15 Internships for High School Students in Massachusetts
As a high school student, internships present valuable opportunities for you to gain experience, practical skills, and exposure to professional environments. By working alongside professionals, you develop meaningful connections, learn workplace expectations, and explore future career paths with greater clarity. Many of these opportunities are hosted by well-established and prestigious organizations, making them solid choices for motivated learners looking to expand their knowledge and prepare for college or future employment.
Massachusetts stands out as a hub for education and innovation, offering numerous internships through its universities, hospitals, and research institutions, such as MIT, Harvard University, and Massachusetts General Hospital. The state’s strong academic ecosystem and professional networks provide you with mentorship, cutting-edge facilities, and exposure to diverse industries such as healthcare, biotechnology, and engineering.
This blog highlights 15 notable internships for high school students in Massachusetts that stand out for their educational depth and professional value.
Note: Some of the items in this list are not traditional internships but instead are work-learn programs that help you develop similar professional skills.
1. Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) High School Apprenticeship
Location: Various U.S. Army Research Labs and university research centers nationwide, including Cambridge and Boston
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend paid, varies by site
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; more than 300 interns across locations
Dates: 5 – 10 weeks; typically June–August
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students (or graduating seniors not attending college) who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents | Site-specific requirements may apply
The AEOP High School Apprenticeship is a paid summer research program that places high school students in U.S. Army research labs or affiliated university labs across Massachusetts. Over several weeks, you’ll work alongside scientists and engineers on projects in fields such as materials science, biotechnology, cybersecurity, and mechanical or chemical engineering. Under professional supervision, you’ll gain experience conducting experiments, learning how research supports technological innovation. It also includes access to AEOP’s virtual workshops and professional development sessions hosted by the Rochester Institute of Technology, where you can learn about STEM careers and college pathways.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies according to program type; full financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple 12–15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November); apply here
Eligibility: AI Scholars: All high school students | AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python
Although not a traditional internship, Veritas AI acts as a work-learn program and allows high school students to explore artificial intelligence through structured programs guided by mentors from top universities and various projects. The AI Scholars track introduces core concepts like machine learning, neural networks, and data analysis through 10 live sessions and hands-on projects. Another option for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. The program allows one-on-one mentoring to design and complete an independent AI research project. You can also receive guidance on preparing your findings for publication or participating in a student showcase. You can also check out some examples of past projects here.
3. Broad Summer Scholars Program
Location: Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: No cost / $3,600 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application Deadline: January 22
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who attend a high school in MA within commuting distance to the Broad | Have earned a B or higher in science and math classes | US citizens, Permanent Residents, or non-US citizens with employment authorization (i.e. DACA)
BSSP is a six-week research-focused internship that places high school students in the Broad Institute to work alongside professional scientists on projects in fields such as cancer biology, infectious disease, psychiatric disorders, chemical biology, and computational biology. You’ll be assigned a mentor and engage in an original research project, applying experimental or computational techniques while deepening your understanding of the scientific process. The program includes professional development, offering workshops on scientific communication, poster presentation skills, career exploration, and tutoring for concepts related to your project. You attend scientific talks, career panels, and a college fair, providing exposure to different research paths and academic opportunities.
4. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies according to program type; financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter;
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the cohort; Winter Cohort: November 16
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can work for 10-20 hours/week for 8-12 weeks
The Ladder Internship Program connects high school students with fast-growing startups in sectors like artificial intelligence, health tech, marketing, and sustainability. Ladder’s startups are backed by Y Combinator, whose founders have experience working at companies such as McKinsey, Google, and Microsoft. Over an eight-week virtual internship, you’ll work directly with company teams on active projects that contribute to real business outcomes. The experience is supported by a Ladder Coach who provides weekly mentorship and feedback, helping you refine your professional and communication skills. Group workshops complement your project work, covering topics such as leadership, time management, and effective collaboration. You can explore all the options here on their application form.
5. Museum of Science – Summer Youth Internships
Location: Museum of Science, Boston
Stipend: Both paid and unpaid opportunities available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Typically mid-July to early September
Application Deadline: Varies by internship; typically early spring
Eligibility: High school students between the ages of 14 and 19
The Museum of Science’s Summer Youth Internship Program invites students to gain hands-on work experience in one of Boston’s most well-known educational institutions. Over the course of the summer, you’ll take on responsibilities in areas such as educational programming, visitor engagement, and museum operations while learning how exhibits and outreach activities are developed. This internship combines practical work with professional development workshops that cover communication, resume writing, and financial literacy. You’ll also have the chance to go on field trips to other cultural institutions and colleges, expanding your perspective on science and education careers. You also receive free access to museum exhibits, IMAX films, and planetarium shows.
6. Massachusetts Life Science Center – High School Apprenticeship Challenge
Location: Various life‑science workplaces across MA
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend of $17 per hour, up to $4,080 per intern
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; approximately 150 placements each year
Dates: May 1 – April 30
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Massachusetts high school students who are at least 16 years old by the internship start date | Enrolled in a school that meets one of these requirements
The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center’s High School Apprenticeship Challenge provides paid internship placements for underrepresented and low-income students across the state. Each year, the program funds over 150 internships by reimbursing participating life sciences companies and research institutions for student wages, helping to make opportunities accessible regardless of financial background. Before starting the internship, you can complete pre-internship training focused on biotechnology techniques and professional workplace readiness. Internships typically last around six weeks during the summer and can be full- or part-time, depending on the host organization.
7. UMass Chan High School Health Careers Program (HSHCP)
Location: UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; approximately 16 students per year
Dates: June 28 – July 24
Application Deadline: March 2
Eligibility: Massachusetts residents who are sophomores or juniors in a Massachusetts high school
HSHCP is a four-week, tuition-free, residential experience for students interested in biomedical research, biotechnology, or healthcare. While living on campus, you’ll take academic enrichment courses in biology, math, language arts, and information technology, alongside seminars that explore cultural and contemporary health issues. You also complete internships where you observe or assist physicians and other healthcare professionals, gaining firsthand insight into the medical field. Field trips and lab sessions reinforce the academic content, while a required Health Disparities Research Project challenges you to examine healthcare inequities within a Massachusetts community. Upon completion, you’ll receive a stipend and a Certificate of Achievement recognizing your participation.
8. GROW (Greater Boston Research Opportunities for Young Women)
Location: Boston University campus
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend up to $1,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Around 20%
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application Deadline: Typically April
Eligibility: Current juniors enrolled in a school in Massachusetts living within a 30-mile radius of Boston | At least 16 years old by July 1
GROW, hosted by Boston University, is a six-week summer research program designed for rising high school seniors from the Greater Boston area interested in STEM. After a two-day orientation, you’ll join a university lab in disciplines such as biology, chemistry, physics, computer science, or engineering, working on active research projects alongside faculty, graduate students, and peers. Throughout this internship, you’ll attend science communication workshops, career panels, and site visits to local research institutions that expose you to various scientific career paths. Program staff meet regularly with participants to track progress, offer feedback, and help prepare for the final symposium, where each student presents their research findings.
9. Massachusetts General Hospital – Youth Neurology Education and Research Program
Location: Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: No cost | Stipend paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors living or studying in Massachusetts during the program who have work authorization in the U.S.
The Youth Neurology Education and Research Program at Mass Gen is a full-time, paid summer internship that introduces high school students to neuroscience and medical research. The program begins with a “bootcamp” that trains interns in laboratory safety, research protocols, and professional conduct before they join neurology labs under the supervision of faculty mentors. Over 6–8 weeks, you’ll contribute to ongoing research, attend weekly seminars led by neurologists and neuroscientists, and engage in activities like networking events and field trips. The experience concludes with a formal presentation where interns share their work with peers, mentors, and department staff. Beyond the summer, you receive continued support through alumni advising, networking assistance, and help with academic and professional opportunities.
10. Brigham and Women's Hospital – Youth Summer Program
Location: BWH campus, Boston
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive
Dates: 6 weeks in the summer (June – August)
Application Deadline: Typically early April
Eligibility: Boston residents enrolled in high school who are at least 16 years old by June 1
Brigham and Women’s Hospital’s Youth Summer Program places high school students in paid, six-week internships working about 30 hours per week in departments like radiology, research labs, or patient transport. The internship functions like a professional job, giving you practical exposure to how a major hospital operates and helping you develop time management and teamwork skills. Alongside your daily assignments, you’ll attend workshops focused on healthcare careers, community health, and professional growth. The hospital also has an academic year version of this program, where you work part-time during the school year. You can attend seminars on public health and leadership, and access tutoring, college counseling, and scholarship opportunities.
11. The Emma Bowen Foundation (EBF) Summer Internship
Location: Various locations across the U.S.
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 150 students
Dates: 8 weeks between May and June (exact dates vary by placement)
Application Deadline: Early January
Eligibility: High school seniors who plan to attend a four-year accredited U.S. college or university | Cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 | Currently authorized to work in the U.S. | At least 18 years old prior to the internship’s start
The Emma Bowen Foundation Summer Internship connects students of color with paid, multi-year opportunities at leading media, technology, and entertainment companies such as NBCUniversal, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Paramount. The program is divided into three main tracks: Content, Business, and Innovation, covering areas such as journalism, public relations, marketing, data science, software development, and engineering. Once accepted, the program matches you with a partner organization where you’ll gain hands-on experience through real projects and mentorship from professionals in the field. The program offers benefits, including participation in the Annual Summer Conference, access to career readiness workshops through the EBF Launch Program, and eligibility for need-based academic scholarships.
12. Boston Private Industry Council (PIC) Internship Program
Location: Boston area
Stipend: $15 - $18 (wages vary based on employers)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: 6 – 7 weeks between July - August
Application Deadline: Typically late winter or early spring
Eligibility: 9th-12th graders at Boston Public Schools who are 16 years old by July 1 | Work authorization in the U.S.
The Boston Private Industry Council Internship Program pairs students with employer-paid positions across more than 200 organizations through the Mayor’s Summer Jobs initiative. These placements span industries such as healthcare, finance, law, life sciences, technology, and architecture, allowing you to experience how major sectors operate. You often work with partners like Fidelity Investments, John Hancock, Bank of America, and Liberty Mutual, taking on responsibilities in areas like marketing, accounting, and human resources. Each internship covers skill-building through practical tasks that help you understand workplace expectations and professional conduct. Beyond on-the-job training, the program provides valuable exposure to professional networks and enables you to identify career interests.
13. Harvard Medical School – Project Success
Location: Harvard Medical School
Cost/Stipend: None / Stipend varies by placement, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 13 students
Dates: June 30 – August 15
Application Deadline: February 3
Eligibility: Boston/Cambridge high school juniors and seniors | Over 16 years of age by June 30 | From underrepresented or disadvantaged backgrounds | GPA of 2.7+ | Completed courses in biology, algebra, and chemistry.
At Harvard Medical School’s Project Success, you’ll spend seven weeks as a paid intern in a biomedical research lab affiliated with Harvard or one of its teaching hospitals. The program places you directly in a professional research environment where you’ll contribute to ongoing projects exploring diseases, treatments, and public health challenges. Mentorship from scientists and clinicians is central to the experience, helping you strengthen your technical and analytical abilities while receiving guidance on academic and career planning. Beyond lab work, this internship for high school students in Massachusetts includes weekly seminars on communication, ethics, and public health, as well as site visits to biotech firms and hospitals.
14. TIP Intern Program – Federal Reserve Bank of Boston
Location: Boston
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Summer placements, with potential for year-round extension
Application Deadline: Typically, March
Eligibility: High school students aged 16-18 who have completed their sophomore year in a Boston Public School
The Federal Reserve Bank of Boston’s TIP Intern Program, short for “Today’s Interns, Tomorrow’s Professionals,” provides paid internships to eligible Boston Public School students who’ve completed their sophomore year. The internship begins with a summer session where you take part in job assignments, mentorship, and skills workshops, blending real work experience with learning. Depending on your performance and interest, you may be invited to continue year-round for up to three years, gaining long-term professional exposure. You develop practical skills such as teamwork, communication, and problem-solving while learning about the financial sector’s role in economic stability.
15. LEAH Knox: Data Science & Biomedical Research Internship
Location: Cambridge and Boston
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend up to $2,250
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; about 23 interns per year
Dates: July – August
Application Deadline: Typically late February to early March
Eligibility: Boston-Area Public School students in grades 10-12 who are 16 years old by the first day of the program
The LEAH Knox Data Science & Biomedical Research Internship offers a two-year pathway for high school students interested in pursuing science and research. During the first summer, you’ll take part in an intensive lab experience at MIT, learning essential lab skills and data science techniques while engaging in hands-on biomedical research. The program continues through the academic year, where you attend monthly STEM events, receive one-on-one mentoring from STEM professionals, and can participate in a paid STEM teaching internship. In your second summer, you’re placed in a research setting at a university, nonprofit, or company to expand your scientific and technical experience. You’ll also receive help with applications and guidance from mentors working in the field.
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