If you’re a high school student in Seattle and curious about future careers, internships are one of the best ways to get real-world experience while building your resume. Whether you’re drawn to Technology, Healthcare, Arts, Environment, or Public Service, Seattle has tons of programs that let you jump in and learn by doing.
These internships introduce you to what daily work in different fields actually looks like. As an intern, you might shadow professionals, contribute to ongoing projects, attend workshops, or work with mentors who teach you the ropes. Many programs also help you develop practical skills, such as teamwork, communication, research, or even coding, that you’ll use well beyond the program. To help you get started, here are 15 internships in Seattle for high school students that can spark new interests, expand your network and open doors to exciting opportunities!
15 Internships in Seattle for High School Students
1. Seattle Children’s Hospital Research Institute Summer Program
Location: Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: No cost / $2,000 stipend
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective / 16 students
Dates: July 14 – August 8
Application Deadline: March 9
Eligibility: Rising 11th graders from the Seattle area
This four-week program lets high school students step into the world of biomedical research and gain firsthand experience working in professional labs. You’ll dive into topics such as Biochemistry, CRISPR-based Gene Editing, and Infectious Diseases as you learn how to design experiments, pipette accurately, collect data, and interpret results. Throughout the program, you’ll work side-by-side with PhD-level researchers who will mentor you and help you build confidence as a young scientist.
Beyond the lab, you’ll take part in workshops that help you explore STEM careers, understand emerging trends in medical research, and prepare for college. You’ll also tour research facilities to see what a future in science might look like. By the end of the program, you’ll share what you’ve learned through a final presentation to the Seattle Children’s community.
2. Fred Hutch Cancer Center – Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP)
Location: Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Paid (amount shared with finalists); free ORCA transit card
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly competitive / 20–30 students
Dates: Eight weeks between June and August
Application Deadline: Typically March
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors in the U.S. with strong academic and scientific interest
SHIP is an eight-week, full-time paid internship that gives you the chance to step into real Biomedical Research; no prior lab experience required! You’ll start with two weeks of hands-on training where you’ll learn Lab Safety, core Research Techniques, and how scientists at Fred Hutch study Cancer, Infectious Diseases, and Public Health.
After training, you’ll join a research team for six weeks and work closely with a dedicated mentor who will guide you through authentic research projects. You’ll experience what day-to-day lab work looks like, from running experiments to analyzing data and discussing findings with your team.
Outside the lab, you’ll take part in career panels, professional development workshops, and research seminars that help you explore future pathways in science and medicine. You’ll also get to connect with other interns through social activities. The program wraps up with a formal presentation, where you’ll share your project and insights with the Fred Hutch community, your family, and your friends.
3. Spark Summer Internship Program (Spark SIP)
Location: Greater Seattle Area (some opportunities may include remote work)
Cost/Stipend: $25 application fee; some projects offer stipends up to $500
Program Dates: 8–10 weeks between June and August
Application Deadline: Typically April
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12 who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Spark SIP connects high school students with real-world STEM internships across the Seattle tech scene, giving you the chance to work directly with industry mentors in fields such as AI, Robotics, Biotech, and Data Science. Over the course of 8–10 weeks, you’ll take the lead on a specific project at a startup, research lab, or tech company—so you’re not just shadowing, you’re actually contributing to meaningful work.
Past interns have built DNA sequence classifiers, created data visualization tools, developed Python scripts for hardware architecture, and even worked on social media content generation for tech companies. Along the way, you’ll learn how professionals solve problems, manage projects, and collaborate in fast-paced environments.
If you’re motivated, curious, and eager to explore STEM careers, Spark SIP gives you hands-on experience that can help shape your future academic and career path.
4. Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) – History Lab
Location: Museum of History and Industry, Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: Free; $150 stipend
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 6 students
Dates: July 21–25 | July 28–August 1
Application Deadline: May 23
Eligibility: Rising 10th–12th graders
History Lab is a good opportunity if you’re passionate about storytelling, exploring Seattle’s past, or understanding how communities change over time. During this weeklong program, you’ll dive into a Seattle history topic connected to this year’s theme—“The power of history and the history of power.” You will dig into questions about how power shapes the stories we tell, how narratives evolve, and how history influences social and political change.
Throughout the program, you’ll work hands-on with MOHAI’s (Museum of History and Industry) collections, spend time in the galleries, go on field trips, and explore Seattle neighborhoods to deepen your understanding. You’ll learn how to conduct research, analyze sources, write clearly, and use digital tools to share history online.
By the end of the week, you’ll create a digital public history project that will be published on the Rainy Day History website—giving you a real, shareable piece of work that showcases your research and storytelling skills.
5. Library of Congress High School Summer Internship
Location: Hybrid — virtual and in person at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC
Cost/Stipend: Free; unpaid
Cohort Size: 12 students
Dates: June 23 – July 17
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: High school students age 16+ who are U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or visa holders
This internship gives you the rare chance to help shape future programs and exhibits at the Library of Congress. In this advisory-style role, you’ll help staff plan future youth and family programs by reviewing material from the Library’s vast collections, providing feedback on exhibit concepts, and offering input on programs designed for teens and families.
You’ll meet Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., participating in virtual workshops, training sessions, and collaborative group work. If you choose the hybrid format, you’ll also visit the Library once a week to explore resources firsthand. Along the way, you’ll build skills in research, communication, and content development while learning how a major cultural institution creates educational experiences.
You’ll also support the Center for Learning, Literacy, and Engagement as they develop content for a new hands-on learning space. While the internship does not award academic credit, you may be able to arrange school internship credit or earn up to 60 hours of community service.
6. Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: Fairfax, VA — in-person, hybrid, and virtual options
Stipend / Cost: Unpaid; $25 application fee (waivers available)
Program Dates: June 18 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 2
Eligibility: High school students age 15+ for computer lab/remote projects (16+ for wet-lab work); undergraduates also eligible
ASSIP gives you the chance to dive deeply into STEM research and explore computer science fields such as Machine Learning, Cybersecurity, Data Mining, Computer Modeling, Game Design, and Software Engineering. You’ll work full-time —either in a lab or remotely—on real research projects alongside experienced mentors. Along the way, you’ll sharpen your skills in Coding, Research Methods, and Scientific Writing while learning how computational tools drive modern science. The experience ends with a final poster session where you’ll present your findings and share what you’ve accomplished. Many students even go on to present their work at conferences or contribute to scientific publications.
7. Pediatrics Internship Program at Stanford (PIPS)
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Program Dates: June 16 – July 25
Application Deadline: Early spring
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
PIPS is designed to place you at the center of a real pediatric research experience. Throughout this virtual, research-intensive internship, you’ll work directly with Stanford faculty mentors on ongoing projects in Pediatric Healthcare and Biomedical Science. As you dive into hands-on research, you’ll strengthen your understanding of research ethics, learn how to design experiments, and interpret complex data. You’ll also join seminars and professional development workshops led by Stanford researchers, giving you an insider’s introduction to what academic pediatrics is really like.
8. Parkview Health – Virtual High School Internships
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Program Dates: May – July
Application Deadline: March
Eligibility: High school students nationwide
Parkview Health’s virtual internships, offered through its FutureREADY and clinical observation programs, let high school students explore both the clinical and administrative sides of healthcare. You’ll work on project – based assignments and join team calls that introduce you to the working of a hospital. Depending on your interests and departmental availability, you may get exposure to areas such as Radiology, Human Resources, Patient Care, and IT. This flexible nature of the program allows you to explore how different parts of a healthcare system work—right from home, and discover careers in healthcare that may excite you the most.
9. EDIT ML Summer Internship Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Not specified
Dates: Starts June 15
Application Deadline: April 15
Eligibility: High school students with a computer science background
The EDIT ML (Emerging Diagnostic and Investigative Technologies; Machine Learning) internship gives you a deep look at how AI and machine learning are transforming clinical research and medical diagnostics. You’ll work with tools such as R, Python, and high Performance Computing while strengthening your scientific writing skills. Through lectures, guided projects, and research, you’ll help develop algorithms that tackle real diagnostic challenges, such as Cancer Detection, Gigapixel Image Analysis, and Text Prediction. You’ll also have opportunities to present your findings, giving you firsthand experience in communicating scientific research to others.
10. Thurgood Marshall Summer Law Internship Program (TMSLIP)
Location: Law firms, government agencies, corporations, and nonprofits across New York City, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free | Interns typically earn $16–$22/hour (bi-weekly)
Dates: June 18 – August 28; virtual workshops run April 2–16
Application Deadline: January 13
Eligibility: New York City public high school students
The Thurgood Marshall Summer Law Internship Program gives you the chance to spend 6–8 weeks working directly with legal professionals across New York City. As an intern, you might be placed at a law firm, nonprofit, corporation, or government office. You’ll gain firsthand exposure to the legal field by helping with essential administrative tasks such as filing documents, managing records, assisting paralegals, and helping support staff.
Alongside your internship, you’ll participate in career-readiness workshops, training sessions, panel discussions, and networking events designed to deepen your understanding of law and help you explore potential career paths. Many host organizations also offer their own professional development activities, giving you an even clearer picture of what a future in the legal profession could look like.
11. NYU Langone – High School Medical Ethics Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Dates: Varies by semester
Application Deadline: Varies by semester
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors in New York City
NYU Langone’s two-week Medical Ethics Internship introduces you to some of the most important ethical challenges in modern healthcare and science. Each day, you’ll meet experts in medicine, law, public health, and bioethics for a few hours and dive into real-world issues such as Organ Donation, Clinical Trials, Resource Allocation, and the use of AI in Medicine.
Throughout the program, you’ll complete short readings, take part in thoughtful group discussions, and reflect on what you’ve learned through written assignments. Although it’s not a clinical internship, this experience gives you a strong foundation in the ethical questions shaping today’s healthcare landscape and can be a great starting point if you are considering medicine or related fields.
12. Mental Health Careers Summer Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost / Stipend: Free; Stipend unpaid
Program Dates: June
Application Deadline: Early February
Eligibility: Rising 10th–12th graders and rising college first-years
This two-week virtual internship introduces you to the wide range of clinical and research careers within mental health. You’ll learn directly from psychiatrists, neuropsychologists, social workers, physician assistants, and other professionals who’ll give you an inside look at their day-to-day work and answer your career questions.
Before each session, you’ll read short articles and research papers, then take part in interactive discussions on topics such as psychotherapy, neuroscience, neuropsychological testing, and interventional psychiatry. This program blends scientific learning with practical guidance on entering mental health fields—and many students continue receiving informal mentorship from professionals even after the program ends.
13. Maryland Public Television (MPT) Internship Program
Location: Owings Mills, MD, and virtual
Stipend: None
Dates: Early June – Mid August
Application Deadline: Rolling (prior to each session)
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
The Maryland Public Television (MPT) Internship Program gives you an inside look at how a statewide public broadcasting network creates and shares content. As an intern, you’ll support MPT staff in areas such as Program Scheduling, Production Assistance, Research for Co-productions, and other behind-the-scenes media operations. You’ll also learn how nonprofit media organizations manage content distribution, community outreach, and overall media strategy.
Throughout the program, you’ll strengthen your communication skills, gain technical exposure to real broadcast workflows, and contribute to ongoing projects across departments. Interns typically commit about 16 hours per week during regular business hours, with occasional evening or weekend assignments depending on production needs.
14. Mental Health Careers Summer Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost / Stipend: Free; Stipend Unpaid
Program Dates: June
Application Deadline: Early February
Eligibility: Rising 10th–12th graders and rising college first-years
This two-week virtual internship introduces you to the full spectrum of clinical and research careers in mental health. You’ll learn directly from practicing professionals, such as psychiatrists, neuropsychologists, social workers, and physician assistants, who’ll show you what their day-to-day work looks like and answer your career questions.
You’ll prepare for each session by reviewing reading packets that include media articles and research studies. You’ll then participate in interactive sessions that cover topics such as Psychotherapy, Neuroscience, Neuropsychological Testing, and Interventional Psychiatry. The program combines scientific learning with practical guidance on entering mental health fields, and many students continue to receive informal mentorship from clinicians even after the internship ends.
15. Pathways Program – Girls Who Code
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Program Dates: Self-paced over 6 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Current 9th–12th graders, including graduating seniors and GWC alumni
Girls Who Code’s Pathways Program gives you the flexibility to explore cybersecurity, AI, data science, and web development at your own pace. Through project-based video modules, you’ll build skills in areas such as Secure Coding, Encryption, and Threat Modeling using Python and JavaScript.
Beyond technical training, you’ll join career workshops, hear from tech professionals during live sessions, and collaborate with peers from across the country. The program focuses on applying your skills to real-world challenges while fostering an inclusive, supportive community in tech.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re based in Seattle and looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, and chemistry, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. You can find the application link here!
Image Source – Girls who code logo