15 Online Internships for High School Students
As a high school student, internships can be great opportunities for you to build practical skills, explore career interests, and build professional connections before college. Whether you are passionate about science, business, technology, or community service, internships allow you to apply classroom knowledge of your field of interest to real-world settings. Many of these programs are hosted by prestigious organizations, giving you valuable exposure to professional environments and insights into how different industries operate.
Online internships, in particular, offer you an accessible way to gain work experience without relocating or commuting. The flexible virtual format allows you to work from home, collaborate online with mentors, and balance your academic and extracurricular commitments. As an intern, you will also work with various teams on meaningful tasks that help you build self-discipline, time management, and communication skills that can help you with future career opportunities.
To help you find the right opportunities, we have compiled a list of 15 online internships for high school students.
Note: Some of the programs listed here are not traditional internships, but operate as work-learn programs.
1. George Mason University’s Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: Virtual and in-person options available
Acceptance rate: Not specified
Cost/Stipend: $25 application fee (waivers available); no stipend
Dates: June 18 – August 8
Application deadline: February 2
Eligibility: Students who are 15 or older (remote or in-person computer lab internships) or 16+ (wet-lab internships)
ASSIP offers high school students virtual, hybrid, and in-person hands-on research experiences in STEM fields such as cybersecurity, engineering, and computational science. Over eight weeks, you will work with faculty mentors on research projects, developing skills in designing experiments, conducting data analysis, mathematical modeling, and using programming tools such as Python, R, or MATLAB. You will also find opportunities to develop technical, analytical, and problem-solving skills while learning how to communicate your findings. The program ends with a symposium, where you will learn about the ASSIP research conducted over the summer.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Cost: Varies depending on program type; full financial aid available
Dates: Multiple 12–15 week cohorts (spring, summer, fall, and winter sessions) available every year
Application deadline: Varies by cohort — January deadline for spring cohorts; May deadlines for summer cohorts; September deadline for the fall cohort; November deadline for Winter sessions. You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: High school students; AI Fellowship requires completion of the AI Scholars program or some experience with AI concepts or Python
Veritas AI, founded and led by Harvard graduate students, offers various online programs for high school students eager to explore artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data science. The AI Scholars Program covers the fundamentals of AI through a 10-session, project-based curriculum culminating in a project that focuses on real-world AI applications. For advanced learners, the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase offers one-on-one mentorship from researchers at top universities to design and execute an independent AI project. As a participant, you can also collaborate with Veritas AI’s in-house publication team to prepare your work for high school research journals.
3. SPARK Summer Mentorship Program (SMP)
Location: Virtual opportunities available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Cost/Stipend: No cost; some projects come with stipends
Dates: May – August (8–12 weeks, depending on project)
Application deadline: Not specified; applications typically open in March or April
Eligibility: High school students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
SPARK SMP is a summer internship that pairs high school students with mentors from top universities and tech companies to explore AI, machine learning, and data science. You will be matched with a mentor based on your interests and may participate in one or more projects lasting several weeks each. Past projects have focused on predictive analytics, disease detection, quantum computing, and extreme weather modeling. Some internships offer stipends depending on the project’s scope and sponsor. Throughout the program, you will gain hands-on experience with algorithm development, data analysis, and statistical modeling, while learning directly from experts in academia and industry.
4. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on program type; full financial aid available.
Dates: Multiple cohorts (spring, summer, fall, and winter sessions) available each year
Application deadline: Varies by cohort — January deadline for spring cohorts; May deadlines for summer cohorts; September deadline for the fall cohort; November deadline for Winter sessions
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap-year students who are able to work 10 – 20 hours per week for 8 – 12 weeks
Ladder Internships is a selective, fully virtual program that connects high school students with paid, project-based roles at fast-growing startups around the world. Startups span industries such as AI/ML, health tech, consulting, marketing, journalism, and product design, allowing students to explore diverse professional fields. As an intern, you will work closely with a company manager on real-world projects, gaining practical experience. You will also present project outcomes at the end of the internship. Ladder’s partner companies are typically high-growth startups backed by venture funding, providing authentic exposure to the startup ecosystem. With flexible scheduling, real deliverables, and direct mentorship from an industry mentor as well as a Ladder Coach, the program can offer you exposure to professional work and workplace skills.
5. Summer Healthcare Experience (SHE) in Oncology
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: No fees; a $500 taxable stipend offered
Cohort size: 20
Dates: Two weeks in the summer; dates TBA in the spring
Application deadline: Typically, May; exact dates TBA
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are Minnesota residents
The SHE in Oncology is a multi-institutional program offered by cancer centers throughout the U.S. The Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center offers its version of this program to 20 high schoolers interested in exploring careers in biomedicine and oncology. As a participant, you will attend online lectures and discussions on cancer care and cancer science. You will work on a genetics-based research project and a patient case study in collaboration with peers from the University of Minnesota, the Medical College of Wisconsin, the University of Iowa, and the University of Wisconsin. You will get your own laboratory kit to engage in experiments from home. Additionally, SHE in Oncology offers professional development and skill-building opportunities along with panel discussions led by cancer research and care professionals.
6. University of Texas Southwestern Inspiring Careers in Mental Health Internship
Location: Virtual
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: Two weeks in June
Application deadline: Early February; applications typically open in late September
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors, and rising college freshmen
The Inspiring Careers in Mental Health Internship is an online program designed for high schoolers who are interested in exploring careers in mental health. The program will offer you opportunities to interact with mental health professionals, including psychiatrists, licensed social workers, physician assistants, and neuropsychologists. Through online sessions, these professionals will share their experiences in psychology, offering you insights into pursuing a career in the field. Additionally, you will learn about fields like community psychiatry, neuroscience, psychotherapy, interventional psychiatry, and neuropsychological testing.
7. Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI) Summer Research Internship
Location: Remote
Cohort size: ~25
Cost/Stipend: $850 + a $40 application fee; no stipend; fee waivers available
Dates: June 16 – 27
Application deadline: February 28
Eligibility: High school students who are 14 or older and U.S. citizens; those with prior experience in a healthcare project and/or strong math or computer programming skills are preferred
This virtual program is designed for high school students interested in learning about artificial intelligence and its applications in the context of medical innovation. As an intern, you will explore how AI is used to address challenges in healthcare and work on tackling a real medical problem with the help of AI tools. You will work with a team on research projects and engage in social activities, virtual group work sessions, and career-oriented sessions led by guest speakers from diverse professional backgrounds. Throughout the program, you will have access to mentorship offered by researchers and Stanford Student Leads. You may also be able to access an extended research opportunity during the academic year once the summer program ends.
8. EDIT ML Summer Internship Program
Location: Virtual
Acceptance rate: Not specified
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: June 13 – August 31
Application deadline: April 15
Eligibility: High school students with prior experience in computer science
The EDIT ML Summer Internship Program at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center introduces high school students to machine learning applications in healthcare. You will work on research projects that focus on using AI to improve clinical decision-making and patient outcomes. You’ll gain hands-on experience with data analysis, natural language processing (NLP), and medical imaging, using programming languages such as Python and R. You will work closely with healthcare professionals and data scientists throughout the internship. The program concludes with a final presentation of research findings.
9. Smithsonian Science Education Center Internships
Location: Virtual or hybrid at the Smithsonian Science Education Center, Washington, D.C.
Acceptance rate: Not specified
Stipend: Available (amount unspecified)
Dates: 8–10 weeks between March and May
Application deadline: TBA in January/February
Eligibility: High school students (age 16+), undergraduates, and graduate students
The Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC) Internships provide students with the opportunity to contribute to national STEM education initiatives through digital media and outreach projects. While exact tasks can vary, you will collaborate with educators and communication specialists to create online learning materials and manage digital content. Depending on your placement, you may assist with science writing, social media strategy, or multimedia design using tools such as Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, and data analytics platforms. The program emphasizes science communication and educational innovation, giving you hands-on experience with digital content creation and public engagement within a leading cultural institution.
10. American Psychological Association (APA) Internships
Location: Virtual
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by department and placement availability
Cost/Stipend: Paid and unpaid (academic credit) positions available
Dates: Opportunities available in spring, summer, fall, and winter; dates vary
Application deadline: Rolling; varies by position
Eligibility: Students who enrolled at least part-time in an academic institution and are U.S. residents; applicants under 18 must submit a D.C. Work Permit
APA offers virtual internships, offering students exposure to psychology applications in areas like research, policy, communications, education, and publishing. As an intern, you will assist with data analysis, program evaluation, and public outreach initiatives while working under the supervision of APA staff. Depending on the placement, you may also contribute to advocacy campaigns or educational material development. The program includes team-based projects and professional development workshops, helping you build technical, analytical, and workplace skills. The experience can help you explore how psychology operates in organizational, non-clinical, and policy contexts.
11. Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program
Location: Virtual
Acceptance rate: Not specified
Cost/Stipend: Free; need-based $300 stipend available
Dates: Session 1: July 1 – 18; Session 2: July 28 – August 8 (dates can vary by year)
Application deadline: April 11
Eligibility: Female and non-binary high school students in grades 9–11
The Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program is a free, two-week virtual experience designed to introduce you to computer science, coding, and digital design. You will learn about HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and user interface design while working on projects like websites, apps, and games. The program also features mentorship from industry professionals, career panels, and collaborative coding workshops led by trained instructors. Whether you are new to programming or already have some experience, the curriculum supports learners at all levels.
12. Interns4Good Internship Program
Location: Virtual
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment with selective placement based on nonprofit needs and applicant profile
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: Year-round opportunities; length and weekly hours vary by placement
Application deadline: Rolling; applicants typically hear back within one week
Eligibility: Students in grades 9 – 12
Interns4Good connects high school students with remote internship opportunities at nonprofits across the U.S, helping them develop professional and leadership skills while contributing to social impact initiatives. Depending on your placement, you may assist with marketing, communications, graphic design, video editing, or social media management. You will complete weekly assignments and receive structured feedback from a nonprofit supervisor. The program also offers internal opportunities to join Interns4Good’s own teams in tutoring, curriculum design, or content creation. With flexible scheduling and verified service hours, this program can help you gain professional experience while supporting community-focused organizations.
13. EnergyMag Internships
Location: Virtual
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: Quarter-time (1–9 months) internships available during the school year | Half-time (two to eight weeks) available during summer; flexible dates
Application deadline: Open year-round
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors who have taken at least one honors science or honors English class and hold a GPA of at least 3.25
EnergyMag offers flexible, year-round virtual opportunities for high school students interested in developing research skills and learning about energy storage. During the internship, you will investigate and analyze a given company, tech, market, or topic/activity with the help of a mentor to gain insight into real-world energy use and storage. While researching the assigned topic, you will narrow down sources of relevant information, compile and assess the data you collected, and complete an analysis report, which can be published on the EnergyMag website. This experience can help you develop on-the-job skills, including research and professional communication.
14. United Planet Virtual Internship Program
Location: Remote opportunities available
Acceptance rate: Not specified
Cost: Starts at $800; scholarships available
Dates: Flexible scheduling based on your availability
Application deadline: Varies by start date
Eligibility: High school students, ages 16 and up
The United Planet Virtual Internship Program connects high school students with nonprofit organizations across the globe, offering hands-on experience in areas such as public health, education, sustainability, and social entrepreneurship. You will collaborate with teams in countries like Peru, Nepal, and Ghana to support ongoing community-based projects. In the process, you will develop essential professional skills in communication, research, and cross-cultural teamwork, while learning to plan and manage real-world initiatives. You will also be paired with a mentor who provides regular feedback and support throughout the experience. This can be an opportunity to gain a global perspective and professional experience while working entirely online.
15. Colorado School of Mines Computer Science Internship Program
Location: Virtual and in-person options available
Acceptance rate: Not specified
Cost: $100 program fee
Dates: June 1 – August 6
Application deadline: April 18
Eligibility: High school students interested in computer science and mathematics
The Computer Science Internship Program at the Colorado School of Mines offers high school students hands-on exposure to computer science, mathematics, and technology through both virtual and on-campus options. Over the course of the program, you will work on projects involving programming, logical reasoning, and algorithmic thinking. The program emphasizes problem-solving and mathematical reasoning, providing a strong foundation for future study in computer science or related STEM fields. You will learn through guided project work while accessing mentorship offered by Mines faculty and graduate students.
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