10 Electrical Engineering Internships for High School Students
If you’re an ambitious high school student looking to pursue electrical engineering in university, consider doing an electrical engineering internship! Internships are great ways to apply theoretical concepts to practical situations - a quality that admissions officers love.
Additionally, they are an excellent opportunity to network, paving the way for LORs or future job opportunities! In this blog, we list out 10 electrical engineering internships open for all high school students.
Ladder Internships is 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, journalism, consulting, and more. You can explore all the options here on their application form.
Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies, on average, raising over a million dollars. Past founders have included YCombinator alums, founders raising over 30 million dollars, or founders who previously worked at Microsoft, Google, and Facebook. In the program, interns work closely with their managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects and present their work to the company. Here is the application form.
Interns are offered one-on-one training in communication, time management, and other valuable skills, and they will also have the opportunity to attend group training sessions with other interns in their cohort. The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long.
Cost: $2490 (Financial Aid Available)
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Application deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort
Program dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
2. National Institute of Standards and Technology Internships
The NIST Summer High School Intern Program (SHIP) offers high school students an opportunity to dive into the world of research. It’s a perfect gateway to explore the field for those interested in electrical engineering. Working in the Physical Measurement Laboratory (PML), participants will have the chance to work alongside experts at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, contributing to cutting-edge projects in areas like electro-technology.
This immersive experience provides hands-on learning in a professional lab setting, helping students build a strong foundation in electrical engineering. Plus, SHIP interns get valuable mentorship and exposure to real-world engineering challenges, making it a great way to kickstart your career in STEM!
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors are eligible to apply; US citizens only.
Location: Boulder, CO and Gaithersburg, MD
Stipend: None
Application Deadline: January 31, 2025
Program Dates: June 16, 2025 - August 8, 2025
3. Air Force Research Laboratory Scholars Program
The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program offers high school students a unique opportunity to delve into electrical engineering through hands-on research with top experts in the field. Interns get to work with leading scientists and engineers on innovative projects, such as developing advanced radar and communication systems, enhancing electronic warfare technologies, and exploring cutting-edge materials for electronics.
You can expect to explore areas (alongside specialists) such as electromagnetic systems, signal processing, and even electronic materials!
Eligibility: GPA between 3.0-4.0; US Citizen; at least 16 years old; able to work 40 hours per week during summer months; willing to temporarily relocate for work; must pass a background check
Location: There are multiple possible sites for the internships; see here.
Stipend: $492 per week for high school students
Application Deadline: January 10, 2025
Program Dates: Varies by internship
4. High School Summer Internship Program- HighTech Bound
The University of New Hampshire Summer Internship Program, particularly through its High-Tech Bound initiative, offers high school students a unique opportunity to dive into electrical engineering. Participants engage in cutting-edge research projects that cover a range of topics, such as circuit design, robotics, and signal processing.
Interns work closely with experienced faculty members and researchers at the university’s Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans, and Space (EOS) and the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department. They gain hands-on experience with advanced electronic systems, develop software for embedded systems, and explore innovative solutions to real-world engineering problems!
Eligibility: Applicants should be rising seniors; must be US resident
Location: Durham, NH (housing may be available)
Stipend: A competitive hourly rate
Application Deadline: February 29, 2025 (tentatively, based on previous year’s dates)
Program Dates: N/A
5. Sandia National Laboratories Internship Program
Sandia National Laboratories serves as a contractor to the U.S. Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and offers prestigious internship opportunities for students both during the summer and throughout the year. Internships are available in a variety of areas, including technical, business, and research & development roles, enabling students to contribute to significant national projects.
These internships offer a unique chance to gain practical experience within a research setting. As an intern, you'll collaborate with seasoned scientists and engineers on projects that drive forward technological innovation.
Eligibility: US Citizen; at least 16 years of age; 2.5-4.0 GPA for high school students.
Location: Varies
Stipend: Yes, but the amount varies depending on experience
Application Deadline: Varies by internship
Program Dates: Varies by internship
6. World Scholars Academy | Elite Summer Courses
The World Scholars Academy Elite Summer Internships offer high school students an invaluable opportunity to delve into different areas of focus through their specialized programs, including engineering. While the program is not currently offering any electrical engineering internships, it is worth keeping an eye out for opportunities as they come up!
Interns get the chance to work on real-world engineering problems, participate in interactive simulations, and gain practical skills crucial for future academic and career pursuits. Plus, the internship experience culminates into a research paper that can be submitted for publication in their open-access academic journal, World Scholars Review!
Eligibility: 15-18 years of age;
Location: Varies, but at least some are offered online.
Price: $2,195
Application Deadline: Varies by internship.
Program Dates: Varies by internship.
7. Los Alamos National Laboratory Internship
The Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) High School Internship Program provides an exceptional opportunity for students to explore electrical engineering through hands-on projects in a world-class research environment. Interns can work on a wide range of exciting projects, such as developing and testing high-performance electrical circuits, creating advanced sensors and imaging systems, and improving power distribution and energy efficiency technologies.
Students may also get involved in innovative research on electromagnetic systems, signal processing, and communication technologies. The program offers access to cutting-edge labs and equipment alongside guidance from top LANL scientists and engineers, helping students gain practical skills and a deeper understanding of how electrical engineering principles are applied in real-world scenarios!
Eligibility: Senior at a New Mexico high school; over 16 years of age; 3.0 GPA or higher; able to pass drug test.
Location: Los Alamos, NM
Stipend: $15.65 hourly rate (see more)
Application Deadline: Varies depending on if the student would like to intern during the school year or only during summer (see more)
Program Dates: Varies depending on the program
8. Idaho National Laboratory Internship
The Idaho National Laboratory (INL) Internship Program offers high school students a deep dive into electrical engineering with a focus on groundbreaking research and development. Interns have the chance to engage in highly specialized projects in electrical engineering. The program features hands-on experience with INL’s cutting-edge facilities, including work on real-world problems.
Through mentorship from INL’s leading engineers and scientists, participants will acquire practical skills and insights that are essential for future studies and careers in electrical engineering.
Eligibility: Full-time high school students attending an accredited school; 3.0 minimum GPA.
Location: Idaho Falls, ID
Stipend: Nationally competitive wage (although not specified)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Program Dates: Varies depending on the program
9. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Internships
NASA’s Office of STEM Engagements provides internship opportunities for high school students at various locations across America. Students can opt for an internship in person at one of the NASA facilities or opt for a virtual internship. We recommend you view a suitable internship for your interests in their database here.
NASA internships will allow you to experience real-world applications of computer science. If you are interested in pursuing electrical engineering in university or building a career in this field, you should consider applying. Given the reputation and prestige of NASA, these internships can be a great value add to your college applications.
Eligibility: US citizen; 3.0-4.0 GPA; 16 years or older; full-time student
Location: Varies by program
Stipend: Varies by program
Application Deadline: Early decision: Oct. 25, 2024; Final: Feb. 28, 2025
Program Dates: Varies by program
10. QuarkNet Summer Research Program
The QuarkNet Summer Research Program at Fermilab offers high school students an electrifying dive into particle physics and electrical engineering. Interns work on cutting-edge projects and gain hands-on experience using Fermilab’s state-of-the-art technology and guidance from top engineers.
Students explore the thrilling intersection of engineering and fundamental science. This program provides a unique chance to contribute to groundbreaking research and gain invaluable skills in a world-class research environment.
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors (especially those with experience in electrical systems) from Illinois; US citizenship; proof of medical insurance.
Location: DuPage County, IL
Stipend: $17.20 per hour
Application Deadline: N/A
Program Dates: N/A
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, and chemistry, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from.
You can find the application link here.
If you’re looking to build a project/research paper in the field of AI & ML, consider applying to Veritas AI!
Veritas AI is founded by Harvard graduate students. Through the programs, you get a chance to work 1:1 with mentors from universities like Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and more to create unique, personalized projects. In the past year, we had over 1000 students learn AI & ML with us. You can apply here!
Image Source - The Air Force Research Laboratory Logo