Top 12 Paid Internships for High School Students in Los Angeles (LA), California
Internships are a great way for high school students to gain real-world experience, develop new skills, and connect with industry experts. They allow you to explore different career paths, strengthen your resume, and open doors to future opportunities. Many prestigious universities and organizations offer internships in various fields, giving you hands-on learning experiences.
Even better, some programs provide a stipend, so you can earn money while gaining experience. If you’re interested in a specific industry, an internship can help you gain insight before committing to a career. To help you get started, we’ve compiled a list of the top 12 paid internships for high school students in Los Angeles, California!
1. NASA OSTEM Internships
Location: Virtual / NASA centers across the country
Stipend: While most interns receive a stipend, some opportunities are unpaid.
Application Deadline: Fall: May 16 | Spring: September 12
Dates: Spring Session: Mid-January to Early May | Summer Session: Late May/Early June – August | Fall Session: Late August/Early September – Mid-December
Eligibility: U.S. citizens, full-time students (high school through graduate level) aged 16 at the time of application, with a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
NASA’s OSTEM internships connect you with industry leaders in engineering, aeronautics, and space technology. You’ll gain experience working on projects in fields like spacecraft design and robotics research. This internship helps you strengthen your technical and analytical skills while contributing to research. Whether full-time or part-time, the program allows flexibility across NASA centers. You’ll develop career-ready skills that set you apart in STEM fields. Offered three times a year, this opportunity is highly competitive. Check the NASA website for deadlines and application details.
2. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
Location: Students are placed within a 45-minute commute from their houses
Stipend: $3,000
Application Deadline: November 22 - January 19
Dates: 8 weeks in the summer
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors or rising college freshmen who are at least 16 years old by the internship start date
The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program is an eight-week paid internship to expose students to fisheries and aquatic sciences. The program pairs you with mentors and provides learning in labs and outdoor fieldwork settings. You will engage in activities such as fish population studies, electrofishing, water quality assessments, data analysis, and educational outreach. Some field tasks can be physically demanding and require travel. With nationwide opportunities, this program offers an in-depth look into fisheries science as a potential career path.
3. The Intern Project
Location: LA Promise Fund, LA
Stipend: Paid; the amount isn’t specified
Application Deadline: January 6 - March 15
Dates: June 17- August 9
Eligibility: Students in grades 10-12 enrolled in an LA County High School
The Intern Project (TIP) connects Los Angeles County high school students with internships in industries like media, technology, business, government, healthcare, and the arts. Over eight weeks, you’ll gain experience, participate in workshops, and engage in informational interviews with industry professionals. You’ll develop essential workplace skills, such as communication and project management, while earning college credit and a stipend. The program provides a structured experience that prepares you for future academic pursuits.
4. The Museum of Contemporary Art Teen Program
Location: The Museum of Contemporary Art, LA
Stipend: Paid; the amount isn’t specified
Application Deadline: Applications will be available after April 13
Dates: TBA
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
The MOCA Teen Program offers high school juniors and seniors a paid opportunity to engage with contemporary art. You’ll collaborate with local artists, work with museum professionals, and help organize events like Teen Night and Virtual Teen Night. Additionally, you’ll manage social media content and contribute to creative projects. Meetings occur on Thursday nights and select weekends at MOCA, where you’ll explore self-expression and professional development. This program provides experience in museum operations while fostering critical thinking.
5. TECH360
Location: America on Tech (New York City, Los Angeles, Miami, Atlanta)
Stipend: $500
Application Deadline: May 25
Dates: Dates vary depending on the location you choose
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors currently attending a high school in New York City (all boroughs), Los Angeles County, Miami-Dade/ Broward County, or Atlanta
TECH360: Intro to AI is a program designed to introduce participants to artificial intelligence, its evolution, and its societal impact. Through activities, you’ll explore how predictive and generative AI function, gain insights into best practices for AI usage, and examine ethical considerations. The program features mentorship, networking, and workshops led by AI professionals. Discussions will cover AI’s influence across industries like healthcare, finance, and entertainment. The experience concludes with a final project where you’ll develop and pitch an AI-powered tool to a panel of mock clients.
6. Tech Flex Leaders
Location: America on Tech (New York City, Los Angeles, Miami)
Stipend: $1,000
Application Deadline: August 3
Dates: September 8 – May 14
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors attending a public or charter school in New York City (all boroughs), Los Angeles County, or Miami-Dade/Broward County
The Tech Flex Leaders (TFL) Program is a nine-month initiative for high school juniors and seniors in New York City, Los Angeles, and Miami interested in technology careers. You will attend weekly technical training sessions, where you will learn coding fundamentals and explore web development, UX design, data science, product management, and digital marketing. The program also features career development workshops, mentorship, and networking with industry professionals. Eligible students in New York City who complete the program may qualify for a paid summer internship.
7. Getty Museum Teen Programs
Location: J. Paul Getty Museum, LA
Stipend: Paid; the amount isn’t specified
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the program you apply for
Dates: Varies depending on the program you apply for
Eligibility: Varies depending on the program you apply for
Getty Museum's Teen Programs provide paid and project-based opportunities for high school students to engage with art. Through initiatives like Unshuttered, you’ll explore photography, showcase your work, and access educational resources. The Teen Gallery Guides program offers a paid summer internship where you’ll study artwork, develop public speaking skills, and lead gallery experiences. Interns at the Getty Center focus on engaging visitors with diverse artworks, while those at the Getty Villa explore ancient Greek and Roman art. These programs include mentorship from museum professionals and provide transportation, meals, and stipends.
8. LA Times HS Insider Summer Internship
Location: Los Angeles Times, LA
Stipend: $16.90/hour
Application Deadline: February 26
Dates: June 16 - August 1
Eligibility: High school students graduating in the next three years, residing in Los Angeles County and Orange County, California
The LA Times HS Insider Summer Internship is a paid, seven-week professional journalism program for high school students. As an intern, you’ll cover breaking news, write feature enterprise stories, and explore multimedia storytelling with support from mentors. You’ll interview sources, draft stories, and work with editors to refine your work. The program includes training sessions led by LA Times journalists, providing insight into newsroom operations. You will collaborate with peers, receive editorial guidance, and publish work on HS Insider.
9. Bank of America Student Leaders Program
Location: Bank of America, available in multiple locations
Stipend: Paid; the amount isn’t specified
Application Deadline: October 14 - January 15
Dates: 8 weeks (internship start dates vary by market)
Eligibility: Current high school junior/senior
The Bank of America Student Leaders Program connects high school juniors and seniors with paid internships at local nonprofits, providing work experience and leadership development. As a Student Leader, you’ll engage in meaningful projects that support community initiatives while developing professional skills. Additionally, you’ll attend a national leadership summit in Washington, D.C., where you’ll network with peers and industry professionals. Bank of America covers all travel expenses, accommodations, and meals for the Summit.
10. Camp Zon by Zon Lab
Location: Virtual
Stipend: Paid
Application Deadline: April 27
Dates: July 14 - July 25
Eligibility: High school students 16 years of age or older residing in Massachusetts and attending a Massachusetts high school
Camp Zon is a paid virtual research experience. You’ll work in a team to design a research project studying anemia using zebrafish, generate hypotheses, design experiments, and analyze data. Scientists will conduct live experiments based on your designs. The program includes lectures from scientists on biology and clinical research, as well as coding lessons for data analysis. You’ll also develop critical thinking skills by reading scientific literature. At the end, your team will present findings to the lab. Dr. Len Zon and his team will offer career mentorship, providing insights into biomedical research.
11. Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI) Internship
Location: Virtual/in-person
Stipend: A limited number of paid positions are available
Application Deadline: Typically early March
Dates: Spring: February–May | Summer: June–August | Fall: September–December
Eligibility: High school students
The FPRI Internship Program is for students seeking foreign policy experience at a top think tank. Interns collaborate with scholars and international relations professionals, honing skills in research, communication, and critical thinking. You will benefit from exclusive foreign policy seminars, networking events, and professional mentorship. During the summer, you will attend weekly career discussions with experts. Whether you focus on research, event planning, communications, or operations, you’ll contribute to impactful projects shaping global policy discussions. Additionally, you can publish your work in FPRI’s Intern Corner. With both in-person and remote options, this program provides flexibility.
12. Internships at the Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage
Location: Virtual, in-person, or hybrid
Stipend: This is a paid internship; the stipend amount is not specified
Application Deadline: March 1
Dates: Internships are offered year-round and can vary from 6 weeks to one year
Eligibility: Open to high school students
If you’re fascinated by folklore, music, or cultural preservation, consider an internship with the Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage. This year-round program offers experience in ethnomusicology, museum studies, linguistics, and digital media. You will work on projects like the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, and the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives, developing skills in research, production, and outreach. Internships can be completed remotely or in Washington, D.C., with durations ranging from six weeks to a full year. Students may also be eligible for course credit.
Looking for a rewarding internship in artificial intelligence? Check out Veritas AI’s Internship Program!
The AI Internship Program by Veritas AI is founded and run by Harvard graduate students. Through the 8-week internship, students have the opportunity to work with VC-backed startups on real-world AI/ML projects. Students work directly with mentors from Harvard, Wharton, Google, Microsoft, McKinsey & Company, and more. This program is a great opportunity for students who have prior experience with AI/ML and are looking to gain real-world exposure to a career in the field. Students 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.
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