High School Internships: Where to Find Them and How to Get One

High School Internships

Internships are often associated with college students, but they are on the rise for high school students as well. For many students, high school internships serve as a first step in understanding how academic interests translate into real-world opportunities.

In today’s competitive college admissions landscape, high school internships can also help students demonstrate initiative, intellectual curiosity, and maturity. Colleges are not expecting high school students to have extensive professional experience, but they do value meaningful engagement outside the classroom. They especially appreciate engagement that reflects genuine interest and growth, whether through business, research, or medical internships for high school students.

In this article, we’ll explore high school internships and how students can find opportunities that align with their interests and goals. Below, we’ll cover:

• What high school internships are and how they differ from jobs and other activities
• Whether high school internships are realistic for high school students
• Some different types of internships available and how to assess fit
• Field-specific high school internships in business, engineering, medicine, law, and research
• Paid internships for high school students versus unpaid high school internships and how to evaluate value
• Practical steps for securing high school internships
• Key takeaways for students planning their academic and career paths

Whether you’re just beginning to explore career interests or looking to strengthen your college applications, it’s always a good time to learn. Understanding high school internships can help you make informed, intentional choices.

What is an internship?

An internship is a temporary, supervised work or learning experience designed for education rather than long-term employment. High school internships, in particular, are less about productivity and more about learning, observation, and exploration. They:

• Provide early exposure to professional environments
• Help students explore potential career interests
• Build skills that extend beyond the classroom

Unlike a traditional job, where the primary goal is earning income and performing specific tasks independently, an internship emphasizes mentorship and growth. Interns are typically guided by supervisors or mentors, given opportunities to ask questions, and encouraged to reflect on what they’re learning. This learning-first approach is particularly important at the high school level, where students are still discovering their interests and strengths.

How are internships different from other opportunities?

It’s also helpful to distinguish high school internships from other common experiences like volunteering, job shadowing, and extracurricular activities.

• Volunteering focuses on service rather than professional development, though it can still build valuable skills.
• Job shadowing usually involves observing a professional for a short period, often a day or week, without ongoing responsibilities.
• Extracurriculars, such as clubs or sports, are school-based and interest-driven rather than workplace-based.

High school internships may include elements of all these experiences, but they’re unique in their structured connection to a professional environment.

Most high school internships include some combination of mentorship, skill development, and project-based work. High school interns might assist with research, support administrative tasks, help with marketing or outreach, observe meetings, or contribute to projects. Depending on the internship, high school internships may even allow students to lead their own small project. Even when tasks seem simple, the real value lies in understanding how professionals think, collaborate, and solve problems.

High school internships and other programs can also vary in format. Some are in-person, allowing students to work on-site and interact directly with teams. Others are remote, which can increase accessibility and flexibility. Many opportunities are part-time; summer internships for high school students accommodate school schedules. Regardless of structure, the defining feature of an internship is intentional learning within a professional context.

Can I get an internship in high school?

While opportunities may be more limited compared to college internships, high school internships are far from impossible to find. Many students begin their search by looking for high school internships near me, which can uncover local opportunities open to younger applicants.

Age, grade level, and legal considerations can influence availability. Labor laws vary by state and country, and some organizations have minimum age requirements for interns. Schools may also have policies regarding off-campus work or academic credit. As a result, high school internships often emphasize observation, research assistance, or support tasks rather than independent responsibilities.

Competitiveness also varies widely. High school internships in popular fields like medicine, engineering, or finance may be more competitive. However, smaller organizations, local businesses, nonprofits, and startups are often more flexible and open to enthusiastic students who take initiative.

When formal high school internships are not available, alternative paths can be just as valuable. Consider informal high school internships, like assisting a local professional, working with family connections, or collaborating with a professor on small projects. Project-based roles, where students help with a specific initiative or research question, are another excellent option. Even extended job shadowing can serve as a foundation for deeper learning if approached thoughtfully.

Importantly, prior experience is usually not required for high school internships. Employers and mentors understand that students are beginners. What matters more is curiosity, reliability, and a willingness to learn. Students who communicate clearly and demonstrate genuine interest often stand out more than those with polished resumes.

Exploring Types of Internships

High school internships are not one-size-fits-all. They vary widely in structure, goals, and intensity. Understanding these differences can help students choose opportunities that align with their needs and interests.

Exploratory internships for high school students fall somewhere in between, allowing students to sample a field without a long-term commitment.

Settings also vary. Internships for high school students can take place in:

• Corporate offices
• Small businesses
• Nonprofit organizations
• Government agencies
• Research institutions
• Startups

Each environment offers a different perspective on how work gets done. Availability often depends on location; searching “high school internships near me” can yield opportunities that best fit a student’s circumstances.

When evaluating fit, students should consider several factors including their interests, available time, learning style, and long-term goals. A student who enjoys independent research may thrive in a lab, while someone who prefers collaboration might prefer a business or nonprofit. Schedule matters too. Some internships require fixed hours, while others are more flexible.

As we move into field-specific sections, it’s important to note that the categories discussed are not exhaustive. Many internships for high school students are interdisciplinary, and students do not need to limit themselves to one field. Exploration is part of the process. Here you can find a list of 25 best internships for high school students. 

Business Internships for High School Students

Business internships for high school students are among the most accessible. Since business skills are broadly applicable across industries, internships can teach marketable, relevant skills. These internships for high school students often involve:

• Administrative support
• Marketing assistance
• Data organization
• Exposure to day-to-day operations

Students might help manage social media accounts, assist with customer outreach, organize spreadsheets, or sit in on meetings. While these tasks may seem basic, they provide valuable insight into how organizations function and how teams collaborate to achieve goals.

One of the biggest benefits of business internships for high school students? Learning workplace dynamics. Students gain experience with time management, and accountability They begin to understand expectations around punctuality, feedback, and problem-solving, which are useful in any career.

Business internships for high school students can take place in a variety of environments, including small local businesses, startups, and corporate offices. Each offers a different learning experience. Small businesses may allow interns to see many aspects of operations, while larger organizations may expose students to specialized departments.

The skills gained through business internships for high school students — including organization, professionalism, communication, and analytical thinking — are highly transferable. On college applications, these experiences can support narratives around leadership, initiative, and interest exploration. Even for students who don’t plan to major in business, these internships can lend themselves to a variety of strong applications.

Engineering Internships for High School Students

Engineering internships for high school students are typically designed to provide exposure rather than technical mastery. Students are not expected to design complex systems or perform advanced calculations. Instead, they may:

• Assist with projects
• Observe engineers at work
• Participate in structured programs that introduce engineering concepts

Common activities include supporting project teams, helping with basic prototyping, organizing data, or learning to use introductory tools and software. Observation plays a major role, allowing students to see how engineers approach problem-solving and collaboration.

There are many different engineering disciplines, including mechanical, electrical, civil, biomedical, and software engineering. While high school internships rarely dive deeply into distinctions, they can help students understand general differences in focus and work style.

These engineering internships for high school students are often hosted by tech companies, engineering firms, manufacturing facilities, or university programs. Some universities run summer internships for high school students in engineering camps or research programs.

For students interested in STEM, engineering internships for high school students demonstrate intellectual curiosity and early engagement with applied science. On college applications, you can use your internship experiences to help showcase your interest in your anticipated college major.

Medical Internships for High School Students

Medical internships for high school students are especially popular among students interested in healthcare, but they also come with important limitations. Due to safety, privacy, and legal considerations, most medical internships for high school students do not involve direct patient care.

Instead, these internships for high school students focus on:

• Observation
• Support tasks
• Research

Students may shadow physicians, assist with administrative duties, help in labs, or work with public health organizations. Hospitals, clinics, research labs, and community health programs are common settings.

Through these experiences, students gain insight into healthcare systems, professional ethics, and the responsibilities of medical professionals. They also learn that medicine involves more than clinical work; it includes communication, coordination, and decision-making under pressure.

For students considering pre-med or other health-related paths, medical internships for high school students can strengthen college applications by demonstrating informed interest. This is particularly valuable for competitive or accelerated programs, such as BS/MD tracks. Admissions committees for such programs look for evidence that students understand the realities of the field, like experience in the field.

Law Internships for High School Students

Law internships for high school students are typically exposure-based and focus on understanding legal systems rather than practicing law. Students may

• Assist with clerical tasks
• Observe court proceedings
• Help with research
• Support community outreach initiatives

Law internships for high school students provide an insider look at advocacy, justice, and critical thinking. Students learn how legal professionals analyze information, construct arguments, and navigate ethical considerations.

Common environments for law internships for high school students include law firms, courts, government offices, and nonprofit legal organizations. Each setting offers a different perspective on how law intersects with society.

Skills developed through law internships for high school students include writing, analysis, organization, and professionalism. On college applications, law internships for high school students can support interest in humanities, social sciences, political science, or public service.

Research Internships

Research internships for high school students encompass a wide range of disciplines, including scientific, academic, and social science research. Young research interns often assist with:

• Data collection
• Literature reviews
• Ongoing projects under the guidance of graduate students or faculty

These research internships for high school students require curiosity, persistence, and attention to detail. Students learn how knowledge is generated, tested, and communicated, which can be eye-opening for those accustomed to structured classroom learning.

Universities, labs, think tanks, and nonprofits are common hosts for research internships for high school students. Some opportunities are formal programs, while others are arranged informally through outreach to professors or researchers.

Because research internships emphasize inquiry and independent thinking, they help students develop persistence, attention to detail, and problem-solving skills. Students who participate in research internships are often better prepared to articulate their academic interests and intellectual growth during the college application process.

Paid Internships for High School Students

Internships can be paid or unpaid, and understanding the difference is important.

• Many high school internships are unpaid due to legal restrictions, budget constraints, or their educational focus.
• Paid internships for high school students are more common in corporate programs, government agencies, or structured summer initiatives.

Students who need compensation may have more success finding paid roles by searching “high school internships near me.” Local businesses or government offices tend to have paid internships for high school students.

Equity and access are important considerations. Unpaid high school internships can create barriers for students who need income, which is why paid opportunities are often encouraged when available. However, unpaid internships for high school students can still be valuable if they are well-structured, supervised, and focused on learning.

Students should evaluate internships based on what they will gain in skills, knowledge, and mentorship, not based compensation alone. Meaningful unpaid internships for high school students may be more beneficial than paid internships for high school students with limited learning. However, unpaid internships are also a privilege that some students literally cannot afford. If the wage from a paid internship is crucial, an unpaid internship may be off the table.

How to Get a High School Internship: 5 Tips

Securing an internship often requires initiative. Here are some actionable steps you can take to get internships in high school. 

5 Tips to Get an Internship in High School

1. Networking is one of the most effective strategies. Start by using the resources around you, both at school and in your local community. When networking locally, asking about high school internships near me can uncover opportunities created specifically for students in the community.

• Use school-based support. Many high school counselors have lists of summer internships for high school students. Teachers can also be valuable connections, as they often know of programs or local professionals willing to mentor students.

• Explore community postings. Local libraries, community centers, and youth organizations often share bulletins or newsletters with information about summer internships for high school students. 

• Look into city or regional programs. In many areas, city governments or local agencies compile internship opportunities for high school students. These may be hosted on official websites or advertised through local publications. 

• Reach out to friends and family. Personal connections can be one of the most effective ways to learn about internship opportunities. Let family members, family friends, and neighbors know that you’re looking for an internship. They may be able to connect you with someone who needs an intern.

• Search strategically online. Online searches can uncover a wide range of opportunities, but being thoughtful with your keywords is key. Try to use specific searches that include your location, year, and field of interest. For example, “summer internships for high school students Boston arts” or “high school internships near me.“ 

2. Timing matters.

Many summer internships for high school students have application deadlines in late winter or early spring. Opportunities throughout the academic year, on the other hand, may be more flexible. Starting early gives students more options. If you’re looking for last minute ideas, check out this article. 

3. Preparation is key.

Even a simple resume highlighting coursework, activities, and skills can make a strong impression. Interviews are often informal, but professionalism, punctuality, and follow-up emails go a long way.

4. Rejection is part of the process.

Students should expect some setbacks and remain flexible. Persistence often leads to opportunities that were not initially visible.

5. Create your own opportunity.

If you’re having trouble finding formal internship postings, consider reaching out directly. Don’t underestimate a short, thoughtful email introducing yourself, explaining your interests, and asking about opportunities for a short-term or project-based internship. Many high school internships are created informally when students show initiative, curiosity, and professionalism. If you need more help with securing an internship, check out these other helpful tips. 

As a bonus, here is some advice for navigating your internship once you’ve started and after you’ve finished.

Tips for Day 1 and Beyond

Before you start, take time to reflect on what you hope to gain. Are you looking to learn about a specific industry, gain exposure to a professional environment, or explore a possible career path?

Having clarity around your goals can help guide your experience and make it easier to advocate for your learning. If your supervisor asks what you hope to gain from the internship, share your intentions. Openness and clarity allows them to better tailor projects, observations, or mentorship opportunities to your interests.

Throughout your internship, make a habit of documenting what you do and what you learn. Taking notes helps reinforce new information, improves task performance, and encourages you to observe the professional environment more closely. Just as importantly, these notes serve as a record of your growth.

Keeping track of your responsibilities, accomplishments, and reflections will be invaluable when you need to refer to these experiences. Updating your resume, preparing for interviews, writing college application essays about your experience — all these are easier with detailed notes.

Your coworkers and supervisors are also an important part of the learning process. Take the chance to speak with the people around you, especially those whose roles interest you. Thoughtful questions about their daily responsibilities, required skills, and workplace culture can help you understand whether a field is a good fit.

When your internship ends, don’t let those connections disappear. Staying in touch with coworkers, managers, and mentors allows you to maintain relationships that may be helpful in the future. Sending a thoughtful thank-you email at the conclusion of your internship is a simple, professional way to express appreciation. Platforms like LinkedIn make it easier to stay connected and reach out later for advice, recommendations, or new opportunities.

High School Internships – Final Takeaways

A high school internship can be a meaningful and formative experience, but its value depends largely on how intentionally you approach it. Whether you’re pursuing a formal program or a smaller local role, start by searching for “high school internships near me.” Searching online is often the most effective way to find experiences that fit into a high school schedule.

Ultimately, high school internships are powerful tools for exploration, learning, and growth. They provide early exposure to professional environments, help students build transferable skills, and clarify academic and career interests. While internships are not a requirement for college admissions, meaningful and well-reflected experiences can strengthen applications and provide valuable perspective.

There is no single “right” internship. What matters most is engagement, curiosity, and reflection. Even small, informal, or unpaid opportunities can have a lasting impact when approached with intention.

CollegeAdvisor is here to help students throughout their high school journey. From finding meaningful internships and extracurriculars to exploring potential college majors, our advisors provide personalized guidance through the college application process. We’ve helped hundreds of students apply to the schools that best align with their interests and goals. For more on summer internships, check out this webinar.

This article was written by Bailey Bennett. Looking for more admissions support? Click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.