If you’re a high school student interested in civil engineering, an internship will allow you to explore how the structures and systems around you are planned, designed, and built. You’ll learn how math, science, and problem-solving are applied to designing and maintaining real-world infrastructure. You’ll also explore projects that influence roads, bridges, buildings, and public spaces. These programs can assist you in determining whether civil engineering is a field you’d like to pursue in college, while also building skills such as problem-solving, teamwork, and fundamental technical knowledge.
Why should you choose a civil engineering internship?
These internships stand out because you get involved with real infrastructure work in construction, transportation, and environmental systems. You may review design plans, analyze site data, or work within real project constraints. The experience often involves visiting sites, conducting design reviews, and observing ongoing projects. Additionally, you will learn about safety protocols, regulations, and the long-term impact of projects on communities.
To help you get started, here are 17 civil engineering internships for high school programs. If you’re looking for free engineering programs for high school students, you can find them here. You can also check out civil engineering summer research programs for high school students here.
1. Simons Summer Research Program at Stony Brook University
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free, but on-campus housing and meals cost $2,450 | Stipend is provided (amount is unspecified)
Acceptance Rate: 5%
Dates: June 29 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 5
Eligibility: High school juniors aged 16 or older who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Stony Brook University’s Simons Summer Research Program allows high school students take part in hands-on STEM research. You can choose up to three research areas or mentors, including civil engineering, computer science, mechanical engineering, physics, astronomy, math, biochemistry, and more. You’ll work with a faculty mentor and research group to learn experimental design, lab techniques, and research methods. You will write an abstract and get to present a poster at the final symposium. The program also includes lab tours, workshops, and faculty talks. Civil engineering projects may involve designing shape-morphing structures, studying their behavior, or using AI and big data to explore smart infrastructure and future mobility systems.
2. NYC School Construction Authority (SCA) High School Summer Internship Program
Location: Various locations across New York City, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free | Interns earn $17 per hour
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: July 6 – August 14
Application Deadline: January 5 – March 6
Eligibility: New York City public high school students who are in good academic standing and legally allowed to work in the United States
The SCA Summer Internship Program offers paid internships for NYC public high school students interested in the business side of construction. You’ll work 30 hours a week, spending four days on site and one day in workshops, panels, and a design challenge. You will be matched with an SCA department or a partner organization. Depending on your placement, you may do online research, update spreadsheets, attend meetings, organize files, or visit construction sites. You can explore fields such as civil engineering, architecture, urban planning, construction management, IT, business, and public administration. You’ll complete OSHA safety training depending on your role. You will also receive guidance from a college mentor. The program will give you direct exposure to civil engineering by helping you learn about project planning, site management, and school building upgrades through real projects.
3. George Mason University’s Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: Remote, hybrid, or in-person at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA
Cost/Stipend: $1,299 for 3 college course credits + $25 application fee (both waivable based on financial need) | Unpaid
Acceptance Rate: Around 10%
Dates: June 18 – August 12
Application Deadline: December 8 – February 15
Eligibility: For computer lab internships (remote, in-person, or hybrid), students must be at least 15 years old by the start date. For wet-lab (in-person or hybrid) internships, students must be at least 16 years old
The Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program is an eight-week STEM research program for high school students. You’ll work with George Mason University faculty to develop skills in research tools, scientific writing, communication, and problem-solving while exploring different STEM fields. Projects span fields such as engineering, data science, physics, astronomy, computer science, math, cybersecurity, and civil and environmental engineering. If you’re interested in civil engineering, you may work on topics like urban hydrology or infrastructure. Depending on the project, the internship may be in person, remote, or hybrid, and some work can lead to publications or conference presentations.
4. Architect of the Capitol (AOC) Summer Internship Program
Location: Architect of the Capitol (AOC), Washington, DC
Cost/Stipend: Free | Interns earn $17 per hour
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Limited positions are available
Dates: 12 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: December 19 – January 30
Eligibility: Students enrolled in high school, trade school, college, or another qualifying educational institution who are at least 16 years old by June 30
The Architect of the Capitol Summer Internship Program offers paid internships for current students who want to explore federal careers while staying in school. The internship lasts 12 weeks on-site and includes hands-on work, tours, and learning from professionals alongside other interns. The AOC maintains the Capitol campus, including historic buildings, monuments, artwork, and gardens that support Congress and the Supreme Court. You can work in roles like Engineering Aide, Architecture Aide, IT Aide, Horticulture Aide, Law Aide, Communications Aide, or Visitor Assistant Aide. Working as an engineering aide will give you exposure to civil engineering through drafting, surveying, project support, and the maintenance of historic structures. It will also help you learn how design, construction, and preservation work in real-world public infrastructure.
5. ASPIRE by Johns Hopkins University
Location: Virtual or in person at Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab, Laurel, MD
Cost/Stipend: Free | Unpaid
Acceptance Rate: Approximately 10%
Dates: Summer session: June 23 – August 21 | Academic-year session: September 15 – May; juniors must finish 30 hours by December 31, and seniors must complete 60 hours
Application Deadline: January 1 – February 15
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors who will be 15 or older by June 1, live in designated Maryland counties, and have at least a 2.8 GPA
Johns Hopkins University’s ASPIRE program allows local students to explore STEM careers through hands-on projects with mentors from the Applied Physics Laboratory. You’ll work on real research while developing technical and communication skills. When you apply, you can list two areas of interest, but mentors and projects are assigned by the program. Fields include engineering, math, physical science, environmental science, AI, machine learning, programming, data analysis, and more. You can also rank up to three project types, such as social impact, research and development, lab work, or public relations. The Social Impact option includes architecture and civil engineering projects that improve the quality of life. If you choose the Social Impact track, you may work on projects that affect people’s quality of life, like civil engineering, prosthetics, or architecture, or solve problems using sociology or psychology.
6. Sasaki Foundation’s Designing Environmental and Social Impact (DESI) Internship
Location: Hideo Sasaki Foundation, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free | Interns earn $16.25 per hour
Cohort Size: 10 students participated in last year’s program
Dates: January 6 – April 25
Application Deadline: October 1 – November 7
Eligibility: Current 11th and 12th-grade students who are residents of Boston or the Metro North region
The Designing Environmental and Social Impact (DESI) is a semester-long paid internship for local high school juniors and seniors. You will undertake an independent project centered on your community, examining local social and environmental concerns. This experience will help you build design skills, enhance your resume, and network with designers and community organizations while exploring potential career options. Guided by a design industry mentor, you’ll learn to use design software, sketch concepts, and effectively present your work. The program will also introduce you to architectural and civil engineering concepts, including community impact, design thinking, and digital tools used in projects such as green infrastructure and site planning.
7. National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Summer High School Intern Program (SHIP)
Location: NIST laboratory at Gaithersburg, MD, or Boulder, CO
Cost/Stipend: Free | Unpaid
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: June 22 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 26; you can find the application guide here
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are U.S. citizens, live within 50 miles of their host campus, and have at least a 3.0 GPA
NIST’s Summer High School Intern Program offers research opportunities for high school students interested in science and engineering. You’ll work with scientists and engineers on a research project and learn about NIST’s work across its six laboratories. You can review each lab and list your preferred option in your application. If you’re interested in civil engineering, the Engineering Laboratory focuses on construction and infrastructure research, including disaster-resilient structures, sustainable and net-zero buildings, automated construction, and fire protection. You can also choose the Material Measurement Laboratory, which studies materials used in civil engineering, such as structural steel and complex fluids.
8. Chicago Architecture Center Teen Fellows Program
Location: Harold Washington College, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: Fully funded | Students earn a stipend for the summer internship
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: June 22 – May 8; the program runs across three semesters: Summer #1 (6 weeks), Fall (6 hours for 14 Saturdays), Spring (6 hours for 16 Saturdays), and Summer #2 (a paid internship)
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors who attend a Chicago high school
The CAC Teen Fellows program is a 15-month program for Chicago high school students interested in architecture and design. It includes a six-week summer session, two semesters during the school year, and the opportunity to apply for a paid summer internship at a local firm. You’ll take college courses at Harold Washington College for dual credit, work on physical models and local design projects, and learn tools like SketchUp, AutoCAD, Rhino, Revit, Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop. The program also provides a strong foundation in civil engineering by teaching architecture, construction, and urban planning concepts. This will help you understand how large-scale structures and the built environment are planned, built, and maintained.
9. DPR Construction Build Up High School Internship
Location: Multiple active construction sites across the U.S.
Cost/Stipend: Free | Interns earn an hourly wage each week and also receive transportation stipends
Cohort Size: 38 students participated in last year’s program
Dates: The internship runs for eight weeks, with exact dates depending on your placement
Application Deadline: April 15
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors, seniors, and recent graduates from families earning below the HUD Median Family Income for their area who are legally eligible to work in the U.S.
DPR Construction’s Build Up Internship in Construction Management allows high school students to work on an active commercial construction project with a project team. You’ll work 35 to 40 hours a week and learn how large projects are planned, scheduled, and managed, as well as learn how design and technology are used on-site. During the internship, you’ll help with site plans, schedules, document management, quality checks, subcontractor coordination, and safety training. The program ends with an eight-week final presentation that will help you develop professional communication skills and receive valuable feedback. You’ll also connect with mentors in engineering, architecture, and construction, and gain hands-on exposure to civil engineering through real job site work and project management.
10. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)
Location: Several lab locations across the country
Cost/Stipend: Free | New participants get a $4,000 stipend, and returning participants receive $4,500
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: < 10%; 265 high school students participated in last year’s program
Dates: 8-week summer internship, with optional 2-week extension
Application Deadline: November 1
Eligibility: High school students who are 16 or older, are U.S. citizens, and have completed at least ninth grade, including graduating seniors, can apply; some labs may have extra requirements
The Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program allows students to work on real research with Navy scientists and engineers at Department of the Navy labs. You can list up to three lab preferences. Placement is based on your interests, grades, recommendations, and personal statement. Projects span engineering, math, computer science, chemistry, oceanography, meteorology, astronomy, physics, biology, and more. If you’re interested in civil engineering, you may work with NSWC Corona, which evaluates the performance and readiness of weapons and combat systems. You’ll support ongoing projects through experiments, testing, engineering evaluations, data analysis, cybersecurity, and tool development, as well as learn from experienced science and engineering mentors.
11. Summer Exploratory Experience in Design (SEED) Internship by Sasaki Foundation
Location: Hideo Sasaki Foundation, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free | Interns earn $16.25 per hour
Cohort Size: 45 students participated in last year’s program
Dates: July 7 – August 15 (tentative)
Application Deadline: February 17 – April 25 (tentative)
Eligibility: Current high school students who are residents of Boston or the Metro North region
The Summer Exploratory Experience in Design is a paid six-week internship for local high school students interested in practical design work. During the summer, you will work on team projects, participate in design charrettes with Sasaki professionals, and enhance your sketching and digital drawing skills. You will collaborate with designers in architecture, urban design, interior design, urban planning, and landscape architecture, gaining insight into the tools and techniques used in the field. The program offers opportunities to work alongside professionals, explore various sites around Boston, and learn about different career options. Through Sasaki’s interdisciplinary work, you’ll also learn how design connects to civil engineering concepts such as site development, green infrastructure, and community resilience, including real-world challenges like flooding and environmental contamination.
12. Princeton University’s Laboratory Learning Program
Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Cost/Stipend: Free | Unpaid
Cohort Size: Out of about 3,000 applicants, around 50 students are accepted
Dates: 6 – 8 weeks between June and August; exact dates vary depending on the project
Application Deadline: February 15 – March 15
Eligibility: Local high school students who are enrolled in a U.S. high school and will be at least 16 years old by the start of the program
Princeton University’s Laboratory Learning Program is a full-time research opportunity for high school students interested in science or engineering. You’ll assist Princeton faculty or research staff on active natural science or engineering research projects. The length and schedule vary depending on the project and research team, with available projects changing each year based on participating faculty. Each student is assigned to a specific mentor and project. Additionally, you will need to submit a two-page research summary that covers the research question, methods, data, and conclusions. Civil engineering projects change each year, but past options have included sustainability work, infrastructure analysis such as lighting retrofits, structural studies like Gaudí’s designs, and environmental or water resource topics.
13. ACE Greater New York Mentor Program
Location: A host firm or university in Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, White Plains, Long Island, or Riverdale; remote options are also available
Cost/Stipend: Free | Unpaid
Cohort Size: More than 2,300 students took part in the program last year
Dates: The program runs from late October to May, with some cohorts starting in January
Application Deadline: Applications close in October
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12 from NYC, Westchester, or Long Island are eligible to apply; prior experience in engineering, construction management, or architecture is not required
ACE Mentor Program helps high school students learn about civil engineering, architecture, and construction by working with professionals in the field. ACE GNY runs during the school year and places you in a team of about 25 students with 15 to 20 mentors, including engineers, architects, and construction managers. You will learn the fundamentals of the industry, learn to use design software, and examine different career options. Your team will work on a mock design project and present it to families, mentors, and industry professionals in May. The program also offers exposure to real job sites, offices, and active construction projects, along with insights into the business aspects of engineering, like budgeting and project management.
14. High School Initiative in Remote Sensing of the Earth Systems Engineering and Sciences (HIRES) Summer Internship
Location: The City College of New York, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free | Students earn a $1,000 stipend
Cohort Size: 25 students
Dates: 7 weeks between June and August
Application Deadline: January – March
Eligibility: New York City Department of Education charter or public high school students who are enrolled in or have completed Algebra 1 and 2 with at least a B average, and or pre-calculus, can apply; you can check the other requirements here
The HIRES Summer Internship is a seven-week program for NYC students with limited access to STEM education. You’ll work on research projects focused on climate, water, and environmental justice with graduate students, faculty, and mentors from CUNY and NOAA CREST. The program includes professional development, technical workshops, field trips, and public speaking sessions. You’ll take pre-college courses (3 credits) in GIS, MATLAB, Python, and remote sensing. You’ll also participate in a one-week orientation and present your research at the CUNY STEM Summer Research Symposium.
15. Boston Society for Architecture (BSA) Arch/Design High School Internships
Location: Local architecture firms in Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free | Paid
Cohort Size: Varies depending on the number of firms offering internships
Dates: July 6 – August 14
Application Deadline: Applications open on February 20
Eligibility: Boston public high school students in grades 9–12
The Architecture/Design High School Internship is a six-week paid program for Boston public school students. It is run by the BSA and BSA Foundation with support from the Boston Private Industry Council. You’ll work at local architecture firms, join site visits, and learn 3D modeling, drawing, and presentation skills. You will develop teamwork, time management, and personal skills. You will also participate in firm visits, neighborhood tours, and a final project share-out. Each firm has its own focus, giving returning students a new perspective each year. The internship provides a strong foundation in the built environment and in civil engineering concepts such as site analysis, construction, urban planning, and technical skills. You’ll also learn how buildings are designed for safety, sustainability, and community impact.
16. NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) Internships
Location: Remote or in person at any of NASA’s ten field centers across the U.S.
Cost/Stipend: Free | Students may qualify for a stipend based on their academic level and internship duration
Acceptance Rate: Around 5%
Dates: 10 weeks from late May/early June to August (Summer Session) | 16 weeks from late August/early September to mid-December (Fall Session)
Application Deadline: February 27 (Summer Session) | May 22 (Fall Session)
Eligibility: U.S. high school students who are 16 or older, enrolled full-time as a student, and have a minimum GPA of 3.0
NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement offers internships that provide students with hands-on experience in engineering, science, business, finance, and IT. You’ll work with engineers and research scientists, explore fields like robotics, aeronautics, astronomy, ecology, and science communication, and join virtual talks with astronauts. Internships at NASA centers can be full- or part-time and help you develop skills and strengthen your resume. Depending on the role, you might help develop technology, collect and analyze data, design experiments, operate telescopes, or support mission planning. You can learn about civil engineering through work in facility planning, large-scale operations, engineering design challenges, and project management. You can also explore how structural and operational decisions are made for complex missions, gaining experience that connects core civil engineering skills to real-world projects.
17. Future Leaders in Planning (FLIP) Program by Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP)
Location: CMAP’s office at the Old Post Office in downtown Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: Free | Students earn a stipend
Cohort Size: 34 students
Dates: 5-day program; July 15 – July 17, July 22, and July 23 (tentative)
Application Deadline: June 2 (tentative)
Eligibility: Rising 9th–12th grade students and recent high school graduates who live in or attend school in Kane, Cook, Kendall, Lake, DuPage, McHenry, or Will counties in northeastern Illinois
The Future Leaders in Planning Program is a free leadership program for high school students run by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning. You’ll learn about urban planning through interactive workshops led by CMAP staff and partners, covering topics like city design, sustainability, housing, public transit, and environmental protection. You will engage in practical projects that address real regional issues and explore careers in transportation, public policy, government, and related fields. You’ll also connect with peers and mentors, visit local sites, and learn how planning influences built environments and infrastructure systems, with some introductory exposure to civil engineering concepts through a planning perspective. Throughout the program, you’ll build leadership, communication, and advocacy skills, enhance your resume, and receive a certificate of completion, with the option to receive a letter of recommendation.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like computational modeling, material sciences, or environmental systems, 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 – Stony Brook University