15 Internships for High School Students in New Jersey
For many high school students, internships are one of the clearest ways to understand what a field actually looks like beyond classes and textbooks. Instead of learning concepts in isolation, you’re placed in professional or academic settings where skills are applied to real tasks and projects. Internships can help you test interests early, whether that’s medicine, engineering, finance, journalism, public service, or technology. You also gain exposure to workplace expectations, collaboration, and mentorship, which are difficult to replicate in a classroom.
Why should you intern in New Jersey?
New Jersey supports a wide range of internship opportunities through its universities, healthcare networks, research organizations, and public agencies. Depending on the program, you might contribute to research, pursue technical training, support community-focused initiatives, or build professional skills through guided projects. These opportunities are great for both local and out-of-state students seeking access to programs aligned with the state’s academic and professional ecosystem.
To help you navigate these choices, we’ve narrowed the list down to 15 internships for high school students in New Jersey.
If you are looking for free programs in New Jersey, check out our blog here.
1. Liberty Science Center’s Partners in Science
Location: Liberty Science Center/mentor facility, Jersey City, NJ
Stipend: $1,200
Acceptance rate/cohort size:
Dates: June 30 – August 22
Application Deadline: January 18
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
This program pairs high school students with professional mentors in university and industrial research labs across the NJ area. You assist with real scientific investigations in fields such as oncology, robotics, and environmental science. The program includes bi-weekly professional development workshops at the Liberty Science Center focused on scientific communication and career pathways. You’ll be required to produce a formal research paper and a poster presentation at the end of the summer.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Several cohorts year-round
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort. You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: High school students
Veritas AI, founded and led by Harvard graduate students, offers work-learn programs for high school students passionate about artificial intelligence. Students who are looking to get started with AI, ML, and data science would benefit from the AI Scholars program. Through this 10-session boot camp, students are introduced to the fundamentals of AI & data science and have the opportunity to work on real-world projects. Another option for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. Through this program, students have the opportunity to work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. One benefit of this program is that students have access to the in-house publication team to help secure publications in high school research journals. You can also check out some examples of past projects here and read about a student’s experience in the program here.
3. Atlantic County Summer Youth Work Experience
Location: Atlantic City and surrounding Atlantic County, NJ
Stipend: $17/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 25 hours/week from May 1 to August 31
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Atlantic County residents ages 16-24
This internship offers paid work placements for students seeking professional experience in both the public and private sectors. You’ll be matched with local businesses or government agencies based on your interests and career goals. Typical roles include office support, environmental maintenance, and assistance with community programs. Beyond daily work duties, the program includes mandatory workshops on financial literacy, resume building, and interview preparation to foster a strong work ethic and a tangible reference for future employment or college applications.
4. Ladder Internships
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Several cohorts year-round
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students
Ladder Internships connects you with startups or nonprofit organizations for a remote internship centered on a defined project. You work under the guidance of a manager from the organization while also receiving support from a Ladder coach who focuses on skill development. Projects vary widely by industry, allowing you to apply technical, analytical, or creative skills in a professional setting. In addition to project work, the program includes structured training in communication, organization, and time management. You’re expected to present your completed work at the end of the internship to reinforce professional presentation skills.
5. Princeton University’s Laboratory Learning Program
Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: 5-6 weeks during June – August
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: High school students enrolled in a local NJ high school, are 16+, and U.S. citizens
This research-intensive internship places high school students in New Jersey in faculty-led laboratories to assist with ongoing research in the natural sciences or engineering. You work closely with faculty and graduate students on a specific project, gaining hands-on experience with advanced laboratory equipment and data analysis techniques. The program emphasizes developing technical skills and understanding the scientific research process in a university setting. You’ll be expected to present your findings at the conclusion of the summer.
6. Hackensack Meridian Health’s High School Career Explorer Program
Location: Various Hackensack Meridian Health locations in NJ
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by hospital site
Dates: Minimum 32 hours during the senior year
Application Deadline:
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors
In this program, you observe and participate in professional environments within a large health system, gaining firsthand insight into diverse careers. You’re paired with a coach in an area of interest, and together you set a schedule that integrates regular work sessions throughout your senior year. The coach supports your development by helping you identify relevant tasks and learning opportunities aligned with your goals. You’ll track your experiences and complete a final project that showcases what you’ve learned in practice.
7. Mercer County Student Internship Program
Location: Trenton, NJ (and other Mercer County offices)
Stipend: $15.14/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: During the summer
Application Deadline: Typically in April
Eligibility: Mercer County residents who are 15+
This public-sector internship offers students the opportunity to work across various county government departments, including Parks and Recreation, Human Services, and Public Information. You perform administrative tasks, assist with community outreach programs, and support daily operations under the supervision of county officials. The program is designed to introduce New Jersey youth to the mechanics of local government and public service careers. You’ll gain practical workplace skills, such as document management and professional communication, while contributing to local community initiatives.
8. Jersey City Summer Works
Location: Jersey City, NJ
Stipend: Provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: During the summer
Application Deadline: March 7 (tentative)
Eligibility: Jersey City residents aged 15-24
This program places you directly into part-time roles across a range of municipal departments, where your daily tasks contribute to real community services. Depending on the placement, you might assist with event planning, support public response operations, engage children in library programs, or help maintain recreational spaces. Through these varied responsibilities, you build workplace skills such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and time management. The structure emphasizes practical involvement, meaning your work has tangible outcomes within city services.
9. New Jersey State Police Trooper Youth Week
Location: NJSP Academy, Sea Girt, NJ
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Typically in July
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors as well as sophomores who are 17 years old
While styled as a residential academy, this program functions as an intensive internship in law enforcement and public safety. You’ll live at the State Police Academy and participate in daily training sessions that mirror the actual recruit experience. The curriculum includes instruction on motor vehicle laws, criminal investigation techniques, and physical fitness protocols. You participate in mock-trial exercises and shadow state troopers to understand the complexities of the justice system.
10. Princeton Summer Journalism Program
Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Up to 40 students
Dates: Late June – early August
Application Deadline: Typically late February
Eligibility: High school juniors from limited-income families
In this program, you’ll spend a concentrated summer exploring how journalism connects to social and political events through workshops, lectures, and hands-on reporting. Instruction comes from a mix of university faculty, professional journalists, and program alumni, exposing you to both academic and practical perspectives. Over the course of the program, you’ll develop reporting skills, refine your understanding of news judgment, and practice story editing. A key output of your work is contributing to the Princeton Summer Journal, the program’s annual newspaper.
11. Cooper University Health Care’s Student Volunteer Opportunities
Location: Cooper University Health Care, Camden, NJ
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June – September
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Teens aged 14-17
This program offers a structured internship-style volunteer experience within a major academic medical center. You’ll be assigned to specific units, such as Radiology, Patient Transport, or Clerical Support, where you assist staff with non-clinical tasks. The program requires a consistent weekly commitment, fostering professional responsibility and workplace reliability. You’ll gain exposure to the daily operations of a Level 1 Trauma Center and interact with a diverse range of healthcare professionals.
12. Groundwork Elizabeth Green Team
Location: Elizabeth, NJ
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Year-round
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students residing in or near Elizabeth, NJ
The Green Team is an environmental internship for high school students in New Jersey focused on urban conservation and community agricultural projects. You work on the MicroFarm network, maintain local parks, and participate in water quality monitoring of local rivers. The program provides training in sustainable agriculture, climate resiliency, and brownfield remediation techniques. Beyond physical work, you’ll be involved in community advocacy and lead educational workshops for residents.
13. Waksman Institute Summer Experience
Location: Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ
Cost: $2,200
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 22 – July 2; July 27 to August 7
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students who have completed a high school-level biology course
This program serves as a hands-on internship for high school students, where you conduct a genuine scientific investigation in molecular biology. You learn to isolate, characterize, and sequence DNA from the duckweed Landoltia punctata, to publish your findings on NCBI GenBank. The curriculum focuses on laboratory techniques such as PCR, restriction analysis, and plasmid purification, as well as advanced bioinformatics tools. By contributing to a global genomic database, you gain the professional experience of a practicing research scientist.
14. New Jersey Institute of Technology’s (NJIT) STEMx Residency
Location: New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ
Cost: $70 non-refundable application fee + $3,600
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Weeklong sessions; dates vary by topic
Application Deadline: February 26
Eligibility: Current 10th and 11th graders with a B or higher
This experience immerses you in three distinct STEM-focused academic modules: Applied Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, and Sustainable Engineering and the Environment, each taught by subject matter experts. You engage in hands-on problem solving and concept exploration that connect math, data literacy, and computer science across topics. Each week’s theme builds on a range of technical competencies, from engineering design thinking to environmental systems. You’ll work alongside faculty members to practice analytical reasoning and apply STEM concepts through projects.
15. New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell (NJCCIC) Internship Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Several cohorts year-round
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students. The Advanced Internship requires demonstrated cybersecurity experience or prior participation in an NJCCIC internship.
This internship introduces you to core cybersecurity concepts through a structured, team-based format. Depending on your prior experience, you may focus on foundational topics such as cyber threats and digital safety, or move into more advanced exploration of research-oriented problem-solving. You’ll meet as a group to work through guided activities and discussions, gaining insight into how cybersecurity functions in a real-world public-sector context in New Jersey. The advanced track enables you to deepen your technical understanding while practicing analytical thinking on cyber risks.
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