If you’re a high school student in the Bay Area and interested in exploring a specific career field, a local internship is one of the best places to start. Most internships let you work on actual tasks, whether that means organizing data in spreadsheets, helping with research, writing content, creating presentations, or doing some beginner-level coding and design work. Depending on your role, you might also work with tools such as Canva, Google Docs and Sheets, or basic programming platforms. These are solid skills that hold up whether you’re building a resume or an academic portfolio. Beyond the work, internships also give you a behind-the-scenes look at how teams operate across industries such as finance, business, healthcare, tech, and nonprofit in real-world settings.
Why should you choose an internship in the Bay Area?
The Bay Area offers some great internship opportunities for high school students, especially in areas such as technology, biotech, and entrepreneurship. With access to companies in Silicon Valley, as well as institutions such as Stanford University and UC Berkeley, you’ll be in an environment where innovation happens constantly. Interning in this environment will give you a chance to see how people collaborate, build ideas, and work on new projects. It’s also a good way to explore different career paths and understand what kind of work you might enjoy.
Here are 15 internships for high school students in the Bay Area worth exploring.
If you’re looking for summer research programs in the Bay Area, you can find them here. You can also check out medical summer programs for high school students in the Bay Area here.
1. Experiences in Research (EinR) – Berkeley Lab
Location: Mostly hybrid or virtual; some in-person events take place at Berkeley Lab in Berkeley (San Francisco Bay Area), CA
Stipend: Students earn $500 per week
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited spots are available
Dates: June 15 – July 24
Application Deadline: February 2 – March 22
Eligibility: Students in grades 10–12 attending public schools in Contra Costa, Alameda, or San Francisco counties who have some experience working independently and are at least 16 years old by June 16
Experiences in Research program is a six-week summer internship for high school students across North Carolina who want hands-on exposure to STEM fields. During the program, you’ll work with STEM professionals at Berkeley Lab in areas such as data science, administration, experimental research, and science communication. When applying, you can share your interests and project preferences to get matched with the right opportunity, but you can’t reach out to mentors directly. Throughout the program, you’ll interact with Berkeley Lab mentors, build communication and professional skills, and gain experience useful for college and future STEM paths. You’ll work about 30 hours each week on workshops, meetings, and career talks, and also work on an independent or collaborative project based on your assignment.
2. California Academy of Sciences Careers in Science (CiS) Intern Program
Location: California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, CA; some remote work may be required
Stipend: Interns are paid above minimum wage
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 2–4 %
Dates: The program starts in June and continues for 2–3 years, with sessions held after school and on weekends until graduation
Application Deadline: February 1 – April 1
Eligibility: Current 9th or 10th grade students who are enrolled in an SFUSD school, are U.S. citizens or have work authorization, have a C or higher in science and math, and have a minimum 2.5 GPA
California Academy of Sciences’ Careers in Science program is a paid, multi-year internship for San Francisco high school students from underrepresented STEM communities, including girls and students of color. During the school year, you’ll work on Saturdays, and in the summer on weekdays, doing fieldwork and leading activities for Academy visitors. Twice a month, you’ll join training sessions to sharpen your science communication skills, meet STEM professionals, and learn about college and financial literacy. You’ll also visit colleges, attend STEM events, and help put together Academy exhibits. As you progress, you’ll take part in research or environmental action projects, step into leadership roles, and receive one-on-one mentorship throughout the experience. The program will help you build confidence, problem-solving skills, and prepare for college and STEM careers.
3. The Lawrence Teen Internship Program
Location: The Lawrence Hall of Science, Berkeley (San Francisco Bay Area), CA
Stipend: Students earn $3,500 for full summer participation, with $72 deducted for each missed day
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: June 1 – August 7 (Internship); there are 5 workshops conducted in May
Application Deadline: December 17 – January 15
Eligibility: Rising 11th and 12th-grade students who can commit to a full-time summer internship
The Lawrence Hall of Science’s Lawrence Teen Internship Program gives high school students the opportunity to explore science, work with different people, and build teaching experience for college applications or a resume. The program is divided into two parts: workshop training sessions before summer and a summer placement working with students and visitors. During training, you’ll attend sessions on science teaching, leadership, and conflict resolution. After that, you’ll take on the role of a summer science educator. You might help lead activities in areas such as the Outdoor Nature Lab, exhibits about the forces that shape the Bay Area, or guide visitors through exhibits at The Lawrence. You’ll also support classroom and camp activities by preparing materials, guiding projects, helping lead games and activities, and assisting staff with daily tasks and operations.
4. LINC Summer High School Program
Location: Marin County, CA, and San Francisco, CA
Stipend: Students receive an educational award of up to $1,500 for SEJI and up to $2,400 for SOL
Acceptance rate/cohort size: LINC SEJI accepts 12 students, and LINC SOL accepts 24 students every year
Dates: 3-week program (Science & Environmental Justice Intensive) | 6-week program (Summer of Outdoor Leadership)
Application Deadline: March 15 for both programs; students can be accepted into only one program
Eligibility: Public high school students in the Bay Area can apply, with priority given to graduating seniors, low-income students, BIPOC youth with limited access to outdoor or nature-based jobs, and students from immigrant families
The LINC Summer High School Program offers two pathways for high school students interested in environmental leadership and outdoor learning: the Science and Environmental Justice Intensive (SEJI) and the Summer of Outdoor Leadership (SOL). Both tracks focus on helping the students build leadership through environmental engagement. In SEJI, you’ll spend three weeks working on hands-on community science projects such as air-quality tracking, plant and wildlife monitoring, and studying climate change impacts. In SOL, you’ll take part in a full summer of outdoor activities, including camping, kayaking, hiking, career workshops, service learning, and reflection sessions. Along the way, you’ll meet other students, explore environmental issues, and grow as a leader. You’ll also participate in projects such as habitat restoration and scientific monitoring.
5. UCSF Summer Student Research Program
Location: Multiple sites across the San Francisco Bay Area, CA
Stipend: High school students earn $3,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Application Deadline: Applications close in February each year
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10–12 who are under-represented in the sciences, have completed at least one year of math and one year of biology, have a GPA of 3.0 or higher, show interest in health sciences, are U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents, and are at least 16 years old by June 1
UCSF Summer Student Research Program gives high school students the opportunity to explore biomedical research through hands-on work at a clinic, lab, or community health site. Run by the University of California, San Francisco, the program pairs you with a mentor who shapes your project around your interests and their expertise. You can choose a broad area of focus, such as lab, clinical, or community health research. The program is affiliated with UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland and offers workshops, seminars, mentoring, and networking activities. You’ll also take part in journal clubs and social events, and attend weekly talks by UCSF PhDs and MDs. At the end of the program, you’ll present your research at the SSRP research symposium on the final day.
6. High School Explainers Program at Exploratorium
Location: Exploratorium, San Francisco, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free | Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Around 130 students in total for both cohorts
Dates: Cohorts take place in the summer (June–August) and during the school year (September–May)
Application Deadline: Applications usually open in March for the summer program and in July for the school year program, and are available on the Exploratorium’s current openings page
Eligibility: High school students aged 15–18 can apply as first-time Explainers, and returning Explainers can be up to 20 years old. Students from both traditional and alternative high school programs are eligible
The High School Explainer Program at the Exploratorium gives high school students an opportunity to build job skills and engage in hands-on science learning. As an Explainer, you’ll assist with exhibits, help visitors, and participate in the daily operations of the museum. Before beginning your role, you’ll complete over 60 hours of training focused on exhibit facilitation, science content, communication, and career skills. Once you begin your internship, you’ll assist guests with special needs, run demos, answer questions, and help keep exhibits running smoothly. The program helps you grow in science knowledge, leadership, and teamwork. If you join the program for a second time, you can participate in specialized internships or study groups and may even provide multilingual support to visitors.
7. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
Location: Stanford University, Stanford (San Francisco Bay Area), CA
Cost/Stipend: $50 application fee (waivable based on financial need) | Limited need-based stipends are available through special grants
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 50 students
Dates: June 8 – July 30
Application Deadline: December 19 – February 21
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors can apply if they are at least 16 by the program start, live in the U.S., attend high school there, and are U.S. citizens or permanent residents with a green card
The Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program gives high school students the opportunity to take part in real medical research alongside Stanford faculty, researchers, and students. You can choose from areas such as stem cell and regenerative medicine, bioinformatics, immunology, cardiovascular biology, genetics, neurobiology, bioengineering, and cancer biology. You’ll get one-on-one mentoring in a research lab and gain hands-on experience working on scientific projects based on your interests. Your day will start with lectures, followed by lab work in the afternoon and weekly group discussions to share ideas and learn together. You’ll also design and present a research poster based on your project. You can choose the Bioengineering Team Internship if you want hands-on experience in biodesign and engineering.
8. UCSF’s PITCH Program
Location: Multiple UCSF campuses in San Francisco, CA
Stipend: Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Application Deadline: January 5 – March 1
Eligibility: Rising 10th and 11th-grade students who have a minimum 2.5 GPA, reside in California, and attend a California high school
UCSF’s Program for the Investigation and Training in Careers in Health (PITCH) is a three-week summer program designed for first-generation and low-income high school students interested in health and medical science careers. Through hands-on learning and mentorship, you’ll explore the healthcare field and gain a deeper understanding of how different areas of health and medicine connect in the real world. You’ll work closely with UCSF mentors to investigate important health issues and present your findings at the PITCH Health Symposium. On top of research experience, you’ll get guidance on planning for college and exploring postsecondary options. The program will help you build knowledge, explore career paths, and prepare for future steps in healthcare. You’ll also develop skills through interactive learning and mentor support throughout the program.
9. Enterprise for Youth Internship Program
Location: Various locations across San Francisco, CA
Stipend: Students earn $125 for completing the Job Readiness Training and over $21 per hour during the internship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited spots are available
Dates: June 8 – July 31
Application Deadline: April 15 for priority consideration, with rolling admissions afterward
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who identify as part of an underrepresented community, attend SFUSD or live in San Francisco, have completed Job Readiness Training, and show significant financial need for employment
The Enterprise for Youth Internship Program gives high school students the opportunity to gain real-world experience across a wide range of areas, such as nonprofits, retail, healthcare, small businesses, architecture, tech, culinary arts, and climate careers. The program runs about 75 hours in total, usually around 12 hours a week for six weeks between June and August, starting with a pre-training week in June. You will visit worksites, attend weekly professional development workshops, take part in the Climate Career Summit, and meet regularly with a job coach for guidance. You’ll also build skills in interviewing, job searching, networking, teamwork, goal setting, and confidence, with continued career support after the internship. By working in different sectors, you’ll learn how communities function, how opportunities are created, and how social and economic systems can shape career paths.
10. CURE (Community, Urban, Research, and Education) Internship Program at UCSF
Location: Multiple UCSF campuses in San Francisco and Oakland, CA
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 10–15 students
Application Deadline: October 12 – February 8
Eligibility: Current high school juniors who have a GPA of at least 2.5, have earned a B or higher in biology or chemistry, and are at least 16 by the program’s start date
UCSF’s CURE Internship Program is an 8-week summer program for high school juniors from underserved backgrounds who are interested in health sciences and biomedical research. You’ll work about 40 hours each week with a UCSF faculty member, postdoc, or graduate student who mentors you throughout the program. You’ll gain hands-on experience in research areas such as basic science, clinical research, behavioral science, and population health, and complete your own research project. At the end of your internship, you’ll present your work at a one-day research symposium. In addition to the research training, you’ll learn about college majors in science, explore research careers, and get guidance on planning a future in healthcare or biomedical fields.
11. Touro University California High School & College Summer Healthcare Program
Location: Touro University California, Vallejo (San Francisco Bay Area), CA
Stipend: High school students earn $600
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: June 15 – July 24
Application Deadline: February 1 – March 31
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors from educationally or economically disadvantaged backgrounds who live in Contra Costa, Napa, Solano, or San Joaquin counties north of the San Francisco Bay
Touro University’s Summer Healthcare Program is a six-week experience that helps high school students explore careers in health and medicine through hands-on learning. You take part in clinical simulations, medication compounding, a Food as Medicine lab, diabetes education and prevention activities, a clinical escape room, and other interactive experiences. You’ll build academic skills in labs focused on imaging, compounding, physical exams, and empathy training. You’ll work with peers on a community research project, strengthen your math and science skills, and learn about public health. In addition, you’ll receive career and peer mentoring and develop skills in time management, teamwork, and financial literacy. You’ll also earn 3 college credits and qualify for a $1,000 annual scholarship towards programs at Touro University California.
12. Genomics Research Internship Program at Stanford (GRIPS)
Location: Hybrid; virtual and in person at Stanford University, Stanford (San Francisco Bay Area), CA
Cost/Stipend: $55 application fee; need-based scholarships are available | Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Each year, more than 400 students apply, but fewer than 20 are accepted
Dates: June 15 – August 6
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: High school students age 16 or older who live in Alameda, San Francisco, San Mateo, Contra Costa, Santa Clara, or Santa Cruz counties, have some background in chemistry, biology, or computer programming through coursework or extracurriculars, and have an unweighted GPA of at least 3.0
Stanford’s Genomics Research Internship Program is an 8-week hybrid research experience for local high school students interested in computational genetics and genomics. You’ll take part in both lab work and group workshops, along with some required in-person activities on campus. You’ll spend about 20 hours each week in a research lab working on a genomics project with guidance from a mentor. Your experience in Python, R, or Java will help determine your placement. In addition to lab work, you’ll join weekly cohort sessions, career panels, and seminars on biomedical research. You’ll also meet regularly with your mentor, build professional skills, and connect with other students and researchers who share your research interests.
13. JCYC SF YouthWorks
Location: Various government agencies and departments in San Francisco, CA
Stipend: $19.18 / hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: The program runs once during the school year (September–May) and once in the summer (June–August)
Application Deadline: September (school-year program) | April (summer program)
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who live and attend school in San Francisco and have a valid work permit
SF YouthWorks is a paid internship program for San Francisco high school juniors and seniors interested in exploring careers in the public sector. You are placed in city departments such as the Public Utilities Commission, Fire Department, Youth Commission, Public Library, Department of Technology, Real Estate Division, and San Francisco International Airport. You’ll work with city employees who will mentor you, helping you to gain real-world experience. You’ll improve your confidence and professional skills by participating in job readiness workshops, career exploration events, college visits, and community service. If you return to the program a second time, you can join the Youth Leadership Team to help plan workshops, assist with events, further develop leadership skills, and remain involved in the program.
14. UCSF SEP’s High School Intern Program (HIP)
Location: University of California, San Francisco, CA
Stipend: Interns earn $4,500 for 35 hours a week
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 25 students
Application Deadline: February 8
Eligibility: Current high school juniors who attend a San Francisco charter school or an SFUSD high school
The SEP High School Intern Program at the University of California is an eight-week summer opportunity for local high school juniors to gain hands-on experience in biomedical science and healthcare research. Placements in research labs across the university depend on your preferences, schedule, and location. You are paired with a scientist who mentors you on a project based on your interests. You might work in areas such as molecular biology, immunology, neuroscience, developmental biology, cancer research, stem cell research, or infectious diseases. In addition to the lab work, you’ll interact with researchers, build science communication skills, and get college prep support, including help with resumes, financial aid, personal statements, transcripts, and campus visits. You’ll also gain practical experience in a lab setting. You can read past projects here.
15. Introductory College Level Experience in Microbiology (ICLEM) by JBEI
Location: Virtual and in person at Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville (San Francisco Bay Area), CA
Stipend: $3,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 8–10 students
Dates: June 8 – July 24
Application Deadline: March 20
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors from low-income backgrounds who have a GPA of at least 2.5, are at least 16 by June 15, live in Alameda, Contra Costa, or San Francisco County, and have passed Algebra 1 and biology
Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI)’s iCLEM is a 7-week paid program for high school sophomores and juniors from low-income backgrounds who are interested in science and biotechnology. The program starts with a virtual prep week for training and orientation, followed by six weeks of in-person lab work in Emeryville. You’ll work with JBEI scientists on a microbiology research project covering areas such as synthetic biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, and biofuels. The program also includes workshops on college prep, career planning, and science communication. You’ll meet UC science majors, mentors, and teachers, and take field trips to biotech and pharmaceutical companies to see real-world industry applications. You’ll also explore advanced research tools and facilities, including cyclotrons and UC Berkeley’s Nuclear Laboratory.
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: University of California, San Francisco