How to Find Internships for High School Students: The Complete Guide

July 31, 2026 byConnections Academy

6 min to read

A high school student looking up internships on laptop

Internships, whether in-person or online, can be a great way for high school students to explore what they’re interested in and start building real-world skills. They’ve become more popular, especially for students who plan to start working straight away, want to explore potential careers, or want to build confidence and feel more prepared for what comes after graduation.

While internships are commonly designed for college students, there are still plenty of opportunities for high schoolers, including online options. And if your student attends a Connections Academy-supported school, their flexible schedule can make it even easier to explore these opportunities.

A student researching internships for high school students online.

How to Find Internships for High School Students: The Complete Guide

How to Find Internships for High School Students

Believe it or not, the time to start considering high school student internships for the summer can begin as early as September or October of their junior or senior year.

As a first step, internship seekers may want to make a list of their interests, talents, and passions, both in and outside of their studies, like video games, street art, or building robots to help them narrow down the internships of interest.

If your student is interested in business, for example, they may want to improve soft skills like time management or verbal communication by working with a local business to get firsthand experience.

Once students have their list of their interests and skills, they can try to find a related internship opportunity by reaching out to:

Extended family

Friends

Teachers

Coaches

Their networks on social media

Local businesses or nonprofits

Students may also use a general search engine to search the name of an organization they’re interested in plus “internships for high school students near me.”

How to Land an Internship in High School

Practice an Elevator Pitch

An elevator pitch is a short speech, typically the length of a 30-second elevator ride, in which a candidate introduces themselves to potential employers and describes the skills, experience, and enthusiasm they have to offer.

It can be handy for students to have both a general introduction to themselves and one or more customized elevator pitches ready for specific internships or types of work. Encourage your students to practice their pitches with friends or family beforehand so it feels more natural speaking about themselves, and to get constructive feedback.

Create a Resume

A resume is a summary of a person’s experience and qualifications that are relevant to the job they are applying for, typically on a single page.

It doesn’t have to be complicated, especially for high school students. A resume should cover the basics like the applicant’s name and contact information, education, then in reverse-chronological order (most recent first), work experience, including volunteer work, extracurricular activities, and any awards or achievements For students this can be an achievement like being named to the honor roll.

Polish their Interview Skills

When preparing for an interview, here are a few simple tips for your student:

Dress in clean, modest, professional clothes

Bring two copies of their resume in case the interviewer doesn’t have one and so they can read along as they refer to it

Bring a pad and pen to take notes

Arrive about 15 minutes early with their cellphone off or silenced

Show interest and enthusiasm (it goes a long way!)

Treat the interview like a conversation—answer the interviewer’s questions, but also have some of their own prepared, like specific job duties and what projects or initiatives they might get involved in

Thank the interviewer for their time when finished, both in person and by following up afterward with a thank you email or card

Be Persistent

If a student hasn’t heard back from an organization they’ve reached out to, that’s okay. It’s completely normal. Encourage them to send a simple, polite follow-up; many professionals are busy so sometimes this is all it takes to get noticed.

In addition, if a student discovers a company that doesn’t have an official internship program listed on their website, it may still be a good idea to reach out. Some organizations don’t have opportunities listed or may be open to creating an internship position for the right candidate.

Where to Find Internships for High School Students

Organization	Location	Open to:	Details
The Bank of America Student Leader Program	100+ communities	High school juniors and seniors	Connects 300 participants with nonprofit internship opportunities
NASA High School Internships	Maryland, New York, Virginia, and West Virginia	High school and college students, with additional programs for elementary and middle school students.	Research and experiential learning at NASA facilities
The Met High School Internship Program	New York, NY	High school sophomores and juniors who live in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut	Museum internships at the Met Museum
Smithsonian Internships	Washington, D.C. and virtually	High school students	A variety of programs for high school students at various Smithsonian Institution museums
The Library of Congress	Washington, D.C. area	High school students aged 16+ years	80+ programs, including volunteer and applied learning and career development places
The Stanford Compression Forum Summer Internship	Stanford, CA	High school and community college students	Multidisciplinary research project program
Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh	Pittsburgh, PA	Students aged 14+ years	Internships at four different museums
The New-York Historical Society’s Student Historian Internship Program	New York, NY	High school students entering grades 10, 11, or 12 who live in and attend school in the New York city metro area (includes the five boroughs of New York City, as well as areas of New York State, Connecticut, and New Jersey).	Allows high school students to conduct research and tell stories using the society’s vast resources.
The Act Now Coalition	Chicago, IL	High school students	A database of high school internships and other youth job opportunities in the Chicago area

How Connections Academy Helps Career-Readiness for High School Students

If your student is looking for ways to boost their career before graduating high school, an online Connections Academy-supported school may be the right fit for them. With dedicated college and career readiness programs, partnerships within common trades, and guidance counselors ready to help, Connections Academy students have many opportunities to explore careers and build their job skills while they learn.

You can explore more ways for high school students to find internships and prepare for what’s next through our early career exploration program and other resources.

Building Skills and Exploring Careers Through Internships

Whether your student is just starting to explore their interests or already thinking about their future career and skills, a high school internship can provide meaningful real-world experience and help them stand out. By starting early, leveraging their network, and pursuing opportunities that align with their interests, students can take an important step toward achieving their long-term goals.

It’s about helping them build confidence, try new things, and discover what feels right for them.

FAQs About High School Internships

Are high school internships paid or unpaid?

High school internships can be either paid or unpaid, depending on the employer, industry, and responsibilities involved. While paid internships offer compensation for a student's work, unpaid internships may provide valuable hands-on experience, mentorship, and networking opportunities.

Can online or virtual school students participate in traditional internships?

Yes. Students who attend online or virtual school can participate in both in-person and virtual internships. Flexible schedules often make it easier for online students to balance internship responsibilities with their coursework.

How many hours a week does a high school intern typically work?

The number of hours varies by program and employer, but many high school interns work between 5 and 20 hours per week. Summer internships may involve more hours, while internships during the school year are often designed to accommodate students' academic schedules.

What is the difference between an internship, job shadowing, and volunteering?

An internship typically involves ongoing, hands-on work experience in a professional setting. Job shadowing allows students to observe a professional for a short period to learn about a career. Volunteering focuses on supporting an organization or cause, often without the career-specific training or mentorship that internships provide.

When is the best time of year for high school students to apply for summer internships?

Many summer internship applications open between late fall and early spring. Students should begin researching opportunities several months in advance, as some competitive programs have application deadlines as early as December or January.

Do companies offer virtual or remote internships for high school students?

Yes. Many organizations now offer remote internships that allow students to gain professional experience from home. Virtual internships can be a great option for students seeking flexible opportunities or access to organizations outside their local area.