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More and more students are beginning to pursue internships as early as high school. Though competitive, internships both provide valuable job experience and are a strong activity that students can put on their college applications.
1. Microsoft High School Internship
This summer internship is perfect for students interested in pursuing a degree in computer science. Students are placed within a team and are given a project to complete by the end of the summer.
This is an eight-week, paid summer internships to high schoolers interested in medical fields. Kaiser makes sure to save spots in their program for students who may otherwise not have been able to pursue a career in health.
Johns Hopkins hosts programs for underrepresented high school students to encourage them to pursue careers in science, public health or medicine. These programs focus on a variety of STEM- and health-related fields. Students who participate in the CARES program later present in a symposium.
The CIA accepts applications from college-bound high school seniors. Students participate in work relating to their intended college major.
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center allows students to participate in either research or other experiential learning under the guidance of a mentor. The internships are meant to encourage students to pursue aerospace-related fields.
Students must be high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors at least 16 years of age. The internships occur on four campuses--Maryland, Virginia, New York, and West Virginia.
This program is available in all the places where the American Fisheries Society has available mentors. Students work side-by-side with professionals to see what science is like within the field.
Applicants must be a junior or senior in high school. The application opens December 17 and closes February 15.
Located at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES), this program is a six-week paid internship for graduating seniors who plan to pursue geosciences. Students attend lectures, hands-on activities, and field trips, while gaining two college credits.
Students work side-by-side with NIH biomedical researchers for eight weeks over the summer. To apply, you need to live near one of the NIH campuses. These campuses are located in Bethesda, MD, Baltimore, MD, Frederick, MD, Research Triangle Park, NC, Hamilton, MT, Framingham, MA, Phoenix, AZ, and Detroit, MI.
The application opens in mid-December and closes on March 1.
Spark is an organization that provides STEM opportunities to students in Seattle, Washington. They partner with local companies to provide computer science internships. Spark interns work on software, mobile app development, and web programming.
The requirements vary depending on the partner organization, and the application deadline is April 14.
This program is open to high school seniors entering a four-year undergraduate program. Students must be intending to major in computer science or a related area department. CSSI students will have the opportunity to learn more about computer science and interact with Google employees.
How PathIvy Helps You
Getting into top schools is not about checking boxes.
It is about building a clear and intentional profile over time.
At PathIvy, we help students:
- identify academic interests early
- build research and extracurricular depth
- align activities with long-term goals
- craft strong, cohesive applications
For students interested in building research experience or exploring academic interests more deeply, structured opportunities like the PathIvy Research Program and the PathIvy Internship Program can help translate curiosity into meaningful work.
If you want personalized guidance, you can book a consultation with our team to build a strategy tailored to your goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are STEM summer internships important for high school students?
STEM summer internships provide hands-on experience, help students explore career interests, develop technical and professional skills, and strengthen college applications by demonstrating initiative and real-world learning.
What are the best STEM summer internships for high school students?
Some of the best STEM summer internships include opportunities in artificial intelligence, engineering, computer science, biomedical research, data science, robotics, environmental science, and technology companies. The right internship depends on a student's academic interests and career goals.
Can STEM internships improve my chances of getting into Ivy League or top colleges?
Yes. Meaningful STEM internships can strengthen a college application by showcasing intellectual curiosity, problem-solving skills, leadership, and a genuine commitment to a chosen field. Admissions officers value the quality and impact of the experience over the prestige of the organization.
When should high school students apply for STEM summer internships?
Many competitive STEM internship applications open between late fall and early spring for summer programs. Students should begin researching opportunities several months in advance to meet application deadlines and prepare strong applications.
What qualifications do students need for STEM internships?
Requirements vary by program, but many internships look for strong academic performance, an interest in STEM subjects, relevant coursework or projects, and enthusiasm for learning. Some internships are designed specifically for beginners, while others require prior experience.
Are virtual STEM internships valuable for college admissions?
Yes. Virtual STEM internships can be just as valuable as in-person experiences when they involve meaningful projects, mentorship, research, coding, engineering design, or other practical work that demonstrates skill development and initiative.
How can students make the most of a STEM summer internship?
Students should actively participate in projects, ask thoughtful questions, collaborate with mentors, document their accomplishments, and reflect on their experiences for future college essays, resumes, and interviews.
What STEM fields offer internship opportunities for high school students?
High school students can find internships in computer science, artificial intelligence, engineering, biotechnology, medicine, environmental science, cybersecurity, aerospace, robotics, mathematics, chemistry, and data science, among many other STEM disciplines.
Do paid STEM internships have an advantage over unpaid internships?
No. College admissions officers focus on the quality of the experience, the skills gained, and the impact of the work rather than whether the internship was paid or unpaid.
How can PathIvy help students secure STEM summer internships?
PathIvy helps students identify internship opportunities aligned with their academic interests, strengthen their resumes and applications, prepare for interviews, and build a compelling STEM profile that supports competitive college admissions.
See More
If you’re exploring internships as part of your college strategy, here are a few helpful reads to go deeper: