Internships in Philadelphia: A Guide for High School Students

Internships have become a vital extracurricular activity for high school students, offering invaluable hands-on experience, career exploration opportunities, and the chance to develop real-world skills. In Philadelphia, a diverse range of internship programs cater to various interests, from science and technology to arts and culture. This article explores several internship opportunities available to high school students in Philadelphia, providing a comprehensive guide to help them navigate this exciting landscape.

The Value of Internships

Extracurricular activities, most notably internships, play a significant role in college admissions, particularly at selective schools where academic excellence is a common trait among applicants. The most prestigious, impressive, and rare internships hold substantial weight in college admissions, potentially boosting a student's chances of acceptance.

Science and Research Internships

For students passionate about science and research, Philadelphia offers several exceptional opportunities:

Monell Science Apprenticeship Program

This full-time, paid opportunity allows participants to engage in structured research activities under the guidance of Monell scientists for 35 hours a week. The program culminates in a conference where students present their research to the scientific community, family, and friends. The program also includes an enrichment component through which participants attend lectures on topics ranging from science to communication to college readiness.

Summer TRIP (Temple Research Immersion Program)

This free summer program at Temple University provides students with the opportunity to gain hands-on research and lab experience. Participants are tasked with developing hypotheses, designing and troubleshooting experiments, collecting and analyzing data, and interpreting and presenting their findings. The program culminates in a symposium where students showcase their research to faculty, family, and alumni. Summer TRIP is divided into three phases: Project Design, Experimentation, and Communication.

The Wistar Institute High School Program in Biomedical Research

This program gives students interested in science the chance to learn the best practices for biomedical research, explore career paths in the field, and contribute to science projects. Over the course of the four-week program, students will work Monday through Thursday. Participants are awarded a stipend at the program’s conclusion. The program is open to students 16 years of age and older who’ve completed at least one high school science course.

PSSI (Penn Summer Science Initiative)

UPenn’s Laboratory for Research on the Structure of Matter sponsors this four-week program for students interested in material science and engineering. Program participants will listen to lectures, enjoy hands-on computer and experimental labs, and take field trips to industrial and Penn facilities. PSSI is open to high schoolers entering their junior or senior year from the greater Philadelphia region who have taken a chemistry and/or physics course.

The CHOP Neurology High School Scholars Program

This program offers the opportunity for high school students to complete a five-week paid internship working closely with a neurologist or neuroscientist on a basic science or clinical research project, shadowing physicians, and attending a weekly educational session. Work hours will be determined between the student and mentor based on project needs. Anyone applying must be a current high school sophomore, junior, or senior and must be 16 years of age by the start of the program.

FMI Summer Science Program

FMI is a seven-week program that introduces high school students to the forensic techniques and instruments used to solve crimes. Students will gain hands-on experience with analyzing evidence from crime scenes and conducting their own investigations under the mentorship of forensic experts. Participants in the FMI Summer Science Program will learn through hands-on experiences in three different forensic science disciplines: forensic biology, forensic chemistry, and forensic toxicology.

Government and Aviation Internships

Students interested in government, aviation, or public service can explore these opportunities:

Read also: Unlock summer legal internships

Philadelphia International Airport Internships

For this internship, interns will be assigned to departments at the Philadelphia International Airport such as Human Resources, Communications, Purchasing Administration, Capital Development, and more. Students should expect to gain real-world experience, develop their professional connections, learn more about the aviation industry, and contribute to the city’s government.

Naval Research Enterprise Internship Program (NREIP)

This program provides rising 10th through 12th graders, who are at least 16 years old, the chance to participate in research at a Department of Navy (DoN) laboratory, like the Philadelphia Naval Surface Warfare Center and Pacific Naval Information Warfare Center in Philadelphia. Participants learn about Naval research and technology while receiving mentoring from top scientists and engineers.

Philadelphia Summer Internship Program

This ten-week summer internship primarily accepts undergraduates and community college students but will occasionally consider recent high school graduates. Interns are assigned to one of more than 40 city agencies where they assist with research, administrative duties, complete a group or community project, and support work.

Arts and Culture Internships

For students with a passion for the arts and culture, Philadelphia offers several unique internship opportunities:

Bloomberg Arts Internship

Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance are working together to provide this paid, art-focused internship. The program places rising high school seniors in positions at arts and culture organizations across the Greater Philadelphia region, such as the Penn Museum.

Philadelphia Cultural Alliance Internship Program

This paid internship program for rising high school seniors runs the length of the school year. Interns work up to ten hours a week at arts and culture organizations in the Greater Philadelphia region. Interns also participate in professional development opportunities focused on college and/or career readiness, self-advocacy, self-actualization, and public speaking. Note that you cannot apply directly to this program.

Other Internship and Volunteer Opportunities

University of Pennsylvania's PEECE Program

This four-week program aimed at 9th and 10th grade students helps them prepare for both college and their future careers. Participants have the chance to complete an internship in one of Penn’s professional schools-Dental, Engineering, Law, Medicine, and Nursing. Students also engage in enrichment activities focused on topics like standardized test preparation, personal growth, professional development, financial literacy, and wellness. The program is open to students from Philadelphia and its surrounding area high schools.

Elmwood Park Zoo Volunteering

High schoolers ages 14+ can volunteer at the Elmwood Park Zoo, where they engage with visitors and share knowledge about the animals who call the zoo home. Volunteers are asked to commit to working eight hours a month (except during January and February), and a total of 80 hours over the course of the year. While this position is unpaid, there are some perks to volunteering, including access to volunteer workshops, free guest passes, and discounts throughout the zoo.

Arden Theatre Company's Internship Program

Participants gain real-world experience, work alongside professionals, and receive an intensive education in theater operation.

Bank of America Student Leaders Program

The Bank of America Student Leaders program is available to high schoolers in over 100 communities nationwide, including Philadelphia. Through this program, students are paired with paid internship opportunities at nonprofits like the Boys and Girls Club and Habitat for Humanity, where they gain valuable skills and drive change within their communities. The internship runs for eight weeks, the last of which is spent at the Student Leader Summit in Washington, D.C., where participants will learn how the government, business, and nonprofit sectors work together to address community needs.

Nursing Exploration Program

This free program allows high school juniors and seniors to explore the nursing profession and its numerous areas of specialization.

Navigating the Internship Landscape

With so many options available, it's important for students to carefully consider their interests and goals when choosing an internship. Factors to consider include:

Area of Interest: What subjects or fields are you most passionate about?
Time Commitment: How much time can you realistically dedicate to an internship?
Paid vs. Unpaid: Are you looking for a paid internship, or are you willing to volunteer?
Location: How far are you willing to travel for an internship?
Eligibility Requirements: Do you meet the age, grade level, or course prerequisites for the internship?

tags: #internships #Philadelphia #high #school #students