15 Internships for High School Students in Tennessee
If you're a high school student looking to gain experience in a professional field before college, an internship can be a good option to explore. These opportunities often place you directly within a company, lab, or government office, giving you exposure to how projects are managed and carried out in professional settings. Whether your interests lie in STEM research, law, veterinary medicine, or public service, internships can help you build skills that go beyond what a classroom setting typically offers.
Why should you intern in Tennessee?
Tennessee offers internships through institutions like Vanderbilt University Medical Center, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, as well as city and county government offices. You could conduct biomedical research at a hospital or university lab, gain legal experience at a courthouse or law office, or shadow professionals in fields like veterinary medicine and government administration. Whether you live in Tennessee or are coming from out of state, you can find an internship suited to your interests and experience level.
Here are 15 internships for high school students in Tennessee worth exploring!
If you’re looking for summer programs in Tennessee, check out our blog here.
Key takeaways
These 15 internships for high school students in Tennessee span biomedical research (Vanderbilt, St. Jude), government (Nashville, Knoxville, Memphis), law (Nashville Bar Association), veterinary medicine (UT College of Veterinary Medicine), and national lab research (Oak Ridge).
Several programs offer paid stipends, ranging from $12 to $15 an hour for city youth employment programs up to $4,800 for the St. Jude Research Immersion Program.
Remote options like Ladder Internships and Veritas AI let students gain professional experience in tech, AI, and startups without geographic restrictions.
Most programs prioritize Tennessee residents or students from specific school districts, so eligibility should be checked carefully before applying.
1. University Medical Center – Aspirnaut Summer Research Internships
Location: Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
Stipend: $2,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 15–20 participants per summer
Dates: May 31 – July 11
Application Deadline: January 14
Eligibility: High school students (15+) in excellent academic standing who are interested in a career in STEM
During the Aspirnaut Summer Research Internship program, you will gain hands-on and mentored laboratory experiences and will get to explore careers in various STEM fields. As a participant, you will get to conduct biomedical research in subject areas like diabetic kidney disease or breast cancer at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center. You will also get to work alongside a team of researchers, including biologists, chemists, engineers, and so on. Aside from this, the program offers professional development sessions that focus on career and college planning, ACT/SAT prep, and networking. By the end of the program, you will conduct oral and poster presentations of your research.
2. The Ayin Project – Summer Internship Program
Location: Various locations across Tennessee (varies by track)
Stipend: Paid hourly, rate not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 21–50 students
Dates: June 1 – July 17
Application Deadline: Typically mid-February
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors enrolled in Vanderbilt's Interdisciplinary Science and Research (ISR) program at Stratford STEM Magnet, John Overton, or Hillsboro High Schools OR who live in Davidson County, Nashville Metropolitan area
This internship lets you gain hands-on STEM experience, build research skills, and collaborate with professionals. You’ll also get to contribute to real-world projects that support The Ayin Project’s mission, participate in community service, and attend a guest speaker series. The program offers three different tracks: the Summer High-School Internships in Research Experiences (SHIRE), the Media Internship, and the Administrative Assistant Internship. During the SHIRE track, you will learn about cancer cell cultivation, sustainable engineering, and water quality analysis. The Media Internship, on the other hand, focuses on teaching you how to use various media formats to craft compelling stories. Finally, the Administrative Assistant Internship will teach you real-world program management, effective communication, and leadership skills.
3. Ladder Internships
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on the program type; financial aid is available / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 10–25% acceptance; 70–100 students per cohort
Dates: Multiple 8–12 week cohorts throughout the year, including summer, winter, spring, and fall
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the cohort; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: High school students able to commit 10–20 hours/week for 8–12 weeks
Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students. During the program, you’ll work on an internship with high-growth start-ups that 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 $1 million. As an intern, you will work closely with your manager on real-world projects and eventually be expected to present your work to the company. The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long. Apply now!
4. Nashville Bar Association – High School Intern Summer Program
Location: Various locations across Metro Nashville, TN
Stipend: Paid and unpaid internships
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not specified
Dates: June 1 – July 17
Application Deadline: March 27
Eligibility: Diverse high school seniors and rising seniors in the Metro Nashville area who have a minimum 2.0 GPA
The Nashville Bar Association’s High School Intern Summer Program offers you the chance to gain real-world legal work experience by working in law firms, corporate legal departments, or government law offices in Metro Nashville. The program will start with an orientation that introduces you to the law office environment, then you'll spend the remaining seven-week internship with your employer. You will also get to attend weekly NBA-sponsored "Lunch and Learn" sessions that teach you about the legal profession and how to apply to law school and be successful at law school. This program gives you immediate access to the legal field, the opportunity to network with peers and lawyers, and access to mentors.
5. City of Oak Ridge – Internship Program
Location: Various city departments in Oak Ridge, TN
Stipend: Paid hourly, rate not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; cohort size not specified
Dates: Summer: Late May – August; Fall: August – November/December; Spring: January – April/May
Application Deadline: Summer: March 31; Fall: July 10; Spring: October
Eligibility: High school students or beginning college students who have not completed a full year of college work and do not have prior experience or specialized career skills
The City of Oak Ridge Internship Program offers you the chance to take part in full-time or part-time internships that allow you to explore the career field of your choice. Once you apply, you will be assigned to your preferred city department and a mentor, who will train you, oversee your work, and provide feedback and check-ins. While the program runs year-round, some departments hire high school students only during specific seasons. The City Manager's Office offers summer positions, and as an intern, you will learn about City Management and Administration and do work centered on research and project implementation.
6. Oak Ridge National Laboratory – ORNL Next Generation STEM Summer Internship Program (NGSI)
Location: Oak Ridge, Tennessee
Stipend: $500/week
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not stated
Dates: June 8 – July 24
Application Deadline: February 26
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors, seniors, or recent graduates with a minimum 3.0 GPA; resident of an eligible Tennessee county; at least 16 years old
In this internship, you will explore research careers by contributing to national scientific challenges at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. You will participate in computational or laboratory-based assignments, collaborating with world-renowned scientists on real-world STEM projects. During this full-time placement, you will operate analytical tools, manage computational workflows, and apply data science principles to ongoing laboratory research. You will also attend professional development workshops, engage in exclusive lab tours, and network with leading technical professionals. Through poster sessions and specialized lectures, you will refine your technical communication and presentation skills. This immersive environment provides unparalleled exposure to the rigorous methodologies driving modern scientific discovery.
7. Vanderbilt University Medical Center – Biomedical Informatics Summer Program (VBISP)
Location: Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
Stipend: Paid, amount not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 2–4 positions
Dates: May 26 – July 31
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: High school students interested in STEM and computer science; Metro Nashville Public Schools students prioritized; U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Vanderbilt’s Biomedical Informatics Summer Program aims to provide you with high-quality Biomedical Informatics research experience and encourage you to pursue further education or a career in the field. During the program, you will work on faculty-mentored projects that allow you to use information technology to address health care challenges. You will also attend a seminar series where you will hear from Biomedical Informatics researchers on various research questions, methods, and approaches, as well as their personal experiences in the field. The program concludes with a final report and presentation of your work.
8. City of Knoxville – Summer in the City Intern Program
Location: Various locations across Knoxville, TN
Stipend: $15/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; ~20 participants
Dates: June 1 – July 23
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Students between the ages of 16 and 22
The City of Knoxville’s Summer in the City Intern Program is a paid eight-week internship program that places you in City departments, where you will be assigned a mentor and will be expected to work on administrative and support tasks. You will also attend weekly personal and professional development sessions that cover topics like economic mobility, mental health, civic education, social justice, and more. You will also be involved in a group community service project. Some of the departments you’ll get to work at include the City Court, the Fire Department, the Fleet Services, the LGBT Liaison, Parks and Recreation, and many more.
9. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital – High School Research Immersion Program
Location: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN
Stipend: $4,800
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; ~32 students
Dates: June 1 – July 25
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors (16+) in the Memphis area and the immediate surrounding counties of Tennessee, Mississippi, and Arkansas; cumulative GPA of at least 3.0
The St. Jude High School Research Immersion Program allows you to participate in laboratory, psychology, epidemiology, clinical, or data science research programs and work on mentored research projects. You will also work with a science educator and learn about the nature of science, what makes a scientist, and more. This will help you create a strong personal statement for college applications, as you will detail your experiences and what you’ve learned from the program. By the end of the program, you will get to create a scientific poster and showcase your research project at a community exhibition.
10. Government of Nashville – POWER Youth Summer Employment Program
Location: Various locations across Nashville, TN
Stipend: Ages 14–15: $12/hour; Ages 16–18: $15/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; nearly 1,000 youth overall
Dates: June 1 – July 17
Application Deadline: April 24
Eligibility: Youth between the ages of 14 – 22 residing in Davidson County
The POWER Youth Summer Employment Program gives you the chance to participate in career exploration and gain work experience while still in high school. As a high school participant, you can choose from two programs: the High School Internship and Experience Work. The High School Internship program is open to students between the ages of 16-18 and gives you the chance to work at private, public, non-profit, and university job sites. During this experience, you will also receive pre-program training and coaching, and a stipend of $15 per hour. The Experience Work program is for students ages 14-15; it allows you to work on art or community development projects while earning a stipend of $12 per hour.
11. Vanderbilt University Medical Center – Research Experience for High School Students (REHSS) Program
Location: Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; cohort size not specified
Dates: May 26 – July 2
Application Deadline: Typically, early spring
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors (16+) with excellent grades in math and the sciences; attending Stratford STEM, John Overton, or Hillsboro High School and participating in the Interdisciplinary Science and Research Program
The Research Experience for High School Students (REHSS) Program gives you the chance to spend six weeks in an immersive scientific research internship at Vanderbilt University. During the program, you will engage in an independent research project while also receiving mentorship from a research faculty member. You will also get to attend weekly workshops that supplement your lab education. By the end of the program, you will present your research at the end-of-summer student research symposium. Past students have also had the opportunity to publish their research in scientific journals and present at national conferences.
12. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
Location: Across all 50 states, including Tennessee
Stipend: $3,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; typically 20–45 students
Dates: 8 weeks in June – August (dates are flexible and can be decided by the student and mentor)
Application Deadline: January 25
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors, as well as rising college freshmen, who are at least 16 years old and residing in the US, Puerto Rico, Canada, or Mexico
The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program is a summer internship and mentoring program sponsored by the American Fisheries Society (AFS). It aims to encourage interest in fisheries and aquatic science and to match you with a fisheries professional who will act as your mentor for the duration of your internship. Your work as an intern will vary depending on both your mentor and placement, meaning you could work outdoors in the field, on a boat, in a laboratory, or even in an office. You will be expected to participate in hands-on work such as electrofishing, data processing, water quality testing, fish population surveys, and more. You may also assist with children’s educational programs.
13. UT College of Veterinary Medicine – Veterinary Summer Experience Program (VSEP)
Location: UT College of Veterinary Medicine, Knoxville, TN
Stipend: Paid, amount not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective (~8% acceptance); 12 participants
Dates: June 9 – July 11
Application Deadline: January 30
Eligibility: Tennessee high school juniors and seniors (16+) with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA; must secure a local veterinary practice site approved by UTCVM
The Veterinary Summer Experience Program is for high schoolers serious about pursuing a career in veterinary sciences, including biomedical research, shelter medicine, corporate veterinary medicine, and so much more. During the program, you will have the opportunity to learn by shadowing at a local veterinary practice for four weeks. You will also spend a week on the University of Tennessee campus, where you will receive educational programming relevant to the veterinary field. This includes time in lectures, laboratories, and clinical rotations.
14. Juvenile Court of Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County – Davidson County Juvenile Court Internship Program
Location: Nashville, Tennessee
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately competitive; limited high school placements
Dates: Spring, summer, and fall semesters
Application Deadline: Spring: November 24; Fall: July 10
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors or seniors; background check and reference verification
In this internship, you step inside a metropolitan juvenile justice system through a high school track built around career readiness and employability skills. You work through a structured series of lessons and projects that strengthen communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving. You also see how the court itself functions through job shadowing, field trips, and observation of live court proceedings. You set your own weekly schedule around court hours of 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, commit at least fifteen hours a week, and record your work in bi-weekly timesheets and activity logs. You attend an intern social, complete mid-term and end-of-semester evaluations, and can earn practicum course credit where your school's policy allows it.
15. City of Memphis Office of Youth Services – MPLOY Youth Summer Experience
Location: Memphis, Tennessee
Stipend: Paid hourly, rate not stated
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; approximately 3,000 youth
Dates: June 1 – July 10
Application Deadline: February 9
Eligibility: City of Memphis youth ages 14–22
In this program, you gain paid workplace experience through a six-week placement matched to career interests and available opportunities. You can work in areas such as health and wellness, arts and culture, banking, communications, and other industries while developing professional habits. You may complete an internship or entry-level placement with a Memphis-area employer for up to 20 hours per week. You record work hours on weekly timesheets and receive compensation for approved time worked. Professional development can cover career planning, goal setting, financial literacy, interviewing, and resume writing. The experience combines practical employment with structured preparation for future education and careers.
Frequently asked questions
1. What are the best internships for high school students in Tennessee?
Strong options depend on interests. Students interested in biomedical research might consider Vanderbilt's VBISP or St. Jude's Research Immersion Program; those interested in law might look at the Nashville Bar Association internship; and students interested in AI or tech might consider Veritas AI or Ladder Internships.
2. Are there paid internships for high school students in Tennessee?
Yes, several programs offer paid stipends, including Oak Ridge National Laboratory's NGSI program ($500/week), St. Jude's Research Immersion Program ($4,800), and city programs in Nashville, Knoxville, and Memphis that pay between $12 and $15 an hour.
3. Can high school students from outside Tennessee apply to these internships?
Most programs require Tennessee residency or attendance at specific local schools, but some, like the Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program, are open to students across all 50 states, and remote options like Ladder Internships and Veritas AI have no geographic restrictions.
4. Do any of these internships involve research at a national laboratory or major medical center?
Yes, Oak Ridge National Laboratory's NGSI program places students in computational and laboratory-based research, while Vanderbilt University Medical Center and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital offer several biomedical research internships with faculty and researcher mentorship.
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