Landing a high school internship at a prestigious company isn’t just a dream—it’s an achievable goal that can transform your college applications and career trajectory. Instead of flipping burgers or scooping ice cream, you can spend your summer break interning at a cutting-edge tech company, assisting at a prestigious law firm, or conducting research at a renowned university.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the top companies and organizations offering internships specifically designed for high school students across technology, business, healthcare, and other exciting fields.

Why High School Internships Matter

High school internships provide invaluable benefits that extend far beyond earning spending money. These opportunities offer:

• Real-world experience in your field of interest
• Professional networking with industry leaders
• College application enhancement through meaningful experiences
• Career exploration to confirm or redirect your interests
• Skill development that can’t be learned in classrooms
• Competitive advantage when applying for college programs and scholarships

Top Technology Companies for High School Internships

Microsoft Discovery Program

Microsoft High School Discovery Program is open to rising first-year students of a bachelor’s degree program (graduating high school senior) that live within 50 miles of Redmond, Washington and who have an interest in technology. During this 4-week internship, Discoverers will have the opportunity to gain hands on project experience, develop professional skills while gaining mentorship from Microsoft employees.

Application Link: Microsoft High School Discovery Program

What makes it special:

• Direct mentorship from Microsoft employees
• Hands-on project experience
• Professional skills development
• Insight into tech careers at a global scale

Requirements:

• Must be at least 16 years old
• Live within 50 miles of Redmond, Washington
• Demonstrated interest in technology

Google Build Your Future Program

Google offers programs to help get you to your future — whether it’s business or engineering & technology, with internships, jobs, and resources to prepare you for a role at Google — either today or in the future.

Application Link: Google Build Your Future

Program highlights:

• Exposure to cutting-edge technology projects
• Mentorship from Google engineers and product managers
• Networking opportunities with industry leaders
• Real-world application of computer science concepts

Other Notable Tech Opportunities

Ladder Internships stands out as a selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students! In the program, you work with a high-growth start-up on an internship. Start-ups that offer internships range across a variety of industries, from tech/deep tech and AI/ML to health tech, marketing.

Application Link: Ladder Internships

Leading Business Internship Programs

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

One of the most prestigious financial services companies offers structured programs for high school students interested in finance, banking, and business operations.

Application Link: JPMorgan Chase Careers

Forage Virtual Work Experience

Forage offers “bite-sized” 5-6 hour virtual work experience programs at companies like Walmart, Lululemon, JP Morgan, Red Bull, BCG, and more. These programs provide:

Application Link: Forage Virtual Internships

• Flexible scheduling perfect for students
• Real business challenges and projects
• Exposure to multiple industries
• Professional certificate upon completion

Major Consulting Firms

Several top consulting firms including Boston Consulting Group (BCG) offer specialized programs that give high school students insight into strategy consulting and business problem-solving.

Healthcare and Medical Internship Opportunities

Kaiser Permanente Summer Youth Employment Program

This program not only exposes students to various healthcare careers but also instills in them a sense of responsibility and compassion for patient care. During their time in the Kaiser Permanente Summer Youth Employment Program, high school students have the chance to work alongside healthcare professionals.

Program benefits:

• Direct patient care exposure
• Multiple healthcare career exploration
• Professional mentorship
• Development of medical ethics and compassion

Hospital Systems and Medical Centers

Many major hospital systems across the country offer structured internship programs including:

• Mayo Clinic – Research and clinical exposure programs
• Johns Hopkins – Summer research opportunities
• Cleveland Clinic – Healthcare career exploration programs
• Local medical centers – Often have community-focused internship programs

Government and STEM Organizations

NASA Internship Programs

NASA’s internship programs provide training, mentoring, and career development opportunities while working with the best science, engineering, financial, information technology and business minds in the world.

Application Link: NASA Internships

What NASA offers:

• Cutting-edge research opportunities
• Work on actual space missions
• Mentorship from leading scientists and engineers
• Exposure to multiple STEM disciplines

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

The NIH offers various summer research programs where high school students can work alongside world-renowned researchers on groundbreaking medical and scientific research.

Application Link: NIH Summer Internship Program

Smithsonian Institution

With numerous museums and research centers, the Smithsonian provides internships in areas ranging from history and culture to natural sciences and technology.

Application Link: Smithsonian Internships

How to Find and Apply for High School Internships

Research Strategies

1. Company websites: Check careers pages of companies you’re interested in
2. School guidance counselors: Many have databases of local opportunities
3. Professional networks: LinkedIn can help identify potential mentors
4. Industry associations: Many have youth programs and internships
5. Online platforms: Websites like Internships.com and Indeed often list opportunities

Application Best Practices

Craft a compelling resume:

• Highlight relevant coursework
• Include volunteer experiences
• Showcase leadership roles
• Mention relevant skills and certifications

Write targeted cover letters:

• Research the company thoroughly
• Explain why you’re interested in that specific field
• Demonstrate knowledge of current industry trends
• Show enthusiasm and willingness to learn

Prepare for interviews:

• Practice common interview questions
• Research the company’s recent news and developments
• Prepare thoughtful questions about the role and company
• Dress professionally and arrive early

Alternative Internship Programs and Platforms

Virtual and Remote Options

The rise of remote work has created new opportunities for high school students:

• Remote tech internships with startups and established companies
• Virtual consulting projects with small businesses
• Online research assistantships with universities
• Digital marketing internships with e-commerce companies

Specialized Program Providers

Intern Abroad HQ takes the hassle out of trying to land an awesome online high school internship program. We organize everything for you, from securing an excellent placement with an international company, to online orientation and coaching.

These specialized providers offer:

• Structured placement processes
• International opportunities
• Ongoing support and mentorship
• Professional development workshops

Making the Most of Your Internship Experience

Setting Goals

Before starting your internship:

• Define what you want to learn
• Identify skills you want to develop
• Set networking objectives
• Establish performance benchmarks

Professional Development

During your internship:

• Ask for feedback regularly
• Take initiative on projects
• Build relationships with colleagues
• Document your achievements
• Seek additional learning opportunities

Leveraging the Experience

After your internship:

• Request LinkedIn recommendations
• Maintain professional relationships
• Update your resume with specific achievements
• Use the experience in college applications
• Consider return opportunities

Financial Considerations and Logistics

Paid vs. Unpaid Internships

While many high school internships are unpaid, focus on the long-term value:

• Experience and skills gained are invaluable
• Networking opportunities can lead to future paid positions
• College application enhancement can result in scholarship opportunities
• Career clarity can save money on college major changes

Transportation and Scheduling

Consider practical aspects:

• Transportation to and from the internship site
• Balancing internship hours with school schedules
• Managing homework and extracurricular commitments
• Coordinating with summer vacation plans

Future Trends in High School Internships

Technology Integration

• AI and machine learning internships are becoming more common
• Cybersecurity programs are expanding due to increased demand
• Data science opportunities are growing across industries
• Virtual reality/augmented reality internships in gaming and education

Sustainability Focus

Many companies are creating internships focused on:

• Environmental sustainability projects
• Social impact initiatives
• Corporate responsibility programs
• Green technology development

Conclusion

High school internships represent a powerful opportunity to gain real-world experience, explore career paths, and build professional networks before college. Whether you’re interested in technology, business, healthcare, or other fields, numerous prestigious companies and organizations offer structured programs designed specifically for ambitious high school students.

The key to success lies in starting your search early, crafting compelling applications, and approaching each opportunity with enthusiasm and professionalism. Remember that even if you don’t land your dream internship immediately, each application and interview is valuable practice that builds your professional skills.

These cool internships for high school students not only provide valuable insights into your potential career paths but also look impressive on college applications. Start exploring these opportunities today, and take the first step toward building the career of your dreams.

The companies and programs mentioned in this guide represent just the beginning of what’s available. With persistence, preparation, and the right approach, you can secure an internship that transforms your understanding of your chosen field and sets you up for long-term success.