Internships provide a structured way for you to move beyond classroom learning and engage directly in professional settings. You will work within defined systems, clinical environments, research labs, corporate teams, or public institutions, where tasks are tied to real outputs. You might analyze datasets in Excel or Python, observe how laboratory protocols are carried out, assist with documenting workflows, or contribute to small-scale projects. These experiences help you develop technical competencies (data handling, research methods, domain-specific tools) alongside transferable skills such as documentation, communication, and time management. Importantly, internships also help you evaluate whether your academic interests, such as biology, engineering, or business, align with day-to-day professional work.
If you want to explore adjacent pathways, you can also look into research programs for high school students, which focus more on structured academic inquiry, or free summer programs for high school students in Georgia, which tend to involve deeper, mentor-guided projects with measurable outputs.
Why Atlanta is a great place
Atlanta offers a dense and diversified professional landscape that is particularly useful for early exposure. The city hosts major public health institutions like the CDC, research-driven universities such as Emory and Georgia Tech, and corporate headquarters, including Delta Air Lines, UPS, and Coca-Cola. This concentration means you can access internships spanning epidemiology, biomedical research, logistics optimization, software development, and business operations within a single metropolitan area. Additionally, Atlanta’s growing startup ecosystem introduces you to more iterative, project-based work environments, where roles may involve rapid prototyping, data-driven decision-making, or cross-functional collaboration. For a high school student, this translates into a higher probability of finding domain-specific experiences rather than generic shadowing roles.
Below is a curated list of 15 internships in Atlanta for high school students, spanning public health, engineering, business operations, environmental science, and policy. Each program is selected based on accessibility for high schoolers, the specificity of skills you can develop, and exposure to real-world workflows, tools, and domain practices.
1. Atlanta Botanical Garden Summer High School Internship
Location: Atlanta Botanical Garden, Atlanta, GA
Stipend: Paid ($12/hour)
Dates: June 2–July 16
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Students aged 16+ from Metro Atlanta Title I schools (rising sophomores–seniors)
The Atlanta Botanical Garden Summer High School Internship places you in plant science and conservation environments, where you will assist with greenhouse cultivation, outdoor ecosystem maintenance, and lab-based research tasks. You may work with plant propagation systems, support conservation protocols, and contribute to projects in spaces like the Fuqua Conservatory or Orchid Center. Some roles include exposure to genetics-related workflows and ecological monitoring. You are required to maintain a structured journal documenting observations and complete an independent project, reinforcing scientific documentation and presentation skills.
2. Emory University NextGen High School Internship Program
Location: Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
Stipend: Paid
Dates: Summer (exact dates not specified)
Application Deadline: Results released March 27 (applications typically close earlier in spring)
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors; must be 16+ by June 1
The NextGen High School Internship Program places you within the Department of Human Genetics, where you’ll rotate across research labs and clinical environments. You will be exposed to core concepts in genetics, including gene expression, clinical diagnostics, and translational research. The program combines lectures with lab rotations, allowing you to observe experimental workflows, clinical case discussions, and data interpretation processes. You will also engage with broader STEM ecosystems around Emory, gaining insight into how research integrates with healthcare delivery and biotech applications.
3. MARTA High School Internship Program
Location: Atlanta, GA (MARTA departments across the city)
Stipend: Paid / For-credit options available
Dates: Year-round (summer, semester, or annual placements)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students aged 16+ with school work authorization
The MARTA Internship Program places you within operational and technical departments tied to public transit systems, including engineering, data analytics, marketing, and urban planning. You may work on logistics workflows, support transit scheduling systems, analyze ridership or operational data, or assist in community outreach and infrastructure projects. The program emphasizes applied problem-solving in large-scale systems, exposing you to how transportation networks are designed, monitored, and optimized. Interns can work up to 30 hours per week and gain experience relevant to STEM, operations research, and public sector planning.
4. Atlanta Bar Association Summer Law Internship Program (SLIP)
Location: Atlanta, GA (law firms and legal organizations, primarily within I-285)
Stipend: Paid
Dates: May 27–July 17
Application Deadline: March 19
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
The Summer Law Internship Program (SLIP) places you in professional legal environments, where you will assist attorneys and legal staff with research, case preparation, and document review. You may work with legal databases, analyze case materials, and observe courtroom or client-related proceedings, building familiarity with legal reasoning and procedural workflows. The program emphasizes understanding the structure of the legal system, including the application of statutes and the role of the Rule of Law. You’ll also engage in mentorship with legal professionals, gaining exposure to legal writing, argumentation, and professional communication practices.
5. Microsoft High School Discovery Program
Location: Atlanta, GA (Microsoft office)
Stipend: Paid
Dates: July 6–July 31
Application Deadline: Rolling (applications open early February; interviews begin March)
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors within Atlanta-area school districts; must have completed pre-calculus
The Microsoft Discovery Program places you in a structured, project-based tech environment where you will work on hands-on assignments aligned with software development and product workflows. You will collaborate with peers and Microsoft mentors to complete technical tasks, which may include coding exercises, debugging, and basic system design. The program also introduces you to software engineering principles, version control practices, and collaborative development cycles. Alongside project work, you’ll engage in professional skill-building sessions focused on communication, problem-solving, and career pathways in technology.
6. TAG-Ed High School Summer Internship Program
Location: Georgia (host companies across Metro Atlanta and surrounding areas)
Stipend: Paid and unpaid opportunities available
Dates: June 1–late July (8 weeks)
Application Deadline: Rolling (applications open; highly competitive)
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors aged 17+ by June 1; must be eligible to work in the U.S.
The TAG-Ed High School Summer Internship Program matches you with a host company where you’ll work on a defined STEM project with clear deliverables. You are typically placed in small teams, collaborating on tasks such as coding, engineering design, data analysis, or technical problem-solving, depending on the company’s domain. The structure emphasizes project-based workflows, such as defining objectives, executing tasks, and presenting outcomes, under professional supervision. You will gain exposure to industry tools and collaborative work environments, as well as experience translating theoretical knowledge into applied solutions.
7. DPR Construction Build Up High School Internship
Location: Atlanta, GA (local construction job sites; varies by project)
Stipend: Paid (hourly; transportation stipend available)
Dates: Summer (8 weeks; exact dates vary)
Application Deadline: April 15
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors, seniors, or recent graduates; must meet income eligibility and be authorized to work in the U.S.
The DPR Build Up Internship places you on active construction sites, where you’ll support core construction management workflows such as subcontractor coordination, document control, and project tracking. You may work with industry tools like BIM 360, CMIC, HammerTech, and Primavera while assisting with scheduling updates, site inspections, and safety compliance processes. The program emphasizes understanding how large-scale construction projects are planned, executed, and monitored, combining technical exposure with hands-on field experience. You will also complete a capstone project and engage in structured mentorship, building familiarity with engineering, architecture, and construction management systems.
8. ACLU of Georgia High School Internship
Location: Atlanta, GA
Stipend: Unpaid / School credit (varies by term)
Dates: Spring, Summer, Fall (varies by session)
Application Deadline: Varies by term; fall legal externship deadline March 27
Eligibility: High school, undergraduate, and graduate students
ACLU of Georgia internships place you in functional areas such as legal research, policy analysis, communications, or community engagement. Depending on your track, you may assist with drafting reports, analyzing policy documents, supporting outreach campaigns, or organizing advocacy initiatives. Legal-focused roles involve exposure to litigation workflows, including reviewing case materials and understanding civil liberties frameworks. The program emphasizes structured research, written communication, and familiarity with public policy and legal systems.
9. C.W. Matthews Contracting High School Internship
Location: Atlanta, GA (construction project sites and offices)
Stipend: Paid
Dates: Summer, varies by project; typically 6–10 weeks
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students. Priority to juniors/seniors with interest in construction/engineering
The C.W. Matthews Internship places you within heavy civil construction environments, where you’ll support infrastructure projects such as roadwork, grading, and paving operations. You may assist with site measurements, material tracking, and project documentation while observing equipment operations and safety protocols. The program introduces you to construction management workflows, including scheduling, cost estimation, and quality control. You will also gain exposure to field-to-office coordination, helping you understand how engineering plans translate into large-scale infrastructure execution.
10. Georgia Power Apprentice Lineworker Internship
Location: Atlanta, GA (field-based; varies by crew assignment)
Stipend: $18/hour
Dates: Summer (8 weeks)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school graduates aged 18+ with a valid driver’s license
This internship places you in utility field operations, where you’ll work alongside lineworker crews on power line construction and maintenance tasks. You will develop familiarity with electrical distribution systems, safety protocols, and equipment handling, including the use of basic hand tools and materials. The role emphasizes applied technical skills such as load handling, site safety compliance, and understanding infrastructure standards. You can also gain exposure to workforce pathways in skilled trades, including certification routes like the Electrical Lineworker Apprentice Certification (ELAC), and observe how large-scale energy systems are maintained in real-world conditions.
11. Georgia Tech STEP (Science, Technology, and Engineering Program)
Location: Georgia Tech, Atlanta, GA
Stipend: Unpaid (fully funded; no cost to attend)
Dates: July 6–July 17
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Georgia residents aged 16+
The STEP Program places you in a team-based engineering environment where you’ll work on an open-ended problem derived from ongoing Georgia Tech research. You will collaborate with peers and a faculty mentor to design, prototype, and iterate solutions, often involving basic CAD modeling, mechanical design, or systems thinking. The program emphasizes engineering workflows such as problem definition, prototyping, testing, and refinement rather than following predefined instructions. You will present your final design in a poster session, developing technical communication and engineering documentation skills.
12. VOX Media Café (VMC) Summer Program
Location: VOX ATL, Atlanta, GA
Stipend: Unpaid (free; $100 refundable deposit)
Dates: June 1–June 12 (Session 1) | June 15–June 26 (Session 2)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Teens aged 13–19 in the Atlanta area
VOX Media Café places you in a hands-on media production environment where you’ll develop skills in journalism, podcasting, videography, and digital storytelling. You will work on a self-directed multimedia project, applying techniques such as interviewing, scriptwriting, audio editing, and visual composition. The program emphasizes content production workflows, from ideation to publication, using media-creation tools. You will also collaborate in small teams to produce articles, podcasts, or video pieces that are published on VOXATL platforms, building experience in storytelling, audience engagement, and multimedia communication.
13. Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) High School Summer Internship
Location: Atlanta, GA (GTRI labs; also Cobb County and Warner Robins sites)
Stipend: Paid
Dates: Summer (5 weeks; typically early June–mid July)
Application Deadline: January (pre-application; highly selective)
Eligibility: Georgia high school students aged 16+ (sophomores–seniors; U.S. work authorization required)
The GTRI High School Internship places you in applied research labs where you work on engineering and technology projects under the mentorship of a researcher. The projects span areas such as robotics, radar systems, rapid prototyping, and energy systems, with tasks that may include building prototypes, conducting experiments, or analyzing technical data. You would be integrated into lab workflows, gaining exposure to tools and techniques used in real research environments. The program also includes lab tours, technical training sessions, and a final presentation, emphasizing both experimental design and scientific communication.
14. Atlanta Public Schools (APS) Internship Program
Location: Atlanta, GA (partner organizations across the city)
Stipend: Unpaid (varies by placement)
Dates: January–April
Application Deadline: Fall semester (varies by school cycle)
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors enrolled in APS
The APS Internship Program pairs you with a professional mentor for a structured 60-hour placement aligned with your career interests. You’ll engage in workplace tasks such as research, documentation, or project support depending on your assigned field, while also completing a capstone project that tracks your learning outcomes. The program includes a preparatory mentorship course in the fall, emphasizing professional communication, goal setting, and workplace readiness. Overall, the experience focuses on developing soft skills alongside exposure to real-world professional workflows.
15. Cristo Rey Atlanta Corporate Work Study Program (CWSP)
Location: Metro Atlanta (130+ partner companies)
Stipend: Paid (through partner company contributions to school program)
Dates: Year-round (students work 1 day per week during the academic year)
Application Deadline: Varies (school admission cycle)
Eligibility: Students enrolled at Cristo Rey Atlanta Jesuit High School
The Corporate Work Study Program integrates academics with structured workplace experience, placing you in professional environments such as finance, engineering firms, healthcare systems, and corporate offices. You will work one day per week, performing entry-level tasks like data entry, document processing, administrative coordination, and basic business operations. Over time, you will build familiarity with workplace tools (e.g., spreadsheets, internal databases, communication platforms) and develop professional competencies such as workflow management, communication protocols, and task prioritization. The program is designed as a longitudinal exposure to professional systems rather than a short-term internship, emphasizing skill accumulation and workplace adaptability.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re 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: Georgia Tech