8 Seattle Summer Internships for High School Students

Summer internships offer high school students a fantastic way to gain real-world experience. They provide hands-on opportunities to learn practical skills, get a taste of various industries, and build connections with professionals — all while exploring potential career paths.

Whether you’re interested in science, technology, the arts, or business, there’s an internship out there that can kick-start your future. 

We've sifted through numerous options and narrowed our list to 8 Seattle summer internships for high school students.

1. Career Quest Summer Internships

Career Quest Summer Internships, offered through Seattle Public Schools, connect high school students with local businesses to explore various career pathways. As a participant, you can choose between Build Quest, which focuses on construction, building, and design, or Business Quest, which emphasizes marketing, business management, and media arts. 

This dynamic program provides hands-on work experience, mentorship, and the opportunity to earn 0.5 CTE credit while working on real-life projects. You will receive a competitive wage and engage in a blend of virtual orientations and in-person sessions. Additionally, you will have regular interactions with industry professionals and structured team meetings that will enhance both your skill development and career exploration.

Location: Varies, with Monday sessions at Franklin High School
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies
Dates: July 8 – August 1
Application deadline: April 23. Apply here
Eligibility: High school students enrolled in SPS programs; interest in career exploration.
Stipend: $20.76 per hour.

2. Ladder Internship Program

Ladder Internships is a selective startup internship for ambitious high school students, undergraduates, and gap year candidates. As an intern, you will work remotely with high-growth startups across diverse fields, including tech, AI, health tech, marketing, journalism, and consulting. 

You will engage in professional projects, collaborate closely with a startup manager and a dedicated Ladder Coach, and present your work at the end of the internship. The program is typically 8 weeks long (with options for longer research internships) and offers structured mentorship, regular progress meetings, and hands-on project work. Multiple cohorts run throughout the year, and financial aid is available to ease the program’s cost!

Location: Remote
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective (e.g., ~20% for some cohorts)
Dates: Varies by cohort (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter)
Application deadline: Varies by cohort (April 13 for the Summer Cohort). Apply here!
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can commit 10-20 hours/week for 8-12 weeks.
Cost/Stipend: Starting at $2,490 (financial aid available).

3. UW Nurse Camp

UW Nurse Camp is a one-week, immersive summer program designed to encourage high school sophomores and juniors to consider a career in nursing. The camp provides an engaging mix of clinical experiences, academic sessions, and community service activities, giving students a firsthand, realistic look at the healthcare field. Here, you will benefit from interactive workshops, mentorship from nursing professionals, and opportunities to collaborate on community projects.

The program is completely free of charge and focuses on building both practical skills and professional networks in a supportive environment. With a strong emphasis on hands-on learning and academic exploration, UW Nurse Camp can be an excellent stepping stone for aspiring nurses.

Location: University of Washington School of Nursing, Seattle
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited spots; competitive selection
Dates: July 14 – 18
Application deadline: April 15. Fill this out to apply.
Eligibility: Washington State high school sophomores and juniors; must be at least 16 by the first day of camp.
Cost: Free

4. Veritas AI Internship

The Veritas AI Internship is an 8‑week virtual program founded by Harvard graduate students, aimed at high school students with prior AI/ML experience or those who have completed a Veritas AI course. As an intern, you will work with VC‑backed startups on real‑world AI/ML projects, gaining industry experience while collaborating with high-ranking professionals and mentors from organizations like Harvard, Wharton, Google, Microsoft, and McKinsey!

The program focuses on developing technical and problem‑solving skills while offering valuable networking opportunities and a professional letter of completion upon success. With cohorts offered throughout the year, this internship provides a unique pathway for students to deepen their expertise in artificial intelligence in a dynamic, remote setting.

Location: Virtual
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive (cohort sizes vary)
Dates: 8‑week cohorts (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter)
Application deadline: Varies by cohort (April 27 for the Summer Cohort). Apply here!
Eligibility: High school students with prior experience in AI/ML or completion of a Veritas AI program.
Cost/Stipend: $2,490

5. Open Science Quest (Allen Institute)

Open Science Quest is an immersive biomedical lab program hosted by the Allen Institute that introduces high school students to advanced research in neuroscience, cell biology, and immunology. As an intern here, you will engage in lab activities that include generating, analysing, and interpreting scientific data.

The program offers opportunities for collaboration with professionals, mentorship, and an enriching educational experience that culminates in a structured, project‑based learning environment. Orientation at the Allen Institute comes first, followed by daily sessions focused on careful experiments and scientific research. Upon completing the program, you will earn a $500 stipend and 0.25 CTE credit, making it an excellent stepping stone for future scientific endeavors!

Location: Allen Institute, Seattle
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 18 students accepted
Dates: July 14 – July 25
Application deadline: April 23. Click on this form to apply.
Eligibility: Must have completed a biology class; available for all sessions.
Stipend: $500 stipend and 0.25 CTE credit.

6. Youth Maritime Career Launch Internship

The Youth Maritime Career Launch Internship connects young adults with opportunities in the maritime industry through partnerships with local organizations like The Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle, Port of Seattle, Sound Experience, Seattle Skills Center, and Compass Courses. This 3‑month paid internship for ages 18–24 offers valuable job training, including Basic Safety certification and hands‑on maritime skills. 

Interns work on real projects, gaining practical experience while receiving support such as transportation assistance, work clothing, and access to safety gear. Along the way, you benefit from mentorship and networking opportunities that can pave the way to a full-time position. With rolling admissions, this internship is a good option to jump-start your maritime career and build a strong foundation in a dynamic industry.

Location: Various maritime employers in Seattle
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; varies
Dates: Internship period anytime between June – November; training starts in July.
Application deadline: Rolling Admissions. Fill this out to apply.
Eligibility: Young adults aged 18–24 (graduating seniors welcome)
Cost/Stipend: Paid up to $18 per hour.

7. City of Seattle: Career Explorations (Paid)

City of Seattle: Career Explorations offers a dynamic internship for high school and college students aged 15–21 to explore careers in recreation. Here, you will gain practical work experience across four focus areas: recreation, event planning, nutritional education, and fitness education. The program involves tasks such as monitoring outdoor programs, assisting with event preparations, and creating promotional materials, combined with a structured curriculum and professional mentorship.

Interns benefit from mandatory orientation and work‑related training, ensuring a comprehensive learning experience. Competitive hourly wages and additional perks like ORCA passes and flash mentorship further enrich this opportunity for young individuals eager to build a foundation in the field of recreation.

Location: Various Seattle area sites (Seattle Parks & Recreation Department)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; varies
Dates: 

• Orientation: June 23 – 2

• Internship dates: July 1 – August 24  

Application deadline: June 10. Fill this out to apply.
Eligibility: High school or college students aged 15–21 enrolled in an accredited institution
Cost/Stipend: Stipend of $20.76–$21.78 per hour.

8. The Rainier Beach Youth Steward Program

The Rainier Beach Youth Steward Program is a youth employment initiative where participants aged 14-18 gain practical work experience in urban farming and wetland restoration. Each week, you will engage in immersive activities such as planting, harvesting, packing produce, and learning field management techniques. The program emphasizes team building, civic engagement, and professional development through workshops, field trips, and community service projects. 

You will work alongside experienced staff and volunteers, developing various skills in agriculture and environmental stewardship. Although the work involves outdoor tasks in various weather conditions and physical labor, the program offers a supportive environment focused on growth and community impact.

 Location: Rainier Beach Urban Farm & Wetlands (5513 S Cloverdale St, Seattle)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited spots; cohort size varies
Dates: June 24 – August 29
Application deadline: Sunday, May 18. Apply here!
Eligibility: Youth aged 14-18 with an interest in urban farming and wetland restoration.
Stipend: Stipend of $300 per week.

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