If you’re a high school student looking to gain real-world experience, explore career paths, and build skills beyond the classroom, internships can be one of the most valuable opportunities available. The Bay Area is one of the best places in the world to find meaningful internships across a wide range of fields.

Imagine spending your summer working alongside professionals in technology, science, business, healthcare, or the arts. Picture contributing to real projects, learning how teams collaborate, and gaining insight into how industries operate. High school internships in the Bay Area offer hands-on experiences that go far beyond traditional learning, helping you understand what different career paths truly look like.

How do you choose the right high school internships in the Bay Area?

With so many opportunities available, it’s important to look for internships that offer meaningful involvement rather than just observational roles. Some programs are highly structured with mentorship and training, while others provide more independent, project-based experiences. Many are competitive, so applying to multiple programs is often recommended.

High school internships in the Bay Area span a wide variety of fields. For example, STEM-focused students might consider research programs like the Genomics Research Internship Program (GRIPS) at Stanford, where participants gain lab experience and mentorship. Others might explore opportunities such as museum internships, environmental programs, or tech initiatives like coding and startup exposure. 

These internships help you develop essential skills such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and professional responsibility. They also strengthen your college applications by demonstrating initiative and real-world engagement. 

You’ll learn from experienced mentors, collaborate with peers, and gain insight into professional environments at an early stage. Along the way, you’ll build confidence, expand your network, and develop a clearer sense of your academic and career interests.

To help you get started, we’ve curated a list of 15 High School Internships in the Bay Area. They’ve been picked for their hands-on learning opportunities, strong mentorship, and ability to provide meaningful early exposure to a wide range of industries.

To learn the skills to perform your best at internships, have a look at summer programs in San Francisco or summer programs in California.

15 High School Internships in the Bay Area

1. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)

Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA (commuter; no on-campus housing)
Cost: $50 application fee (waivable for financial need); no tuition; select need-based grants available for qualifying students
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 50 students; 3% acceptance rate is highly competitive
Dates: June 8th – July 30th
Application Deadline: February 21st (application portal opens December 19th)
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (graduating class of 2026 or 2027); minimum age 16 by June 8th; U.S. citizens or permanent residents; must attend a U.S. high school; strong preference for Bay Area students within a 1-hour drive of Stanford

The Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program is an eight-week commuter research experience for high school juniors and seniors interested in biomedical science. You are placed in an active research lab at Stanford, where you work under the guidance of graduate students and postdoctoral researchers on an ongoing project in areas such as immunology, neurobiology, cancer biology, or bioengineering.

You spend a significant portion of your week conducting experiments, analyzing data, and meeting regularly with your mentor to review your progress. At the end of the program, you present your work in a formal poster session that reflects how scientific findings are shared in academic settings.

Why it stands out: It places you inside a working Stanford lab for an extended period, allowing you to experience how research actually unfolds over time rather than through short-term projects.

2. Immerse Education’s San Francisco Summer School

Location: UC Berkeley, San Francisco, CA
Cost: Varies; financial aid available through our bursary programme 
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; average class sizes of 7 participants
Dates: Two weeks during the summer; multiple cohorts with rolling admissions
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions across multiple summer cohorts
Eligibility: High school students around the world aged 15-18

If you’re looking for one of the more immersive high school internships in the Bay Area, Immerse Education’s Career Insights Programme places you in a two-week in-person work-learn experience in major global industry hubs, including San Francisco. You’ll engage in project-based learning with established companies, attend interactive workshops, and visit corporate offices and headquarters to observe professional workflows firsthand. 

The programme includes weekly 1:1 career coaching sessions and personalised feedback on your resume and professional profile. At the end of the programme, you present your project findings to industry experts and receive a certificate you can include in college applications and work profiles. Immerse also offers academic programmes at the University of Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College London, and other leading universities for students who want to combine industry exposure with university-level academic study. 

Why it stands out: You’ll gain direct industry exposure in a global financial and tech hub, receive 1:1 career coaching, and earn a certificate for your college applications with access to Immerse’s wider academic programme network.

3. City of San Francisco – Project Pull Summer Internship (SFPUC)

Location: Various San Francisco City and County department offices, San Francisco, CA
Cost: Free; paid $19.25/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 130 positions per year across all city departments
Dates: Eight weeks during summer; approximately June to early August 
Application Deadline: February 13th
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors; must live in San Francisco or attend a San Francisco high school; minimum 2.75 GPA from last completed semester.

Project Pull is an eight-week paid internship that places high school students inside San Francisco city departments. You are assigned to a specific department, such as engineering, business, or environmental services, where you work part-time alongside city employees on ongoing projects.

Your responsibilities can include assisting with data analysis, supporting administrative work, and contributing to departmental tasks that keep city operations running. Throughout the program, you receive mentorship from professionals and gain insight into how public systems are managed at a city level. 

Why it stands out: It gives you direct access to the inner workings of city departments, offering a practical understanding of how public services and infrastructure are managed.

4. SF YouthWorks – Paid Internship Programme

Location: Various San Francisco City department offices, San Francisco, CA
Cost: Free; paid $19.18/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: Summer track: June – August (full-time); School-year track: late October – early May (6-10 hrs/week) 
Application Deadline: Summer 2026 deadline: April 10th; School-year 2026-2027 deadline: mid-September 
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors; must live in San Francisco; ages 15-19; must be enrolled in 11th or 12th grade

SF YouthWorks is a paid internship programme that offers both summer and school-year opportunities within San Francisco city departments. Depending on the track you choose, you work either part-time during the school year or full-time over the summer under the supervision of department staff.

Your role may involve administrative tasks, communication work, or supporting ongoing public service projects. You are placed in departments such as the Public Library, Public Utilities Commission, or San Francisco International Airport, where you gain experience in professional environments while developing workplace skills.

Why it stands out: It offers flexibility with both summer and academic-year options, allowing you to build experience over a longer period rather than a single short internship.

5. California Academy of Sciences – Careers in Science (CiS) Internship

Location: California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA
Cost: Free; paid above San Francisco minimum wage
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; limited spots; in-person group interview required (April 18)
Dates: Year-round: after school and weekends for 2-3 years through graduation
Application Deadline: April 1st (applications opened February 1st) 
Eligibility: Currently enrolled 9th-12th grade students at an SFUSD school; minimum 2.5 GPA and grade of C or higher in science and math; must obtain a valid work permit; must commit to 2-3 years through graduation

The Careers in Science internship is a multi-year, paid programme at the California Academy of Sciences that runs after school and on weekends. Over two to three years, you contribute to both scientific research and public education initiatives within the museum. Your work may include assisting with specimen collection, supporting ecological monitoring projects, and helping visitors engage with scientific exhibits.

As you continue in the program, your responsibilities grow, allowing you to take on more meaningful roles within projects. You also receive ongoing mentorship from scientists and educators, helping you understand how research and communication intersect.

Why it stands out: Its long-term structure allows you to develop skills gradually and take on deeper responsibilities, which is rare in high school internships.

6. Sandia National Laboratories – High School Summer Internship (Livermore, CA)

Location: Sandia National Laboratories, Livermore, CA (in-person; approximately 40 miles from San Francisco)
Cost: Free; paid competitive stipend based on academic level (amount included in offer package)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; limited high school positions posted on a rolling basis
Dates: 10-12 weeks; approximately May through late August (exact dates depend on position)
Application Deadline: Rolling deadline 
Eligibility: Full-time enrolled high school students; minimum 3.0 GPA for R&D and technical positions (2.5 for clerical/laborer); U.S. citizenship required for most positions; must be enrolled during the spring term immediately preceding the internship

The Sandia National Laboratories High School Internship is a 10–12 week paid program where you work full-time at the Livermore campus alongside scientists and engineers. You are assigned to a team and contribute to real technical or research projects, which may involve coding, data analysis, laboratory work, or documentation, depending on your placement.

The experience mirrors a professional research environment, with expectations around timelines, collaboration, and output. Throughout the program, you gain exposure to large-scale scientific and engineering work conducted at a national laboratory.

Why it stands out: It places you in a national laboratory setting where the work is tied to real-world research and engineering challenges.

7. UCSF High School Intern Program (HIP)

Location: University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA
Cost: Free; paid $3,200 (25 hrs/week) or $4,500 (35 hrs/week)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; limited spots; targets underrepresented students
Dates: June 8th – July 31st
Application Deadline: February 8th
Eligibility: Current 11th-grade students at a San Francisco public or charter high school; at least 16 years old by programme start; minimum 2.5 GPA; completed Biology or Chemistry with a grade of B or higher

The UCSF High School Intern Program is one of the most competitive high school internships in the Bay Area, offering an eight-week paid research experience for juniors interested in biomedical science. You are placed in a UCSF lab where you work on a structured research project under the guidance of scientists and researchers.

Your work includes conducting experiments, analyzing results, and learning standard lab techniques used in fields such as neuroscience, immunology, and cancer biology. In addition to lab work, you attend workshops on scientific communication and college preparation. The program concludes with a research symposium where you present your findings.

Why it stands out: It allows you to contribute to ongoing biomedical research while developing both technical and scientific communication skills.

8. Meta – Summer Academy Externship

Location: Meta Headquarters, Menlo Park, CA (in-person)
Cost: Free; paid stipend provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open to qualifying students from designated communities
Dates: Six weeks during the summer 
Application Deadline: February 14th
Eligibility: High school students from East Palo Alto, Belle Haven, North Fair Oaks, or Redwood City; minimum 2.5 GPA

Meta’s Summer Academy is one of the most prestigious high school internships in the Bay Area, offering a six-week paid externship designed to introduce students to careers in technology and business. During the programme, you participate in workshops, mentorship sessions, and project-based assignments that reflect real work done at the company.

You gain exposure to how teams collaborate across different functions, including operations, communications, and product development. The structure focuses on helping you understand workplace expectations and develop professional skills before entering college.

Why it stands out: It gives you access to the internal environment of a major technology company, offering insight into how large organisations operate.

9. Norman Mineta Bay Area Summer Academy (MTC/ABAG)

Location: Virtual (Thursday sessions) + optional in-person at Bay Area Metro Center, San Francisco, CA
Cost: Free; paid stipend provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed; open to Bay Area students
Dates: Thursdays in July; optional in-person capstone on July 31st
Application Deadline: Applications open in Spring
Eligibility: Must live in the Bay Area and attend a local high school; must be at least 15 years old and have completed 9th grade; must be able to attend online seminars and present a capstone project

The Norman Mineta Bay Area Summer Academy is a programme focused on public policy, transportation, and environmental planning. You attend a series of structured sessions led by experts from major regional agencies, primarily held online with an optional in-person component.

Throughout the program, you work on a capstone project that addresses real issues such as housing, air quality, or transit systems. You engage with professionals and peers while developing an understanding of how policy decisions are made and implemented at a regional level.

Why it stands out: It connects you directly with policymakers and agencies, giving you a clearer view of how regional decisions are shaped.

10. Kaiser Permanente – KP LAUNCH High School Internship

Location: Kaiser Permanente facilities across Northern California, including Oakland headquarters
Cost: Free; paid $24/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; limited spots across departments and locations
Dates: Seven weeks during summer, full-time Monday-Friday 
Application Deadline: Not disclosed
Eligibility: High school students at least 16 years old; must be a permanent resident of a Northern California Kaiser Permanente service area; must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.; priority to underrepresented students

KP LAUNCH is a seven-week paid, full-time internship offered across Kaiser Permanente facilities in Northern California. You are placed in a specific department, such as healthcare, IT, finance, or operations, where you work on assigned projects alongside professionals.

Your responsibilities may include assisting with data, supporting team tasks, and participating in daily operations. In addition to your placement, you attend structured workshops focused on leadership and career development. The program provides a broad introduction to how large healthcare systems function.

Why it stands out: It offers exposure to multiple professional tracks within a large healthcare organisation while providing one of the highest stipends at this level.

11. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory – Experiences in Research (EinR)

Location: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA (hybrid/virtual depending on project; priority for students in Alameda, Contra Costa, and SF Counties)
Cost: Free; paid $500/week ($3,000 total for 6 weeks)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; applications reviewed on a rolling basis; limited project slots
Dates: June 15th – July 24th
Application Deadline: March 22, 2026 (applications opened February 2nd; submit by March 20th to avoid technical issues)
Eligibility: Current 10th, 11th, or 12th graders enrolled in a Northern California high school; minimum 3.0 GPA; at least 16 years old by June 15, 2026; one educator recommendation required; students must NOT contact mentors directly during the application process

Experiences in Research is a six-week paid internship at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, where you work on projects in areas such as data science, experimental research, or science communication. You are matched with a project based on your interests and spend around 30-35 hours per week contributing to ongoing work alongside researchers.

Depending on the project, the experience may be hybrid or virtual, but the focus remains on integrating you into real research workflows.

Why it stands out: It offers a structured research experience within a Department of Energy lab, with exposure to both technical and interdisciplinary projects.

12. Enterprise for Youth – Paid Internship Programme (San Francisco)

Location: Various employer sites across San Francisco, CA
Cost: Free; paid internship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; targets under-resourced SF youth
Dates: Job readiness training: fall (October); Summer internship: June-August
Application Deadline: Fall job readiness training applications open in 
Eligibility: It combines structured job readiness training with a paid summer internship at real Bay Area employers, a two-stage programme that builds both professional skills and workplace experience

Enterprise for Youth is a two-stage programme that begins with job readiness training and leads into a paid summer internship. During the training phase, you develop communication, professionalism, and workplace skills through structured sessions.

After completing training, you are placed with an employer in fields such as technology, business, or environmental work. During your internship, you work in a professional setting and apply the skills you developed earlier.

Why it stands out: It prepares you before placement, making the transition into a real work environment more structured and manageable.

13. Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy – I-YEL (Internship for Youth Environmental Leaders)

Location: Golden Gate National Recreation Area and Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy offices, San Francisco, CA
Cost: Free; paid $310/month
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; limited spots; targets students from specific SF neighborhoods
Dates: Year-round: October – May (Wednesday after school + some Saturdays)
Application Deadline: September 13th
Eligibility: Public high school students who live in or attend school in San Francisco’s Tenderloin, southeast, or northeast neighborhoods

The I-YEL internship is a year-long paid programme focused on environmental work, community engagement, and media projects. You meet regularly after school and on select weekends, working on projects that address social and environmental issues.

Your work may include creating multimedia content, organising community events, and participating in outdoor activities within the national park system. The program combines fieldwork with creative and advocacy-based tasks.

Why it stands out: It blends environmental work with storytelling and community engagement, offering a more interdisciplinary experience.

14. San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) – Summer Internship Programme

Location: Various sites across San Francisco, CA (in-person and hybrid depending on placement)
Cost: Paid – stipend provided (amount varies by placement)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open to qualifying SFUSD students; limited by placement availability
Dates: Six to nine weeks during the summer 
Application Deadline: Varies by program
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors attending an SFUSD high school, a San Francisco charter school, or enrolled in College Track San Francisco

The SFUSD Summer Internship Programme is a paid opportunity for high school students to work across a range of fields such as biotech, architecture, art, and computer science. You are placed with professionals and contribute to ongoing work within your assigned field.

Your responsibilities vary depending on the placement, but typically include assisting with tasks, using learning tools, and observing how teams operate. The program runs for several weeks during the summer and provides exposure to different career paths.

Why it stands out: It offers flexibility across multiple fields, making it suitable if you want to explore different career options.

15. Stanford University – Pediatrics Internship Program at Stanford (PIPS)

Location: Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA (in-person; commuter)
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; limited cohort; targets students from underrepresented backgrounds
Dates: Six weeks during summer; approximately late June to mid-August 
Application Deadline: typically February-March
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors; must live in select Northern California counties (San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Marin, Alameda, Contra Costa, Santa Cruz); minimum unweighted cumulative GPA of 3.0; computer and internet access required

The Pediatrics Internship Program at Stanford is a six-week research experience designed for high school students interested in medicine and biological sciences. You work on a structured project under the guidance of Stanford researchers, learning how research is conducted in a medical setting.

Alongside lab work, you attend seminars on scientific methods and college preparation. The program is designed for students with little or no prior research experience, making it accessible while still providing exposure to university-level research.

Why it stands out: It serves as an entry point into biomedical research, especially for students without prior lab experience.

From First Internships to Future Career Paths

A first internship can reshape how you see your future, giving you direct insight into professional life, workplace culture, and the kind of work you enjoy.

That is why high school internships in the Bay Area can be such a strong starting point, placing you near innovation, ambition, and meaningful opportunities.

These experiences offer more than practical skills, helping you build confidence, test your interests, and picture future careers with far greater clarity.

Explore our Career Exploration blogs to discover exciting industries, career paths, and ideas that can help turn your first internship into a lasting direction.