Career & Internship Prep • Guide
Internship Search Guide for High School Students
Where to actually find opportunities that accept students before college. Includes hidden programs and local strategies.
Many students assume internships are only for college juniors and seniors. In reality, thousands of high school students secure internships every year.
The key is knowing where to look: dedicated high school programs, local small businesses, and non-profits that need energetic helpers.
1. Structured High School Programs
Many large corporations, universities, and government research labs host formal high school internship cohorts.
Start your search early—deadlines for summer programs often fall between December and February.
Look for programs like the Bank of America Student Leaders, NASA High School Internships, or local university lab programs.
2. The Local Outreach Strategy
Local businesses (marketing firms, architecture offices, local retailers, real estate offices) rarely advertise internships for teens, but they frequently have administrative or digital tasks they need help with.
Make a list of 10-15 local companies. Reach out to the owner or manager via email or LinkedIn and offer 5-10 hours of weekly assistance with social media, file organization, or data entry in exchange for learning from their team.
Pro Tip: Lower the Barrier
When reaching out to local businesses, offer a "Job Shadow" first. Ask to shadow them for a single day. If you do a great job, ask questions, and show enthusiasm, you can easily ask to extend it into a weekly internship.