13 Internships for High School Students in Chicago
As a high school student, internships can allow you to step beyond the classroom and gain professional experience. You’ll gain exposure to practical skills, immerse yourself in industry settings, and begin to build professional connections that can help you better understand your field of choice. These opportunities allow you to test-drive careers, develop self-confidence, and build your skillset.
Why should you attend an internship in Chicago?
Chicago is home to various universities, startups, research centers, and cultural institutions that offer internships for high school students that run year-round or over the summer. Whether you live in the city or you’re coming from outside to explore programs, you’ll find benefits such as access to research opportunities, experienced mentors, diverse industries, and the chance to engage in a vibrant urban environment.
We’ve narrowed down our list to 13 internships for high school students in Chicago.
If you are interested in research programs in Chicago, check out our blog here.
1. ResearcHStart
Location: University of Chicago, Northwestern University, Rush University, University of Illinois Chicago, and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Cost/Stipend: No cost; $3,000 taxable stipend
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective; no more than 30 students selected across all sites
Program Dates: June 15 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 19
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors who are Illinois or Lake County (IN) residents, at least 16 years old by June 15; must commit to eight full weeks of programming.
ResearcHStart is a multi-institutional summer internship that immerses Chicago-area high school students in cancer research at Illinois’s top universities. You’ll spend eight weeks working full-time in a biomedical research lab under the guidance of experienced faculty, gaining hands-on experience in areas like cancer immunology, bioengineering, pharmacology, and experimental therapeutics. The program also includes weekly career-development workshops, a cancer-focused lecture series, and ongoing mentorship from faculty and peers. Your internship culminates in a formal research symposium where you’ll present your findings to family, mentors, and the scientific community.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Cost varies by program type; full financial aid is available.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; small mentor-to-student ratio
Program Dates: Multiple 12–15-week cohorts offered in spring, summer, fall, and winter
Application Deadline: Rolling – Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November); you can apply to the program here
Eligibility: High school students. AI Fellowship applicants should have completed the AI Scholars program or show prior experience with AI concepts or Python.
Veritas AI, founded and led by Harvard graduate students, offers flexible research and work-learn programs designed to introduce high schoolers to artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data science. In the AI Scholars program, you’ll complete a 10-session boot camp exploring Python programming, model building, and real-world applications like healthcare and finance. More advanced learners can join the AI Fellowship, where you’ll work one-on-one with mentors from top universities to design and implement an original AI project. Throughout the experience, you’ll gain technical and analytical skills while collaborating in a professional research setting. Many fellows go on to publish their projects in student research journals or present them at academic showcases.
3. Data Science Institute (DSI) Summer Lab
Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: No cost; $5,600 stipend for the 8-week program
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; limited number of high school and undergraduate participants
Program Dates: June 15 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 12
Eligibility: Chicago-area high school students entering their junior or senior year; must reside in the Chicago area year-round and have basic programming experience. Housing is not provided for high school participants.
The Data Science Institute Summer Lab is an immersive, paid research internship at the University of Chicago that introduces high school and undergraduate students to interdisciplinary, applied data science research. Over eight weeks, you’ll be paired with a faculty or graduate mentor and work on projects in fields such as computer science, social science, climate policy, materials science, or biomedical research. No prior research experience is required. Throughout the program, you’ll receive training in research methods, coding, and data analysis, while participating in professional development sessions and cohort-building activities. The experience culminates in a formal research symposium, where you will present your findings in a conference-style setting.
4. Ladder Internships
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Cost varies by program; full financial aid is available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; small teams matched with startups
Program Dates: Multiple 8–12 week cohorts throughout the year (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter)
Application Deadline: Rolling; typical deadlines in January (Spring), May (Summer), September (Fall), and November (Winter)
Eligibility: High school, undergraduate, and gap-year students who can commit 10–20 hours per week for 8–12 weeks
Ladder Internships connects motivated students with high-growth startups across industries like technology, AI/ML, health tech, business, journalism, and consulting. As an intern, you’ll contribute directly to live projects — ranging from data analysis and marketing strategy to product development — and present your results to company leadership. Each intern is paired with a startup manager and supported by a Ladder Coach who offers mentorship throughout the experience. The virtual model allows you to gain professional, hands-on experience from anywhere in the world, while developing practical workplace and entrepreneurial skills.
5. After School Matters (ASM) Internship & Apprenticeship Programs
Location: Across multiple sites in Chicago, IL (Gallery 37 Center for the Arts, Lutz Center, and neighborhood locations)
Cost/Stipend: Paid stipend upon successful completion of program requirements
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Varies by program type and site
Program Dates: September 23 – December 13 (Fall Session); also offered in Spring and Summer sessions
Application Deadline: Rolling until filled; interviews scheduled for September 11 (Lutz Center) and September 12 (Gallery 37)
Eligibility: Chicago high school students ages 14–18; must reside in Chicago and be enrolled in a Chicago high school; students may participate in only one ASM program per session.
After School Matters is one of Chicago’s largest youth internship and apprenticeship programs, connecting thousands of teens with paid, hands-on learning experiences across more than 400 disciplines. You can choose from opportunities in STEM, arts, business, leadership, sports, or trades such as Latin dance, community organizing, journalism, and even plumbing. Each session pairs you with professional instructors and mentors to help you develop career-readiness, teamwork, and communication skills. The program combines classroom instruction with hands-on learning, ensuring that you not only earn a stipend but also develop tangible skills for college and future employment.
6. UChicago Youth Internship Program (YIP)
Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Stipend: Paid hourly (Chicago minimum wage) for up to 20 hours per week
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; limited to Chicago Public School students
Program Dates: 6 weeks in summer for the internship component (Year 2); Year 1 has workshops and a part-time “earn & learn” model
Application Deadline: Applications open in Spring
Eligibility: Chicago public high school students (including charter schools), ages 16+, authorized to work in the U.S. Year 2 applicants must have completed the Year 1 experience. Priority is given to students from neighborhoods near the University of Chicago (Douglas, Hyde Park, Kenwood, Washington Park, etc.)
The University of Chicago Youth Internship Program (YIP) is a paid summer opportunity that helps Chicago public high school students explore careers in STEM, computer science, health sciences, and IT services. During the first summer, you’ll participate in professional development workshops, college tours, and leadership seminars while earning wages for your time. In Year 2, returning interns gain hands-on job experience within UChicago departments such as IT Services or Biological Sciences. The program emphasizes both career readiness and college preparation, offering exposure to STEM professionals through guest lectures, workplace tours, and mentorship.
7. Field Museum Women in Science Internship
Location: The Field Museum, Chicago, IL
Stipend: Paid, full-time summer internship
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; limited number of placements offered each year
Program Dates: Typically mid-June – early August
Application Deadline: Applications open in Spring
Eligibility: High school or undergraduate students with an Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, or Michigan address; must be motivated and interested in the sciences
The Women in Science Internship at Chicago’s Field Museum offers high school and undergraduate students a unique opportunity to gain hands-on research experience in natural history and biology. Over the course of the summer, you’ll work full-time alongside scientists and collection managers on real projects, such as digitizing mite specimens, classifying beetle color patterns using AI, or studying urban evolution in mammals. You are fully integrated into research teams, learning how to handle specimens, collect and analyze data, and communicate scientific findings. By the end of your internship, you’ll have contributed to museum-based research while developing valuable skills in data handling, taxonomy, and biological documentation. The program emphasizes mentorship and aims to promote women’s representation in the sciences.
8. Chicago Green Ambassadors Program
Location: Burnham Wildlife Corridor and surrounding South Side neighborhoods, Chicago, IL
Stipend: Paid summer internship
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; small group of participants from South Side communities
Program Dates: Summer session (typically June – August; specific dates announced each spring)
Application Deadline: Opens in spring
Eligibility: Students ages 15–22 from Chicago neighborhoods, including Chinatown, Bronzeville, Little Village, Pilsen, and nearby areas, with an interest in environmental work and community engagement.
The Chicago Green Ambassadors Program, led by the Roots & Routes Initiative and Youth Conservation Action at the Field Museum, is a paid summer internship focused on environmental stewardship and community resilience. As a participant, you’ll work along the Burnham Wildlife Corridor, connecting local neighborhoods to Chicago’s South Lakefront through conservation, community projects, and nature-based learning. You’ll collaborate with museum scientists and community partners to address real-world environmental issues like habitat restoration, urban biodiversity, and sustainability outreach. Beyond fieldwork, you’ll engage in leadership and communication training to help empower local residents and organizations. This program is designed for students passionate about ecology, sustainability, or environmental justice who want to make a tangible impact in their community.
9. High School Science and Digital Learning Internship
Location: The Field Museum, Chicago, IL
Stipend: Paid; $16.50 per hour
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; approximately 15 students selected each summer
Program Dates: Late June – early August
Application Deadline: March 10
Eligibility: High school students who live in the Chicagoland region; students from underrepresented or marginalized communities are strongly encouraged to apply
The High School Science and Digital Learning Internship at the Field Museum allows teens to become scientists for the summer while developing valuable digital media and technology skills. Over five weeks, you’ll collaborate with museum researchers on a hands-on science project of your choice, ranging from botany and paleontology to anthropology or environmental studies. You will gain experience in data visualization, digital storytelling, and research communication, combining scientific inquiry with creative design. Alongside project work, you’ll attend professional development sessions to learn how to present your findings and translate your technical skills into future academic or career opportunities. This paid, in-person internship provides a rare chance to merge science, technology, and creativity within one of Chicago’s most iconic research institutions.
10. Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Internship
Location: Hybrid (Chicago, IL – CTA offices and remote work)
Stipend: Paid; $16.20 per hour + free CTA, Pace, and Metra transportation
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Approximately 250 high school interns selected annually
Program Dates: June 23 – August 8
Application Deadline: April 18
Eligibility: Chicago high school students ages 16–18 with a minimum 2.5 GPA, eligible to work in the U.S., and able to provide a letter of recommendation from a teacher, counselor, coach, or clergy member
The CTA Internship through One Summer Chicago provides a seven-week paid hybrid experience designed to give students hands-on exposure to Chicago’s transportation systems. As one of the city’s largest youth employment initiatives, this program allows you to gain real-world skills in operations, logistics, communications, or technology while learning directly from transportation professionals. In addition to work experience, interns participate in professional development, financial literacy, and career exploration workshops, and can even earn college credit through Olive-Harvey College. All participants receive free transportation and technology support during the program.
11. Urban Alliance High School Internship Program
Location: Chicago, IL
Stipend: Paid internship; hourly wage (varies by placement)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; partners with over 25 Chicago high schools and nearly 60 businesses
Program Dates: 9-month program during the school year (typically September – May)
Application Deadline: Applications open in the summer
Eligibility: High school seniors enrolled in Chicago Public Schools; additional workforce training opportunities available for 10th–11th graders through the Obama Youth Job Corps (OYJC) initiative.
The Urban Alliance High School Internship Program provides Chicago students with paid, professional work experience while preparing them for success in college and future careers. Over nine months, you’ll receive intensive workforce readiness training, weekly mentorship, and a year-long job placement in fields such as business, technology, healthcare, or finance. You will spend part of the week in professional development workshops and the rest working directly with corporate partners throughout the city. The program’s Obama Youth Job Corps partnership focuses on expanding economic opportunity for students from Chicago’s South Side.
12. Chicago Architecture Center (CAC) Teen Fellows Program
Location: Harold Washington College, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: Free to participate; stipend provided to support engagement
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; small cohort of motivated students
Program Dates: June 22 – May 8 (15-month program)
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Incoming sophomores, juniors, and seniors from Chicago and surrounding areas. Some benefits (tuition coverage and dual-enrollment credit) are available only to CPS students or Chicago residents
The Teen Fellows Program at the Chicago Architecture Center (CAC) is a 15-month, college-level experience for high school students interested in architecture, urban design, and engineering. You’ll earn college credit through Harold Washington College while taking part in studio-based workshops, design projects, and site visits across Chicago. You will learn to create both physical and digital models using SketchUp, AutoCAD, Rhino, Revit, Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop, and develop a professional portfolio throughout the year. The program includes a paid internship during the second summer, giving you direct experience working in architecture or design firms.
13. Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI) Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual (Stanford University, CA)
Cost: $850 participation fee; $40 application fee | Full financial aid is available for eligible students
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective; small national cohort
Program Dates: June 16 – June 27
Application Deadline: February 28; financial aid applications due February 21
Eligibility: High school students (entering grades 9–12), ages 14+, with strong math or programming skills; must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or hold a valid visa status
The Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship is a two-week virtual program designed to introduce high school students to the intersection of artificial intelligence and medicine. Hosted by the Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging, the program combines technical instruction, mentorship, and collaborative research experiences. You’ll attend lectures on AI fundamentals and clinical applications, work with Stanford researchers and mentors on guided projects, and participate in virtual career panels featuring professionals from academia, healthcare, and industry. You will gain both technical and research communication skills while exploring how AI can advance healthcare equity and innovation. Students who complete the program receive a Certificate of Completion, and selected participants may continue in an extended independent research internship afterward.
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