High School Student Internship Opportunities: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction

For high school students, internships are invaluable stepping stones towards exploring potential career paths, gaining real-world experience, and building professional networks. These opportunities provide a glimpse into various industries, allowing students to make informed decisions about their future academic and professional pursuits. This article explores a wide range of internship opportunities available to high school students, covering diverse fields such as science, technology, government, arts, and humanities.

Exploring Career Paths and Gaining Experience

Internships offer a unique opportunity to "find your passion," as the National Park Service aptly puts it. For students aged 15 to 30 (or military veterans up to 35 years old), internships and jobs can help clarify career aspirations. The National Park Service collaborates with numerous organizations to provide both onsite and remote opportunities to gain work experience while contributing to the preservation of natural and cultural resources. Whether seeking part-time work during the school year, a summer job, or the beginning of a full-time career, resources like USAJobs can be invaluable.

Government Internships

Senate Internships

Senate internships offer an excellent avenue for high school students and recent graduates to gain exposure to the daily operations of a Senate office, develop professional skills, and build their network on Capitol Hill. Opportunities are available in Senate personal and committee offices, as well as through organizations and agencies that support the work of Congress.

To be eligible for paid opportunities, individuals must meet the Senate’s employment eligibility requirements. However, unpaid internships or those for academic credit may still be an option for those who do not meet these requirements. Internship requirements and policies vary by office, so it's recommended to contact the Senate office's Internship Coordinator for specific inquiries.

Types of Senate Internships

Senate offices offer internships, fellowships, and clerkships to current students or recent graduates of professional degree programs (e.g., Masters, Doctoral, or Law). Internships are typically designed for students or recent graduates of an undergraduate degree program. Washington, DC internships often focus on administrative, legislative, or press duties, while State/Regional office interns may assist with providing constituent services and casework assistance.

Read also: Job Skills for Students

Fellows/law clerks often collaborate with policy staff to draft legislation and amendments, conduct legislative research, write policy memos, assist with hearing preparation, and contribute to other substantive projects. Some offices also offer communications fellowships.

Applying for Senate Internships

When applying for Senate internships, it's highly recommended to apply to offices where you have a strong connection to the state, such as through residence, studies, or military station. Senate staff and interns often serve as the first point of interaction between constituents and the senator’s office, so many offices prefer to hire interns or entry-level staff from their state.

The application package typically includes an application form, a resume, a statement of interest, and writing samples. Some offices may also request a list of references or transcripts.

Benefits of Senate Internships

Senate interns have the opportunity to witness history in the making. Before your internship, consider the skills you want to develop or experiences you want to gain. During your internship, seek opportunities to achieve these goals. Attend committee hearings, briefings, receptions, lectures, seminars, and other educational and networking events.

Throughout your internship, schedule networking coffees with staff and maintain these professional relationships even after your internship has ended. Update your resume with your new Senate experience, highlighting transferable skills.

Senate-Sponsored Programs for High School Students

Internships/Volunteer Opportunities: Some Senate personal offices offer internship or volunteer opportunities to high school students.
Senate Page Program: This program offers high school students a unique opportunity to learn about Congress while continuing their studies in the nation’s capital. To apply, students should write to their senators.
Senate Youth Program (USSYP): This program is a unique educational experience for outstanding high school students interested in pursuing careers in public service. Two high school juniors or seniors are selected each year from each state, the District of Columbia, and the Department of Defense Education Activity to serve as delegates to Washington Week.
Service Academy Nominations: Service academy applicants are eligible for nomination by both senators in their state of legal residence for academies such as the Air Force Academy, Merchant Marine Academy, Military Academy (West Point), and Naval Academy.

Other Congressional Opportunities

Congressional App Challenge (CAC): This nationwide competition promotes innovation and engagement in computer science and STEM. Students submit entries to their representative’s office, and panels of district artists select the winning entries.
Congressional Art Competition: This competition provides an opportunity for students to showcase their artistic talents.
Capitol Tours: Visiting the Capitol is a great way to learn about the work and history of Congress.

Science and Technology Internships

Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP) at Fred Hutch

The Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP) is a competitive, eight-week, full-time paid internship for students between 11th and 12th grade. SHIP is specifically designed for students who haven't had extensive research experience. The internship begins with two weeks of hands-on training in laboratory safety and techniques, as well as an introduction to the Fred Hutch. For the remaining six weeks, interns are paired and immersed in mentored activities in a Fred Hutch research group in Seattle. Interns also participate in research seminars, attend professional development workshops focused on college and careers, and enjoy social activities with their teams and peers.

The SHIP application consists of two online components: an applicant section and a separate online form for references. It is crucial to thoroughly review the application, complete your section well in advance of the deadline, and proofread your application and essays carefully.

NASA Internships

NASA offers a multitude of internship opportunities for full-time high school students over 16 years of age. These internships provide a chance to impact the agency’s mission through hands-on experience. NASA internships are available for both STEM and non-STEM majors, offering opportunities to gain practical work experience while working alongside research scientists, engineers, and other professionals. Internships may be full time or part time at a NASA center or facility.

Interns may support a variety of business and program management work, including human resources, administration and program analysis, accounting and budget, communication and public relations, procurement and contracts, information technology, security, and education.

Other Science and Technology Programs

Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program: Offers hands-on experiences working with full-time AFRL scientists and engineers on cutting-edge research and technology.
Scripps Translational Science Institute (STSI) Student Research Internship Program: Students complete a research project, encapsulating it in a final presentation to faculty.
Microsoft’s Discovery Program: Students learn about computer science and programming.
Princeton University: Offers a full-time research experience for students looking to enter STEM fields.
Stanford University: Offers a two-week opportunity for rising high school juniors and seniors to explore cutting-edge chemical research.
The Jackson Laboratory: This prestigious internship allows students to immerse themselves in genetics and genomic research.
Simons Summer Research Program: Provides hands-on experience in science, math, or engineering as participants work closely with faculty mentors on real research projects.

Arts and Humanities Internships

New York Historical Society Internship

Interns use the resources of the New York Historical Society to conduct research and share their scholarship through creative projects.

Read also: Eligibility for National Awards

The Metropolitan Museum of Art Internship

Rising juniors and seniors from New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut can connect with professionals in the fields of art, museum, and creativity at The Metropolitan Museum of Art with this in-person paid internship.

Carnegie Museums Internship

Unpaid in-person internships are available at all four Carnegie Museums-Carnegie Museum of Art, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Carnegie Science Center, and The Andy Warhol Museum-allowing high schoolers to work in either public-facing or behind-the-scenes positions.

Other Internship Opportunities

Department of State's Pathways Internship Program: Includes both the Internship Temporary Program (ITEP) and the Internship Experience Program (IEP) for citizens enrolled in a wide variety of educational institutions from high school to graduate school.
Virtual Student Federal Service (VSFS): Connects U.S. citizen college students with the needs of federal agencies through virtual internships.
Ladder Internships: A selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students.
Hutton Program: A paid summer internship and mentoring program for high school juniors and seniors interested in pursuing natural resource and environmental management.
Colin Powell Leadership Program: Recruits highly motivated individuals who aspire to become future civil service leaders.
MBA Special Advisor Fellowship: Seeks to strengthen the Department's strategic management and operations capabilities.
Chicago Architecture Center (CAC): Aspiring Boston-area architects will want to look into this paid internship pairing students with local architecture firms.
Social Issues Internship in India: High school students 16 years of age or older can participate in this internship and provide front-line support for social issues in India, without having to leave the comfort of their home.
Non-profit Leadership Internship: This paid internship connects a diverse group of socially concerned high school juniors and seniors with non-profits to serve their communities and build leadership.

General Tips for High School Internships

Understand Expectations: Before committing to an internship, clarify the time commitment, length, responsibilities, and compensation.
Highlight Transferable Skills: Focus on the skills and experiences you've developed that may be transferable to other jobs or internships.
Networking: Schedule networking opportunities with staff and maintain these relationships.
Resume Building: Update your resume with your new internship experience.

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