Summer internships for 14 year olds provide the opportunity to gain experience that goes beyond the classroom. If you’re 14, it might feel early to think about internships, careers, or future college plans. But that’s exactly what makes this age such a good time to explore. At 14, there is less pressure to specialize and more freedom to try different things, discover new interests, and learn what genuinely excites you.

Imagine spending part of your summer helping with a community project, assisting with research, working alongside professionals, contributing to a media project, or supporting an organization you care about. Summer internships will help you see how people work together, solve problems, and build careers around their interests. Those are lessons that can be hard to learn in a classroom.

Why pursue summer internships as a 14 year old?

One reason is exposure. Most students spend years hearing about careers without ever seeing what those careers look like in practice. An internship allows you to step into a real working environment and experience a field firsthand. Sometimes you discover an interest you never expected. Other times, you realize a path isn’t for you, which can be just as useful.

Participating in summer internships can also help you develop habits that stay relevant throughout high school and beyond. Showing up on time, communicating professionally, asking thoughtful questions, working with others, and taking responsibility for tasks are skills that apply in almost every field.

Perhaps most importantly, internships help students become more intentional about how they spend their time. Instead of waiting until junior or senior year to explore potential interests, you can begin building experiences, skills, and confidence much earlier.

To help you find the right fit, we’ve compiled a list of 15 summer internships for 14-year-olds!

For adjacent opportunities, also have a look at summer programs for 14 year olds.

Key Takeaways

• Stipends vary widely, from no pay at the Canadian Museum of Nature’s Specimen Collections program to $4,480 at the Kenan Fellows High School Summer Internships.
• Several programs are restricted to specific cities or regions, including the Mayor’s Summer Youth Employment Program in Cambridge and RISE Shore Corps Summer for Rockaway Peninsula residents.
• Program length ranges from a single week of lab training plus academic-year research at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, to eight full weeks at the Kenan Fellows program and Memorial Sloan Kettering’s Summer Student Program.
• Several programs accept students as young as 13, including Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory’s Urban Barcode Research Program, while most others set a minimum age of 14.
• Arts-focused options exist alongside STEM programs, including Arts for Learning ArtWorks in Miami, which offers paid internships across visual art, dance, music production, and film.
• The Futures For All Work Experience Programme and Energy Queensland Work Experience are two of the few international options, based in the UK and Australia, respectively.
• Immerse Education’s Career Insights Programme is one of the few options open to students worldwide, combining project-based learning with established companies and 1:1 career coaching.

15 Summer Internships for 14 Year Olds

1. Kenan Fellows High School Summer Internships

Location:  Wertheim UF Scripps Institute, Jupiter, Florida
Stipend: $4,480
Dates: June 5th – July 31st
Application Deadline: March 1st
Eligibility: Rising 11th and 12th graders who are at least 14 years old, have a minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher, live and attend school in Palm Beach or Martin County, and are U.S. citizens/permanent residents

In this eight-week summer internship at The Wertheim UF Scripps Institute laboratories, you will be working next to scientists whose areas of research include cancer, pandemic coronavirus, and more. You will be doing biomedical research under the guidance of these professional scientists. Through your participation in the internship, you will acquire lab, research, and presentation skills.

You will specifically learn scientific process, research planning, bench experience, experimental design, data analysis, and more. You will be expected to write a scientific abstract, give an oral presentation, and submit a poster based on your research work. Apart from the internship, you will also be participating in weekly seminars. It can be a much more suitable option for you if you are interested in biological and chemical research. 

Why it stands out: Participating in this summer internship for 14 year olds can open up job opportunities in basic research, drug discovery, biotechnology, or biomedical engineering. 

2. Immerse Education’s Career Insights Summer School

Location: Cambridge, London, New York, San Francisco, Singapore, Sydney, and Tokyo
Cost: Varies; summer school scholarship available through our bursary programme
Dates: 2 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: Multiple cohorts with rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students worldwide who are 15 by the start of the program

Immerse Education’s Career Insights Pathway lets high school students explore careers in major global industry hubs. Participants engage in project-based learning with established companies, attend interactive workshops, and visit offices, factories, and headquarters.

The program also includes in-person weekly 1:1 career coaching sessions and sessions where you will receive personalized feedback on your resume and overall profile. You’ll also present your findings to industry experts at the end of the program. You can find more details about the application here!

Why it stands out: You’ll explore university-level concepts in fields like medicine and psychology, giving you early exposure to the academic pathways behind real careers.

3. NYC Summer Youth Employment Program

Location: New York City
Cost: None; $700 stipend for 14-15 year olds
Dates: Six weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: March 13th
Eligibility: Youth aged 14 to 24 who reside in one of the five NYC boroughs and are legally authorized to work in NYC

Organized by NYC’s Department of Youth & Community Development, this initiative focuses on helping New York City youth find summer job opportunities. If enrolled in the program, you can participate in project- or work-based opportunities that prepare you for future careers in your field of interest.

As a 14-year-old, you will be taking part in the program’s project-based learning sessions. You will explore different career opportunities while completing projects that positively impact your community. Through your summer work experience, you are sure to acquire some essential workplace skills, such as social, civic, and leadership skills. It can also help you determine the right career path for you by engaging you in career exploration events.

Why it stands out: The program teaches you financial literacy, which is useful in any career.

4. RISE Shore Corps Summer

Location: RISE, New York City (Queens), NY 
Stipend: Up to $1,000
Dates: July 7th – August 14th
Application Deadline: Opens in early April
Eligibility: 9th to 11th graders who live and attend a school in the Rockaway Peninsula in New York 

This internship program by the Rockaway Initiative for Sustainability and Equity is aimed at students who are interested in environmental stewardship, civic engagement, community planning, and similar roles. If selected for the program, you will have the opportunity to work with local businesses and partner organizations.

RISE primarily aims to enhance your leadership skills and your appreciation for the natural resources that the Rockaway peninsula has to offer. For this reason, the summer program will assign you projects related to environmental science, civic engagement, food systems, and community planning. Apart from just doing work, you will also enjoy some fun activities such as surfing, kayaking, biking, and more.

Why it stands out: By the end of the program, you will be familiar with water safety and know how to give CPR. 

5. AIMI Summer Research Internship

Location: Virtual
Cost: A non-refundable application fee of $45 and a program fee of $2,400
Dates: June 15th – June 26th (Session A) and July 6th – July 17th (Session B)
Application Deadline: February 21st
Eligibility: Rising 9th through 12th graders who are at least 14 years old, attend a US high school, and will be in the US during the program

The Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI) focuses on researching ways to implement AI in healthcare and started this remote internship program to get more high schoolers interested in the interdisciplinary field. You will be attending online lectures and engaging yourself in research work and group projects that expose you to the different ways artificial intelligence can be used in the fields of research and medicine.

You will particularly be working on an AI research project on a health-related topic under the supervision of Stanford Student Leads and research mentors. Moreover, you will apply concepts you learn in the program, such as medical imaging AI, clinical applications, model evaluation, and more, to your project. 

Why it stands out: AIMI features industry experts discussing their AI work and the career options available in this interdisciplinary field.

6. Mayor’s Summer Youth Employment Program (MSYEP)

Location: Varies by the internship role
Stipend: $15 per hour
Dates: July 6th – August 14th
Application Deadline: May 8th
Eligibility: High school students and graduating seniors who are at least 14 years old by July 6th, reside in Cambridge, and are authorized to work in the US. Priority will be given to students eligible for Free or Reduced Lunch and those from lower-income families

The Mayor’s Summer Youth Employment Program helps high school students like you to find their first work experience. If selected for the program, MYSEP will place you as an intern at a public sector or a nonprofit organization. As a 14 year old in this summer internship, you will be working 20 hours per week.

The program offers work placements across areas such as media/web production, landscaping and outdoor maintenance, office/library work, physical fitness, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), and more. In addition to the work component, you will also benefit from participating in field trips, financial literacy and job-readiness training, program events, and more.

Why it stands out: You will even have the opportunity to join the Summer Work and Learning sites, which will give you access to resources that will help with your college success and career growth in the future.  

7. Arts for Learning ArtWorks

Location: MDC Koubek Center, Miami, FL
Stipend: $14 per hour paid for a maximum of 144 hours
Dates: Five weeks in June – July
Application Deadline: April 16th
Eligibility: 9th to 12th graders who are at least 14 years old, are Florida residents, and meet the  I-9 work eligibility requirements; Non-residents may receive community service credit hours

This program caters to students who are thinking of pursuing art-related careers and offers paid internships across different art fields. You will find that there are internships in areas such as visual art, dance & theater, music production, creative writing & film, and animation. Regardless of your pick, the program aims to equip you with some important workplace skills while enhancing your creative instincts.

Past participants have reported that they developed communication and networking skills, professionalism, the willingness to take risks, and confidence in their artwork. Moreover, this program doesn’t require having any previous experience, making it a suitable option for students who would like to explore careers in the arts for the first time.  

Why it stands out: You will work alongside professional artists and Arts for Learning staff who will guide you through the five-week internship.

8. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Summer Student Program

Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York City (Manhattan), NY
Stipend: $1,200
Dates: June 29th – August 21st
Application Deadline: December 1st – February 6th
Eligibility: 11th graders who are at least 14 years old, have a GPA of 3.5 in science subjects, are legally authorized to work in the US, and live in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut within 25 miles of the Main Campus of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center on the Upper East Side in Manhattan

MSK calls students with a strong interest in science and research to explore biomedical or computational lab-based research at its lab through its Summer Students Program. During your time in the eight-week internship, you will be working on your independent research project that will be in line with the Principal Investigator’s overall research objectives.

You may find yourself conducting research in cancer biology, cell & molecular & developmental biology, immunology/immuno-oncology, pharmacology & drug development, structural biology, and other subject areas. You will have a mentor who will guide your research and teach you technical skills. You will also get to network with other professionals across the MSK community by participating in laboratory meetings and program sessions.

Why it stands out: The program will involve you in out-of-lab activities that help you develop a better understanding of translational medicine and research.

9. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Urban Barcode Research Program (UBRP)

Location: DNA Learning Center, New York City, NY
Stipend: $500 for students who present their projects at the Research Symposium
Dates: August 24th – 28th and August 31st – September 4th (Lab Training), plus a minimum of 55 hours during the academic work to finish your research project
Application Deadline: May 26th
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 13 years old and live and attend a high school in New York City

The Urban Barcode Research Program can be a go-to option for high school students from New York City who want to dive into the field of biodiversity. If selected for the program, you will start by learning some of the fundamental concepts across biodiversity, conservation biology, and science research. You will also immerse yourself in scientific experiments that will introduce you to commonly used research techniques.

Following these introductory sessions, you will work on your assigned research project using DNA barcoding. There will be an expert to mentor you through every step, starting from the project design to the poster presentation that you will be expected to present during the research symposium. 

Why it stands out: As a participant, you will also form a strong understanding of the connections between biodiversity and human activity.

10. Bridge Undergraduate Science Jr. Program (BUGS Jr.)

Location: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Stipend: $800
Dates: June 16th – August 1st (Mid-June through the first Saturday in August)
Application Deadline: April 24th
Eligibility: Rising 9th through 12th graders who are US citizens, permanent residents, or already in the US with a valid immigration status

Hosted by the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences, this seven-week program allows you to gain hands-on research experience. In this program, you will be placed in a USC laboratory where you will work next to the faculty and graduate students or a postdoctoral fellow. With each student expected to commit at least 30 hours per week to their research work, your research topic will be related to the human body and human health.

You will also learn what it is like to conduct research in an advanced lab setting. Upon completing your research project, you will have the opportunity to showcase your work in the form of a poster at the BUGS/BUGS Jr. Summer Research Finale Symposium, where scientific mentors, peers, and family will be present. 

Why it stands out: BUGS Jr. also hosts campus tours, journal clubs, career symposia, technical panels, research seminars, and multidisciplinary social mixers. 

11. YES in THE HEIGHTS Program

Location: Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center (HICCC), New York City, NY
Stipend: Provided
Dates: June 29th – August 21st
Application Deadline:  November 14th – January 9th
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 14 years old and are US citizens or permanent residents

Hosted at Columbia University, this is the only summer internship for 14 year olds that spans two years. The primary goal of the program is to get more high schoolers like you excited about choosing STEM-focused careers, especially those related to cancer and biomedical research. As a participant in the program, you would be conducting cancer research while getting to work next to researchers and doctors who specialize in cancer research and treatment.

In the first summer, you will need to submit an Individual Development Plan and a scientific abstract based on your research work. The following summer, you will have to do an oral presentation on it. You can also take advantage of the other enrichment sessions that aim to teach you to conduct experiments and follow academic etiquette and professionalism. 

Why it stands out: You will be invited to join the HICCC Cancer Biology Journal Club every week so that you can engage in discussions about cancer research articles. 

12. Science Internships at the New York Botanical Garden

Location: New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, NY
Stipend: Paid and unpaid opportunities available
Dates: Summer opportunities available
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: New York City students enrolled in a high school or a college degree program; international student eligibility not specified

The New York Botanical Garden’s Science Research Internship places you alongside scientists working on active research projects. Depending on your placement, you may contribute to studies in plant diversity, molecular biology, taxonomy, bioinformatics, systematics, or plant development. Before starting, you’ll complete lab safety training and learn the basics of working in a research environment.

Much of the experience involves supporting ongoing projects while gaining exposure to how botanical research is conducted. Summer interns also attend seminars, career conversations, and skills workshops led by researchers and professionals in the field. If you’re interested in biology, ecology, genetics, or plant science, this is a strong introduction to research beyond the classroom.

Why it stands out: By working on the research projects at NYBG, you will also get to collaborate with the expert scientists there. 

13. Canadian Museum of Nature Specimen Collections

Location: Natural Heritage Campus, Canadian Museum of Nature, Gatineau, Quebec
Stipend: None
Dates: Students are expected to commit a half-day a week for three to four months, at a minimum
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students aged 14 to 17; preference given to bilingual students who can speak English and French; international student eligibility not specified

The Canadian Museum of Nature offers a range of summer volunteering opportunities, including this one, called “Specimen Collections,” that is suitable for students who are passionate about botany, zoology, mineral sciences, and paleobiology. In this role, you will be working significantly with plant specimens. Your task will include preserving plant specimens on archival paper; making computer records of the specimens; sorting, organizing, counting, identifying, and labeling specimens; and more.

Additionally, you will take on other responsibilities, such as arranging the books and literature materials and completing data entry work. Some of the other volunteer opportunities for 14 year olds as a part of this summer internship include working in the museum’s library and archives, supporting staff in organizing programs for K-6 students, and hosting museum visitors. 

Why it stands out: Before the volunteer work, you will attend training sessions hosted by the museum to equip you with the essential information you will need to feel prepared for the role. 

14. Futures For All Work Experience Programme

Location: Remote, Hybrid, and in-person opportunities across the UK
Cost: Free to register
Dates: Summer opportunities available
Application Deadline: Varies by the opportunity
Eligibility: 14 to 19-year-olds in state schools and colleges across the country

The Futures For All Work Experience Programme is an initiative that is focused on ensuring that students can find work opportunities. In other words, if you enroll, the program will place you as an employee at a UK company so you can gain work experience in a field that interests you. By working in companies, you will acquire essential practical skills and enhance your confidence in your chosen field.

Plus, you will become familiar with the day-to-day operations of your role. More importantly, the work experience can make it easy for you to decide if that particular career is the right option for you in the long term. Additionally, students can also participate in the Insights Days organized by the program. 

Why it stands out: You can choose jobs across industries such as construction, creative arts & design, engineering, healthcare & medicine, media & film, and more.

15. Energy Queensland Work Experience

Location: Queensland, Australia
Stipend: None
Dates: One week in May 18th – August 28th (Cycle 2) or August 3rd – November 27th (Cycle 3)
Application Deadline: March 1st (Cycle 2) or June 7th (Cycle 3)
Eligibility: Students in Years 10 to 12, or those completing a relevant course through TAFE, who are at least 14 years old and have a General Construction Induction Card (White Card) from a Registered Training Organisation (RTO)

Energy Queensland hosts this program that welcomes high school students who would like to explore trade-based opportunities within the electric supply industry. This program is best suited for students who want to pursue electrical engineering or related roles in the future, as you will work at Ergon Energy Network, Energex, or Energy Queensland’s other depots across Queensland for five days.

As a short-term employee in one of these locations, you will have a supervisor who will assign job-related tasks for you to complete. You will also learn about the different roles in the company and how the staff in those roles operate daily. The information will help you make a proper decision about your career path. 

Why it stands out: Students who participate in the five-day work experience are most likely to land an apprenticeship role with Energy Queensland.

Frequently Asked Questions: Summer Internships for 14 Year Olds

What are summer internships for 14 year olds? 

A summer internship for 14-year-olds gives younger high schoolers early exposure to a professional field through research assistance, community projects, or hands-on workplace tasks. Programs typically pair students with a mentor or supervisor and run for one to eight weeks. Most are restricted to a specific city, state, or country due to work authorization requirements. Many conclude with a presentation, poster, or final project showcase.

Am I too young to apply for an internship at 14? 

No, several programs are specifically designed to welcome 14-year-olds. The Kenan Fellows program and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory’s Urban Barcode Research Program both accept students as young as 13 or 14. Immerse Education’s Career Insights Programme accepts students starting at age 15, making it a strong option for those just turning 15 by the program’s start.

Are summer internships for 14 year olds paid? 

Many are paid, though amounts vary considerably. The Kenan Fellows program offers a $4,480 stipend across eight weeks, while NYC’s Summer Youth Employment Program provides $700 for 14 to 15-year-olds. Some programs, including the Canadian Museum of Nature’s Specimen Collections role, are unpaid but provide training and hands-on experience instead.

Can international students apply to these internships? 

Most US-based internships, including the Kenan Fellows program and Memorial Sloan Kettering’s Summer Student Program, require US citizenship or legal work authorization. The Futures For All Work Experience Programme in the UK and the Energy Queensland Work Experience in Australia are open to students within their respective countries. Immerse Education’s Career Insights Programme is open to students worldwide starting at age 15.

What kinds of fields can I explore at 14? 

The range is broad, spanning biomedical research, environmental stewardship, arts and design, and community-based civic work. Arts for Learning ArtWorks offers paid internships in visual art, dance, music production, and film, while RISE Shore Corps Summer focuses on environmental science and civic engagement. Immerse Education’s Career Insights Programme lets students explore concepts in fields like medicine and psychology through project-based learning with established companies.

Will I work directly with professionals? 

Yes, most programs pair students with a mentor or supervisor from the field. The Kenan Fellows program has students working alongside scientists researching cancer and the coronavirus pandemic, and Arts for Learning ArtWorks pairs students with professional artists. Immerse Education’s Career Insights Programme similarly includes weekly 1:1 career coaching sessions and visits to offices and headquarters.

How do these internships help with future college applications? 

Starting early gives students a head start on building a track record of genuine experience rather than scrambling to fill a resume later. Programs like the Kenan Fellows program have students complete a scientific abstract and poster presentation, giving them concrete material to reference years later. Immerse Education’s Career Insights Programme provides personalized resume feedback and a final presentation to industry experts, both useful early steps toward future applications.

Your Early Internship is Just the Beginning

The summer internships for 14 year olds listed here help you discover whether biomedical research, environmental science, arts, or civic engagement genuinely excites you.

Programs here range from the Kenan Fellows biomedical internship in Florida to Memorial Sloan Kettering’s cancer research program and Arts for Learning ArtWorks in Miami.

Writing a scientific abstract, presenting a research poster, or completing a community project gives you stronger material for future personal statements, interviews, and supercurricular reflection.

To turn those early experiences into lasting university readiness, explore our University Preparation blogs for personal statements, interviews, academic writing, entry requirements, and supercurriculars.