10 Exciting Tech Internships for High School Students in Chicago
Tech internships offer a valuable experience for high school students, giving you real-world exposure to the fast-paced world of technology. These programs help you acquire technical skills, build your resume, and explore potential career paths.
Through these internships, you'll enhance your problem-solving, teamwork, and communication abilities while learning from industry professionals. Whether you're coding, analyzing data, developing apps, or managing projects, you'll gain hands-on experience that prepares you for future academic and professional pursuits.
In Chicago, high school students have access to a variety of tech internship opportunities. Here are 10 tech internships for high school students in Chicago, Illinois.
Location: Remote (work from anywhere)
Cost: Starting at $2,490 (financial aid available)
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort – Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), Winter (November)
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter)
Eligibility: Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students. Must be available for 10–20 hours per week for 8–12 weeks.
The Ladder Internship Program offers ambitious high school students the chance to gain hands-on experience with high-growth startups across industries like tech, AI/ML, health tech, marketing, journalism, and consulting. The startups hosting interns are carefully selected and often led by experienced entrepreneurs, such as Y Combinator alumni or founders with multi-million-dollar funding and backgrounds at companies like Microsoft, Google, and Facebook.
You will work directly with startup managers on impactful projects and receive guidance from a Ladder Coach. At the end of your internship, you’ll present your contributions to the company, gaining valuable exposure to startup operations and entrepreneurship.
Location: Virtual (work from anywhere)
Cost: $2,490
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort – Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), Winter (November)
Program Dates: Multiple 8-week cohorts throughout the year (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter)
Eligibility: Open to high school students with prior AI/ML experience or completion of a Veritas AI program.
The Veritas AI Internship Program gives high school students the opportunity to gain real-world experience in the exciting fields of artificial intelligence and machine learning. Founded and managed by Harvard graduate students, this 8-week virtual internship allows you to work on impactful AI/ML projects with venture capital-backed startups.
You will collaborate with mentors from renowned organizations like Harvard, Wharton, Google, Microsoft, and McKinsey & Company. The program focuses on networking, hands-on experience, and professional development, equipping you with the tools to excel in AI-related careers.
Location: University of Chicago
Cost/Stipend: $4,800 stipend
Application Deadline: January 16, 2025
Program Dates: June 16 – August 8, 2025 (8 weeks)
Eligibility: Open to all high school students from Chicago. Familiarity with at least one programming language and relevant coursework (e.g., computer science, statistics, math) is preferred.
The DSI Summer Lab at the University of Chicago is an 8-week paid research program for high school and undergraduate students passionate about applied, interdisciplinary data science research. You will work alongside experienced mentors to explore innovative methodologies in fields such as computer science, data science, climate policy, and energy systems.
Through this immersive program, you’ll gain hands-on experience tackling real-world challenges through impactful research projects. Core focus areas include machine learning, data visualization, and statistical analysis, helping you develop strong technical and analytical skills.
Location: Various NASA facilities across the U.S. (virtual options available)
Cost/Stipend: Varies based on the internship
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the specific internship
Program Dates: Varies, with three typical cohorts: Fall: Late August/Early September to Mid-December (16 weeks), Spring: Mid-January to Early May (16 weeks), and Summer: Late May/Early June to August (10 weeks)
Eligibility: Open to high school students who are U.S. citizens with minimum 3.0 GPA required.
NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement offers high school students a range of internship opportunities at NASA centers nationwide and through virtual formats. These internships span fields such as engineering, data analysis, astrophysics, and supply chain management, providing you with hands-on experience in cutting-edge projects. As an intern, you’ll assist with tasks like navigating databases, data tracing, reporting, and analysis to help meet project goals.
NASA internships are highly sought-after, offering exceptional exposure to innovative projects and opportunities to collaborate with industry experts. With a variety of roles available, these internships align with your career interests and help build a strong foundation for future academic and professional success.
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Application Fee: $40 and Program Participation Fee (if accepted): $850
Application Deadline: February 28th, 2025
Program Dates: June 16, 2025- June 27, 2025 (2 weeks)
Eligibility: Open to high school students aged 14+ by the program start date who are U.S. residents.
The Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship is a 2-week virtual program for students interested in exploring the intersection of artificial intelligence and healthcare. You will participate in lectures covering the fundamentals of AI in medical imaging and work on hands-on research projects, applying your knowledge to real-world healthcare challenges.
Guided by Stanford researchers, you’ll discover how AI is transforming diagnostics and treatment. The program also offers an optional extension for independent research, providing an opportunity for deeper engagement.
6. I.C.Stars - Technology Leadership Program
Location: Virtual/Physical (varies by program). For an internship in Chicago, apply here.
Cost/Stipend: No cost; paid internship
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Program Dates: 4 months of immersive training, followed by 2 years of ongoing support
Eligibility: Open to individuals with a passion for technology, problem-solving, and a desire to help others.
The I.C.Stars Technology Leadership Program provides the skills, experience, and professional network you need to launch a career in tech. Over four months of intensive training, you’ll work on real-world projects, developing web-based applications to solve client challenges while learning coding, business, and leadership. The program also includes mentorship from IT corporate leaders and the opportunity to participate in a paid internship with a corporate sponsor.
As a graduate, you’ll benefit from two years of ongoing support, a 90% job placement rate, and an average earnings increase of 300%. This program is perfect for those eager to make an impact in the tech industry and their communities.
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Cost/Stipend: Paid Internship
Application Deadline: Winter 2024
Program Dates: 6 weeks during the summer 2025
Eligibility: Open to high school sophomores and juniors with a strong interest in physics, mathematics, computer science, or engineering.
The Fermilab TARGET Program is a six-week summer internship for high school students in Illinois who are passionate about STEM. During the program, you’ll work alongside scientists and engineers at Fermilab, a world-renowned particle physics laboratory, gaining hands-on experience and exposure to fields like physics, mathematics, computer science, and engineering.
Each year, 15-25 students are selected for this competitive program, making it a prestigious opportunity for those with a strong interest and aptitude in STEM.
8. Adler Planetarium OpenSpace Intern
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Cost/Stipend: Paid Internship
Application Deadline: TBD for 2025. Applications for summer 2025 will open in February 2025.
Program Dates: Summer 2025
Eligibility: Open to rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors with an interest in space science, UX design, and communication.
The Adler Planetarium OpenSpace Internship gives high school students the chance to work in the Space Visualization Lab (SVL), a collaborative space where scientists, technology experts, artists, and educators create innovative ways to explore the universe. As an intern, you’ll receive mentorship from Adler staff to learn OpenSpace visualization software and use it to develop immersive experiences that explore NASA missions and datasets.
This internship is perfect for students interested in UX design and research who have strong communication and analytical skills. You’ll deepen your understanding of space science, gain experience working with complex datasets, and enhance your ability to explain scientific concepts to a general audience.
9. Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) High School Internships
Location: Various locations across the U.S. ARL Central in Chicago, Illinois
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend varies by location and program duration
Application Deadline: Applications accepted on a rolling basis.
Program Dates: Summer; exact dates vary by location
Eligibility: Open to current high school students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Additional criteria may apply – check the program website for details.
The AEOP High School Internship gives you the chance to spend your summer working in a university research lab or a U.S. Army Research Laboratory, gaining hands-on experience in cutting-edge research. You’ll be paired with a university researcher or Department of Defense (DoD) scientist mentor, working on high-tech projects and using advanced equipment in world-class laboratories.
This internship provides access to advanced research tools and opportunities to collaborate with professional scientists and engineers, allowing you to learn directly from experts. You’ll contribute to Army-sponsored research addressing critical challenges while building skills in critical thinking, teamwork, and problem-solving.
10. Google Summer of Code (GSoC)
Location: Virtual
Stipend: Varies based on the participant’s country of residence
Application Deadline: April 2, 2025 (tentative, based on 2024 program dates)
Program Dates: January 23 - November 17, 2025 (tentative, based on 2024 program dates)
Eligibility: Open to applicants aged 18 and above
Google Summer of Code (GSoC) is a global online program that introduces new contributors to open-source software development. Over 12+ weeks, you’ll work on coding projects such as adding new features, improving existing codebases, or resolving critical software issues. This program offers a unique opportunity to collaborate with developers worldwide, sharpen your technical skills, and gain real-world experience in software development.
Beyond coding, GSoC focuses on community-building and knowledge-sharing. You’ll receive mentorship from industry professionals who will guide you through complex projects and teach best practices in software development. With open-source organizations spanning fields like AI, cybersecurity, web development, and data science, GSoC provides diverse project options to match your interests.
Image Source - UChicago Logo