High school is often the first time you begin thinking seriously about what you want to study or pursue in the future. While classes give you a foundation, they do not always show you how those subjects work in real-world settings. That is where tech internships for high school students can make a difference. By stepping into a professional environment, you gain a clearer picture of how ideas from the classroom translate into practical work.

If you are curious about technology, internships can open doors early. You might find yourself helping test software, learning the basics of coding, exploring artificial intelligence, or supporting a startup team as they build a new product. Instead of only reading about technology, you get the chance to see how developers, engineers, and designers actually solve problems every day.

Even if you are not completely sure that technology is the path you want to follow, trying an internship while you are still in high school can help you figure that out. In-person tech internships are particularly beneficial for those determined to study the field further, as they provide an immersive environment to directly engage with the industry, network with working professionals, and confidently bridge the gap between their current education and their future careers.

What kind of tech Internships are available for high school students?

Tech internships for high school students come in many forms. Some focus on software development, where you learn programming basics and assist with small coding tasks. Others introduce you to fields such as data science, cybersecurity, robotics, or artificial intelligence. You may spend time attending workshops, building simple applications, solving technical challenges, or presenting your work at the end of the program.

No matter the format, the goal is the same. You gain hands-on exposure to technology while discovering how the industry actually works. To make the search easier, we have compiled a list of 15 tech internships for high school students. We’ve picked these programs as they stand out for their learning opportunities, mentorship, and overall experience.

To dive deeper into tech, you can explore computer science summer programs, online coding programs, or software development & AI summer programs. 

15 Tech Internships for High School Students

1. NASA OSTEM Internship Program

Location: NASA centers across the United States, with some remote opportunities depending on the project
Stipend: Paid based on academic level and session duration
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 2,000+ students across centers
Dates: Three sessions each year: Spring, Summer, and Fall
Application Deadline: Summer: February 27th; Fall: May 22nd; Spring: September 12th
Eligibility: Students aged 16 or older who are enrolled full-time in high school through graduate school and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale; applicants must be U.S. citizens for most OSTEM internships

Widely considered one of the most prestigious tech internships for high school students, a NASA placement lets you contribute directly to projects connected to space exploration, aeronautics, and advanced technology. You work alongside engineers, scientists, and other professionals who mentor you through real assignments tied to NASA missions.

Depending on the project, you may analyze data, support software development, assist with research, or help design technical solutions. The program also introduces you to collaborative problem solving and professional workflows used in major research organizations. Through presentations, networking sessions, and mentorship, you gain insight into STEM careers within the aerospace sector. 

Why it stands out: You get the rare chance to work on real projects tied to NASA’s space and technology missions while learning directly from industry experts.

2. Immerse’s San Francisco Software Development & AI Summer School

Location: University of California, Berkeley, California
Stipend: Varies; summer school scholarship available through our bursary programme
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small classes of around 7 participants per class
Dates: 2 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: Multiple summer cohorts with rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students worldwide aged 15-18

The Software Development & AI Career Insights Programme allows high school students to gain industry-focused experience in technology and artificial intelligence across global innovation hubs. The programme pairs you with industry professionals and experienced practitioners in classes of 7–10 students. 

You’ll take part in interactive workshops and receive personalised guidance through 1:1 career coaching sessions. The programme includes practical experiences such as developing software applications, working with AI concepts, and exploring real-world tech workflows within leading companies. You can explore technology-driven career paths, including software development, artificial intelligence, and related digital industries.

By the programme’s end, you will complete a final project and present your work to industry professionals, receiving personalised feedback and a certificate of completion. You can find more details about the application here!

Why it stands out: It lets you explore practical, real-world applications of academic subjects and career fields, helping you see how professional pathways operate beyond the classroom.

3. Meta Summer Academy (MSA)

Location: Meta Headquarters, Menlo Park, CA
Stipend: Paid, amount varies by year
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; roughly 150 students annually
Dates: June 15th – July 24th
Application Deadline: February 14th
Eligibility: High school sophomores with a minimum 2.0 GPA who live full-time in East Palo Alto, Belle Haven, North Fair Oaks, or Redwood City in California

The Meta Summer Academy is a premier tech internship for high school students that introduces you to the inner workings of a major technology company while building practical digital skills. Over six weeks, you learn coding fundamentals, explore topics in technology and media, and participate in workshops that strengthen communication and teamwork.

The program also includes sessions on financial literacy, networking, and career exploration. Throughout the experience, you interact with Meta employees and guest speakers who share insights into their professional paths. You collaborate with peers on projects that highlight real challenges in the tech industry. 

Why it stands out: It offers tech- and media-driven summer learning modules helping you build 21st-century skills in coding, design, and innovation.

4. The Intern Project (TIP) Program

Location: Internship placements across Los Angeles County, CA
Stipend: Paid, amount not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; approximately 80-100 students per summer cohort
Dates: Approximately 8 weeks across Fall, Spring, and Summer cohorts
Application Deadline: Varies as per seasonal program Summer: Mid-March; Spring: Late January, Fall: Early September
Eligibility: Students in grades 10-12 who attend a public high school in Los Angeles County and are generally at least 16 years old

The Intern Project places you in a real internship while helping you build practical career skills during the summer. Over eight weeks, you work with a host organization in fields such as engineering, technology, media, business, or healthcare. Alongside your internship, you attend workshops that teach professional communication, project planning, and workplace tools.

Mentors and coaches guide you through the experience while helping you reflect on your career interests. You also take part in informational interviews and networking sessions that introduce you to professionals across industries.

Why it stands out: You gain paid work experience and professional mentorship while still in high school through a structured internship placement.

5. TECH360

Location: Hybrid program with virtual sessions and required in-person sessions in New York City, Los Angeles County, Miami-Dade/Broward County, or Atlanta
Stipend: $500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; cohort size varies as per location
Dates: New York, Los Angeles, Miami: 2-week Summer Cycles between June-July | Atlanta: Spring Cycle between February-April
Application Deadline: Varies based on location and cycle
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors currently attending a New York City (all boroughs), Los Angeles County, Miami-Dade/ Broward County, or Atlanta high schools

Through TECH360, you explore the foundations of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies in a short, intensive format. You learn how AI tools are developed, examine real-world applications, and discuss ethical questions surrounding machine learning. Most sessions take place online, but you also attend a few in-person meetings and collaborate with peers on projects.

During the program, you work in teams to design and pitch an AI-powered solution to a mock client. Mentors from the tech industry guide you through the process and share insights about careers in technology. 

Why it stands out: You gain hands-on exposure to AI while earning a stipend to learn cutting-edge skills like artificial intelligence and web development while providing underrepresented youth with direct mentorship from corporate tech professionals.

6. Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)

Location: George Mason University campuses in Fairfax, Manassas, and Woodbridge, VA (some projects may be remote or hybrid)
Cost/Stipend: $1,299 + $25 application fee (waivable) / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 15-20 interns
Dates: June 18th – August 12th
Application Deadline: February 15th
Eligibility: Applicants must be at least 15 years old by the start of the program, or 16 for projects that involve laboratory hazards; international students may apply

ASSIP lets you work directly with university researchers on an original STEM project. Over eight weeks, you join a research group and help investigate real scientific questions using professional tools and methods. You might analyze data, run experiments, or develop computational models depending on your mentor’s field.

Alongside research work, you strengthen scientific writing and presentation skills through workshops and discussions. The program ends with a formal research symposium where you present your findings to faculty and peers. 

Why it stands out: You’ll contribute to posters, conference presentations, and co-authored publications, which is rare at the high-school level.

7. Tech Flex Leaders (TFL) – America On Tech

Location: Hybrid program with virtual sessions and required in-person events in New York City, Los Angeles, or Miami
Stipend: Paid, amount not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; cohort size varies as per location
Dates: Approximately a 9-month program with weekly sessions from September to May, followed by Summer internship opportunities
Application Deadline: August 17th
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors attending public or charter schools in New York City, Los Angeles County, or Miami-Dade/Broward County

Tech Flex Leaders is a year-long program that helps you explore technology careers while building practical skills. You attend weekly sessions led by industry professionals, where you learn coding fundamentals such as HTML, CSS, and web development.

The curriculum also introduces artificial intelligence concepts and shows how emerging tools are shaping the tech industry. In the second semester, you choose a specialized track like UX design, data science, digital marketing, or product management. Throughout the program, you develop projects, participate in mentorship sessions, and connect with professionals from major tech companies.

Why it stands out: You gain nearly a full year of technical training and mentorship, with the possibility of transitioning into a paid tech internship through the program’s employer network.

8. Coded by: Tech & Innovation Internship

Location: Philadelphia, PA
Stipend: $500/wk
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; around 18-24 interns
Dates: June 22nd – August 14th
Application Deadline: March 30th or until capacity is reached
Eligibility: Rising 11th and 12th-grade students in the Philadelphia area

The Tech & Innovation Internship lets you experience what it takes to turn an idea into a working startup. Over the summer, you collaborate with a team to identify a problem, design a solution, and build an early version of a product. You can focus on areas like UI/UX design, product management, or web development while learning how technology products are created.

Mentors guide you through brainstorming, product development, and pitching your idea. The program also includes networking events, site visits to tech companies, and workshops with industry professionals. 

Why it stands out: It operates as a startup incubator where you form cross-functional teams (including a Product Manager, Designer, and Developer) to ideate, build, and pitch your own original tech startup from scratch.

9. MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI)

Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA; some courses also offered virtually
Stipend: Free for families with income under $200,000; about $2,400 for higher-income families
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; limited seats per course
Dates: July 6th – August 2nd
Application Deadline: March 30th
Eligibility: High school students living in the U.S. and physically attending a U.S. high school, generally in grades 9-11

MIT’s Beaver Works Summer Institute offers an intensive introduction to advanced technology through project-based courses. You begin by completing an online prerequisite course that builds the technical foundation needed for the summer program. If selected, you spend four weeks working on hands-on projects in fields such as artificial intelligence, robotics, cybersecurity, or autonomous systems.

The program emphasizes teamwork and practical problem-solving as you collaborate with peers and mentors. You test ideas, develop prototypes, and present your solutions at the end of the session. 

Why it stands out: You experience a rigorous MIT-level engineering environment while building real tech projects in cutting-edge fields like AI and robotics.

10. Tech Apprentice Program – Boston Private Industry Council (PIC)

Location: Various companies and organizations across Boston, MA
Stipend: Paid hourly, rate not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 70-100 students per summer
Dates: 6-7 weeks during the summer, typically July through August
Application Deadline: Late March/April
Eligibility: Boston Public Schools high school students in grades 9-12 who are at least 16 years old and authorized to work in the U.S.

Tech Apprentice places you in a real technology role at a company in the Boston area. Over six to seven weeks, you work on projects such as web development, IT troubleshooting, software testing, database work, or social media production. You typically work 25 to 35 hours each week while contributing to tasks that support the organization’s technology operations.

Along the way, you gain exposure to workplace collaboration, communication, and project management. Mentors and supervisors help you understand how technology teams operate inside professional environments. 

Why it stands out: You earn a competitive hourly wage while gaining real tech work experience at companies across Boston, like Liberty Mutual and State Street.

11. High School Tech Internship (HSTI) – Youth Opportunities Unlimited

Location: Technology companies and organizations across Northeast Ohio, OH
Stipend: $12/hr
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; around 100 students
Dates: Primarily in the Summer
Application Deadline: Varies by region
Eligibility: Ohio high school students in grades 9-12 who are 19 years old or younger at the start of the internship and have a 3.0 GPA

The High School Tech Internship gives you the chance to work in a real technology role while still in high school. You are placed with an employer where you contribute to entry-level projects in areas such as software development, cybersecurity, IT infrastructure, cloud systems, or advanced mobility technologies.

During the internship, you perform tasks similar to those expected from early-career tech professionals. You collaborate with mentors and coworkers while learning how technology teams operate in professional settings. The experience helps you develop workplace skills while exploring potential career paths in the tech sector.

Why it stands out: It operates as a wage-reimbursement model, where the State of Ohio pays employers to hire you, making it significantly easier for small-to-mid-sized tech companies to offer high-schoolers high-level roles in AI, Cybersecurity, and Software Development.

12. Maydm High School Internship Program

Location: Madison, Wisconsin, WI
Stipend: Paid, varies by placement and host employer
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 30-35 students
Dates: Usually 8-12 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: Typically January
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors or seniors (age 16+) and identify as girls or youth of color; have completed a Maydm immersive program or equivalent skills/experience

The Maydm High School Internship connects you with a professional workplace where you gain early experience in technology and STEM fields. During the internship, you work on projects that may involve coding, data analysis, research, or product development, depending on the host organization.

You collaborate with mentors who guide your work and introduce you to industry tools and workflows. The program also includes preparation sessions that build workplace skills such as communication, teamwork, and professional etiquette. Through this experience, you see how technical knowledge translates into real products and services. 

Why it stands out: You receive both technical mentorship and paid industry experience through placements with real companies.

13. Anson L. Clark Scholars Program

Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Stipend: $750
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; about 12 students are selected each year
Dates: June 21st – August 6th
Application Deadline: February 16th
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are at least 17 years old by the program start date and graduating in the upcoming year or recently graduated; applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

The Clark Scholars Program offers an intensive summer research experience at Texas Tech University. During seven weeks, you work closely with a faculty mentor on an original research project in fields that may include computer science, engineering, natural sciences, or the humanities. You spend most of your time conducting research, analyzing results, and learning how academic investigations are designed.

Weekly seminars and group activities introduce you to broader research topics and career pathways in academia and industry. At the end of the program, you present your findings in a formal research report or presentation.

Why it stands out: It offers one-on-one mentorship with Texas Tech faculty, so you’ll be able to deepen your subject understanding and craft a better research project report.

14. Microsoft Discovery Program

Location: Microsoft campuses in Redmond, Washington, or Atlanta, Georgia
Stipend: Paid hourly, rate not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 100-150 students
Dates: Atlanta: July 6-31; Redmond: July 13th – August 7th
Application Deadline: Typically, late February
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors who have completed precalculus or an equivalent course and who live and attend school within the Atlanta Public Schools, DeKalb, Fulton, Cobb, and Gwinnett County School Districts

Known as an industry-leading tech internship for high school students, the Microsoft Discovery Program introduces you to the day-to-day work of engineers and technology teams at Microsoft. Over four weeks, you collaborate on projects that explore computer science concepts and real technology applications.

You work alongside Microsoft employees who guide you through hands-on activities and group assignments. The program also includes mentorship sessions that help you explore possible college majors and technology careers. Throughout the experience, you learn about Microsoft’s tools, culture, and development processes. 

Why it stands out: It gives you early exposure to tech innovation and corporate projects, helping you develop practical skills in software and product thinking.

15. MET Sacramento Internship Program

Location: Sacramento, CA
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective; approximately 300 students
Dates: Year-round
Application Deadline: Varies depending on enrollment cycles for the school
Eligibility: Students enrolled at MET Sacramento High School, a public charter school within the Sacramento City Unified School District

At MET Sacramento, internships are built directly into your high school experience. Instead of only learning in classrooms, you spend two days each week working at an internship connected to your interests. You collaborate with a mentor at a local organization while exploring fields such as technology, science, business, or media.

The program emphasizes project-based learning, so your internship projects often shape your academic work. Advisors help you set goals, reflect on your progress, and connect your internship experience to future career plans. 

Why it stands out: Few high schools integrate internships into the weekly schedule, giving you continuous real-world experience throughout your entire high school journey.

Scaling Innovation Beyond the Traditional Classroom Walls

Seeking tech internships for high school students is a transformative strategy for those eager to move beyond theory and into actual professional software development roles.

These elite programs offer unparalleled access to industry mentors and cutting-edge tools, allowing young innovators to solve real-world problems at companies like NASA and Meta.

Beyond building resumes, these experiences foster the critical thinking and adaptability needed to navigate an ever-evolving digital landscape and stay ahead of global technical trends.

Check out our Educational Innovation blogs to discover essential resources, emerging edtech trends, and expert career guidance designed to keep you ahead of the curve!