13 Internships for High School Students in San Francisco
For high school students ready to move beyond the classroom, internships offer a structured way to gain firsthand experience in professional settings. Whether you're interested in tech, healthcare, public policy, research, or creative industries, internships let you test-drive those environments while building transferable skills in communication, problem-solving, and time management. They also provide opportunities to work with mentors, contribute to real projects, and start thinking critically about your academic and career goals.
Why should you attend a program in San Francisco?
San Francisco is home to numerous tech companies, medical research centers, nonprofits, and universities. The city provides a wide variety of internships that showcase the intersection of innovation and professional development. Students can explore a wide range of projects, including software development, biomedical research, data analysis, entrepreneurship, design, and social impact initiatives. These internships are strong options for students living or studying in San Francisco who want to take advantage of local opportunities, as well as out-of-city students interested in experiencing the city’s academic and professional ecosystem.
To help students identify their options, we’ve narrowed our list to 13 internships for high school students in San Francisco.
If you’re looking for online STEM programs, check out our blog here.
1. California Academy of Sciences Careers in Science Internship
Location: California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, CA
Stipend: Paid (above minimum wage)
Acceptance rate / Cohort size: Not specified (selective, multi-year commitment)
Dates: Year-round, multi-year program (begins each June)
Application Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: 9th–10th grade SFUSD students with a 2.5 GPA; must be authorized to work in the U.S.; must commit for 2–3 years; no prior experience required
The Careers in Science (CiS) Internship is a multi-year, paid program designed for San Francisco high school students from groups underrepresented in STEM. Interns dedicate the school year and summer to conducting fieldwork, helping visitors learn about science, and engaging in training at the California Academy of Sciences. The program focuses on science communication, hands-on research exposure, career exploration, and personal growth through workshops, college advising, and mentorship from STEM professionals. As students progress, they join research or environmental action groups, assume leadership roles, and may participate in personalized mentorships with Academy experts. CiS interns leave with solid STEM skills, confidence, and experience in public engagement and scientific inquiry.
2. Immerse Education’s Career Insights Pathway
Location: London, New York, San Francisco, and Tokyo
Cost: Varies according to program; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Two weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: Multiple summer cohorts with rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students, ages 15 – 18
The Career Insights Program offers high school students an introduction to professional environments across multiple industries. As a participant, you can expect to engage in hands-on projects with established companies and connect with industry experts through interactive workshops. You'll also visit operational sites, including offices, factories, and headquarters. At the end of the program, you’ll present your work to industry professionals. You can explore career paths in subjects such as medicine, engineering, law, business, journalism, fashion, and more. The program also includes weekly 1:1 career coaching sessions and sessions where you will receive personalized feedback. You can find more details about the application here!
3. Enterprise for High School Students (EHSS) – Fall Internship & Career Program
Location: Various locations in San Francisco, CA
Stipend: Paid ($20/hour)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Fall and school-year (ongoing)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students in San Francisco and the Bay Area
The Enterprise for High School Students (EHSS) program helps you explore careers, gain job skills, and find work opportunities during the school year. As a participant, you’ll get support with job training, résumé building, and interview prep, and you can apply for internships or part-time jobs through EHSS’s community partners. This program is well-suited if you want hands-on experience, to earn work hours during the fall, or guidance as you begin your career. You’ll work closely with mentors who help you grow, build confidence, and learn what it’s really like to work in different fields.
4. 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: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
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 range across a variety of industries, from tech/deep tech and AI/ML to health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies on average, raising over a million dollars. Interns work closely with their manager at the startup on real-world projects and present their work to the company. The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long.
5. UC San Francisco (UCSF) High School Internship Program
Location: UC San Francisco (UCSF campus labs)
Stipend: $3,200 (25 hrs/week) or $4,500 (35 hrs/week) upon full completion
Acceptance Rate / Cohort Size: Highly selective; cohort of 25 students
Dates: June 8 – July 31
Application Deadline: February 8
Eligibility: Current high school juniors (rising seniors) enrolled in an SFUSD high school, SF public charter school, or College Track San Francisco
The UCSF High School Intern Program (HIP) is an intensive, 8-week paid research internship designed to introduce high school students to real-world biomedical research. Interns are paired with UCSF scientist mentors to work on original research projects in areas such as infectious disease, neuroscience, molecular biology, cancer, immunology, stem cell biology, and developmental biology. Interns also participate in college counseling, resume and personal statement workshops, financial aid sessions, and a day-long college visit. During the summer, students can enhance their scientific communication skills, expand their professional network, and join a community of 25 peers. The program has a long track record of impact, with alumni attending college at very high rates and many pursuing STEM degrees.
6. I-YEL (Inspiring Young Emerging Leaders) Internship Program
Location: San Francisco, CA (Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy – Crissy Field Center)
Stipend: Paid ($310 per month)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; cohort-based program
Dates: October – May (school year program; includes Wednesday after-school meetings and some Saturdays)
Application Deadline: September 13 (varies annually)
Eligibility: San Francisco public high school students
I-YEL (Inspiring Young Emerging Leaders) is a paid internship program offered by the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy. Students receive a monthly stipend to design multimedia projects addressing social and environmental justice issues. Participants enhance their leadership, artistic, and media skills through event planning and community initiatives. The program also offers outdoor activities like field trips and camping. I-YEL is perfect for students passionate about environmental advocacy, storytelling, and civic leadership.
7. 500 Capp Street High School Summer Internship Program
Location: San Francisco, CA
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 2–3 interns selected annually
Dates: 4–5 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: Varies annually (open call each year)
Eligibility: Local San Francisco high school students
The 500 Capp Street High School Summer Internship Program provides students with practical experience in arts education and cultural activities at the historic David Ireland House. Interns commit to three- to four-hour weekly shifts, guided by the art and education team. They engage with modern art practices while learning about exhibition support and public events. The internship concludes with a public event created entirely by the interns. This program is designed for students interested in visual arts, curation, and community-centered creative projects.
8. SF YouthWorks Internship Program
Location: San Francisco, CA
Stipend: Paid ($19.18/hour)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; citywide placements
Dates: School year and summer cohorts
Application Deadline: Mid-September (for school-year internships; varies annually)
Eligibility: San Francisco residents in grades 11–12 (ages 15–19)
SF YouthWorks is a paid internship initiative that places high school juniors and seniors in various San Francisco city departments. Before starting their placements, students undergo job readiness training. Internships typically last 6 to 10 hours per week over several months. Participants are introduced to careers in public service, including roles in health, utilities, libraries, and government offices. The program helps develop skills in professionalism, teamwork, and civic participation.
9. NASA’s OSTEM Internships
Location: Remote or in-person at NASA centers across the U.S.
Stipend: Stipend paid based on their academic level and session duration
Acceptance rate / Cohort size: Very competitive; over 3,000 high school interns selected annually
Dates: Spring: January – May | Summer: May – August | Fall: August – December
Application Deadline: Spring: September 12 | Summer: February 27 | Fall: May 22
Eligibility: U.S. high school and college students who are at least 16 and have a minimum GPA of 3.0
NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) provides high school and college students opportunities to contribute to aerospace, engineering, and science missions. You will work with NASA scientists, engineers, and mentors across multiple centers, gaining technical experience while supporting real projects. Your responsibilities will depend on the specific site and role you're assigned, but may include tasks such as research, coding, and data analysis. This paid internship can help you prepare for STEM careers in government, academia, or industry.
10. Project Pull Internship
Location: San Francisco, CA
Cost/Stipend: Paid ($23 per hour)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 8 – July 31
Application Deadline: February 16
Eligibility: Students entering junior year, senior year, or college-bound freshman in the fall who live in or attend high school in San Francisco and have a GPA of at least 2.75
Project Pull is a paid summer internship that gives you the chance to explore career opportunities while developing professional skills in a real workplace. Over 8 weeks, you’ll dedicate 20 hours weekly working with mentors and city professionals on various projects. You’ll gain insights into public service, leadership, and professional growth within a structured, supportive setting. Additionally, you'll connect with peers across San Francisco and get advice on your academic and career aspirations.
11. Supervisor Myrna Melgar Internship Program
Location: San Francisco, CA (District 7 – City Hall Office)
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid (Fall and Spring); Paid stipend available for Summer session (limited availability)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; small office-based cohort
Dates: Fall (September – December) | Spring (January – May) | Summer (June – July)
Application Deadline: Summer deadline: February 28 (Fall and Spring deadlines vary annually)
Eligibility: High school, undergraduate, and graduate students; minimum commitment of 10 hours per week (Monday–Thursday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM)
The Supervisor Myrna Melgar Internship Program provides students with hands-on experience in local government and public policy within the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. Interns conduct legislative research, prepare policy briefs, attend community meetings, and assist with constituent services. Participants gain direct exposure to civic decision-making and district-level governance. Each intern receives a personalized work plan aligned with their professional goals.
12. Enterprise for Youth Paid Internship Program
Location: San Francisco, CA
Stipend: Paid ($21/hour; $125 stipend for completing job readiness training)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; cohort-based placements
Dates: June 8 – July 31 (75-hour internships)
Application Deadline: April 15
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors who live in San Francisco or attend an SFUSD school
Enterprise for Youth connects high school students with paid internships across industries, including healthcare, tech, retail, nonprofit, culinary arts, and climate careers. Students initially complete paid job-readiness training covering resumes, interviews, and professional skills. Internships typically last 75 hours and include ongoing mentorship and weekly workshops to support professional growth. Participants get assistance from job coaches and develop long-term career skills. The program aims to provide students with valuable workplace experience while earning an income.
13. SFPUC – SSIP CityWorks High School Internship
Location: San Francisco, CA
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive; limited placements
Dates: Summer (after junior year)
Application Deadline: Varies annually
Eligibility: Rising seniors from southeast San Francisco
SSIP CityWorks is a paid summer internship program offered through the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission. The program provides students with hands-on experience in public infrastructure, engineering, and environmental systems. Interns work either at the SFPUC or with private engineering firms involved in the Sewer System Improvement Program. Participants gain mentorship and experience in water management, engineering, and public service careers. The program seeks to establish enduring career pathways in civic and technical sectors.
If you’re 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 1-on-1 with mentors from universities like Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and more to create unique, personalized projects. In the past year, we had over 1000 students learn AI & ML with us. Check out a past student’s experience in the program here. You can apply here!