Ever wondered if you can get real-world experience before you even hit college? You’re not alone. With college admissions more competitive than ever, Gen Z high schoolers are exploring internships and externships to stand out—and start early. But the path isn’t always straightforward.
Can High School Students Do Internships?
Short answer: yes. Many organizations welcome motivated high schoolers—especially for short-term, learning-first experiences. That said, traditional internships are limited and competitive because most companies are built to onboard college students or grads, not minors.
This is where Externships shine. An Externship is a guided, short-term, project-based learning experience built around skills development and professional mentorship. Instead of jumping into full production work, you complete job-aligned training and company-endorsed projects with guided support from an extern manager.
⚠️ Heads up: Age and legal considerations vary by state or country. Many roles exclude hazardous environments or sensitive data; remote projects sidestep a lot of this.
Some large organizations run dedicated high school experiences, and platforms like Extern partner with employers (for example, the Macquarie Externship) to make opportunities age-appropriate, safe, and structured—with real deliverables and feedback you can talk about in college applications.
Why Should High School Students Do Internships or Externships?
🎯 Career Exploration (before you pick a major)
A short, project-based experience lets you test-drive fields—social media strategy one month, environmental data the next. By actually doing the work, you discover what energizes you and what skills you want to build next.
📝College Admission & Readiness (for essays, apps, and interviews)
Admissions teams read thousands of “I’m passionate about X” statements. What stands out is evidence: a project you owned, the obstacles you faced, and the results you achieved. These details make for powerful application essays.
🛠️ Real-world skills (that transfer anywhere)
You’ll practice skills like Generative AI tools, presenting ideas, analyzing feedback, and managing time across school and extracurriculars. These are the exact skills that make group projects and future internships way less stressful.
🤝 Mentorship & confidence (with guided support)
An extern manager provides feedback so you know how to improve. You also build a micro-network of peers and mentors who can open doors to future opportunities.
💡 The takeaway
It’s not about locking in a career forever. It’s about career empowerment—early wins, clarity, and a portfolio you can carry into college.
💡 Pro Tip: Remote externships break the location barrier—your mentor could be in New York while you’re in Nebraska.
What Makes High School Internships or Externships Different?
High school opportunities aren’t just “mini versions” of what college students or graduates do—they’re designed with learning, exploration, and skill-building as the main priorities. Unlike many college internships, which often expect participants to contribute directly to ongoing company work, high school programs focus on developing your potential in a safe, guided environment.
Here’s what sets them apart:
📚 More learning, less responsibility
Your primary goal is to explore careers and learn by doing—not to manage entire projects from start to finish. You might be given smaller, well-defined tasks like creating a simple graphic, compiling research, or drafting part of a social media post. These assignments are designed to teach you industry tools, workflows, and collaboration skills without overwhelming you.
Example: Instead of running a full marketing campaign, you might create one set of Instagram posts under your mentor’s guidance, learning how to follow a content calendar and brand guidelines along the way. This way, you’re building skills without the pressure of delivering high-stakes results.
🕒 Shorter timelines
Most high school programs run 4-8 weeks, often during summer or school breaks. This condensed structure means you get a focused burst of experience that’s easier to manage alongside school, extracurriculars, and family commitments.
Shorter timelines also mean projects are designed to be achievable within the given period. You’ll likely work on one or two main deliverables rather than juggling multiple ongoing assignments. This structure allows you to see a project through from start to finish, which can be very satisfying and confidence-boosting.
🤝 Guided mentorship
One of the biggest advantages of high school programs is the built-in mentorship component. You’ll have a teacher, or program coordinator who checks in regularly to give feedback, answer questions, and help you grow.
This is a huge benefit compared to some college internships, where supervisors expect you to be more independent from day one. Here, you’re encouraged to ask “beginner” questions and learn by experimenting. The mentor relationship also means you’ll have someone who can write you a recommendation letter or act as a reference for future opportunities.
💸 Typically unpaid
While there are exceptions—such as The Intern Project in Los Angeles—most high school opportunities focus on non-monetary benefits: skill-building, portfolio development, and networking. The real “paycheck” is the experience and connections you walk away with.
This setup allows organizations to offer programs to more students, as they don’t need to budget for salaries. For you, it’s a chance to prioritize learning and long-term benefits over immediate earnings.
💡 Why this matters
Knowing these differences sets realistic expectations and helps you get the most out of the experience. You won’t be asked to manage million-dollar budgets or lead company strategy—and that’s okay. Instead, you’ll gain resume-ready skills, a clearer sense of your interests, and confidence in professional settings. These are the foundations that will help you excel in college-level internships and, eventually, your career.
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Here Are 6 Internship Opportunities for High School Students 💼
These opportunities offer real-world experience, mentorship from top professionals, and a paycheck for your efforts.
1. NASA High School Internship Program
Hands-on work with NASA scientists and engineers on real-world space and technology projects.
📍Multiple NASA locations across the U.S. | Paid opportunity
📅 Opens Now – Deadline: September 12, 2025 (Spring 2026) & February 27, 2026 (Summer 2026)
2. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
An eight-week biomedical research experience for students interested in medicine, biology, and chemistry.
📍 Stanford University, Stanford, CA | Paid opportunity
📅 Opens December 19, 2025 – Deadline: February 21, 2026
3. Boston University Summer Journalism Academy
Learn reporting, interviewing, and writing skills from professional journalists; includes field assignments.
📍 Boston, MA (online & in-person) | Paid opportunity
📅 Opens December 2025 – Deadline: April 2026 (exact dates TBD for 2026 cycle)
4. Lockheed Martin – Summer 2026 High School Internship
Work on engineering or tech projects with powerful defense tech teams.
📍 U.S. locations | Paid opportunity
📅 Opens November 3, 2025 – Deadline: December 19, 2025
5. Fermilab – PRISM & TECHS Programs
Explore STEM or technical pathways in the national lab environment.
📍 Batavia, IL | Paid or stipend-based opportunities
📅 Opens Fall 2025 – Deadlines vary by program (watch early 2026 updates)
6. Next Generation STEM Internships (NGSI) – Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Hands-on STEM lab research at a national lab.
📍 Oak Ridge, TN (select counties) | Paid opportunity
📅 Opens Now – Deadline: October 22, 2025
💡 Pro Tip: These programs can be highly competitive—prepare your applications early, gather recommendation letters, and showcase any related school projects or volunteer work to stand out.
Business and STEM Externships That Work for Teens
💡 Pro Tip: Save every deliverable in a mini portfolio to show colleges and future mentors.
How to Make Your High School Internship Stand Out
You landed the internship—now it’s time to turn it into more than just a line on your resume. The way you approach the experience will determine whether it becomes a forgettable activity or a career-boosting milestone you can leverage in college applications, scholarships, and future opportunities. Here’s how to make it count.
✍️ Reflect in your college essays
Don’t just write “Participated in a marketing internship” on your resume or application. That’s vague and forgettable. Instead, tell the story of what you did and why it mattered.
Start by documenting your work as you go: what the project was, the problem you helped solve, and your specific role. Then, note what you learned—both technical skills (e.g., Canva design, Excel formulas) and personal growth moments (e.g., learning to present confidently).
Example: Instead of “Worked on a social media campaign”, you could write: “Designed and scheduled a 10-post Instagram campaign that increased engagement by 25%, while learning to adapt content for Gen Z audiences.” This shows action, impact, and reflection.
📩 Ask for feedback
One of the fastest ways to grow is to ask your supervisor: “What’s one thing I did well and one thing I could improve?” This simple question signals that you’re open to learning—a trait mentors value.
When you get feedback, act on it immediately. If your slides are clear but could use more visuals, add them next time. If your email updates are too long, practice concise writing. Over time, your manager will notice your adaptability, which can lead to stronger recommendations and future referrals.
💡 Pro tip: Keep a “feedback log” so you can track progress and use specific examples in essays or interviews.
🖼️ Build a mini portfolio
Every internship project—whether it’s a budget forecast, marketing plan, or research summary—can be turned into a portfolio piece.
Create a Google Drive or Notion page where you store:
- The final deliverable
- A short summary of the project goals
- Your role and contributions
- Skills you applied or learned
Even one polished project can make you stand out to admissions officers or future employers. It shows you’ve done real work, not just class assignments.
🤝 Network with your peers
Your peers today might be your collaborators tomorrow. Connect with them on LinkedIn, follow their projects, and stay in touch.
Networking doesn’t have to be forced—start small. Comment on their posts, share relevant opportunities, or check in occasionally. Those connections can lead to recommendations, collaborations, or even job leads years down the line.
Example: If a peer lands an internship in an industry you’re curious about, reach out to ask about their experience.
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💡The bottom line
A high school internship is more than just an activity—it’s a launchpad. By reflecting on your experience, seeking feedback, documenting your results, and building relationships, you turn a short-term program into a long-term asset. When you treat it as a stepping stone instead of a checkbox, the impact lasts far beyond the program itself.
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