15 Internships for High School Students in Georgia
Internships can be a valuable opportunity for high school students who want to explore potential career paths while still in school. Through internships, you can build practical skills, gain exposure to workplace environments, and receive mentorship from professionals. Offered by companies, universities, and nonprofit organizations, internships let you prepare for post-secondary opportunities and assess your interests by working in a field of choice. Additionally, as an intern, you get to build an early professional network while connecting with like-minded peers and professionals.
Why should you intern in Georgia?
Georgia offers a strong work-and-learn environment for students, thanks to its concentration of reputable universities, healthcare institutions, technology companies, and nonprofit organizations. Internships in the state span various areas, including medical research, law, public policy, technology, arts, and community service. As an intern, you will connect with professionals and peers in real workplaces while exploring an industry of your choice. Whether you are interested in healthcare, STEM, law, or the arts, Georgia offers diverse internship opportunities for both local and out-of-state high school students looking to get a head start in their careers.
To help you get started, we have narrowed down 15 internships for high school students in Georgia.
If you’re looking for online summer programs, check out our blog here.
1. Microsoft Discovery Program
Location: Microsoft’s offices in Atlanta, GA; opportunities also available in Washington state
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: July 6 – 31
Application deadline: Applications typically open in early February/March
Eligibility: High school graduating seniors who live and attend high school within 50 miles of Atlanta, GA; applicants should attend schools within the Atlanta Public Schools, Fulton, Cobb, DeKalb, and Gwinnett County School Districts.
The Microsoft Discovery Program is a four-week paid internship designed to introduce you to technology careers. You will join a Microsoft team working on the design phase of the product development cycle and get to explore the real-world applications of computer science, software engineering, and UX design fundamentals. You will also work on a group project, where you will identify customer needs and assist the product design team to meet those requirements. This experience can help you build professional skills, such as collaboration and problem-solving, as well as technical skills. You will also connect with Microsoft employees, learn from them, and explore various Microsoft technologies.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Cost: Varies depending on program type; full financial aid available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Application deadline: Varies by cohort: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). You can apply here.
Eligibility: High school students, gap year students, and undergraduates who can work for 10 to 20 hours/week for 8 to 12 weeks
Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students! In the program, you work with a high-growth start-up on an internship. Start-ups that offer internships span a variety of industries, from tech/deep tech to AI/ML, health tech, journalism, consulting, marketing, and more. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies, which on average, raise over a million dollars. You will work closely with a manager at the startup on real-world projects and present your work to the company. The virtual internship is usually eight weeks long.
3. Emory University Winship Cancer Institute’s Summer Scholars Research Program
Location: Emory Winship Cancer Institute, Atlanta, GA
Stipend: $2,400
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~10 – 12 students
Dates: June 8 – July 17
Application deadline: Early February
Eligibility: Rising and graduating high school seniors who are U.S. citizens/permanent residents and are 16 or older when the program begins
The Winship Summer Scholars Research Program at the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University is a six-week internship designed to introduce you to cancer research. You will work one-on-one with a physician or laboratory researcher on a hands-on research project in an active research lab. You will also attend lectures by oncology researchers, participate in field trips to scientific and cultural sites, and engage in discussions with cancer survivors and healthcare professionals. Throughout the program, you will gain exposure to different areas of cancer biology and potential career paths in medicine and research. At the end of the internship, you will present your research findings at a final symposium to faculty, researchers, and peers.
4. TAG-Ed High School Summer Internship Program
Location: Various participating host companies in GA
Stipend: Paid and unpaid opportunities available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Eight weeks starting June 1
Application deadline: April 8; applications open on March 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who are 17 or older by June 1 and are eligible to work in the U.S.
The TAG-Ed High School Summer Internship Program provides you with hands-on experience in STEM fields through placements at participating organizations in Georgia. Over eight weeks, you will join a host organization based on your interests and qualifications and work on structured projects with defined goals. You will typically work in small teams and collaborate closely with professionals who will serve as mentors throughout the experience. The program emphasizes applying classroom knowledge to real-world challenges while helping you build technical and professional skills in STEM. This can also be an opportunity to explore STEM careers and strengthen your resume before entering college or future internships.
5. American Chemical Society’s Project SEED
Location: Labs at universities, government labs, and other facilities in Georgia
Stipend: $4,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 350+ students/year across the U.S.; Georgia-specific numbers not available
Dates: 8 – 10 weeks in the summer
Application deadline: April 6
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, seniors, or recent graduates, with one completed high school chemistry course; applicants’ family income should not exceed 300% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines based on family size.
Project SEED places students in professional chemistry research settings to contribute to scientific work under the guidance of mentors. You will spend 8 to 10 weeks engaging in chemistry-focused laboratory work, assisting with experiments, learning lab techniques, and seeing how researchers collect data and interpret results. In addition to the lab tasks, you will take part in sessions that introduce you to college pathways, STEM careers, and scientific communication. You may conclude the program with a report or presentation of your contributions.
6. Atlanta Bar Association Summer Law Internship Program (SLIP)
Location: Atlanta, GA (primarily within the Interstate 285 area at law firms and legal organizations)
Stipend: Paid (amount not specified)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: May 27 – July 17
Application deadline: March 19
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
The Atlanta Bar Association’s SLIP is an eight-week paid internship that introduces you to the legal profession through hands-on work experiences in law firms and legal organizations across the Atlanta area. The program aims to help you gain meaningful professional experience, deepen your understanding of the legal system, and build connections with members of the legal community. You will work directly with attorneys and legal professionals while participating in structured learning experiences that expose you to various aspects of legal practice. The program is rigorous and requires full-time commitment throughout the summer.
7. University of Georgia’s Young Scholars Internship Program (YSP)
Location: University of Georgia’s Athens, Griffin, and Tifton campuses, GA
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 1 – July 10
Application deadline: January 23
Eligibility: High school students, ages 16 and up by program start, who have completed their sophomore year, at least one lab-based high school science course, and one semester of algebra
YSP is a five-week paid summer internship at the University of Georgia, where you will work 30 hours per week conducting research in agricultural, food, or environmental science under the guidance of a faculty mentor. You will join one of three UGA campuses in Athens, Griffin, or Tifton. Throughout the placement, you will also attend workshops and visit farms and agricultural operations to explore different career paths. At the end of the five weeks, you will participate in a three-day Young Scholars Pre-Collegiate Research Conference on the Athens campus, where you will present your research in a poster session.
8. Internships @ the ACLU of Georgia
Location: ACLU of Georgia, Atlanta, GA (hybrid internships)
Cost/Stipend: None; academic credit available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Summer: May 27 – August 14; fall and spring internships also available
Application deadline: March 20 (summer)
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduate students, graduate students, and post-graduates
ACLU of Georgia’s internships offer students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in civil liberties advocacy and public policy. You will support the organization in a designated focus area, such as communications, community engagement, policy research, or the voter access project. Your responsibilities may include conducting research, supporting community outreach efforts, organizing events, and assisting with advocacy campaigns. You will collaborate with ACLU staff and volunteers while learning about voting rights, civil liberties, and public policy. Through hands-on experience and mentorship, the program is designed to help you develop professional skills while contributing to initiatives that promote civil rights and civic engagement.
9. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
Location: Opportunities throughout the U.S., including in Texas. You will be assigned a mentor in your area within a 45-minute distance from your home.
Stipend: $3,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Eight weeks in the summer; dates are flexible
Application deadline: January 25
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors and recent graduates, ages 16 and up, who live in the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico, and Mexico
The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program introduces students to fisheries and aquatic science through paid, mentored internships. You will work with fisheries professionals in your area and engage in projects focusing on habitat restoration, protection, and management. You will work on tasks such as examining aquatic specimens, performing lab-based analysis, conducting fish population surveys, snorkelling, electrofishing, and processing data. The program offers insights into the life of a fisheries biologist and other career paths in the animal and aquatic sciences. At the end of the program, you will submit a final report discussing your summer work.
10. Atlanta Botanical Garden’s Summer High School Internship
Location: Atlanta Botanical Garden, Atlanta, GA
Stipend: $12/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 2 – July 16
Application deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors, ages 16 and up, in Metro Atlanta Title I high schools
Atlanta Botanical Garden’s internships offer high school students exposure to science and plant-related careers. You will spend seven weeks working with the garden’s staff on tasks related to cultivation, conservation, and education centered on plant collections in Atlanta. You may work within plant conservation research labs, maintain rare plants in the conservation greenhouses at the Fuqua Conservatory and Orchid Center, or care for outdoor areas such as the Storza Woods or Edible Garden. You will receive garden supplies and shirts to carry out daily tasks. You will also maintain a journal documenting your experiences throughout the program and complete and present a personal project at the end of the program.
11. Foundation for Hospital Art (FFHA) Student Internship
Location: Foundation for Hospital Art Studio, Woodstock, GA
Stipend: Hourly compensation paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 6 – 8 weeks; dates set by interns and program team
Application deadline: Rolling admissions; application window closes in April
Eligibility: High school students who have completed their junior year and college students
FFHA’s internships provide students with hands-on experience working at a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing artwork to hospitals around the world. You will assist with a variety of tasks in the FFHA studio, including artwork touch-ups, drawing, volunteer coordination, packaging art kits, social media support, and administrative tasks. You may also help with PaintFest events, which are large community painting events where volunteers create murals that are later donated to healthcare facilities. Through this experience, you will gain exposure to nonprofit operations, art-based community outreach, and creative project management while contributing to the organization’s mission of donating at least one painting to every hospital worldwide.
12. Grady Health System’s Teen Experience and Leadership Program (TELP)
Location: Grady Health System, Atlanta, GA
Cost/Stipend: Free (unpaid/volunteer program)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: May 26 – July 14
Application deadline: February 20
Eligibility: Students, ages 14 – 19, who have completed 9th grade
TELP is a seven-week summer program at Grady Health System in Atlanta, where you get hands-on exposure to healthcare careers. During the program, you will rotate through clinical and non-clinical settings, participate in virtual learning labs (20 hours), and complete community engagement activities (40 hours). You can also join a health outcomes research project, where you will identify a health challenge in your community, develop a solution, and present your findings at a research showcase. Although unpaid, TELP offers documentation of your service hours, which can be useful for college, scholarship, or job applications.
13. SGMC Health Volunteen Summer Program
Location: SGMC Health (South Georgia Medical Center), Valdosta, GA
Stipend: Unpaid volunteer program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 8 – July 24 + mandatory orientation on June 1
Application deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Rising 9th to 12th-grade high school students with a B or higher GPA; applicants must provide a reference letter, attend a screening interview with a parent or guardian, complete orientation, and meet health requirements, including taking the flu vaccine and undergoing TB screening.
The SGMC Health Volunteer Summer Program offers you an opportunity to explore careers in healthcare through volunteer service at South Georgia Medical Center. You will be placed in a hospital department, where you will observe daily operations and interact with healthcare professionals while learning about both clinical and administrative aspects of patient care. You will volunteer in two four-hour shifts each week and gain exposure to hospital workflows, patient-centered care, and teamwork. The program can offer insight into medical careers while helping you develop professional skills and gain community service experience. Through mentorship and real-world exposure, you will gain a better understanding of how healthcare systems operate and how different roles contribute to patient care.
14. Atrium Health Floyd + Harbin Clinic Academic Internship Program
Location: Atrium Health Floyd Hospital and Harbin Clinic, Rome, GA
Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited placements each semester
Dates: Fall and spring internships; dates are aligned with the school’s academic terms
Application deadline: Fall semester: Last day of class before summer break | Spring semester: Last day of class before winter/holiday break
Eligibility: High school students, ages 16 and up, participating through their school’s College and Career Academies (CCA) or Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) health sciences programs; for surgical services placements, students must be 18 or older
The Atrium Health Floyd + Harbin Clinic Academic Internship Program provides students with real-world exposure to healthcare careers through supervised placements in hospital and clinical settings. You will join a hospital/clinic department, where you will observe everyday operations and learn from healthcare professionals. The internship complements classroom learning by giving you firsthand exposure to clinical settings, patient care environments, and healthcare-focused teamwork. You will connect with medical staff who will guide you through workplace responsibilities and professional expectations. Through this experience, you will develop professional skills, explore careers, and build connections within the medical field.
15. Atlanta Film Society Internship Program
Location: Atlanta Film Society, Atlanta, GA
Stipend: Unpaid; interns may receive college credit and a free Atlanta Film Society membership.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No information available
Dates: Varies depending on the internship role and program cycle (year-round opportunities tied to events such as the Atlanta Film Festival)
Application Deadline: Varies by position
Eligibility: Students, ages 18 and up, with strong communication skills; high school students are considered on a case-by-case basis.
The Atlanta Film Society Internship Program offers students exposure to the operations of a nonprofit media arts organization that hosts film screenings, educational programs, and major events like the Atlanta Film Festival. You will support the organization’s daily operations and event production by assisting with administrative tasks, volunteer coordination, membership management, or event planning. Depending on the internship concentration, you may assist with marketing, communications, screenplay programming, outreach, festival operations, media/technology, or community relations. You can also choose to contribute to the organization's social media work focused on website updates, promotional materials, and event documentation through photography or video. The program offers you a behind-the-scenes look at the operations of a film festival and media arts nonprofit while helping you build professional connections within the local film community.
If you are looking to build a project/research paper in the field of AI & ML, consider applying to Veritas AI!
With Veritas AI, which was founded by Harvard graduate students, you can work one-on-one with mentors from universities like Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and more to create unique, personalized projects. In the past year, over 1,000 students chose to learn AI & ML with us. You can apply here, and check out a past student’s experience in the programhere! Tyler Moulton is Head of Academics and Veritas AI Partnerships with 6 years of experience in education consulting, teaching, and astronomy research at Harvard and the University of Cambridge, where they developed a passion for machine learning and artificial intelligence. Tyler is passionate about connecting high-achieving students to advanced AI techniques and helping them build independent, real-world projects in the field of AI!