Ever feel like you’re ready to explore a career path but don’t know where to start? High school internships offer an accessible way to gain hands-on experience, refine advanced skills, and experience what it’s like to work in a professional environment. Whether you’re interested in research, business, or creative fields, internships give you a taste of real-world work and help your applications stand out with notable experiences.
Why should I intern in Chicago?
Chicago stands out as a rich landscape for high school students seeking early professional exposure. With its mix of world-class universities, leading corporations, and a deep commitment to community development, the city provides a range of internships for high school students that combine hands-on learning with academic rigor. For Chicago-based students, participating in local internships can be a cost-effective way to build experience while staying close to home.
To help you get started, we’ve curated a list of 13 internships for high school students in Chicago that foster skill development, research fluency, and real-world insight across diverse fields.
13 Internships for High School Students in Chicago
1. Data Science Institute (DSI) Summer Lab
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Program Dates: June 15 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 12
Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Eligibility: Chicago-area high school students and undergraduate students | International students are eligible to apply | No prior research experience required
The DSI Summer Lab immerses students in applied data science research across various domains, including computer science, climate modeling, social science, and biomedical data. You’ll work with a research mentor, gaining experience in data cleaning, statistical modeling, and Python-based analysis. The program emphasizes interdisciplinary methods, reproducible coding practices (utilizing GitHub, Jupyter, and Python libraries such as Pandas and scikit-learn), and collaborative problem-solving. You will also attend seminars on current research and develop communication skills through a final research presentation and video project modeled after academic conferences.
2. ResearcHStart
Cost/Stipend: $3,000 taxable stipend
Program Dates: June 15 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 19
Location: Chicago and Urbana-Champaign, IL (multiple university sites)
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors from Illinois or Lake County, Indiana | At least 16 years old by start of program | Strong interest in scientific research or medicine
ResearcHStart places students in university cancer research labs where they work 35–40 hours per week on ongoing investigations in cancer immunology, bioengineering, biophysics, and pharmacology. You’ll learn core lab techniques like PCR, cell culture, and microscopy while analyzing real datasets under faculty mentorship. The program includes a scientific writing workshop, a lecture series on current cancer research, and concludes with a student research symposium. You will gain practical experience with experimental design, data interpretation, and lab safety protocols, mirroring the workflow of academic biomedical research.
3. Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship
Cost/Stipend: $850 participation fee | $40 application fee | Financial aid available | No Stipend
Program Dates: June 16–27
Application Deadline: February 28
Location: Virtual
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 9–12 | Must be 14+ by the start of the program | Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
This two-week virtual internship introduces students to the applications of artificial intelligence in healthcare and medical imaging. You will attend daily technical lectures on AI fundamentals, mentorship sessions with Stanford researchers, and group-based data science projects applying Python and machine learning methods to clinical datasets. The program also includes career talks with AI and healthcare professionals, offering insight into real-world intersections of medicine and computation. You’ll also gain practical exposure to model development, data preprocessing, and ethical considerations in AI for health, earning a certificate of completion at the end of the session.
4. Emma Bowen Foundation (EBF) Summer Internship
Cost/Stipend: Paid (amount varies by placement)
Program Dates: May – August (minimum 8 weeks, 35–40 hours/week)
Application Deadline: Rolling review from September–April | Final placements notified by ~May 15
Location: Multiple sites nationwide
Eligibility: High school seniors or undergraduate students | Must be at least 18 years old | Must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 | Must be authorized to work in the U.S.
The EBF Summer Internship places students with leading media, tech, and entertainment organizations for immersive, full-time summer roles. You’ll gain applied experience in production, journalism, software development, business operations, and communications, depending on your host company. You’ll develop technical and workplace competencies such as digital content strategy, data analytics, or project coordination. Only interns matched and hired through EBF partner companies earn official EBF Fellow status, making it a selective and respected entry point into the media and tech industries.
5. Teen Fellows – Chicago Architecture Center (CAC)
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Program Dates: June 22 – May 8 (15-month program)
Application Deadline: March 31
Location: Harold Washington College, Chicago, IL
Eligibility: Incoming sophomores, juniors, and seniors attending high school in Chicago or surrounding areas | Must commit to the full 15-month duration
Teen Fellows is a yearlong, college-level architecture program where you’ll study design theory, architectural modeling, and digital drafting while earning college credit through Harold Washington College. You will learn industry-standard tools such as SketchUp, AutoCAD, Rhinoceros, Revit, Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop to create digital and physical design projects. The curriculum combines studio work with field exploration, including visits to firms and architectural landmarks, culminating in a paid internship at a design or architecture firm.
6. High School Science and Digital Learning Internship – Field Museum
Cost/Stipend: A stipend of $16.50/hour is paid
Program Dates: End of June–Early August
Application Deadline: March 10
Location: Field Museum, Chicago, IL
Eligibility: Current high school students who live in the Chicagoland area
The High School Science and Digital Learning Internship immerses high school students in a five-week research and media production experience at the Field Museum. You’ll collaborate with museum scientists to carry out a research project and produce a digital-media output showcasing your findings. Over the summer, you’ll gain exposure to data analysis, digital storytelling, and scientific communication, learning to apply these skills in real-world contexts. The program also includes professional development sessions focused on teamwork, presentation, and career exploration.
7. NM GCM Grosvenor Discovery Program
Location: Multiple Northwestern Medicine hospitals across Illinois (including Chicago, Lake Forest, Winfield, Huntley, DeKalb, and Palos Heights)
Cost/Stipend: Varies based on the location
Dates: November–May (monthly meetings on Saturdays, 9 a.m.–12 p.m.)
Application Deadline: September 29
Eligibility: Students entering 10th or 11th grade (seniors accepted on a limited basis) | Minimum 3.0 GPA preferred | Must be at least 15 years old and live or attend school in a participating Illinois county
The NM GCM Grosvenor Discovery Program introduces high school students to a wide range of healthcare careers through interactive experiences at Northwestern Medicine hospitals. You’ll attend monthly Saturday sessions featuring hospital tours, guest speakers, and small-group discussions with healthcare professionals. The program also emphasizes leadership, community service, and professional development, helping you build early connections in the medical field. Each student joins one of six regional “chapters,” each based at a different Northwestern Medicine hospital, making it easier to participate close to home. This is a year-long commitment designed for motivated students who wish to explore healthcare careers in a supportive and structured environment.
8. Summer Healthcare Experience in Oncology
Cost/Stipend: $500 taxable stipend
Program Dates: July 13–25
Application Deadline: March 2
Location: Virtual
Eligibility: High school students from Cook, Lake, Will, or DuPage Counties (IL) or Lake County (IN) | Must be full-time students with a strong interest in scientific research or medicine | Must be able to commit to the full two-week program
Summer Healthcare Experience in Oncology is a two-week virtual program that introduces students to cancer biology, genetics, and clinical care through hands-on activities, including a genetics-based research project and a patient case study. You will use a home laboratory kit to conduct guided experiments and analyze data, while engaging with researchers from universities such as the University of Chicago, the University of Michigan, and the University of Pennsylvania. Workshops cover biomedical research methods, healthcare ethics, and data interpretation, alongside daily faculty lectures and panel discussions.
9. JOB1 Summer Internship Program – Rotary Club of Chicago
Cost/Stipend: No cost | Paid at City of Chicago minimum wage (approx. $15.80/hour)
Program Dates: June 10 – August 9 (minimum eight weeks)
Application Deadline: March 14
Location: Chicago, IL
Eligibility: Chicago high school juniors and graduating seniors (ages 16+) | Must attend Rotary job training workshops and participate in a volunteer service project
JOB1 is a workforce readiness and paid internship program that connects Chicago high school students with local businesses and nonprofits. You’ll complete a series of professional development workshops covering topics such as resume writing, networking, interview preparation, and leadership skills before being matched with an employer at the annual JOBFair. You’ll gain on-the-job experience across industries by working 20–40 hours per week, while also participating in Rotary Youth Leadership Awards and applying for college scholarships of up to $2,500.
10. Chicago Summer Business Institute (CSBI)
Cost/Stipend: Paid internships (amount varies by sponsor/employer)
Program Dates: Six-week internship (exact summer block communicated to accepted students)
Application Deadline: March 31
Location: Downtown Chicago, IL (placements at business/employer sites)
Eligibility: Chicago residents | High school sophomores and juniors with a minimum GPA of 3.0 | Household income under $80,000
CSBI places students into finance-sector internships with an emphasis on workplace deliverables and financial literacy. You’ll produce work like spreadsheet analyses, basic accounting tasks, and client-ready documents, and receive targeted instruction in interview technique, professional correspondence, and industry terminology. The program workflow includes application → recommender submissions → employer matching → a six-week supervised internship where measurable outputs and supervisor evaluations determine future opportunities.
11. Be Your Own Boss Internship – Future Founders
Cost/Stipend: Paid | Cash stipend based on attendance and participation
Program Dates: Multiple cycles throughout the year.
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Location: Virtual (with possible in-person events in Chicago)
Eligibility: High school students in public or charter schools in Chicago and nationwide | Open to all backgrounds and experience levels
The Be Your Own Boss Internship introduces you to entrepreneurship and startup thinking through a hands-on, project-based learning model. You’ll collaborate in teams to design a business idea, develop a basic app prototype, and pitch your startup concept at a virtual showcase. The program integrates STEM and business principles while emphasizing teamwork, communication, and creative problem-solving. Guided by practising entrepreneurs, you’ll gain exposure to Chicago’s startup ecosystem and expand your professional networks, all while earning a stipend for active participation.
12. After School Matters (ASM) Fall Programs
Cost/Stipend: Paid (amount varies by program)
Program Dates: September 23 – December 13
Application Deadline: Applications open in fall | Interviews hosted on September 11–12
Location: Multiple sites across Chicago, IL
Eligibility: Chicago high school students ages 14–18 | Must attend an interview at the program’s host site
ASM offers a diverse portfolio of project-based opportunities in STEM, digital media, trades, visual arts and more. Over the session, you’ll join a team led by industry mentors, complete a series of real-world tasks (e.g., coding, fabrication, or culinary work depending on the track), and earn a stipend based on attendance and completed outcomes. The program emphasizes professional habits (time management, communication) and project deliverables rather than purely academic topics.
13. Shedd Aquarium Internships
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid
Program Dates: Vary by season: Spring (March–May), Summer (June–August), Fall (October–December)
Application Deadline: January (Spring) | March (Summer) | August (Fall)
Location: Shedd Aquarium, Chicago, IL
Eligibility: Applicants must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED
Shedd Aquarium’s internship program provides career-focused training across animal care, conservation research, marketing, public relations, and nonprofit operations. You’ll work alongside aquarium professionals to learn species management, environmental education, and conservation outreach methods. Veterinary internships will enable you to assist in the diagnosis, treatment, and preventive care of aquatic and terrestrial species, utilising tools such as digital imaging and laboratory diagnostics. You’ll also gain exposure to real-world research and animal care practices while developing technical, communication, and organizational skills relevant to careers in wildlife and environmental science.
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 – Emma Bowen Foundation