15 Internships for High School Students in Washington State
As a high school student, exploring careers early through an internship can help you understand your interests, build practical skills, and make informed choices about your future. They allow you to take a closer look at how industries operate, helping you explore potential career interests early and work alongside professionals. You develop critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving abilities that academic environments alone often cannot provide. You can find internships in various fields such as medicine, data science, and business, and identify which one suits your needs and interests.
In Washington state, various reputable organizations, such as the University of Washington, offer internships to help you learn beyond the classroom. They allow you to apply academic knowledge in real-world settings, gain professional mentorship, and earn academic credit. Such internships are ideal for students living or studying in Washington who want to develop local industry connections and build practical skills, as well as out-of-state students seeking programs and experience in a dynamic professional environment.
This guide highlights 15 internships for high school students in Washington state that provide structured, skill-building experiences across various industries.
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. Soil to Society Through Science – Summer Research Opportunity
Location: Washington State University, Pullman/Spokane, WA
Cost/Stipend: No cost / $1,200 stipend + additional symposium stipend + 1 free college credit (more credits available at $595 each)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; about 5 students
Dates: Full-time in the summer between June and August
Application Deadline: April 11
Eligibility: Currently enrolled high school students with a minimum 3.5 GPA, who are U.S. residents
In this internship, you’ll work alongside scientists researching the connection between soil, crops, and human health. The program introduces you to laboratory methods, field studies, and data analysis while encouraging you to think critically about sustainable agriculture. You’ll join an ongoing research project, ranging from improving soil health to studying nutritional compounds in grains, and contribute to real data collection. Workshops on scientific ethics, writing, and communication support your technical learning. By the end, you’ll prepare a research abstract and present your findings in a poster symposium, gaining experience in professional scientific communication.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies according to program type; financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; varies by program
Dates: Several cohorts year-round including summer, winter, spring, and fall
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). You can apply here.
Eligibility: AI Scholars is open to all high school students | The AI Fellowship is for students who either have prior experience with Python or have completed the AI Scholars program
Although not a formal internship, Veritas AI operates as a work-learn program, helping you learn through tasks and projects. It offers a structured path for you to explore artificial intelligence and data science concepts through guided, project-based learning. In the AI Scholars program, you’ll start with foundational sessions covering machine learning principles before moving into applied work using real-world datasets. The program emphasizes both coding and conceptual understanding, helping you learn how AI systems are built and evaluated. More advanced participants can pursue the AI Fellowship: an individual research project with mentorship from university-level experts. You’ll learn how to present your findings and, in some cases, work toward publication. You can also check out some examples of past projects here.
3. Clean Water Ambassadors Internship
Location: Several sites around King County, WA
Stipend: $20/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; approximately 30 students
Dates: July 7 – August 7
Application Deadline: April 21
Eligibility: High school-aged youth who are at least 16 years old when the program begins | Current and valid identification and proof of eligibility for employment in the U.S.
Through this internship, you’ll explore how clean water systems function and why they matter for environmental health and community sustainability. Hosted by the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust and King County Wastewater Treatment Division, the program blends office projects with fieldwork across King County. You’ll visit treatment plants, farms, and watersheds to learn about water management and ecological restoration. In the office, you’ll work on communication projects, interview professionals, and prepare a final presentation on clean water topics. For students interested in sustainability, this is an environmental internship for high school students in Washington state that focuses on real-world applications and career exposure.
4. Ladder Internships
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies according to program type; financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 70 – 100 students
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year including summer, spring, winter, and fall; upcoming cohort is Winter starting December 8
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort; Winter Cohort: November 16
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students able to work 10-20 hours/week for 8-12 weeks
Ladder Internships connects you virtually with startups and nonprofits that align with your academic or career interests. Ladder’s startups are backed by Y Combinator, whose founders have experience at companies such as Google, McKinsey, and Microsoft. You’ll work on projects that support real organizational needs, anything from data analysis and marketing to software engineering or finance. Throughout the program, you’ll receive feedback from your project manager and guidance from a dedicated mentor to refine your professional skills. You’ll also practice communicating your results and insights through a final presentation. The program ends with a final presentation of your work to your host organization.
5. UW Botanic Gardens Youth Summer Internship
Location: Washington Park Arboretum, Seattle, WA
Stipend: $1,750
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; about 20 – 30 students
Dates: July 7 – August 1
Application Deadline: May 23
Eligibility: High school students aged 16–18
At the UW Botanic Gardens, you’ll explore how environmental work connects science, education, and community engagement. This internship combines field-based learning at the Washington Park Arboretum with leadership and team-building activities. You’ll assist with environmental education for children, contribute to an ecological project, and visit local organizations focused on sustainability and conservation. Discussions with professionals from universities, farms, and agencies will help you understand the wide range of jobs within this field. You’ll leave with a clearer sense of where your interests align and how environmental work supports both ecosystems and communities.
6. Port of Seattle High School Internship Program
Location: SEA Airport/Seattle waterfront, WA
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified and varies by internship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 90 – 150 students
Dates: 8 weeks typically between mid-June or early July through the end of August
Application Deadline: May 18
Eligibility: Current/recently graduated high school students or students enrolled in a GED completion program who are at least 16 years old | Authorized to work in the U.S.
At the Port of Seattle, you’ll get firsthand exposure to how airports, seaports, and public agencies function behind the scenes. This summer internship places you in departments such as Aviation Operations, Green Jobs, or Community Engagement, where you’ll assist with real projects that impact the regional economy. The experience introduces professional skills like process improvement, communication, and project management while emphasizing public service and teamwork. Workshops, mentorship sessions, and facility tours round out the experience, helping you understand how infrastructure connects to community growth. For those curious about public-sector careers, this internship for high school students in Washington state offers a direct look at operations that keep the region moving.
7. Teen in Public Service (TiPS) Internship Program
Location: Various non-profits across Puget Sound, WA
Stipend: Up to $3,300
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 75 spots
Dates: Between June 16 – August 22
Application Deadline: March 3
Eligibility: High school students aged 15–19 who live in Washington | Ability to provide proof of employment eligibility in the United States
Through TIPS, you’ll spend the summer contributing to a nonprofit organization while learning how mission-driven work operates behind the scenes. Placements range from arts and culture to environmental advocacy, community outreach, or fundraising, depending on your skills and interests. You’ll participate in professional development workshops, collaborate with your site supervisor, and build communication, teamwork, and leadership skills. You’ll also gain insight into how ethical leadership and public service intersect with organizational goals. As one of the broader internship programs for high school students in Washington state, TIPS gives you structured exposure to nonprofit operations across the Greater Puget Sound area.
8. SPARK Summer Mentorship Program (SMP)
Location: Several sites in the Greater Seattle area, WA
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Some projects may offer a stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; about 50 – 100 students
Dates: 8–10 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: Typically in May
Eligibility: High school students in the greater Seattle area | U.S. citizens or permanent residents
SPARK SMP connects motivated high school students with mentors from academia, industry, and community organizations for STEM-focused projects. You’ll collaborate on real research tasks, which may involve Python scripting, machine learning, or data visualization, depending on your mentor’s expertise. Each project emphasizes independent problem-solving and teamwork while introducing professional research methods. The program also includes sessions on career readiness and networking, allowing you to learn directly from working scientists and engineers. Designed to bridge classroom learning and applied science, SPARK SMP is a long-running mentorship for high school students in Washington state that encourages both technical skill development and professional growth.
9. Fred Hutch Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP)
Location: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 16 – 30 students each summer
Dates: 8 weeks in June – August
Application Deadline: Typically in March (rolling dates posted annually)
Eligibility: Rising seniors who are 16 or older and live in Greater Seattle or the surrounding areas
Through this eight-week research internship, you’ll gain firsthand exposure to the daily routines of professional scientists at Fred Hutch in Seattle. The program starts with intensive lab training that covers essential techniques such as PCR, gel electrophoresis, and sterile culture work. After this foundation, you’ll spend six weeks paired with a mentor in an active research lab, assisting with experiments, data entry, and team meetings. Alongside lab work, you’ll take part in weekly sessions on topics like scientific ethics, data visualization, and public health research. By the end, you’ll present your findings and reflect on how your experience connects to future academic or professional goals.
10. Microsoft Discovery Program
Location: Redmond, WA
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; small cohorts
Dates: July 7 – August 1
Application Deadline: February-March (tentative)
Eligibility: Graduating seniors who have been accepted to a bachelor’s degree program, live and attend high school within 50 miles of Redmond, WA, have completed pre-calculus or an equivalent course before the start of the program, and are involved with Microsoft-sponsored organizations
In this four-week internship, you’ll join a small team at Microsoft to explore how technology products are designed, built, and improved. You’ll work on a focused project within a product group, developing solutions that address real user needs while learning about areas such as software engineering, UX design, and product management. Along the way, you’ll participate in discussions on innovation, inclusivity, and Microsoft’s product culture. You’ll exchange ideas, test prototypes, and present outcomes to mentors. No prior technical experience is required, making it an accessible way to understand how large-scale tech teams operate.
11. Seattle Children's Research Training Program (RTP)
Location: Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend of $2,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; approximately 16 students
Dates: July 14 – August 8
Application Deadline: March 9
Eligibility: Rising juniors who live within commuting distance of Downtown Seattle with a strong interest in biology, biochemistry, microbiology, public health, or a related scientific field.
RTP is a laboratory-based internship that immerses you in biomedical research at Seattle Children’s Research Institute. Across lectures, workshops, and experiments, you’ll explore topics such as immunotherapy, biochemistry, and infectious diseases while building core lab skills in microscopy, bacterial transformation, and gene editing. You’ll also complete an independent research project that applies what you’ve learned in the lab. The program includes presentations, tours, and sessions on public health and global research issues, helping you see how biology connects to medicine and everyday science. For students interested in lab science, this program stands out among high school internships in Washington state for its focus on practical experimentation and scientific literacy.
12. UW Medicine Neuroscience Summer Student Program
Location: Various lab locations across Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 25 – 30 students per summer
Dates: June 22 – August 14
Application Deadline: December 14
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 18 years or older by the first day of the program | Minimum 3.2 GPA | U.S. citizens/permanent residents | Current immunizations (measles/mumps/rubella, varicella, hepatitis B) and a TB test result valid through the program end date
This intensive eight-week program immerses you in the study of the brain from both scientific and clinical perspectives. Working with mentors from the University of Washington’s Departments of Neurological Surgery and Neurology, you’ll rotate through research labs and observe surgical procedures to understand how discoveries translate into medical practice. You’ll learn to form hypotheses, analyze data, and present your findings through guided lab projects. Beyond research, the program exposes you to hospital operations and ethics discussions that connect neuroscience to patient care. You’ll also attend lectures, Grand Rounds, and lab meetings to see how interdisciplinary collaboration drives innovation in healthcare.
13. Evergreen Goodwill Youth Maritime Program
Location: Job Training & Education Center, Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend: School year: $65 per day (Two Saturdays a month); Summer (July-August): $100 per day
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: School year: January – June, September – December; Summer: July – August
Application Deadline: Typically in December
Eligibility: High school juniors who reside in King County, WA
The Goodwill Youth Maritime Program combines classroom learning, training, and service projects to help you understand how maritime careers intersect with teamwork and community engagement. Over two years, you’ll explore the maritime industry while building professional, academic, and personal development skills. During the school year, you’ll focus on leadership, communication, and technical training, while summer sessions expand into full-time practical experience. You’ll earn certifications such as CPR and OSHA, practice financial literacy, and gain volunteer hours that contribute to your resume. Mentorship and career navigation support continue after the first year, ensuring steady guidance through your transition after high school.
14. UW Teaching Tomorrow Internship
Location: Hoa Mai Preschool and Denise Louie Education Center, Seattle, WA
Stipend: $20/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; 15 students
Dates: School year: January – August; Summer: July – August
Application Deadline: Typically early winter
Eligibility: Students who attend a City of Seattle public high school who are at least 16 years old by January 1
If you’re curious about education and enjoy working with young learners, this internship places you directly in Seattle’s early childhood classrooms. Over eight months, you’ll assist teachers in planning lessons, supporting small groups, and creating welcoming learning environments for children. The experience pairs classroom practice with mentorship from University of Washington faculty and students, who lead weekly sessions on leadership, identity, and educational equity. You’ll also join professional development workshops and field trips that explore different paths in early learning. Alongside classroom experience, you’ll complete service-learning hours and receive training that counts toward future teaching credentials.
15. Seattle City Light High School Internships
Location: Seattle City Light facilities, Seattle, WA
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified and varies by internship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; cohorts sizes unknown, but are structured
Dates: 8 weeks in the summer between mid-June/early July to August
Application Deadline: Opportunities are posted in early April
Eligibility: Non-graduating high school students who are at least 16 years old by the start of the internship | Minimum 2.0 GPA | U.S. citizen or authorized to work; preference to City Light service-area residents
Seattle City Light offers an eight-week internship for high school students in Washington state that introduces you to the energy and utility sector through practical work and mentorship. You’ll assist with projects that support departments across the utility, ranging from administrative coordination to field observations of power operations. The program includes professional development sessions, networking with executives, and workshops on workplace equity and social responsibility. Throughout the summer, mentors help you connect your assignments to broader energy systems and sustainability efforts. You’ll also complete a presentation summarizing your learning and insights from the experience.
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