How to Get an Internship in High School

Everyone knows you should look for internships in college, but can you get an internship in high school? Yes. In fact, according to The Society for Human Resource Management, more and more employers are recognizing high school students’ value and are willing to hire them for internships. 

Half of all responding employers in the survey reported they were either currently accepting applications from high school students for internships or planned to in the future.

My daughter worked at an internship with an advertising firm during the summers, dabbled in television production, worked for a fashion magazine, and dipped her toe in graphic design. These experiences helped her move away from advertising to choose her future career in marketing communications.

High school internships offer invaluable opportunities for a high school student to gain real-world experience, explore career paths, and build a professional network. Internships can also help you develop a network of people you can use for college recommendation letters along with helping you to communicate your interest in specific areas.

However, finding an internship in high school requires some effort. We’ll walk you through the process now.

Begin by identifying your interests

Take some time to think about your interests, skills, and possible career goals. What careers interest you, and what skills do you want to enhance or refine? Which industries or fields do you envision yourself working in in the future? Do you need a paid internship, or would you be happy with simply providing a service and gaining experience?

One way to narrow down your list is with free virtual job simulations. A virtual job simulation is a self-paced, online program that introduces you to a "day in the life" working at a specific company in a particular role. 

By spending some time working through a simulation, you'll have a good idea of whether a particular type of role will be right for you. 

Start researching potential opportunities

Explore resources like online job boards, company websites, local businesses, nonprofit organizations, and even your school counselor. Contact local chambers of commerce and inquire about internships available from local companies.

Spread the word by letting others know you want to gain experience in a particular field. Utilize your network of family, friends, teachers, and mentors to inquire about potential internship opportunities. Attend career fairs and industry events that could lead to professional connections and unearth internship opportunities that might not be advertised publicly.

Utilize social media by setting up a LinkedIn profile and uploading your high school resume highlighting your academic achievements, extracurricular activities, relevant skills, and accomplishments. 

You can search for internships specific to your location and look for companies that interest you. Inquire about internship opportunities via direct messaging or connecting with a current employee. You can also follow accounts on X like @DrInternship, @internships, @NASAInterns for the latest job postings.

Search for internships in areas of high demand

If you are interested in coding or computer-related fields, these internships are in high demand. Computer and engineering summer camps and opportunities are offered across the country.

Internships centering around healthcare are always available and often hire high school students. If a medical career interests you, look for internships in medical offices, hospitals, senior centers, and physical therapy facilities.

Any STEM field offers wonderful opportunities to gain experience and give you a huge advantage as an undergraduate. You could intern at a local aquarium or as an accounting intern for a local business. Look for opportunities in science, technology, engineering, or math.

Finally, internship opportunities are limitless if you have political aspirations or are interested in participating in the political process. Political campaigns look for interns to perform tasks like canvassing, voter registration, distributing political information, and organizing events.

Look for internships that offer compensation

A paid high school internship is better than an unpaid one. Why? The company that pays its interns invests in them and wants to provide a beneficial experience. A paid internship shows both the employer and the student find value in the work they do.

Those who settle for unpaid internships are often stuck with to-do lists and menial tasks. However, there are some great unpaid internships with nonprofits that offer excellent opportunities to build a network and often lead to paid internships in college and jobs after graduation. 

In fact, in the SHRM survey of over 300 employers, 45% said that high school internships will “very likely” or “completely likely” turn into a full-time job at their company.

One of the internships my daughter worked over the summer was unpaid. She was excited about it because it was in the fashion industry. They expected her to work long hours and complete some difficult physical tasks. 

After six weeks, she resigned. It was not a waste of her time, but she learned that those who value you should be willing to compensate you for your work, if only with consideration and gratitude.

Focus on the application process

Businesses, nonprofits, and organizations look for students with good communication skills. Companies like to hire high school interns who are motivated, mature, quick learners, and can problem solve while learning a new skill or embracing a new experience.

Applying for an internship is the same as applying for a job. Your high school resume should present a picture of a committed, well-intentioned student willing to work hard, follow instructions, and gain experience. On your resume, list your academic accomplishments, extracurricular activities, and leadership qualities, along with any job experience.

In addition, create a digital presence by utilizing social media sites like LinkedIn and Indeed or join online networking groups. Take a professional-looking photo dressed in appropriate work attire to post along with your profile. Remember what you say online in all your social media accounts reflects your true values.

Craft a cover letter to offer along with your resume detailing your interest in the internship, the organization offering it, and the contribution you could make. Elaborate on why you would be a good fit for the internship and why working with them excites you.

Before the interview, review common interview questions. Do some research about the organization, business, or nonprofit interviewing you. Bring a copy of your resume and cover letter for the interviewer. 

Be sure to dress in business attire, arrive on time, and speak clearly. Ask any questions about the job expectations and answer any questions confidently.

After the interview, ask for a business card to follow up with a handwritten thank you note expressing your gratitude for the opportunity to interview and reiterating your interest in the internship. Following up demonstrates professionalism and puts you at the top of their mind when hiring.

Example internships for high school students

It may require some committed research and commitment, but a high school internship should be on your radar if you plan to apply to college and pursue a career requiring a degree.

Here is a sample of internship programs from U.S. News and Education. They are both virtual and in-person, with resources available to high school students:

• BRAINYAC connects high school students in Upper Manhattan and the Bronx with Columbia University neuroscientists for research-based summer internships in working laboratories.
• The Met High School Internship Program offers museum internships to students who live in or attend high school in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut.
• The Microsoft Discovery Program is a paid opportunity for graduating high school seniors who live within 50 miles of the company’s headquarters in Redmond, Washington, to gain insight into tech careers.   
• Smithsonian Internships, run by the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., offers a variety of programs for high school students at various Smithsonian museums.
• The New York Historical Society’s Student Historian Internship Program allows students entering 10th, 11th, or 12th grade to conduct research and tell stories using the society’s vast resources.
• The Library of Congress offers a wide variety of internships in and around Washington, D.C., some of which are open to high school students, as well as a paid work-study program.
• Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh has a limited number of unpaid internships open to high schoolers at its four museums.
• The Bank of America Student Leader Program connects about 300 juniors and seniors with nonprofits in more than 100 communities. The paid internships are combined with a national leadership summit.
• NASA High School Internships offer research and experiential learning at NASA facilities in Maryland, New York, Virginia, and West Virginia. 

100 Internships for High School Students offers a comprehensive listing of internships divided into areas of interest: business, coding, engineering, journalism, medicine, psychology, research, and science.

Take the next step to find an internship

Internships offer a glimpse into the professional world, allowing you to develop skills, gain insights, and make meaningful connections that will benefit you both academically and professionally. Securing an internship in high school requires initiative, perseverance, and effective preparation. 

By identifying your interests, researching opportunities, crafting a strong resume and cover letter, preparing for interviews, and following up diligently, you can increase your chances of landing a valuable internship experience that will set you on the path to future success.

How competitive will your college application be?

Now that we've covered internships and how they can improve your chances of getting into a college, it's important to know that your GPA, letters of recommendation, and extracurriculars do, too. These factors combine to influence college admission teams and make or break your chances for acceptance.

You can calculate your chances of getting into any college by clicking on the button below. We’ll ask you a few quick questions - about your GPA and things like that- and then we'll tell you your chances of getting into the colleges on your list. It's always free and easy to use Appily.