If you’re a high schooler looking for a short yet focused professional experience, fall internships can be a great opportunity! These internships help you build advanced skills and gain in-depth experience while helping you learn how to balance work and academic commitments. Unlike summer programs that are scheduled during school breaks, fall internships run during the school year, allowing you to apply your classroom learning directly in a professional or research setting. These experiences can help you develop technical/professional skills, deepen your understanding of a specific field, and boost your time management and organizational skills.
Many fall internships provide exposure to industry practices, mentorship from professionals, and the chance to contribute to meaningful projects, all of which can enhance college applications and future career prospects. Fall opportunities span a wide range of fields, from STEM and healthcare to business, arts, and community service, offering students the flexibility to explore their interests.
To help you get started, here’s a list of 16 fall internships for high school students that combine skill development, hands-on experience, and professional growth.
1. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies; financial aid available
Acceptance rate: Varies; selective admissions
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including in fall and winter
Application deadline: Varies depending on the cohort; the upcoming fall cohort deadline is August 31
Eligibility: High school students who can work for 10–20 hours/week for 8–12 weeks
Ladder Internships offers high schoolers opportunities to work with high-growth start-ups in various fields, including deep tech, environmental science, software engineering, web design/UX, finance, artificial intelligence, healthcare, and mental health. As an intern, you will work alongside a start-up manager and a Ladder Coach on projects that align with your interests and the organization’s goals. The experience can help you contribute to real projects in a professional setting and access opportunities to build professional skills. While applying, you can choose the Startup Internship format and work with an organization’s representative, or opt for the CEO Internship, where you will work directly with a start-up CEO from a FAANG (Facebook, Google, etc.) background. You can also choose the Combination program, which combines the CEO Internship format with a mentored research opportunity.
2. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type
Application Date: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer and Fall cohorts.
Program Dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June-September).
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! A few tracks require prerequisites, see here.
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as data science, machine learning, political theory, and more! Horizon is one of the few research programs for high school students that offers you the choice to engage in either quantitative or qualitative research. Once you select a particular subject track, Horizon pairs you with a professor/PhD scholar who acts as a mentor throughout your research journey. As a participant, you will be expected to develop a 20-page research paper that you can send to prestigious journals for publication as a high school student. The program also provides a letter of recommendation for each student and detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects. While this isn’t a traditional internship, it follows the work-learn structure as closely as one!
3. NASA OSTEM Internships
Location: Various NASA centers in the country, including virtual opportunities. You can find opportunities here.
Cost/Stipend: No cost; interns receive stipends based on the academic level and session duration
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; varies by opportunity
Dates: 16 weeks; late August/early September to mid-December
Application deadline: May 22
Eligibility: High school students who have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and are U.S. citizens and 16 or older
The NASA OSTEM Internship Program offers high school students the opportunity to work directly with scientists, engineers, and professionals on real-world projects in aerospace, robotics, satellite communications, and space technology. These paid internships provide exposure to research and technical problem-solving, helping you strengthen technical and soft skills. You will have access to mentorship by NASA experts and gain valuable insights into the agency’s mission of advancing science, technology, aeronautics, and space exploration. You can choose from in-person or virtual full-time/part-time roles. As an intern, you will explore career pathways in STEM and contribute to meaningful projects that can shape the future of space exploration.
3. Stanford Clinical Summer Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost: $35 application fee + $1,980 program fee
Application deadline: June 2
Dates: September 10 – November 12
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors, as well as undergraduate pre-med students who are at least 16 years old
Stanford’s Clinical Summer Internship offers virtual hands-on learning experiences to high schoolers and undergraduate pre-med students interested in medical professions. During its fall session, you will attend online lectures and expert-led, activity-based sessions to gain experience in techniques such as suturing, administering injections, and conducting physical examinations. You will work on real-world medical cases, learning how to make diagnoses and suggest treatments in the process. You will also participate in a team-based presentation to discuss your medical case. The experience can help you explore medical specialties and build the technical skills required to pursue a career in medicine.
4. U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Headquarters Student Internship Program
Location: Washington, D.C.
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: September – December; dates vary
Application deadline: Applications available in June; deadline varies
Eligibility: Students who are U.S. citizens and enrolled or accepted at an accredited institution (high school/university)
The Department of the Treasury offers students opportunities to contribute to the Department’s mission of promoting economic prosperity and financial security through its internships. Here, you may assist with policy research, data analysis, briefing materials, and summaries of academic literature or current events. The program also provides exposure to federal operations, such as attending congressional hearings and supporting strategic initiatives across Treasury offices. You will develop research, analytical, and organizational skills while collaborating with colleagues and expanding your professional network.
5. Internships at the Foreign Policy Research Institute
Location: Remote or in-person at Foreign Policy Research Institute, Philadelphia, PA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: October – December; dates vary
Application deadline: August 18
Eligibility: High school students
The Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI) offers internships for high school students interested in international relations and foreign policy. You can apply for roles in research, special events, communications, or operations, gaining exposure to different aspects of the field. As a research intern, you will collaborate with FPRI scholars on regional policy projects related to the Middle East, Eurasia, Africa, or Asia, often requiring strong language or data analysis skills. If you are a special events and communications intern, you will contribute to event planning, social media, and content development, and if you are an operations intern, you will assist with program management. You will also attend weekly policy seminars with guest speakers, network with professionals in the foreign relations community, and may have the chance to publish work on FPRI’s Intern Corner.
6. New York Botanical Garden High School Explainer Program
Location: Everett Children’s Adventure Garden at the New York Botanical Garden (NYBG), New York, NY
Stipend: $700
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Flexible internship period in the fall; a commitment of 125 volunteer hours required over six months or less
Application deadline: April 22
Eligibility: High school students
The NYBG Explainer Program offers high school students opportunities to become volunteer educators for the garden’s visitors. You will begin your internship learning about the NYBG’s three-part mission, focusing on enhancing science, education, and horticulture through interactive, hands-on tours and activities. Then, you will work with your assigned team and conduct citizen science phenophase research in the Thain Family Forest. You will also explore horticulture at the Edible Academy and develop teaching skills to conduct activities for children and families at the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden Pop-Up.
7. U.S. Senate Page Program
Location: Capitol and Senate Offices, Washington, D.C.
Stipend: Paid on an annual salary basis of $37,238
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 30 positions available
Dates: Fall session: September 1 – January 23
Application deadline: Varies by office
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who will be 16 or 17 years old on or before the date of appointment and are citizens or permanent residents of the U.S.; check detailed requirements here
The U.S. Senate Page Program is a competitive opportunity for high school juniors to gain firsthand experience with the legislative process. You will assist with essential tasks such as delivering correspondence, preparing the Senate Chamber, supporting senators during debates, and carrying bills and amendments to the desk. You will also attend Page School during the program, engaging in English, math, science, and social science coursework. Beyond daily responsibilities, you will participate in field trips around Washington, D.C., where you will meet national leaders and observe Senate debates.
8. New York City Office of the Mayor Internship
Location: New York City, NY
Stipend: $16.50/hr
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: October 20 – April 10
Application deadline: August 31
Eligibility: High school students aged 16 years or older and New York City residents
The NYC Office of the Mayor Internship offers high school students a chance to learn about city government and policy through hands-on work. You will be placed in a department of your choice, where you will contribute to tasks like research, data analysis, drafting briefings, and staffing events. The program also features a bi-weekly Speaker Series with Deputy Mayors, Commissioners, and other senior staff, offering you direct insight into government leadership. A key component is the service project, where you will collaborate with other interns to design and implement initiatives like park clean-ups or community restoration.
9. USDA Pathways Internship Program
Location: Various locations based on internship opportunity
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipends may be paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Vary depending on the internship
Application deadline: Varies
Eligibility: High school, undergraduate, and graduate students
The USDA Pathways Internship Program offers year-round, summer, spring, and fall opportunities for high school students to gain early hands-on work experience. Opportunities are available around the year in a wide range of fields, including business development, law, finance, and other areas aligned with USDA operations. The program is designed to combine academic learning with professional development, giving you early exposure to career paths in public service. Mentorship is a core component of the program, so you will receive guidance throughout the program.
10. Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art Internships
Location: Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, AR
Cost/Stipend: No cost; high school interns will receive $12/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: End of August through November; a commitment of 15 hours/week for 13–14 weeks
Application deadline: Applications are open from January to April
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors and recent graduates; college students and graduates are also eligible
The Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art provides paid internships for high school seniors interested in gaining firsthand work experience at a museum. You will explore different departments, from curatorial and education to visitor services, while learning how a major museum operates. The program includes community engagement activities, professional networking, and mentorship, offering insights into museum careers and the broader non-profit sector. In addition to practical skills, you will develop communication, teamwork, and leadership abilities.
11. Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo Project TRUE Internships
Location: WCS Headquarters in the Bronx, New York, NY
Stipend: $350 for the fall internship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: September – December (14 Saturdays) + summer commitment of 3 days/per week in July and August
Application deadline: Early March
Eligibility: High school sophomores or juniors in good standing who are residents of the Bronx and are comfortable in both indoor and outdoor settings
Project TRUE (Teens Researching Urban Ecology), offered by the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo Education department in partnership with Fordham University, is a research and youth development program for high schoolers. Here, you will engage in field research on topics such as mammal distribution, bird community composition, water quality, and invasive species management. The program emphasizes hands-on learning, allowing you to gain experience in data collection and analysis while building science communication skills. You will explore the scientific method from start to finish and present your findings to peers, scientists, and the public. The program also offers support for college preparation and professional networking.
12. U.S. Department of Education (ED) Internship Opportunities
Location: Multiple locations across the country. Varies based on the internship position
Cost/Stipend: No cost; students might receive a stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Student Volunteer: September – December | Pathways Internship: Starts in September/October and can last up to 1 year or longer
Application deadline: Student Volunteer: July 31 | Pathways Internship: Application opens on June 15 and will be open for five days
Eligibility: Students, ages 16 and up
ED offers high school students opportunities to explore career paths in federal education, policy, and administration while contributing to the department’s mission of promoting education. As a high school student, you can choose the Student Volunteer Trainee Program, an 8–10 week volunteer placement providing experience in your area of interest, or the Pathways Internship Program, which offers paid, part-time, or full-time roles that can extend for a year or longer. Both programs provide exposure to real-world policy work, skill-building opportunities, and insight into careers within public service. You will also participate in professional development activities such as workshops, a brown-bag lunch series, D.C. landmark tours, and networking events.
13. Textron Aviation High School Internship Program
Location: Textron Aviation, Wichita, KS
Stipend: Paid (amount not specified)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Varies by internship
Application deadline: Not specified; applications open in April
Eligibility: High school students aged 16 years or older
The Textron Aviation High School Internship Program provides paid, part-time opportunities for high schoolers interested in exploring careers in the aviation industry. While the company is best known for its engineering and manufacturing expertise, internships are available in a wide range of fields, including aviation maintenance, business management, communications, customer experience, events, finance, sales, human resources, IT, manufacturing, and interior design. These internships can help you gain exposure to professional workplaces and learn technical and business-oriented career paths within aviation. As an intern, you may also build technical skills.
14. Alley Pond’s Field Biology Internships
Location: Alley Pond Environmental Center, NY
Cost: $150; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: September 27 – November 1 (only on Saturdays)
Application deadline: August 1
Eligibility: High school students, ages 14 and up
The Alley Pond Environmental Center’s Field Biology Internship is designed for high school students interested in urban ecology, local wildlife, and field research. Here, you will develop a foundation in research and experimental design while exploring ecosystems in Alley Pond Park and other parts of Queens, NYC. Intern activities include biodiversity surveys, bird observations, soil and water quality testing, macroinvertebrate identification, coastal seining, and native plant restoration. Along with fieldwork, you will learn from environmental experts and build connections with mentors and peers.
15. ABA Station Intern Program
Location: Arkansas Broadcasters Stations, Little Rock, AR
Stipend: $595
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 1 intern/broadcast cluster
Dates: Eight weeks in the fall
Application deadline: Varies
Eligibility: Applicants must be at least 16 years old and currently enrolled in either high school or college
The ABA Station Intern Program introduces high school students to careers in broadcasting while also offering training in various roles. You will gain hands-on experience in programming, production, sales, and news reporting, while developing technical skills in music rotation and log management, as well as client relations. You will assist with tasks like the preparation of sales proposals and telemarketing. You must complete 54 hours of work during the program to earn a certificate of completion and a reference letter.
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