that typically serves college students, but in recent years they have piloted high school placements. Baton Rouge businesses (like engineering firms, marketing agencies, or startups) sign up to host interns, and local high school rising seniors can apply through a centralized process. 

Those selected get matched with a company and work ~20–30 hours/week for 6–8 weeks of summer, earning at least minimum wage. Additionally, InternBR provides weekly professional development workshops where interns gather to learn about networking, public speaking, and workplace etiquette. It’s essentially a city-wide internship program preparing the next generation of Baton Rouge professionals. If you’re a student in the capital region, check with your school or BRAC about high school eligibility – and be ready to gain experience in fields ranging from finance to environmental consulting.

Tulane University Engineering Summer Outreach (New Orleans): Tulane University’s School of Science and Engineering occasionally offers summer research experiences to local high school students through faculty grants. For instance, a high school junior might join a Tulane biomedical engineering lab for a summer as a junior researcher (often through programs like NIH’s summer supplement for high school students). 

These positions come with a stipend (since they’re funded by grants – typically a few thousand dollars for the summer) and require students to work 30–40 hours/week in the lab. Past participants in New Orleans have worked on projects like developing materials for hurricane-resistant buildings or testing water quality in the bayou. 

This kind of opportunity is usually not broadly advertised; students often need to directly email professors whose research interests them, or apply via programs like STEM NOLA or Shreveport’s NIH-supported summer programs that sometimes place students at Tulane or LSU Health. The proactive student who pursues these leads can land a truly college-level internship experience while still in high school – and get paid to do so.

Maine (Portland, Bar Harbor, etc.)

The Jackson Laboratory Summer Student Program (Bar Harbor): Maine’s most famous research institute, Jackson Lab (JAX), has hosted a Summer Student Program (SSP) for over 90 years. High school juniors and seniors (and undergraduate freshmen) from Maine and across the U.S. live at the Bar Harbor campus for 10 weeks doing genetics and genomics research. Each student is paired one-on-one with a JAX scientist on a project (often involving mice, as JAX is a world leader in mouse genetics).

Cost/Stipend: The program is fully paid – students receive free room and board on the beautiful Bar Harbor campus, plus a stipend of about $5,000. They also enjoy Maine’s outdoors on weekends and attend lots of scientific seminars. For a Maine high schooler interested in biomedical science, JAX SSP is life-changing (alumni have even been published in scientific journals). It’s highly competitive (applications due in February), but absolutely worth applying to if you meet the age and course prerequisites.

Maine Medical Center Research Internship (Portland): Maine Med in Portland offers a Biomedical Research Internship for Maine high schoolers interested in medicine. In this 6-week program, students rotate through various hospital research departments – from cardiovascular research labs to oncology data analysis. They might shadow a surgeon doing clinical trials or help a research nurse collect patient information (with consent and supervision). Some have the chance to learn basic lab techniques like pipetting or tissue staining. 

Stipend: Many Maine Med internships for high schoolers are unpaid volunteer experiences; however, the hospital often provides other incentives like free lunch, parking, and a completion certificate (which can bolster college apps). Occasionally, through grant funding, a small stipend might be available for exceptional students or those with financial need. Regardless, spending part of your summer at Maine’s largest hospital, surrounded by doctors and scientists, is invaluable if you’re eyeing a healthcare career in Maine.

Maine State Government Internship – Teens4Good (Augusta): The Maine government has periodically partnered with nonprofits to create summer opportunities for teens in community service and government. One example is the Teens4Good program, which in past years placed high school students in paid internships at state agencies or local charities in the Augusta/Waterville area. Students have worked in offices like the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (helping with outreach about clean water) or with groups like Goodwill of Northern New England (assisting job training programs). These internships typically pay minimum wage and last 6–8 weeks.

Interns not only learn about public-sector careers but also contribute to civic improvement projects. If you’re near the capital region, check with the Maine Department of Labor’s youth programs or local career centers – Maine often has funding for youth summer employment, and tapping into that can lead you to a meaningful internship that benefits the community.

Maryland (Baltimore, Rockville, etc.)

NIH High School Summer Internship Program (Bethesda/Rockville): Maryland is home to the National Institutes of Health, which runs the NIH High School SIP, arguably one of the most prestigious science internships for high schoolers in the country. Rising seniors (and a few exceptional juniors) can spend 8 weeks at NIH campuses in Bethesda, Rockville, or Baltimore working in NIH research labs side-by-side with world-class scientists. Interns choose areas like cancer research, neuroscience, epidemiology, and more. 

Stipend: Yes, NIH HS-SIP is paid – the stipend amount varies each year (often around $2,000–$3,000 for the summer). Students must be 17 by June of the internship year and U.S. citizens/permanent residents. It’s highly competitive (thousands apply for a few hundred slots), but Maryland students have a bit of a “home court” advantage since they’re local. 

If selected, you not only gain lab skills but also attend career workshops and presentation events. NIH even offers a separate internship for high schoolers from economically disadvantaged backgrounds (HiSTEP), making sure opportunities are accessible. For any Maryland teen passionate about biomedical science, NIH SIP is the gold standard of “paying off” – in experience, networking, and a potential pipeline to future NIH programs.

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab ASPIRE (Laurel): Johns Hopkins APL in Laurel, MD runs the ASPIRE internship program which pairs high school juniors and seniors with APL STEM mentors during the school year or summer. Students apply their junior year and, if accepted, work ~10 hours/week at APL (which can be increased in summer) on real engineering and research projects. For example, an intern might help design circuitry for a satellite or write code for a cybersecurity tool. 

Compensation: ASPIRE internships are often unpaid for credit during the academic year, but many students convert to paid summer internships at APL if they perform well. APL is a defense contractor, so U.S. citizenship is required, and background checks are conducted. The experience is unparalleled: you’re in a high-tech R&D environment contributing to national-security and space-exploration projects. Howard County and surrounding area students should absolutely consider ASPIRE – Hopkins APL is one of Maryland’s innovation hubs, and many ASPIRE students continue working at APL through college.

Maryland Youth Apprenticeship (various counties): Maryland’s Department of Labor runs a Youth Apprenticeship program that allows high school juniors and seniors to start apprenticeships in fields like IT, manufacturing, automotive, and healthcare while in school. Participating employers across the state take on teens as paid apprentices (at least minimum wage) for 450 hours, which can be done over summer and the school year. 

For example, in Frederick County a student might apprentice as a cybersecurity analyst at a tech firm, or in Montgomery County as a medical assistant at a clinic. They get hands-on training, and many earn an industry-recognized credential by graduation. This is a “learn and earn” model – you get paid, get school credit, and often have a job waiting for you after high school. 

Maryland has been expanding these apprenticeships in many counties (Howard, Washington, etc.), so check with your guidance counselor or the MD Labor website for opportunities near you. It’s a fantastic pathway if you prefer applied learning and want to jumpstart a career right out of high school (though it also doesn’t preclude college – many apprentices continue to college in their field, with their employer’s support).

Massachusetts (Boston, Cambridge, etc.)

Boston University RISE Internship (Boston): The BU RISE program invites academically strong rising seniors from around the world to a 6-week research internship in Boston. RISE has an Internship track where students are placed in a BU laboratory (in fields like biology, engineering, computer science, or psychology) to conduct research under a faculty mentor. They spend ~40 hours/week in the lab and also attend workshops on college prep and scientific presentation. At summer’s end, RISE interns present their research at a symposium. 

Cost/Stipend: The program itself has tuition, but notably RISE Internship track is free for those accepted, and often there is a limited stipend or scholarship for top performers (thanks to sponsors). Boston-area students sometimes commute, while others live on campus (housing is offered for an extra fee). RISE is highly regarded (admissions officers know it), so it “pays off” by strengthening college applications – and the research skills you gain are akin to what college undergrads learn. (BU also offers a practicum track for computational projects that’s more coursework-based.)

MIT – MOSTEC & RSI (Cambridge): Two elite opportunities at MIT deserve mention. MOSTEC (MIT Online Science, Technology, and Engineering Community) is a six-month program starting the summer before senior year, where students (especially from underrepresented backgrounds) do a 5-week project online with MIT mentors, then attend a conference at MIT. It’s not a traditional internship, but it provides mentorship and a glimpse into MIT research – and it’s free. 

More traditional is RSI (Research Science Institute), hosted at MIT by a separate organization, where 80 of the world’s top STEM students spend 5 weeks doing research with MIT and Harvard professors. RSI is extremely competitive (think Olympiad-level students) and is free with a stipend. Massachusetts students with a passion (and talent) for STEM should definitely try for these – RSI in particular is known as perhaps the most prestigious science program for high schoolers. It pays off in that RSI alums often attend top colleges and continue on as leaders in science (plus you get the equivalent of an MIT research internship at age 17).

Blue Cross Blue Shield of MA HQ Internship (Boston): For a business-oriented experience, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts has partnered with Boston’s Private Industry Council to offer high school summer internships at their Boston headquarters. Students interested in fields like finance, marketing, or healthcare management can land a paid internship (~$15/hour) working in a corporate office environment. They might assist in data entry, sit in on strategy meetings, or help plan wellness events. Through the Boston PIC, other companies (banks, law firms, universities) also hire Boston public school students for summer jobs that function like internships. 

These programs are part of the city’s push to engage youth in the workforce (often under the umbrella of the Boston Summer Jobs program). For a Massachusetts teen, especially in Greater Boston, this is a chance to gain professional experience, build a network, and earn money – all while still in high school. Many students use these connections to secure future college internships or job references. Check with your school or city youth employment office for listings each spring.

Michigan (Detroit, Ann Arbor, etc.)

Michigan Medicine “Hands-On Healthcare” Internship (Ann Arbor): The University of Michigan’s health system (Michigan Medicine) runs a summer Hands-On Healthcare program for high school students. Participants (mostly juniors/seniors from the Ann Arbor/Detroit area) spend 2–3 weeks rotating through various departments at the hospital – observing surgeries, interacting with medical students, and practicing clinical skills in simulation labs. While short, this immersive program can solidify a student’s desire to pursue nursing or medicine. 

Cost/Stipend: It’s an educational program (unpaid) and sometimes requires a modest fee, but scholarships are available so no qualified student is turned away for financial reasons. Since it’s not a paid job, why does it “pay off”? Because students get a behind-the-scenes look at one of the top hospitals in the country and can form connections (sometimes it leads to paid part-time jobs later or strong rec letters for college). If you’re in Southeast Michigan and aiming for a medical career, this is an experience to seek out.

DTE Energy High School Co-op (Detroit): Detroit-based DTE Energy offers a High School Co-op Program that employs students from Detroit Public Schools in various roles at DTE’s offices and plants. Typically seniors will spend part of the school day or summer working at DTE in fields like IT, customer service, or skilled trades. For example, a student might learn alongside electricians at a power station or assist analysts at the downtown HQ. 

Pay: Yes, co-ops are paid hourly (often around $12–$15/hour) and can sometimes continue into the school year for credit. DTE often arranges these through partnerships like Grow Detroit’s Young Talent or career-tech programs at the schools. The benefit is twofold: students earn a solid wage and they get their foot in the door at a major employer. Many DTE high school co-ops go on to join DTE’s apprenticeship programs or get tuition support for college. It’s a strong pathway for Detroit youth into the energy sector.

Dow Chemical High School Internships (Midland): In central Michigan, Dow (now Dow Inc.) has historically hired local high school students for summer internships, especially in STEM and business functions. Students from Midland or neighboring towns might intern in Dow’s R&D labs (doing entry-level lab tech work), in their IT department (helpdesk and coding tasks), or even in corporate communications. These positions are paid and give a glimpse into a global corporation. Not every position is open to high schoolers (Dow mostly has college interns), but Dow collaborates with programs like FIRST Robotics – top participants in robotics competitions have landed summer gigs at Dow as a result.

If you’re in a Dow community, ask your school’s STEM teachers about any summer opportunities; companies often prefer to quietly recruit a few talented local students rather than publicize widely. Landing one of these spots means you could be 17 and contributing to projects that have real-world impact (like testing a new sustainable plastic). Plus, Dow and similar Michigan companies love to “grow their own” – your high school internship could evolve into co-op during college and then full-time job offers.

Minnesota (Minneapolis, St. Paul, etc.)

Mayo Clinic Summer Youth Internship (Rochester): World-renowned Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN offers a Summer Youth Internship Program (SYIP) for local high school juniors interested in healthcare. Over 5–6 weeks, students rotate through Mayo Clinic departments, shadowing healthcare professionals and learning about patient care. They also get to engage in hands-on activities like practicing lab tests or observing surgeries (as appropriate). 

Pay: Mayo’s SYIP is typically unpaid (educational) but often leads to paid opportunities – many interns segue into Mayo’s part-time student jobs or come back as paid college interns. The real payoff is the connection to Mayo’s network and insight into medical careers. Furthermore, the program is highly regarded; having Mayo Clinic on your resume as a teenager certainly stands out. If you’re in SE Minnesota, note that applications prioritize students from Rochester and surrounding areas. Mayo also has a separate program for underrepresented students in medicine (ASSIST), which is paid – so there are multiple avenues to get involved.

3M STEP Internship (St. Paul): 3M, the innovation giant (known for Post-its, among other things) headquartered in Maplewood, runs the Science Training Encouragement Program (STEP) for high school seniors in the Twin Cities. STEP is a paid summer internship where students, especially from backgrounds underrepresented in STEM, work at 3M labs four days a week. 

They are assigned a 3M mentor and contribute to projects – for example, testing new adhesive formulas or assisting in software development. On the fifth day each week, interns attend college and career prep workshops, tour local colleges, and improve their professional skills. By summer’s end, each intern presents a project. This program has existed for decades and has a strong alumni network. Participants earn a stipend and, importantly, often secure scholarships or university connections as a result. If you’re a Minneapolis/St. Paul student with a passion for science or engineering, STEP at 3M is a fantastic way to experience R&D in a corporate setting while getting paid and mentored.

Hennepin County Teen Tech Squad (Minneapolis): In the Minneapolis area, the public library system and Hennepin County have a Teen Tech Squad internship. High school students are hired (paid hourly) to lead technology workshops for younger kids at library maker spaces. These interns (often from diverse backgrounds) learn skills like coding, music production, and robotics, then teach those skills in fun, informal programs at libraries. It’s a two-way internship: you’re learning and working at the same time. 

For example, one week the squad might train with a professional artist on 3D printing, and the next week they run a “3D Print Your Own Keychain” event for middle schoolers. It’s funded by grants, so interns usually make an hourly wage over the summer and sometimes during the school year after school. 

Teens gain leadership, public speaking, and advanced tech know-how – plus the satisfaction of introducing kids to STEM. Check Hennepin County Library’s teen services for info; similar programs exist in St. Paul (the Science Museum of Minnesota also has a Science Museum Youth Staff internship along these lines). These community tech internships pay in dollars and in the pride of giving back to your community.

Mississippi (Jackson, etc.)

UMMC Summer Health Internship (Jackson): The University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson offers a Summer Health Sciences Internship for rising seniors from Mississippi. Students spend around 6 weeks at UMMC rotating through different healthcare professions – one week with nursing, one with dental, one with research labs, etc. They also get guidance on college and medical school prep. 

Stipend: Thanks to support from the Mississippi Rural Physicians Scholarship Program, this internship is free and often provides a stipend (approximately $500+) to help cover travel or meal costs. It’s especially geared toward students from rural or underserved areas of Mississippi who are interested in health careers. If you join, you might shadow doctors at UMMC’s teaching hospital, practice suturing on simulators, and network with med school faculty. Long-term payoff: many participants end up in healthcare fields, and some receive college scholarship pipeline opportunities within Mississippi for committing to practice in-state.

Nissan Young Leader Internship (Canton): Nissan’s assembly plant in Canton, MS, has partnered with local schools to create the Nissan Young Leaders internship. Selected high school seniors from Madison and surrounding counties spend their summer before senior year working at the Nissan plant. They rotate through the production line, quality control, and even the corporate offices to understand how a major automotive operation works. These interns are paid an hourly wage and get a real sense of manufacturing technology and workplace expectations.

Additionally, Nissan often offers continuing education support – some interns transition into Nissan’s Technician Training program or get tuition assistance for engineering degrees at local colleges. For Mississippi students interested in engineering or skilled trades, starting with a Fortune 500 manufacturer like Nissan can set you on a fast track to a solid career (without accumulating college debt, if you choose the apprenticeship/employment route).

Mississippi Aquarium “Aqua Teens” (Gulfport): Along the Gulf Coast, the Mississippi Aquarium in Gulfport runs an Aqua Teens volunteer internship for high schoolers passionate about marine life. During the summer, Aqua Teens help aquarium staff with animal care, educational talks, and guest services. While unpaid, teens get to work up-close with dolphins, sea turtles, and other marine creatures. They might prepare food for river otters in the morning, then spend the afternoon leading a touch-tank demonstration for visitors. The program teaches responsibility and public speaking, and teens often form a tight-knit team. Some Aqua Teens use this as a springboard to paid roles later (like part-time jobs in the aquarium or a pathway to marine biology studies). 

For a Mississippi youth in the coastal region, Aqua Teens provides a rare chance to immerse in marine science locally. (And if you prove yourself indispensable as a volunteer, the aquarium may consider you for any paying positions that open up.) Sometimes, experience and passion can be as valuable as a paycheck, and in this case it can lead to future paid opportunities in the field you love.

Missouri (St. Louis, Kansas City, etc.)

St. Louis Science Center Youth Exploring Science (YES) Program (St. Louis): The YES Program is a famed paid STEM internship for St. Louis area teens, primarily targeting students from under-resourced schools. It’s a multi-year program where high school students (starting in 9th or 10th grade) meet year-round at the Science Center to learn STEM topics and workforce skills, and during summers they work as paid interns facilitating exhibits and doing real science projects (the model is similar to the Chicago Nature Museum’s program). 

By the time they’re seniors, YES teens might be leading public science demonstrations on the museum floor, programming robots, or even presenting at national youth science conferences. They earn an hourly wage throughout, increasing each year they stay involved. The Science Center provides mentorship, college prep, and even free snacks/meals during sessions. This program pays off big time: nearly 100% of YES graduates go to college (often with scholarships), and many enter STEM fields. If you’re in St. Louis and love science but worry you can’t find opportunities, YES will not only give you opportunities – it will pay you to seize them.

Kansas City Youth Civic Internship (Kansas City): In Kansas City, MO, a coalition of nonprofits and the city government have hosted a Summer Youth Civic Internship program for high school juniors and seniors. Students are placed in city agencies (like Parks & Rec, City Planning) or local nonprofits (like the KC Public Library, community centers) for 8 weeks, earning a stipend (approximately $1,200 for the summer). 

They work on projects that improve the community – for example, one intern designed social media outreach for a neighborhood recycling campaign, while another helped organize data on urban youth programs for the mayor’s office. Interns also attend weekly meetings with city leaders or professional development seminars to learn about public service careers. This is a fantastic way for Kansas City teens to get involved in local issues, make professional connections, and experience how city government operates from the inside. Plus, it’s paid public service, demonstrating that doing good and getting compensated can go hand-in-hand.

Monsanto/Bayer Ag Internship (St. Louis): St. Louis is a hub for agricultural science companies. Monsanto (now part of Bayer) has historically offered a Plant Science Youth Internship for high school students interested in biotech and agriculture. Interns work at the Monsanto Chesterfield Research Center, often in greenhouses or labs, assisting with plant breeding experiments, data recording, and maintaining research plots. They are usually rising seniors who have taken biology or biotech classes.

Pay: Yes, these are paid positions (roughly $10–$12/hour for summer weeks). Students not only learn about GMO crops and advanced biotech, but also about the business side of agriculture. Given Bayer’s global reach, a high school stint there can open doors – some interns have continued to college internships at Bayer, or leveraged the experience to get scholarships in plant science. It’s an example of how Missouri’s strong ag industry invests in young local talent. If you have an interest in sustainability or feeding the world, consider looking at Bayer’s opportunities or those at the Danforth Plant Science Center (another St. Louis institution with youth programs).

Montana (Bozeman, Missoula, etc.)

Montana State University Summer Research (Bozeman): MSU’s Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship brings a handful of Montana high school students to Bozeman for 6 weeks to work on research in fields like ecology, physics, or engineering. For instance, interns have worked on projects tracking wildlife in Yellowstone, developing solar panels, or programming drones. 

Stipend/Housing: Many MSU internships for high schoolers offer a stipend (around $1,000+) and can sometimes arrange housing for those outside Bozeman. A notable one is the ARMSE (American Indian Research Opportunities) summer program that MSU hosts, which supports Native American high school students in STEM research with stipend and travel costs covered. Getting to be on a college campus like MSU, using their labs and outdoor access (Rocky Mountains!) for research, is an incredible opportunity for a Montana teen. It demystifies college and shows that big science can happen right in Big Sky Country.

Youth Forestry Internship (Western Montana): Montana’s vast forests mean lots of conservation work. The U.S. Forest Service and Montana DNRC have youth crews similar to other states’ conservation corps. One example is the Youth Forest Monitoring Program, where high school students are hired each summer to join a Forest Service ecologist to survey forest health (think measuring tree growth, checking for beetle infestations, monitoring stream quality). 

They hike to various plots, collect data, and compile reports that actual forest managers use. These positions typically pay (maybe ~$10/hour) and run for 4–8 weeks. If you love the outdoors and want a career in environmental science or wildlife, this internship literally lets you walk the walk – and get paid for it. Regions around Missoula, Kalispell, or Helena often have these, so check with local Forest Service offices or Montana Conservation Corps for teen crew openings.

Big Sky Film Institute Teen Fellowship (Missoula): For the artistically inclined, the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival in Missoula offers a Teen Fellows program. High school students with an interest in filmmaking or media can intern with the festival and institute, learning documentary film basics and assisting with festival operations. They might help with social media promotion, run Q&A microphones at film screenings, or even produce a short documentary under mentorship. 

This is usually an unpaid educational experience during the winter festival season, but what’s the payoff? Fellows gain insider knowledge of the film industry, build creative skills, and network with filmmakers – which can springboard them to paid gigs in media (some past teen fellows went on to paid roles with local TV or production companies). Montana’s film scene is growing (Yellowstone, anyone?), so starting with a respected festival as a teen could set you up for exciting media opportunities, even while still enjoying the “small town” feel of Missoula.

Nebraska (Omaha, Lincoln, etc.)

UNMC Summer Health Professions Program (Omaha): The University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha runs a Health Professions Tracking internship for high school students interested in medicine or pharmacy. Over 5 weeks, interns shadow at UNMC’s hospital and assist with basic research or community health projects. For example, one group of interns helped survey patients for a public health study on diabetes, while another learned lab techniques in a cancer research lab. 

Stipend: UNMC often provides a small stipend (a few hundred dollars) or at least covers lunches/transportation for participants. Nebraska students from rural areas can sometimes get housing support too, to enable them to come to Omaha for the summer. This internship gives a realistic look at what medical school and research entail – including the long hours – but in a supportive, exploratory way. It often solidifies students’ commitment to health careers, and UNMC keeps in contact through college (they like to recruit home-grown talent for their med programs!).

Boys Town National Research Hospital Intern (Omaha): Boys Town is famous as a youth village, but it also has a National Research Hospital in Omaha focusing on pediatric hearing, speech, and behavioral research. They offer a High School Internship where seniors (usually those who’ve done the Boys Town summer health careers camp) can work in a lab or clinic part-time. Interns might assist audiologists in testing children’s hearing or help psychologists gather data for behavioral studies. 

It’s a paid internship (around 10–15 hours/week at ~$10/hour during summer, with potential to continue in the school year). This opportunity is unique in blending healthcare, human services, and research – fitting given Boys Town’s mission. Students who participate not only earn money but also contribute to improving care for youth with special needs. And as an intern, you get to see how a nonprofit healthcare organization operates, which can inspire future careers in pediatric healthcare or social work.

Omaha STEM Ecosystem Student Internship (Omaha): The Omaha STEM Ecosystem, a community initiative to boost STEM learning, sometimes hires high school “STEM ambassadors” for the summer. These interns (paid by stipend) help run STEM camps for younger kids, organize robotics competitions, and manage social media to promote science events in Omaha. It’s part education, part event planning, part marketing – giving students a well-rounded skill set. 

For example, an intern might spend one week coordinating a citywide Math Day contest, then the next week visit a company like Union Pacific with a youth field trip. Being an Omaha STEM intern is rewarding if you enjoy leadership and sharing your passion for science with others. The stipend isn’t huge (a few hundred dollars), but the networking is great: interns meet industry partners and local college faculty, making contacts that can lead to future internships (some past participants later landed internships at local tech firms as a result). Essentially, you become a young face of STEM in Omaha, which is pretty cool!

Nevada (Las Vegas, Reno, etc.)

UNLV Young Executive Scholars Hospitality Internship (Las Vegas): In the capital of hospitality, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) offers the Young Executive Scholars (YES) Hospitality & Tourism Program. It’s a summer intensive where Las Vegas-area high schoolers learn the business of hotels, entertainment, and tourism from UNLV’s world-renowned Hospitality College and Strip resort executives. Over 1 month, students tour mega-resorts behind the scenes and then work in teams on a project to design their own hotel concept. 

Stipend: This program is free for accepted students, and while it doesn’t pay a stipend, students who complete it are often awarded scholarships (some get $1,000 scholarships towards college). The payoff is also in connections – the Las Vegas resort industry is tight-knit, and having this on your resume can help you snag a paid internship or job at a property like MGM or Caesars in the future. If you dream of being a hotel GM or events director, YES is your springboard.

Desert Research Institute (DRI) GreenPower Internship (Reno/Las Vegas): DRI, a leading environmental research organization in Nevada, engages high school students through its GreenPower program. Select students can intern at DRI labs focusing on climate science, hydrology, or renewable energy. For example, a Reno student interned in the wildfire smoke research lab, helping scientists analyze air filter samples for particulate matter. In Las Vegas, an intern worked on a solar panel efficiency study under desert conditions. These internships can be during summer or even year-round (a few hours weekly) and sometimes come with a modest stipend or school credit. 

Even when unpaid, DRI often funds students’ travel to field sites (like Lake Tahoe for water studies) and provides mentorship that can lead to published science fair projects (which can lead to monetary awards and college scholarships). Nevada students interested in environmental science will find no better local resource than DRI – it’s essentially a mini-NASA but for Earth science, right in your backyard.

Nevada Gold Mines High School Internship (Elko): Up in northern Nevada, mining is a major industry. Nevada Gold Mines (operated by Barrick/Newmont) has offered a High School Internship Program for Elko area juniors/seniors. Students spend 6–8 weeks at mine sites or offices, rotating through departments like metallurgy, electrical engineering, environmental compliance, and even accounting. They see the full mining process, from geology to the gold bar casting. 

These internships are paid (often well, because mining industry wages are high – an intern might make $15/hour or more, which is big money for high school). Of course, there are safety trainings and rigorous supervision due to the industrial setting. For students in rural Nevada, this is a prime opportunity to explore a lucrative field without leaving home – and indeed many interns later pursue mining engineering or join the mines as technicians post-high school. It’s a clear example of an internship that can directly lead to a high-paying career, which definitely “pays off” financially.

New Hampshire (Concord, Manchester, etc.)

Dartmouth Health Junior Shadowing Program (Lebanon): Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon (affiliated with Dartmouth College) has a Junior Shadowing Program for local New Hampshire high school juniors. Students accepted into the program get to shadow physicians, nurses, and medical researchers at the academic medical center for several weeks in the summer. They observe clinical rounds, learn about patient care standards, and might spend time in various departments (ER, pediatrics, surgery, etc.). While primarily observational (due to age and safety, they’re not “hands on” with patients), it’s incredibly educational. 

Pay: This is an unpaid, volunteer experience focused on learning (and because of liability, most hospital shadowing doesn’t pay). The payoff is in mentorship – many participants foster relationships with Dartmouth doctors who later write recommendation letters for college or even guide them toward pre-med programs. Additionally, students come out with a clear understanding of what medical careers entail, which can save time and money in college if they decide it’s (or isn’t) for them. For New Hampshire teens eyeing healthcare, Dartmouth’s program is a gem in a small state.

FIRST Robotics Summer Internship (Manchester): New Hampshire is the birthplace of FIRST Robotics, and the FIRST organization (based in Manchester) sometimes hires high school alumni of FIRST teams as summer interns. If you were on a FIRST Robotics Competition team and love STEM outreach, you could intern at FIRST HQ assisting with program coordination, social media, or technical support for teams. 

These are paid internships (FIRST knows the value of student labor and typically compensates accordingly). Interns might, for example, help design the game field for next year’s competition, or develop training materials for rookie teams worldwide. It’s a cool blend of engineering, education, and event planning. Plus, you’re working under the vision of Dean Kamen (the inventor who founded FIRST), which can be inspiring. If you’re a FIRST enthusiast in NH, definitely inquire with FIRST about student roles – they often love to involve the very students who came up through their programs.

NH State Government Intern – Capital Area Student Program (Concord): The New Hampshire State Government offers a few summer slots for high school students in the Capital Area Student Program. These interns (typically rising seniors from Concord area schools) can spend a few weeks working in a state agency or at the State House. Tasks may include assisting with constituent correspondence, doing research for legislative staff, or helping organize community events through the Governor’s office. 

It’s a short and often unpaid stint (or may come with a small honorarium), but the benefit is learning how this small state’s government works intimately. In some years, the program includes mock legislature sessions where interns debate bills and learn parliamentary procedure. If you have an interest in politics or law, this experience provides civics in action. Also, New Hampshire’s legislature is citizen-run (with very accessible lawmakers), so interns often get significant face time with representatives and senators, which can spark future opportunities (like being hired as a legislative aide later on, a paid job).

New Jersey (Newark, Trenton, etc.)

Rutgers University–Newark FUTURE Program (Newark): Rutgers New Jersey Medical School in Newark runs the FUTURE Scholars summer research program for high school students in Essex County. About 20 students are selected to spend 6 weeks working in labs at NJMS or Rutgers School of Dental Medicine. They receive intensive training in lab techniques, then join a mentor’s project – maybe examining cancer cells under a microscope or surveying community health outcomes in Newark. 

Stipend: Yes, participants get a stipend (often around $1,000 for the summer). Many come from underrepresented communities in medicine, and the program includes college prep workshops to encourage them toward health careers. Newark students, for instance, have studied topics like HIV, neuroscience, and pharmacology through FUTURE. The combination of a stipend, real research, and near-peer mentors (med students help guide them) makes this a standout in NJ. Plus, being at Rutgers NJMS means if you pursue med school later, you already have a foot in the door!

Newark Museum of Art Explorers (Newark): The Newark Museum (New Jersey’s largest museum) has a Museum Explorers Internship for high school students. Explorers engage with the museum’s art and science collections and develop public programs for visitors. For example, interns might design a gallery guide activity for families, or lead portions of the museum’s popular community events. They also get professional development in public speaking, project management, and museum curation. 

Pay: This can vary – some years the program is paid (stipends or hourly) thanks to grant funding, while other years it might be volunteer with perks (like free museum membership, trips to other museums in NYC). Regardless, interns often get school credit or community service hours. Many alumni have gone on to arts careers or college programs in museum studies. If you’re a New Jersey teen into art, history, or education, this internship is a great stepping stone and it’s right in the heart of the state’s cultural capital.

NJ LEEP Legal Internship (Newark): NJ LEEP is a college access program in Newark with a focus on law and justice. As part of their high school offerings, they place students in legal internships at law firms, courts, and corporate legal departments in the summer. These are paid internships (funded by law firm sponsorships) where students may do tasks like filing case documents, assisting paralegals, or conducting mock trial prep. They also rotate through various offices to see different legal environments – one week at a big firm in Jersey City, another at a judge’s chamber in the Newark courthouse. 

Additionally, students receive training in legal writing and attend field trips (like visiting law schools or watching a live trial). For any NJ student considering becoming a lawyer, NJ LEEP’s internship is a golden opportunity. It not only pays (often around minimum wage for 20-30 hours a week) but also often leads to long-term mentorship from attorneys, which can be invaluable through college and beyond.

New Mexico (Albuquerque, Los Alamos, etc.)

Los Alamos National Lab High School Internship (Los Alamos): Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) offers a High School Cooperative (Co-op) Program primarily for students in Northern New Mexico. High school juniors and seniors can work part-time at LANL during the school year (and full-time in summer) in areas like engineering, computing, or administration. They are paid and often continue for multiple semesters. For example, a co-op student might help maintain supercomputers, assist in the chemistry labs, or support the lab’s public relations team. Some projects are very hands-on (machining, sample testing) while others are more office-based. 

LANL being a nuclear lab, there are strict requirements (U.S. citizenship, background check) but the experience is unparalleled: you’re around Ph.D. scientists and cutting-edge research daily. Many co-op students later convert to full LANL employees or get their college paid via LANL scholarships if they commit to return. For a New Mexico teen in proximity to Los Alamos or Santa Fe, it’s a chance to start a career at a place often dubbed “the secret city” of innovation – and earn a good wage for a high schooler (LANL co-ops often make $12–$15/hr).

Explora Science Center Youth Intern (Albuquerque): Explora, the science center in Albuquerque, runs a Youth Intern Program where high school students facilitate museum exhibits and science activities for visitors. Interns commit for about a year, working 10–15 hours/week (more in summer, fewer during school) and they are paid (usually around minimum wage) as part museum staff. They receive training in everything from how to demonstrate a physics experiment to how to engage a shy 5-year-old in a craft. 

Explora emphasizes hiring students from diverse backgrounds and providing mentorship – often, older interns help newer ones. Interns also undertake a capstone project (like developing a new mini-workshop or an outreach kit). This program is a win-win: the museum gets energetic teen staff who relate well to young visitors, and the interns get professional experience, a paycheck, and improved communication skills. Many interns discover a love for teaching or science communication through Explora. If you’re in the Albuquerque area and enjoy science and people, this internship basically lets you play with hands-on exhibits and get paid, all while building your resume.

Sandia National Labs High School AppRENTI Program (Albuquerque): Sandia Labs in Albuquerque sponsors an apprenticeship-like program called AppRENTI targeting high school seniors from underrepresented groups. Students selected for AppRENTI receive technical training (in fields like IT support, cybersecurity, or advanced manufacturing) and then are placed in a paid internship at Sandia that can transition to full employment upon graduation. It’s essentially a pipeline: you train at Sandia’s expense, work part-time senior year making good money, and if all goes well, step into a job at Sandia (or a contractor) after high school with further education opportunities. 

This addresses both the labs’ need for skilled technicians and students’ desire to jumpstart careers. While not widely advertised (you often have to be nominated or apply through partner schools), it’s a program that pays off massively. Imagine at 18 having a DOE security clearance, specialized tech skills, and a job offer in hand – that’s reality for AppRENTI grads. If college isn’t your immediate plan but tech is your passion, look for avenues into AppRENTI or similar workforce programs at Sandia or Kirtland Air Force Base.

New York (New York City, Buffalo, etc.)

Memorial Sloan Kettering HOPP Internship (New York City): One of NYC’s premier opportunities is the Human Oncology & Pathogenesis Program (HOPP) at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center – a 8-week summer research internship in cancer science for high school students. This is a free program (no cost) and provides a $1,200 stipend. Interns (must be 16+, having completed junior year, and living within 25 miles of NYC) are matched with MSK labs working on cutting-edge cancer research – think genetics, immunotherapy, computational biology, etc. 

They spend the summer doing experiments, analyzing data, and attending lectures from top researchers. At the end, they present a research poster. HOPP is highly competitive (they might take ~20 students out of 500+ applicants), but it’s immensely rewarding – a true taste of life in a world-class lab. Many HOPP alumni go on to Ivy League STEM programs and even co-author scientific papers from their summer work. For a New York student interested in medicine or biomedical research, HOPP is a dream internship that pays you to learn and contribute at one of the nation’s top cancer centers.

NYC Ladders for Leaders (NYC – various industries): In the context of “high school internships near me”, New York City’s Ladders for Leaders program stands out because it connects students to paid internships across nearly every industry. Run by the NYC Department of Youth & Community Development, Ladders for Leaders places high-achieving juniors and seniors (and college students) in summer internships at leading companies and nonprofits. 

This could mean a teen from Queens gets an internship at HBO or Google, while another from the Bronx interns at the American Museum of Natural History. Over 400 NYC employers participate, offering 6-week paid internships (at least $16.50/hour per city rules). To participate, students must first complete some pre-employment training in the spring (resume workshops, etc.), then they interview for specific placements. 

The range is huge: finance, tech, fashion, media, healthcare, government – you name it. The beauty of Ladders for Leaders is that it opens doors typically accessible only via personal connections; it’s a merit-based system to give NYC youth a shot at top-tier work experiences. If you’re a motivated NYC teen with a good GPA and some leadership or service experience, definitely apply. This program pays in dollars and in unparalleled exposure – many interns receive college recommendations or even college-year internship offers from their hosts if they do well.

Metropolitan Museum of Art Summer High School Internship (NYC): The Met Museum offers a summer internship for rising seniors interested in art, history, and museum careers. Interns spend 6 weeks learning from Met professionals in various departments – curatorial, education, conservation, digital – and they work on group projects. For example, interns might create a public tour of their favorite objects, or help conservators examine a painting’s pigments. They also meet with Met staff to hear about career paths in the arts. Stipend: This internship is generously paid – in recent years, interns received about $1,500 stipend for the summer, plus unlimited Met admission (with a guest) and other perks. 

The Met values diversity and strongly encourages students from communities underrepresented in museums to apply. Working at the Met looks great on a resume, especially if you’re considering art history or design in college. And beyond the pay, you get the experience of calling the Met your workplace – walking through the Egyptian Temple of Dendur or Van Gogh galleries before opening hours! For any art-loving teen in New York, this is a summer paradise that also beefs up your professional skills.

(New York state is large, and beyond NYC, there are other internships like Roswell Park Cancer Institute’s program in Buffalo, or the Albany Medical Center summer research for upstate students, etc. Due to space, we focused on NYC where demand is high – but students across NY should look regionally for similar opportunities.)

North Carolina (Raleigh, Charlotte, etc.)

Duke University Summer Biomedical Internship (Durham): Duke hosts several programs for high schoolers, one being the Duke Summer Research Opportunity for local students. For instance, the Duke Office of Durham & Community Affairs partners with Durham Public Schools to place a select number of high school juniors into labs at Duke Medical Center each summer. Students work 8 weeks on biomedical research (such as studying diabetes or developing ultrasound technology) under mentorship. They also attend a symposium at the end to present their work. 

Stipend: These students often receive a stipend (~$2,000) funded by Duke or related grants. It’s part of Duke’s initiative to pipeline local talent into STEM careers. If you’re in the Triangle area, reach out to Duke’s outreach offices or even specific Duke labs – sometimes individual professors have funding for a high school intern outside of formal programs. With Research Triangle Park nearby, the possibilities in pharma, biotech, and computer science are significant – and Duke’s program is a prime example where town-and-gown collaboration pays off for students.

Bank of America Tech Scholars (Charlotte): Charlotte, being a banking hub, has unique corporate internships. One standout is Bank of America’s Tech Scholars internship, which has at times placed Charlotte-area high school students in the bank’s information technology division for summer experience. Interns learn about cybersecurity, data analytics, and fintech innovations at BofA. 

They are paid and treated as part of the team – attending meetings, giving input on app features, etc. Additionally, Charlotte’s big companies like Wells Fargo, Lowe’s, and Duke Energy have supported high school internship programs through the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance. Many go through the city’s Mayor’s Youth Employment Program, which acts as a clearinghouse to match students with paid summer jobs at these corporations. So, if you’re a Charlotte teen interested in business or tech, definitely apply to MYEP; you could end up with a coveted spot at a Fortune 500 company’s HQ, making ~$12–$15/hour and gaining workplace skills that differentiate you early on.

UNC Asheville Pre-College Research (Asheville): In the mountain region, UNC Asheville offers a Pre-College Research Program especially targeting rural Western NC high schoolers. Students spend 4 weeks on campus at UNC Asheville, working with professors on research projects (which can be in sciences or even humanities). They live in dorms and get a taste of college life. 

Cost/Stipend: Thanks to funding from the State Employees’ Credit Union, the program is free for participants and even provides a stipend to cover any lost summer wages (around $500). For example, a recent project had students building low-cost air quality sensors to deploy in their hometowns – merging environmental science with engineering. Another had students delve into Appalachian history archives to create digital exhibits. This internship not only pays financially and with knowledge, but often ignites a desire to attend college among students who might not have seen it as an option before. It’s about making higher education and research accessible. If you’re in NC’s mountains or foothills, check if UNC-A or Appalachian State have similar outreach – they frequently do, and it’s a wonderful way to spend a summer, nestled in the mountains but connecting to the wider world of ideas.

North Dakota (Fargo, Bismarck, etc.)

North Dakota Legislative Assembly Page/Intern (Bismarck): North Dakota’s state legislature has a high school page program during its sessions (which occur in winter/spring of odd-numbered years). High school juniors and seniors from ND can apply to spend a week in Bismarck at the Capitol serving as pages – they assist legislators by distributing bills, running errands, and performing basic admin tasks on the chamber floors. It’s a short commitment (and not a summer program), but it is paid per diem and the State often covers lodging with host families in Bismarck. 

For a deeper experience, some legislative leaders take on summer interns in their district offices or for interim committees; these would be arranged informally but can be paid via stipend or at least yield a strong recommendation. Overall, given ND’s small population, a motivated student can really get to know state lawmakers and potentially shape youth policy by participating. If politics or public service is your calling, starting at the ND Capitol as a teen is a fantastic early step.

NDSU Research Internship for Local Teens (Fargo): North Dakota State University in Fargo has offered summer research internships for Fargo-West Fargo area high schoolers, particularly through grant-funded projects. One example: NDSU’s Department of Plant Sciences had a USDA grant to involve high schoolers in pollinator research – interns helped maintain bee colonies and collect data on crop pollination. Another in the NDSU College of Engineering enlisted a high school intern to work on 3D-printing parts for precision agriculture equipment. These opportunities aren’t always widely advertised; many students get them by having a teacher reach out to NDSU faculty on their behalf or through winning science fairs which come with summer lab invites. 

Stipends are common if it’s through a grant (maybe $1,000–$2,000 for the summer), or positions might be modestly paid hourly as a lab helper. The take-home is, in a smaller state like ND, it’s absolutely possible to directly email a professor or two at NDSU (or UND in Grand Forks) and ask if they have room for a “volunteer or paid high school intern.” You might be surprised – they often say yes, because extra hands help, and nurturing local talent is part of their mission.

Microsoft DigiGirlz (Fargo): Microsoft has a campus in Fargo, ND, and they host an annual DigiGirlz Day – a one-day tech workshop for high school girls to learn about careers in technology. While not an internship itself, it has led to identifying candidates for longer experiences. For instance, a couple of standout participants from DigiGirlz were offered short-term summer internships at Microsoft Fargo in IT support and testing. 

These were paid positions (Microsoft doesn’t do unpaid labor) lasting about 4 weeks, essentially giving the students a crash course in corporate tech operations. They learned coding basics, sat in on Agile team meetings, and even got to pitch a small project idea to management at summer’s end. So the lesson for ND teens: attend local tech outreach events (like DigiGirlz or NDSU’s Code Camps). Show enthusiasm and skill, and you might just be tapped on the shoulder for an internship that wasn’t originally “on the books.” In a place like Fargo, the network is tight – word gets around about bright students, and companies are very willing to offer opportunities to keep talent in-state.

Ohio (Cleveland, Columbus, etc.)

Cleveland Clinic Science Internship (Cleveland): The Cleveland Clinic’s CSSI (Clinic Science Summer Internship) is a very popular 9-week paid program for high school juniors and seniors in Northeast Ohio. Interns are matched with Cleveland Clinic researchers or clinicians to work on projects in fields like molecular medicine, cardiology, or public health. They also attend professional development sessions (on networking, college admissions, etc.). 

Stipend: Students earn a stipend (~$500) and sometimes additional rewards if they win poster competitions at the end. A unique aspect: Cleveland Clinic also runs the Louis Stokes Summer Internship specifically for minority students interested in healthcare, with similar pay and duration. Many CSSI alumni have gone on to college pre-med programs or even returned to Cleveland Clinic for college internships. If you’re near Cleveland and into biomedical science, this is a marquee opportunity that pays and could set you on a life path in medicine. (Apply early – it’s competitive!)

Battelle STEM Internship (Columbus): Battelle Memorial Institute, based in Columbus, occasionally offers summer opportunities to high school students in central Ohio. Battelle is a major R&D contractor, and it co-manages labs like Oak Ridge and also partners with Ohio State University on research. High school interns at Battelle have assisted with engineering projects, environmental studies, or data analysis tasks. They usually recruit through initiatives like the Ohio Supercomputer Center’s Young Women’s Summer Institute or through the Metro Early College High School in Columbus that Battelle sponsors. 

These internships are paid (since Battelle is a private company, they pay at market rates for temp positions – possibly $10–$15/hour for a student). Landing one might require networking – e.g., a math teacher who knows someone at Battelle – but once you’re in, you get to see how a cutting-edge think-tank operates. If you’re a Columbus-area student with strong STEM chops, it’s worth reaching out to Battelle’s human resources or checking if they participate in the Columbus STEM Alliance’s internship initiatives. A summer at Battelle looks impressive for college and gives you bragging rights that you worked at the place that helped invent everything from Xerox copy process to important medical devices.

Procter & Gamble STEM Future Leaders (Cincinnati): Procter & Gamble (headquartered in Cincinnati) runs a STEM Future Leaders Camp for local high school students. It’s a week-long camp, but standout students from it have been offered continued summer internships in P&G’s labs or offices. Imagine working on a chemistry project for Tide detergent or helping test a new Gillette razor design at age 17! Those who get an internship (paid ~$12/hour) at P&G generally rotate through a couple of departments to see the breadth of STEM roles in consumer goods. They also learn corporate soft skills like presentation and collaboration (P&G is known for its management training). 

Cincinnati students can access this via P&G’s partnerships with certain high schools and organizations like the Urban League. If you can get in, the experience could lead to P&G scholarships for college or priority entry into their very selective college internship program later. It’s a classic case of a big company investing in hometown talent. Plus, let’s be honest – how many teens can say they had a hand in improving a product used by millions worldwide? Talk about payoff in bragging rights!

Oklahoma (Oklahoma City, Tulsa, etc.)

OU High School Surgery Internship (Oklahoma City): The University of Oklahoma’s College of Medicine has offered a Summer Surgery Academy for high school seniors in the OKC area. In this intense two-week program, students shadow trauma surgeons, observe operations at OU Medical Center, and practice surgical simulations (like knot-tying, suturing on practice pads, using laparoscopic trainers). 

Cost/Stipend: The program has a fee (to cover materials and scrubs), but scholarships are available, and participants gain a non-monetary reward: a real understanding of surgical careers. Some especially engaged students have been invited back for longer volunteer stints in the OR or research lab (setting them up for future paid roles). While this isn’t a paid internship, the experience is so unique (few high schoolers witness live surgeries) that it pays off by solidifying whether you want to pursue medicine early on. And for many, it becomes the inspiration behind compelling college essays or science fair projects. If you’re near OKC and have the stomach for surgery, this opportunity is golden.

Tinker Air Force Base “STARBASE 2.0” Internships (OKC): Tinker AFB in Oklahoma City is a major employer and home to many STEM outreach programs. Through initiatives like STARBASE and the Air Force STEM program, Tinker has created internships for local high schoolers, particularly in engineering and IT departments on base. These are typically paid via federal student hire programs (GS student trainee positions). 

An intern might help maintain aircraft schematics, do basic coding for logistics systems, or assist in the base’s science labs testing materials. Students must be U.S. citizens and able to get base access. The benefit here is not only the pay but if you perform well, you can continue each summer and potentially convert to a full-time civilian Air Force job after college (they’ll even often pay for you to study engineering via ROTC or civilian scholarships if they see promise in you). Talk about career pipeline – you could go from high school intern to a flight systems engineer at Tinker by your mid-20s with no debt. OKC students should check with their JROTC units or school counselors about any Tinker youth opportunities; sometimes they come through those channels quietly.

Tulsa Flight Night Drone Internship (Tulsa): In Tulsa, a unique public-private effort called Flight Night Drone Program allows high schoolers to intern on drone technology projects. Sponsored by the Tulsa Regional STEM Alliance and local tech companies, selected students spend summer weeks learning to build and program UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles). They then work in teams to tackle a real-world challenge – for instance, creating a drone system to deliver first aid kits or survey crops. 

Stipend: Thanks to corporate sponsorship, students usually get a stipend (around $500) plus all the parts and tools needed. They also present their projects at an end-of-summer showcase that local industry leaders attend. This internship pays off by feeding the growing aerospace and drone sector in Oklahoma; several participants have gone on to study aerospace engineering or snag part-time jobs with drone startups in the state. For Tulsa-area teens into robotics or aviation, this is both fun and a serious resume-builder. (Plus, drones are just cool – getting paid to play with them and innovate is a teen dream.)

Oregon (Portland, Eugene, etc.)

Portland OHSU Summer Equitable Research Training (Portland): Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) in Portland hosts the Summer Equity Research Program, offering 8-week paid internships to high school and college students from underrepresented backgrounds. High schoolers (must be 16+) are placed in biomedical labs or clinical research teams at OHSU Hospital and work full-time on projects ranging from neuroscience to cardiology. They also attend a career development series and meet minority faculty mentors. 

Stipend: Approximately $3,000 for high school students is provided, along with potential housing for those outside the Portland area. A recent high school participant helped research gene therapy for blindness and was later credited in a conference abstract – an incredible achievement pre-college. If you’re an Oregon student aspiring to be a doctor or scientist, this program not only pays you, it positions you for future success (many alumni return to OHSU as med students or researchers). Keep an eye out in December-January for applications, as it’s competitive and closes by early spring.

Intel High School Tech Internship (Hillsboro): Tech giant Intel has a large campus in Hillsboro, Oregon, and they occasionally bring on high school summer interns through a program with Saturday Academy. These paid internships plant students in various Intel teams – one might work in a semiconductor fabrication lab doing equipment testing, another in a software group helping with code QA. High school interns at Intel usually work ~20–30 hours/week for 8–10 weeks and earn a decent wage (Intel is known to pay well above minimum wage, even for interns). Beyond the pay, you get experience at a world-renowned company and often a fast-track for their college internships (Intel loves to re-invite students who performed well). 

Women and minorities in tech are especially encouraged (Intel has diversity initiatives to fund these spots). If you’re near Portland and into STEM, check out the Apprenticeships in Science & Engineering (ASE) program by Saturday Academy – that’s the conduit Intel and others use to recruit high school interns in Oregon. Acceptance to ASE could land you at Intel, Nike, or another top Oregon company for the summer with a paycheck and an unmatched learning experience.

Portland Art Museum Teen Council Internship (Portland): The Portland Art Museum (PAM) has a Teen Arts Council where select high school students serve as liaisons between youth and the museum. Council members meet weekly (during the school year) to plan teen events, advise the museum on youth engagement, and create content like teen-led tours or social media takeovers. In the summer, those teens often transition into a more intensive internship at PAM – helping with summer camps, curating a small teen art exhibit, or co-organizing the museum’s end-of-summer teen arts summit. 

These roles can be paid (stipends or hourly) depending on grant funding for that year; if not paid, they often come with perks like free museum memberships, snacks, and occasional gift cards. The Teen Council internship pays off by giving artsy students leadership and project management skills. They also get close mentoring from museum staff (great for recommendation letters). And if you’re interested in a museum or gallery career, this is the perfect early exposure. Many alumni have pursued art history or fine arts degrees and cite the PAM teen program as the spark that lit their passion. It shows that even in creative fields, there are “internships near me” that can start as early as high school and set you on a fulfilling path.

Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, etc.)

CHOP Research Internship (Philadelphia): The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) hosts the CHOP Research Internship for Scholars (CRIS), a summer program for Philadelphia high school students with interests in healthcare and science. Students spend 6–8 weeks working on research projects at CHOP’s labs – for example, studying pediatric cancers, genetics, or community health outcomes. They’re guided by CHOP researchers and often collaborate with medical students or residents. 

Stipend: Through support from the CHOP Research Institute, interns receive a stipend (around $2,500). Additionally, SEPTA passes or other transportation help is typically provided to ensure students can commute. An added highlight: CHOP’s program often includes college prep sessions and the chance to shadow some clinical work. This means one day you could be pipetting in the lab, and another day observing a surgery on a child (if you’re interested and it’s arranged). For Philly students interested in medicine, an internship at America’s first pediatric hospital is a golden ticket – it pays, it educates, and it inspires.

Carnegie Mellon Computer Science Scholars (Pittsburgh): Carnegie Mellon University runs the CS Scholars program aimed at rising seniors from underrepresented communities nationwide (including Pittsburgh locals). It’s a rigorous 4-week residential program where students take computer science classes, do research projects, and interact with CMU faculty. 

Cost/Stipend: The program is free if you’re admitted, including housing and meals, and some students demonstrate financial need may even get a stipend (or laptop awards). While not an “internship” in the working sense, CS Scholars mimics a paid research internship – students spend the month developing a tech project (like a web app or AI model) with guidance from mentors, essentially “working” as a junior computer scientist. The payoff is huge in terms of skills and college opportunities; many alumni go on to top CS schools (some to CMU itself). For a PA student or anyone interested in CS, being part of this looks great (plus you’ll know if a high-powered CS environment is for you). In a way, it’s like an internship where the payment is in college-level instruction, not cash – but since scholarships often follow, it indeed can pay off financially long term.

PennDOT Engineering Internship (Statewide): The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation offers a Highway Engineering Internship Program for high school seniors and college students. High school grads going into freshman year of college (or rising seniors 18 years old) can work for PennDOT in the summer in fields like civil engineering, environmental science, or GIS mapping. These positions are available across PA’s engineering districts (Philadelphia, Harrisburg, etc.) and are paid hourly (often around $12–$15/hour). Interns might inspect road construction sites, assist with AutoCAD drawings for bridge repairs, or help analyze traffic safety data. It’s solid field experience with the bonus of contributing to public infrastructure. 

Many interns come back each summer, and PennDOT often offers them full-time jobs after college (with scholarship incentives during college too). Essentially, Pennsylvania will pay you now to intern and possibly pay for your college if you commit to working for the state as an engineer afterward – a compelling deal if you’re interested in civil engineering or urban planning. Check the PennDOT careers site each winter; applications for summer generally open around February and require a simple online application indicating which locations you prefer.

Rhode Island (Providence, etc.)

Brown University Pre-College Research (Providence): Brown offers the PLME Summer@Brown program where a few local high schoolers interested in Brown’s combined medical program get to do a 4-week research internship on campus. Students (often rising seniors from Providence or nearby) join Brown labs through the university’s pre-college courses setup. They might assist in biology experiments or public health surveys under a faculty mentor. 

Stipend: While most pre-college programs are tuition-based, some Rhode Island students can secure a scholarship slot, effectively turning it into a paid internship (in that they don’t pay, and sometimes they get a small stipend or free lunch). Brown is big on community engagement, so also look at their STEM II program for local students which combines classes with internships. The benefit here is experiencing an Ivy League research environment while still in high school – it demystifies elite colleges and strengthens your college application. And if you impress a professor during your internship, that connection can yield a powerful recommendation letter for college (worth its weight in gold).

Rhode Island Hospital Summer Volunteer Internship (Providence): Rhode Island Hospital and Hasbro Children’s Hospital (part of Lifespan Health System in Providence) have a structured Summer Student Volunteer Program that functions like an internship. High school students (16+) commit to ~8 weeks of volunteering 15+ hours per week in various hospital departments. They may transport patients via wheelchair, restock supplies, deliver meals, or play with pediatric patients. 

Although unpaid, Lifespan treats the program seriously – there’s an application, interview, orientation, and at the end, volunteers get evaluations (which can be used for references). Top-performing volunteers sometimes get invited to shadow doctors or join paid research assistant roles in subsequent summers. So, while it starts unpaid, it can “pay off” by positioning you for future paid opportunities in healthcare. Plus, for Rhode Island teens, getting hospital experience without leaving the state is valuable given RI’s size – there are not an abundance of hospitals to intern at, so having the state’s largest hospital on your CV is a plus. Many alumni cite that this experience confirmed their desire to pursue nursing or medicine, which is a payoff in clarity of career direction.

IYRS School of Technology & Trades Summer Internship (Newport): In Newport, the IYRS (International Yacht Restoration School) offers summer programs for youth interested in boat building, marine systems, or composites technology. Advanced high school students or recent grads can sometimes snag paid internships with Newport’s boat builders and restoration shops through IYRS connections. For example, an intern might help sand and varnish a wooden sailboat from the 1960s, or assist in laying carbon fiber for a high-tech racing yacht. These maritime crafts are a big industry in coastal Rhode Island. 

Pay: Often around $10–$14/hour for those with some shop skills. IYRS also runs a 6-week summer introduction course for teens – while that’s not paid (you pay tuition), completing it often qualifies you for referrals to paid part-time jobs in the boatyards (Newport’s marine companies frequently ask IYRS for young helpers). If you’re less college-track and more interested in hands-on trades, Rhode Island’s boat building legacy is a unique path: you get to work by the ocean, learn a cool trade, and earn money. And internships in this niche often turn into full-time apprenticeships, which can lead to very well-paying careers (skilled marine technicians are in demand globally).

South Carolina (Columbia, Charleston, etc.)

Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) Summer Health Internship (Charleston): MUSC in Charleston offers the Summer Health Professionals Program for high school students from the Lowcountry. It’s a one-week intensive (unpaid) where students shadow in various clinics and labs. However, top participants can apply for an extended 6-week research internship at MUSC that is paid via stipend (often through NIH’s summer high school programs). For example, a student might work in MUSC’s Hollings Cancer Center lab investigating how certain genes affect tumor growth. They are paired with a mentor and contribute to the research like a junior lab assistant. 

Stipend: Typically around $1,500. This extended opportunity is competitive and often goes to rising seniors who show strong aptitude in science. For a South Carolina student, it’s a chance to get big-league biomedical experience without leaving the state (MUSC is a major research hospital). Many students parlay this into science fair projects that win scholarships, or early acceptance into MUSC’s undergrad pipeline programs. And if you’re considering staying in SC for med school or health careers, the connections you make through an MUSC internship could definitely pay dividends down the road.

Boeing Manufacturing Internship (North Charleston): Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner assembly plant in North Charleston has partnered with local technical high schools and Trident Tech to create internships and youth apprenticeships. High school seniors (especially those in aeronautics programs) can work at Boeing part-time, earning hourly pay while learning skills in aircraft assembly, robotics, and quality inspection. This often extends into full-time summer work. They’re treated as entry-level technicians, so they might fasten parts on a fuselage one day and learn about CAD/CAM the next. Boeing apprentices also get their two-year technical degree paid for, which is a huge bonus. 

So, a Charleston-area teen can start a Boeing career at 17, get an associate’s degree free, and step into a well-paying aerospace job by 20 – that’s a path that many in other states would envy. For those not on the exact apprenticeship track, Boeing still offers summer internships through the SC Manufacturing Extension Partnership for high schoolers, which are shorter (8 weeks) but still paid. Charleston’s manufacturing scene is booming (Volvo is there too), so any student with a penchant for hands-on engineering should look local; the payoff is immediate (a paycheck) and long-term (a stable career).

Columbia College Summer Leadership Institute (Columbia): Columbia College (a women’s college in SC) hosts a Summer Leadership Institute for rising junior and senior girls across the state. It’s a 2-week residential program that is more educational than work, but participants who show exceptional leadership can be invited to intern during the following school year with partner organizations (like the Women’s Shelter, state agencies, or local businesses) in Columbia. 

Those internships may be part-time and sometimes carry a stipend or at least travel reimbursement. While not a huge moneymaker, the aim is to place young women in real decision-making environments early, to boost confidence and resume strength. For example, a student might intern with a Columbia city council member, helping plan community meetings, and get a small stipend for her efforts. 

These experiences often ignite a passion for civic engagement or public service – the payoff being that several alumnae have gone on to student government, and even one eventually ran for local office soon after college. For South Carolina girls especially, the network and mentorship from the Summer Institute and subsequent internships can open doors in what might still be a male-dominated arena. Sometimes the value of an internship isn’t just in the dollars earned, but in the social capital and courage gained – this program emphasizes that.

South Dakota (Sioux Falls, Rapid City, etc.)

Sanford Health Career Exploration Program (Sioux Falls): Sanford Health, based in Sioux Falls, offers a Career Exploration Internship for high school seniors interested in healthcare. Students apply to specific departments (like nursing, lab tech, or sports medicine) and, if selected, spend a few weeks shadowing and assisting in that department over the summer. While primarily observational, interns might do minor tasks like restocking clinic rooms, helping with patient check-in processes, or setting up lab equipment under supervision. 

Stipend: Sanford has provided a modest stipend or gift card to interns in some cases, but often it’s considered a volunteer educational experience (with nice perks like free scrubs and meals). The real payoff: Sanford is the largest employer in SD, so having an “in” with them is valuable. Many interns come back as paid Sanford patient care techs in college or get scholarships from Sanford if they pursue nursing. In a region where healthcare options might seem limited, seeing the breadth of Sanford’s operations (which even include cutting-edge research at the Sanford Research center) can widen a student’s perspective on opportunities without leaving South Dakota.

SD Game, Fish & Parks Youth Internship (Statewide): South Dakota’s Game, Fish & Parks department hires a number of seasonal aides and interns, and some high schoolers 17+ have landed these roles. For instance, the GFP’s conservation education intern at Custer State Park has been filled by an ambitious high school grad before starting college. These positions are paid hourly and involve tasks like leading nature hikes, helping with wildlife surveys, or assisting park rangers with visitor programs. Similarly, fisheries divisions hire interns to help with fish population counts and habitat maintenance. 

If you’re a teen who loves the outdoors and thinks you might want to be a wildlife biologist or park manager, this is a direct path – you’re literally doing the job (minus some authority) and getting paid for it. And if you prove yourself, GFP often will keep you seasonal every summer through college (with increasing responsibility), essentially grooming you for a full-time role after graduation. Few things are as satisfying as turning a passion for nature into a summer job – especially among South Dakota’s beautiful parks and lakes – and getting a paycheck too.

Daktronics High School Internship (Brookings): Daktronics, a world leader in LED displays and scoreboards located in Brookings, SD, has an intern/co-op program that occasionally dips into the high school level for local talent. High school juniors at Brookings High or the surrounding area, particularly those in technical education tracks, have interned at Daktronics in areas like electronics assembly and drafting. 

These are paid positions (Daktronics pays competitive wages, often around $11–$13/hour for beginners) and often part-time during the school year with full-time in summer. An intern might help solder components on circuit boards for giant arena screens or update CAD drawings for metal fabrication of sign frames. 

Starting at Daktronics in high school is great because the company has a history of retaining talent – they’ll encourage you to attend nearby South Dakota State University (also in Brookings) and continue interning or co-oping with them in more advanced roles as you gain skills. By the time you finish college, you could already have 4–5 years of work experience with the company, making you a prime candidate for full-time. For South Dakotan students interested in engineering or tech, this path is a hidden gem that shows you don’t have to leave the state to work in high-tech manufacturing and design.

Tennessee (Nashville, Memphis, etc.)

Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Aspirnaut Program (Nashville): Vanderbilt’s Aspirnaut Summer Research Internship brings in talented high school students from rural Tennessee (and other states) to do biomedical research for 6 weeks at Vandy’s labs. Interns work on real projects (e.g., cancer biology, neuroscience, diabetes research) under faculty mentors and also take part in college prep workshops. 

Stipend: They receive a stipend (about $500/week) plus housing and meals on the Vanderbilt campus. This program is specifically aimed at students from under-resourced communities – for many, it’s their first big exposure to cutting-edge science and a college environment. An example success story: a student from a town with a population of 1,000 worked on a biochemistry project through Aspirnaut, discovered a passion for genetics, and later went to Vanderbilt on scholarship, ultimately aiming for a Ph.D. That’s the payoff – this internship can literally alter life trajectories, and you get paid as a bonus. If you’re a Tennessee teen in a small town with big science dreams, Aspirnaut is one of the best opportunities to “get out” via science (without any cost to you).

Oak Ridge National Lab NEXT GEN Program (Oak Ridge): Oak Ridge National Laboratory, near Knoxville, has the NEXTGEN STEM internship which allows local high schoolers (usually rising seniors) to intern at ORNL in various divisions. Students apply through a system and if accepted, they spend summers working on research like materials science, computational modeling, or environmental studies with ORNL scientists. 

Stipend: Yes, ORNL high school interns are paid – roughly $10/hour – and may get travel assistance if they live farther away. Oak Ridge is a massive facility (birthplace of the atomic bomb Manhattan Project era, now diversified into all sorts of science), and having it on your resume is a huge plus. Interns might get to use supercomputers or advanced microscopy instruments that most undergrads elsewhere could only dream of. 

Furthermore, ORNL often invites standout high school interns to continue in their college co-op program, effectively securing them a prestigious research job as they study. For a Tennessee student, interning at ORNL can confirm you want a career in STEM and give you a network of contacts at the nation’s largest science lab – an incredible head start.

FedEx/AutoZone Corporate Internships (Memphis): Memphis is home to big corporations like FedEx (global shipping) and AutoZone (auto parts retail). These companies, through partnerships with local high schools and the Memphis Chamber, have offered summer corporate internships to high-achieving students. For example, a Memphis high school senior might intern at FedEx’s IT department, helping with software testing or data entry, or at AutoZone’s marketing department, contributing to social media campaigns. 

These internships are paid (often around $12–$15/hour) and last about 6–8 weeks. Students not only earn money but also learn professional etiquette in an office setting, get exposure to business operations, and often are paired with a mentor in the company. At the end, many present a small project to company leadership (nerve-wracking but excellent experience!). The payoff here is learning and networking – some students might land part-time jobs during college or at least have a leg up when applying to business programs at university. 

Plus, they see that Memphis, often overshadowed by Nashville, has plenty of corporate career opportunities. One notable program, the LEAD Summer Business Institute, pipelines Memphis minority students into internships at companies like these, with training included – demonstrating again that being proactive in looking for “near me” programs can result in a very fruitful (and paid) summer experience.

Texas (Houston, Dallas, Austin, etc.)

NASA Johnson Space Center High School Internship (Houston): Houston is Space City, and NASA’s Johnson Space Center runs the High School Aerospace Scholars (HAS) program, which includes an on-site summer internship component for top students. After a year-long online coursework and a week at JSC, select HAS graduates may be invited back for a paid internship at JSC or affiliated aerospace contractors the following summer. Intern roles can range from helping mission planners, coding for robotics, to working with astronauts on public affairs. These positions typically pay a stipend or hourly wage (since it’s through NASA or contractors like Boeing). 

The experience is out-of-this-world – quite literally. Imagine being 17 and sitting in on meetings about the Artemis moon mission or helping test a new Mars rover prototype. For any Texas teen dreaming of a space career, this is the launching pad. And even if you don’t end up at NASA later, the connections and confidence you gain (plus saying “I interned at NASA” on a college app or job resume) are priceless.

Dell Technologies Summer Internship (Round Rock/Austin): Dell, headquartered near Austin, sometimes opens its doors to high school interns through programs like the Dell Student TechCrew or in partnership with LISD (Leander Independent School District). High school tech whizzes have been placed in Dell’s IT support, engineering, or marketing teams for summer gigs. 

These interns are paid and work on real projects – one student helped develop a chatbot for customer service, another analyzed social media engagement data for Dell’s marketing. Austin’s booming tech scene (think Oracle, IBM, etc., in addition to Dell) means there are plenty of chances if you network or go through a structured program like the Austin STEM Academy internships. 

The payoff for interning at a name-brand like Dell is significant: aside from the paycheck, you could earn a fast-track invitation to Dell’s college internship (they love continuity), plus you get to see the inner workings of a global tech firm early on. It’s an excellent reality check – you might find you love corporate tech culture or decide start-up or academic life suits you better. Either way, you got paid to learn that lesson, and you’ve got a leg up.

Texas State Government Internship (Austin): Many Texas state agencies in Austin offer summer administrative internships to high schoolers, often through the Texas Workforce Commission’s Youth Program. For instance, the Texas General Land Office had a high school intern who helped digitize historical maps, and the Texas Department of Parks & Wildlife has taken on interns to assist with communications. These positions are generally paid (funded through a state initiative to promote youth employment) and last 4–8 weeks. Students gain familiarity with public sector work – which in Texas is its own world, given the state’s size. 

Especially if you’re interested in public policy or law, interning at, say, the Texas Capitol or Attorney General’s office as a teen can be eye-opening. You see how laws are researched and implemented behind the scenes. The network you build can also pay off: one former intern in the Secretary of State’s office later got recommended for a prestigious Senate Page position in D.C. partly thanks to the connections made. So, while you might have been filing documents or updating websites for a summer (with a modest paycheck), the payoff in understanding the machinery of government – and using that knowledge for future opportunities – is immense.

Utah (Salt Lake City, Provo, etc.)

University of Utah High School Internship Program (Salt Lake City): The U of U has a High School University Program (HSUP) that allows high school seniors in the Salt Lake area to intern in various university departments for elective credit and sometimes pay. One popular track is in the College of Engineering – professors take on a couple of high schoolers to help with research. For example, an intern worked in a biomedical engineering lab 10 hours a week, assisting with experiments on a prosthetic hand design. 

If the lab has grant money, they often pay a stipend; if not, students might do it for credit or volunteer hours. Either way, they get access to university facilities and one-on-one mentoring from faculty or grad students. By the time they enter college (often at U of U or BYU), they’re already familiar with lab protocols and possibly even co-authors on a paper. For Utah students, which have a strong STEM culture thanks to Silicon Slopes, this is a great way to accelerate – you’re not waiting until 19 or 20 to start serious research. And the experiences can lead to paid work: one intern’s lab was so impressed they offered her a paid part-time job the following summer, even though she’d just graduated high school.

Intermountain Healthcare Teen Volunteer Internship (various UT locations): Intermountain Healthcare, Utah’s big hospital network, offers a robust teen volunteer program which in some regions is structured like an internship. Teens (16+) volunteer in clinical departments transporting patients, delivering medications (with supervision), and assisting nurses with non-medical tasks. In some Intermountain hospitals, exceptional teen volunteers can join a summer “Internship” track where they rotate through multiple departments (ER, Labor & Delivery, Lab, etc.) to get a broad exposure. Although it’s officially volunteering (thus unpaid), these interns often are first in line for any paid positions like phlebotomy tech or CNA roles when they turn 18. 

Intermountain also provides recommendation letters for college or med programs for those who complete significant hours. In a state where many youth aspire to healthcare (and also often serve LDS missions which value service), the culture aligns well – you serve in a hospital, learn skills, make connections, and then potentially land a job or a reference. So, while you might not earn money that summer, you are banking social and professional capital that likely will pay financial dividends as you move into paid roles sooner than peers who didn’t get that early experience.

Hill Air Force Base STEM Internship (Ogden area): Hill AFB near Ogden occasionally opens its doors to high school STEM interns (usually through the DOD’s STEM outreach). Utah students from Davis County who are in robotics clubs or STEM competitions have sometimes been invited to do a summer internship with Hill’s engineering squadrons or maintenance depots. 

These positions are paid (DOD hourly rates for students, often $12–$15/hr) and involve working on real Air Force projects – e.g., helping to design 3D-printed parts to repair aircraft, or writing simple software to track equipment. A clearance might be required depending on the project, which the Air Force sponsors (that alone is valuable – getting a security clearance early opens some high-paying defense jobs later). If you perform well, Hill AFB can convert you into their Pathways program for college students, almost guaranteeing you a civilian Air Force job after college.

Utah has a lot of defense industry, so even if you don’t stick with the Air Force, that experience can help you get hired at Northrup Grumman or L3Harris (big defense contractors in SLC) who love seeing familiarity with military systems. In short, an internship at Hill AFB pays well now and sets up a patriotic and potentially lucrative career pipeline in engineering or logistics.

Vermont (Burlington, etc.)

University of Vermont Medical Center Summer Academy (Burlington): UVM Medical Center in Burlington offers a Medical Academy summer experience for Vermont high schoolers. It’s a 1–2 week program (not a working internship) where students shadow physicians, learn clinical skills in a sim lab, and engage in public health projects. While unpaid (participants pay tuition), sometimes local hospitals or Rotary clubs sponsor a student’s attendance. After completing the academy, keen students can apply to volunteer or intern at UVMMC in a specific department for the rest of the summer – occasionally these extended opportunities come with a small stipend or at least free parking and cafeteria vouchers (which, hey, is money saved). 

The payoff is in demystifying healthcare in a small state – Vermont doesn’t have many big hospitals, so getting into the only Level I Trauma Center (UVMMC) as a teen is special. One student discovered a love for anesthesiology through shadowing and later pursued a nursing assistant job (paid) at UVMMC in that unit during college. That trajectory likely wouldn’t have happened without the initial “internship” experience. So while you might not earn cash the first year, the doors it opens can lead to paid roles in subsequent summers or a clearer (and possibly accelerated) path into the medical profession, which has obvious financial rewards long term.

Vermont EPSCoR High School Internship (Statewide): Vermont EPSCoR (a NSF-funded program to boost state research) runs a high school internship program focusing on environmental science and data analysis. Each summer, about 6–8 students statewide are selected to join research teams studying Vermont’s Lake Champlain watershed. They do fieldwork like collecting water samples, and lab work analyzing things like phosphorus levels, plus computer modeling of ecosystems. 

Stipend: Students receive around $1,000 stipend for the summer and travel is reimbursed. They also present at a symposium with college and grad student interns. This is a big deal in a small state – you’re treated as a young scientist and your findings might even help state environmental policies. Several alumni have used their projects as a basis to win scholarships (e.g., Regeneron Science Talent Search scholars). The program “pays off” not only with the stipend, but in jump-starting scientific careers. And because Vermont is tight-knit, an EPSCoR internship can connect you with professors at UVM or Middlebury who might later hire you as a lab assistant (a paid college job) because they remember you from this program. It’s a virtuous cycle that starts in high school.

Ben & Jerry’s Social Mission Internship (Waterbury): Vermont’s most famous company, Ben & Jerry’s, sometimes offers a quirky internship in line with its social mission values. High school students have interned in the Ben & Jerry’s Foundation or social impact marketing department during summers. These internships are often project-based: one intern helped organize the company’s “Free Cone Day” with a local charity fundraiser twist, another worked on a social media campaign about fair trade ingredients. 

Pay: Yes, they pay (around $12/hr and all the ice cream you can eat…within reason!). The experience shows a different side of business – one that cares about activism and fun in equal measure. For a Vermont youth interested in marketing, business, or nonprofit work, seeing how Ben & Jerry’s blends capitalism and social justice is eye-opening. It can inspire career directions that aren’t purely profit-focused. Plus, it’s a cool factor – not many can say their first job was with an ice cream icon that’s world-renowned for progressive values. This internship pays you in cash and in endless conversation starters (“Let me tell you about the time I had to taste test 50 new flavors…”). More concretely, it could lead to future jobs at socially responsible enterprises or give you an edge if you apply to colleges that value community engagement, as you’ve seen how those values play out in a real company.

Virginia (Northern VA, Richmond, etc.)

MITRE High School Technical Internship (McLean): MITRE Corporation, a federally funded R&D center in McLean, VA, hosts a National High School Program where NOVA (Northern Virginia) students can intern in STEM fields. High school juniors with strong coding or math skills have interned at MITRE in summers, working on cybersecurity, AI, or defense technology projects. They are paid (MITRE pays well; expect $15–$18/hr for high school-level) and treated as part of the team. For instance, an intern might help develop a machine learning model to detect network intrusions. 

MITRE often collaborates with Fairfax County Public Schools to find candidates, but students can also apply directly. The payoff is major: this is a stepping stone into the defense and intelligence tech world that dominates NOVA. Many interns get clearance sponsorships and return in college, then often land full-time roles either at MITRE or agencies. If you’re in VA and want a taste of high-end tech that directly impacts government, MITRE is unbeatable as an internship – and the pay certainly doesn’t hurt for a teenager.

Virginia Aerospace Science and Technology Scholars (Hampton/Wallops Island): VASTS is a program that includes an online NASA course for Virginia high school juniors and a capstone one-week residency at NASA Langley in Hampton. The top students from that (about 12 each year) are then offered a follow-on summer internship at Langley Research Center or Wallops Flight Facility on the Eastern Shore. 

Those internships are paid by NASA (around $2,500 for the summer) and involve working on real space missions – could be anything from testing wind tunnel models to programming Cubesat satellites. Given Virginia’s rich NASA history (Langley was the home of the Hidden Figures mathematicians and is key in Mars mission planning now), this is like getting into the big leagues early. Interns often continue in NASA’s pipeline (many have gone on to college internships at Johnson or Goddard). 

The program basically grooms Virginia kids for aerospace careers – and it works. The payoff is a potential NASA career launch, quite literally. And even if you go elsewhere, having “NASA intern” on your record along with a solid paycheck earned at 17 is extraordinary. Virginia is proud of this program, and if you’re a junior with a STEM bent, you should definitely shoot for it.

Capital One Software Engineering Internship (Richmond): Capital One, though a bank, is heavily tech-focused and has a large HQ in Richmond. They occasionally run a Software Engineering Summer Experience for high school seniors in the Richmond area. Students spend a few weeks learning coding from Cap One engineers and then work on a group project, like developing a simple banking app feature or a chatbot. 

Top participants have been offered a chance to intern the rest of the summer on a real Capital One dev team, which is paid (approx. $20/hr since they align with their college intern pay scale, pro-rated for experience). It’s intense – you go from, say, AP Computer Science in school to working with enterprise code repositories at a Fortune 500. But you also see modern workflows (Agile, Scrum) and get mentorship. Capital One often extends an early college internship offer to these high school interns (essentially saying “when you finish your freshman year of college, come back for a sophomore internship”). 

That kind of continuity can fast-track you into a full-time job. The payoff, besides the good money at 18, is that you’re set up with a potential job at a place that hires a ton of developers. You can focus on learning in college, not scrambling for internships, because you already have one lined up each summer. That is a huge stress reliever and financial benefit, courtesy of a high school opportunity you took.

Washington (Seattle, etc.)

Fred Hutch Cancer Research Center Internship (Seattle): Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center runs a renowned High School Internship Program where Seattle-area students from underrepresented groups spend 8 weeks doing cancer research. Interns are placed in labs investigating things like immunotherapy, genome editing, or public health data – heavy stuff for high school, but they get intensive training. 

Stipend: Yes, about $2,500 and free transit passes are provided. They also receive mentorship on college applications. Many interns even get to present their work at conferences. One student intern contributed to a project on T-cell therapy for leukemia and was later credited in a scientific poster at a national conference. That’s a payoff academically and confidence-wise. And practically, a number of alumni have earned full rides to universities because of the strength of this experience in their resumes/personal statements. Fred Hutch in high school basically sets you on a path to be a cancer researcher if you want – and it’s paid, so you can help your family and not have to choose between a summer job and an educational opportunity.

Microsoft High School Intern Program (Redmond): Microsoft occasionally offers a high school internship at its Redmond headquarters, targeting local students (often through efforts to encourage diversity in tech). These are true software development or program management internships – high schoolers might help code a minor feature in Office or assist in user testing for Xbox. 

They’re paid very well (Microsoft pay might be $25/hr even for a high schooler) and last 8–10 weeks. The interns also get to participate in Microsoft’s famous intern events (think: free concerts or Q&As with Bill Gates). The catch: positions are few and extremely competitive. Many who get it have done Microsoft’s secondary programs like DigiGirlz or have a parent at Microsoft. 

However, Microsoft also partners with the Washington State Classroom to Career program, which can funnel some public school students into these slots. Needless to say, the payoff is huge: you earn what some full-time workers make, you learn from top engineers, and you often get a return internship offer (Microsoft loves boomerangs). One former intern started at 17, interned each summer through college, and then joined Microsoft full-time by 22 – basically a six-figure job secured before senior year of college. If you’re a coding prodigy in WA, you aim for Microsoft, Google, Amazon, etc., and some do land there straight out of 12th grade – the money and experience can be life-changing.

Seattle Aquarium Youth Ocean Advocates (Seattle): For a different flavor, the Seattle Aquarium has a Youth Ocean Advocates volunteer program, where teens educate the public about marine conservation. Senior participants (those who’ve been in the program a year or more) can apply for a seasonal paid internship to lead youth teams, help with animal care, or manage social media campaigns around conservation. While the baseline program is volunteer, these advanced internships come with a stipend (around $1,000 for the summer) or hourly pay for part-time hours. It’s not big money, but it’s a fulfilling job by the Puget Sound – and could lead to bigger roles. 

For example, one teen intern parlayed the experience into a part-time paid gig as an aquarium diver (cleaning tanks, feeding fish) once he turned 18. Another used it to get a scholarship to study marine biology at UW. So the payoff might not be immediate riches, but it positions you in Seattle’s robust environmental scene. Plus, soft skills like public speaking, teamwork, and grant writing (some interns help write mini-grants for projects) are developed, which are super useful regardless of career. And hey, if you love the ocean, getting paid even a little to hang out with otters and octopuses is a pretty sweet deal.

West Virginia (Charleston, Morgantown, etc.)

WVU Health Sciences & Technology Academy (statewide/WVU): West Virginia University’s HSTA is a program for high schoolers aiming for healthcare careers. It’s an ongoing enrichment program, but notable is the summer institute at WVU where students do hands-on projects in health science and even design their own community health research. Those projects can turn into paid apprenticeships during the school year where students implement their ideas (with small grants/stipends). 

For instance, a student who studied diabetes in the summer might get funding to run a healthy cooking class in their hometown as a paid project leader. While not a traditional internship at a company, it pays off by building students’ capacity to lead public health initiatives and often by awarding college scholarships for those who complete HSTA (WVU and Marshall University offer substantial scholarships for HSTA grads – effectively a huge financial payoff in tuition savings). So, the “earnings” might come a couple years later when you realize you saved $10,000+ in college costs because of this high school experience.

National Radio Astronomy Observatory Internship (Green Bank): The Green Bank Observatory in WV (home to the world’s largest steerable radio telescope) offers summer research internships, including for a couple of high school students nationally who apply through the NSF’s intern program. A high school intern there might help collect and analyze data from pulsar observations, or assist in developing software that filters out radio interference. Stipend: Provided via NSF’s STEM internship program (around $500/week for high school level). Living in rural WV for the summer at a research facility can be an adventure in itself – spotty cell service, lots of deer, and incredibly dark skies. 

The payoff is if you love astronomy or physics, you’ve essentially interned at one of the coolest observatories on Earth (right up there with those in Chile or Arecibo). One alum from Green Bank’s high school program later worked on a NASA project in college, crediting that early experience. Also, for a WV student, it’s a point of pride to use a world-class facility in your backyard. This can encourage you to pursue STEM where otherwise you might not due to WV’s limited local opportunities. And if you do, these research contacts can lead to recommendations, which lead to internships at places like NASA or JPL, which can lead to great careers. It’s a stepping stone, but the first one is paid and very, very neat.

WV Governor’s Internship Program (Charleston): West Virginia has a Governor’s Internship Program that places high-achieving college students in state agencies and private businesses. On occasion, exceptional high school grads (between senior year and freshman year of college) have been allowed in. If you get in, you might intern at the WV Department of Commerce, a law firm in Charleston, or an energy company – they try to match your interests. 

Pay: Yes, around $10/hour funded by the employer or a state stipend for nonprofits. This program is mostly college-level, but it’s good for WV high schoolers to know it exists because if they don’t get in right after high school, it’s something to aim for during college summers. It’s a central portal to lots of internships in a small state. 

The payoff is that many interns under this program end up being offered full-time jobs in WV (which is crucial as WV battles “brain drain”). For example, an intern at a local bank might get an offer to join their management training after college, or an intern at the Department of Environmental Protection might get a foot in the door for a state job. So if you’re committed to staying in WV and want a professional career, this internship pipeline is a way to secure that path early – and you earn money each step of the way, starting with that first summer of work right out of high school.

Wisconsin (Milwaukee, Madison, etc.)

Medical College of Wisconsin Apprenticeship in Medicine (Milwaukee): The Apprenticeship in Medicine (AIM) program in Milwaukee is a summer internship for high school students of color and disadvantaged backgrounds, run by the Medical College of Wisconsin. Students spend 6 weeks shadowing physicians, learning basic clinical skills, and working on a small health research project. They rotate through departments at Froedtert Hospital and Children’s Wisconsin, getting exposure to careers like surgery, pediatrics, and pharmacy. 

Stipend: AIM participants receive a stipend (around $1,500) to offset any income they’d otherwise need from a summer job. The idea is to invest in future healthcare providers who will serve Milwaukee’s diverse communities. The payoff is clear: many alumni go into pre-med or nursing in college, and some come back to MCW for med school. One tangible payoff story: a former AIM intern developed a connection with a cardiologist during the program who later hired her as a paid undergraduate research assistant (with a higher wage) and became a mentor who helped her secure scholarships. So that initial stipend was just the beginning; it led to a stable part-time college job and likely boosted her med school acceptance (financial and career payoffs).

Epic Systems “Get Engaged” Internship (Madison area): Epic Systems, the huge healthcare software company near Madison, occasionally hires local high school students as summer interns, especially if they’ve taken programming classes at Madison-area high schools. An intern might do software testing, writing scripts to automate tasks, or even light coding on internal tools.

Pay: Epic is known for good salaries; an intern could make ~$15/hr. They also have an amazing campus (with themed buildings, free food) which is an experience in itself. While Epic doesn’t widely advertise high school roles, they’ve been known to tap top students from Wisconsin’s state programming contests or from STEM programs like FIRST Robotics. 

The payoff is not only the money but if you impress them, they might guarantee you an internship during college, or at least you have a direct line when you apply for a job after college. Epic likes to hire local when possible (people who have Midwest roots and might stay long-term), so a Wisconsin student who interned in high school already has a gold star on their application later. 

And since Epic is one of the biggest private employers in the region, that’s a strong chip to hold. Plus, you can find out early if the software industry is your jam – some interns realize they prefer a different path, which is fine; at least you got paid to find that out, rather than paying for a degree then discovering it.

Milwaukee Art Museum Teen Internship (Milwaukee): The Milwaukee Art Museum has a teen program called ArtXpress where high schoolers collaborate on a mural or public art project over the summer. It’s part educational, part internship – teens are paid a stipend (about $700) for 100 hours of participation. They work with local artists, learn about community engagement, and ultimately unveil a public artwork in Milwaukee. It’s a way to use art for social change, often addressing themes like neighborhood identity or youth voice. For a creative student, this is a meaningful gig that shows art can have tangible impact. 

The payoff includes the stipend and perhaps more importantly, a portfolio piece and experience that can propel you to scholarships or admission in art/design programs. Also, working with city officials and community groups on the mural project helps build professional skills in communication and project management. Some alumni have leveraged those networks to get other gigs – e.g., one teen was hired after the program by a community center to lead after-school art classes (a paying part-time job during senior year). In essence, you start by beautifying the city with your art (and getting paid), and you end up with open doors in Milwaukee’s arts and nonprofit scene.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, summer high school internships come in all shapes and sizes – from corporate offices and cutting-edge labs to hospitals, museums, and outdoor parks. The common thread is that they provide real-world experience beyond what you get in school, and they actually pay off. Many offer hourly wages or stipends so you can earn money (and possibly save for college) while learning. Even the ones that are unpaid often lead to future paid opportunities or scholarships, effectively paying dividends later on. By organizing the opportunities state-by-state, we hope you can easily find “high school internships near me” and jumpstart your career exploration.

Before we conclude, a quick note on HOSA (Future Health Professionals) as mentioned: HOSA is a national student organization that prepares high schoolers for health careers through competitions, leadership training, and networking. While HOSA itself is not an internship, being an active HOSA member can connect you to many of the healthcare internships we listed (for example, some states’ HOSA websites post local health internship openings. 

HOSA also offers events like the International Leadership Conference where you can meet peers and health professionals, potentially leading to shadowing or mentorship. In short, HOSA can amplify your internship experiences by providing extra skills (like CPR certification, medical terminology knowledge) and by demonstrating to internship selectors that you’re serious about a health career. So if you’re aiming for a medical or health-related internship, consider joining your school’s HOSA chapter – it will offer resources and motivation to complement the practical experience you’ll gain through internships.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes a good high school summer internship?

A strong internship offers structure, supervision, and a clear learning purpose. Students should be guided by professionals, have opportunities to observe real work, and gain experience that connects to their interests. Programs that include mentorship or reflection activities are especially valuable for college applications.

Are paid internships better than volunteer positions?

Not necessarily. Paid internships are excellent for learning financial responsibility, but volunteer-based programs in healthcare, research, or community service often carry equal or greater weight on college applications because of their educational value and impact.

Can high school students work in hospitals?

Students under 18 are not allowed to perform medical procedures, but they can participate in observation, shadowing, or support roles under supervision. Hospital internships and volunteering programs give insight into how medical teams function and what professional life in healthcare looks like.

Do colleges care about healthcare internships?

Yes. Colleges recognize that students who have explored healthcare early often arrive on campus more focused and prepared. Internships show initiative, discipline, and maturity — qualities that admissions officers value in any applicant.

How do I find high school internships near me?

Start by searching for local hospitals, universities, and city programs that accept high school participants. Community service boards and organizations like HOSA often list summer options. You can also explore International Medical Aid’s high school internships near me to find structured healthcare experiences.

Are international internships worth considering?

If the program is reputable, safe, and supervised, yes. International programs expose students to healthcare systems in different settings and help them build independence, cultural awareness, and global perspective — qualities that stand out in college essays.

When should students apply for summer internships?

Most programs open applications between November and February for the following summer. Competitive healthcare and research programs may require essays or recommendation letters, so it helps to prepare early.

How do students balance internships with other commitments?

Choosing the right duration is key. Some internships run two weeks, others span the full summer. Students should plan around their academic calendars and prioritize programs that align with their long-term interests rather than simply filling time.

Are virtual internships still valuable?

Yes. Many organizations now offer remote research, data analysis, and public health education internships. Virtual experiences still build time management, communication, and technical skills that translate well to both college and professional settings.

How do these experiences connect to medical internships for high school students?

Medical internships help students see healthcare up close while general internships develop complementary skills in leadership, communication, and critical thinking. The combination of both makes for a well-rounded applicant who understands both the science and human side of medicine.

Next Steps

With this extensive list of examples, identify a few programs in your state (or a neighboring state if you’re able to travel) that match your interests. Check their application requirements and deadlines – many summer internships have deadlines as early as January or February. Tailor your resume (even if it’s brief) and perhaps get a recommendation from a teacher ready. Apply to a few, and don’t be discouraged by competition – perseverance often pays off. Even if you start with a smaller or unpaid role your first summer, that can be your springboard to a paid one the next.

Remember, the experiences, skills, and contacts you gain now, in high school, can set the foundation for college and beyond. Whether you spend your summer in a hospital, a research lab, a tech company, a law office, or any other professional setting, you’ll be ahead of the curve – and likely with some money in your pocket as well.

Good luck with your internship search and make the most of whichever opportunity you land. Who knows – the high school internship you do could spark a passion that lasts a lifetime! Each experience is a building block in your journey, and with each, you’ll develop clarity, competence, and confidence for your future career.