10 Tech Company Internships for High School Students
Internships are a great way for high school students to gain real-world experience in the tech industry without the high costs associated with some pre-college programs. By participating in an internship, you can develop practical skills, gain insight into different career paths, and build connections with professionals in the field. Many leading tech companies and organizations offer tech internships for high school students. They’re designed to introduce you to areas like software development, data science, UX design, and product management, while also providing mentorship and networking opportunities.
If you’re interested in a career in technology, tech internships for high school students can serve as a stepping stone, helping you gain exposure to real-world projects and industry tools. To help you find the right opportunity, we’ve compiled a list of ten of the best tech internships for high school students, each offering unique learning experiences in a professional setting.
1. NASA Office of STEM Engagements (OSTEM) Internships
Location: NASA centers across the country
Stipend: Awarded based on academic level and session duration
Program Dates:
Spring: 16 weeks (mid-January – early May)
Summer: 10 weeks (late May – August)
Fall: 16 weeks (late August – mid-December)
Application Deadline:
Spring: August 23
Summer: February 28
Fall: May 16
Acceptance Rate: Moderately to highly selective
Eligibility: Full-time U.S. high school students over 16 years of age with a cumulative 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) internships provide high school students with paid opportunities to work alongside scientists, engineers, and professionals at NASA centers and facilities. Depending on availability, you may contribute to projects in space exploration, aeronautics, robotics, planetary science, or computer engineering, gaining hands-on experience in research, data analysis, coding, or mission design.
Internships are offered in full-time or part-time formats, allowing flexibility while engaging in real-world NASA initiatives. You’ll have mentors who guide you through your work, helping you develop technical skills and problem-solving abilities crucial for careers in STEM. You might also get to assist in designing spacecraft components, analyzing satellite imagery, or even contributing to software used in upcoming space missions. These tech internships for high school students run year-round in three sessions, and many former interns have transitioned into long-term roles within the agency.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote
Cost: Starting at $2,490 (100% financial aid available)
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year; the upcoming summer cohort starts on June 2r
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort; regular admission to the upcoming summer cohort is April 13
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks
Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students looking to work with a high-growth start-up on an internship. These start-ups often offer internships that range across a variety of industries, from tech/deep tech and AI/ML to health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. Ladder’s start-ups are typically high-growth companies raising over a million dollars on average. As an intern, you will work closely with your managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects before presenting your work to the company. Here is the application form.
3. Amazon Future Engineer
Location: Most internships are conducted in Seattle, WA
Stipend: Scholarship of up to $40,000 ($10,000 per year)
Program Dates: 8 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: December (tentative)
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Eligibility: High school seniors who plan to major in computer science or related fields; should have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.3 on a 4.0 scale; should be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or authorized to work in the U.S., and demonstrate financial need are eligible to apply
Amazon Future Engineer is an opportunity for high school students to gain real-world experience through a paid summer internship at Amazon, working directly on software or hardware engineering projects. As an intern in this prestigious tech internship for high school students, you will be assigned to a team alongside a co-intern, manager, and mentors, contributing to real-world tasks in areas like cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and e-commerce platforms. Past interns have worked on Alexa voice technology, Amazon Web Services, and retail systems, often shipping production-level code by the end of the program.
This experience allows you to develop programming skills, collaborate on technical solutions, and work on large-scale software development. The program also includes professional development workshops and networking opportunities with industry professionals. Additionally, AFE also provides a scholarship of up to $40,000 for students pursuing an undergraduate degree in computer science or engineering!
4. Veritas AI Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,490
Program Dates: Multiple 8-week cohorts throughout the year; see upcoming dates here
Application Deadline: Varies based on cohort; the regular summer application deadline is April 27
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Eligibility: High school students who have prior experience with AI/ML or have completed a Veritas AI program
The AI Internship Program by Veritas AI is founded and run by Harvard graduate students. For over 8 weeks, you will have the opportunity to work with VC-backed startups on real-world AI/ML projects. You’ll get to work directly with mentors from Harvard, Wharton, Google, Microsoft, McKinsey & Company, and more.
If you have prior experience with AI/ML and are looking to gain real-world exposure to a career in the field, then this program is the place to be. You’ll get a chance to network with industry professionals, work closely with company leadership, and receive a letter of completion from the company at the end of the internship. You can learn more about the program here and apply here.
5. TECH360
Location: New York City, Los Angeles, Miami (virtual + in-person sessions)
Stipend: $500
Program Dates: June – August (exact dates vary by location)
Application Deadline:
Priority deadline: May 4
Final deadline: May 25
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors attending a New York City (all boroughs), Los Angeles County, Miami-Dade/Broward County, or Atlanta high school
TECH360: Intro to AI gives high school students the chance to explore artificial intelligence from multiple angles, combining technical skills with discussions on its real-world impact. As an intern, you will dive into concepts, from machine learning and data science to understanding how predictive and generative AI models are built and used. Ethical considerations, biases in AI, and its influence on different industries are also key topics explored in the program.
The experience culminates in a group project where you will design and pitch an AI-powered tool to mock clients, refining both your problem-solving and presentation skills. Top teams will have the opportunity to showcase their projects at Demo Day before a panel of judges. Whether you’re interested in programming, ethics, or the future of technology, this is one of those tech internships for high school students that provides a foundation to explore the fast-moving world of AI in a meaningful way.
6. Google Computer Science Summer Institute (CSSI)
Location: Online and in-person options across the U.S.
Cost: Free
Program Dates: June – August
Application Deadline: March (tentative)
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Eligibility: High school seniors who plan to enrol in a 4-year program in the U.S. or Canada and intend to pursue a degree in it or a related department
The Google Computer Science Summer Institute (CSSI) introduces high school seniors to the fundamentals of programming, software engineering, and web development through a hands-on, project-based curriculum. Over three weeks, you will learn core coding concepts in Python or JavaScript, explore web development with HTML and CSS, and work in teams to build real-world applications.
The program emphasizes problem-solving and collaboration, giving you insight into how developers tackle challenges in the tech industry. Mentorship from Google engineers will guide you on both technical skills and career development, offering a firsthand look at what it’s like to work in a leading technology company. By the end of this competitive tech internship for high school students, you will have created your own web-based project while gaining experience with industry best practices, teamwork, and effective coding techniques.
7. Tech Flex Leaders
Location: New York City, Los Angeles, Miami (virtual + in-person sessions)
Stipend: $1,000
Program Dates: 9 months
Application Deadline: August 3
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors attending a New York City (all boroughs), Los Angeles County, Miami-Dade/Broward County, or Atlanta high school
Tech Flex Leaders is a year-long program designed for high school juniors and seniors in New York City, Los Angeles, and Miami who want to explore careers in technology. You will participate in weekly technical training sessions covering web development, starting with HTML, CSS, and Bootstrap before advancing to a specialized track in areas like UX design, digital marketing, or data science.
The program includes career days, mentorship from industry professionals, and intersectional professional development sessions to help you build confidence in tech-related fields. Throughout the year, you will complete projects that apply your technical skills, including a team-based web development competition where top projects are presented to industry judges. The hybrid format combines virtual and in-person sessions, requiring consistent participation and office hour check-ins with program leadership.
8. Careers in Science (CiS) Intern Program
Location: California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, California, CA
Stipend: Paid opportunity; stipend amount is unspecified
Program Dates: After school and on weekends, year-round participation for 2-3 years till graduation
Application Deadline: April 1
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Eligibility:
Currently enrolled full-time as a 9th or 10th-grade student in an SFUSD school
A GPA of 2.5 and a grade of C or higher in math and science
Have a valid work permit in the U.S.
Commit to all attendance requirements through high school graduation
Commute to the Academy and nearby locations after school and on Saturdays during the school year, and on weekdays in the summer (some remote work may be involved)
Careers in Science (CiS) is a paid, multi-year internship program for high school students from underrepresented backgrounds in STEM. As an intern, you will conduct fieldwork, engage with museum visitors at the California Academy of Sciences, and participate in hands-on research and environmental action projects led by Academy scientists. Your experience will also include interactive training sessions on science communication, career pathways, financial literacy, and college readiness.
Throughout this tech internship for high school students, you will also attend college tours, present at STEM conferences, and contribute to the development of museum exhibits. As you progress, you can take on leadership roles, serve on the CiS Leadership Council, and receive one-on-one mentorship from Academy professionals.
9. The Intern Project Program
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Stipend: Students are awarded a stipend (amount unspecified) and 1 free college credit
Program Dates: 3 seasonal programs: fall, spring, and summer
Application Deadline: Depends on cohort
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Eligibility: Students completing their sophomore, junior, or senior years in high school and enrolled in a LA County High School
The Intern Project (TIP) is an 8-week internship program that connects high school students in Los Angeles with paid opportunities in fields such as technology, engineering, healthcare, government, and more. As a participant, you will gain practical exposure, attend professional development workshops, and work on projects that build your skills in communication, project management, and industry-specific software.
The internships can be remote or on-site, depending on the employer, and you earn both a stipend and college credit upon completion. Throughout the program, you will take part in informational interviews with professionals, allowing you to explore career paths and gain insight into workplace expectations. This inclusive tech internship for high school students prioritizes applicants from high-need backgrounds and works to bridge opportunity gaps by providing direct access to real-world experience.
10. Meta Summer Academy
Location: Menlo Park, CA
Stipend: Participants receive a competitive stipend
Program Dates: June 16 – July 25
Application Deadline: February 14
Acceptance Rate: Highly competitive
Eligibility: High school sophomores with a minimum of 2.0 cumulative GPA who are year-round residents of East Palo Alto, Belle Haven, or Redwood City
The Meta Summer Academy lets you get an in-depth, hands-on exploration of the inner workings of one of the world’s largest tech companies while equipping you with practical skills for future career success. Throughout this highly competitive and equally prestigious tech internship for high school students, you will explore coding fundamentals, financial literacy, and media-related projects while also developing essential soft skills like networking and self-reflection. You’ll also have the chance to meet and learn from Meta employees, gaining insight into different career pathways in technology and business.
Beyond coding, the program introduces you to a broader understanding of how technology, media, and finance intersect in the modern workplace. By the end of the program, you will have a better grasp of technical concepts, career-building strategies, especially in STEM, and real-world applications of fast-moving technology.