If you’re in high school and want to do something meaningful with your time, internships are one of the best ways to get started early. Instead of just learning in a classroom, you get to step into real workplaces, work on real projects, and see what different careers actually look like day to day. You’ll build confidence, communication skills, and problem-solving abilities that are hard to learn from books alone.
Why choose a Maryland-based internship?
Maryland is a great place to explore early career opportunities. With world-class institutions like Johns Hopkins University, NIST, and major hospitals, labs, and tech organizations, you can get hands-on experience without having to travel far from home. Choosing a local internship also makes things easier and more affordable because you can avoid housing and travel costs while still gaining serious experience for your resume or college applications.
You might find yourself helping analyze data in a research lab, shadowing healthcare professionals, supporting tech or engineering projects, or even working in communications and media.
If you’re also interested in exploring research opportunities, you can check out our guide for high school students here.
14 Internships for High School Students in Maryland
1. NIST’s Summer High School Intern Program
Location: NIST, Gaithersburg, MD
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: 8 weeks starting the second or third week of June
Application Deadline: November 1 – February 6
Eligibility: U.S. high school juniors or seniors (and graduated seniors who haven’t started college yet) with a minimum GPA of 3.0
NIST’s Summer High School Intern Program places you in an eight-week, full-time research experience at one of its six federal laboratories. As an intern, you will be paired with a NIST scientist or engineer to work on research projects across disciplines such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, materials science, or advanced computing. The experience combines laboratory work, technical training, and participation in research seminars to build your scientific understanding. You’ll also prepare a final poster presentation to showcase your findings, giving you early exposure to professional research communication.
2. ASPIRE Program
Location: Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD (virtual options available)
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: June 24/25/26 – August 21 (summer); May be continued into the academic year
Application Deadline: January 1 – February 15
Eligibility: U.S. high school juniors or seniors (15+) with a minimum GPA of 2.8; More info here
The ASPIRE Program at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory connects you with STEM-driven projects led by APL researchers, enabling you to explore areas like aerospace engineering, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and environmental science. If you’re accepted into this competitive program. You will be assigned to projects aligned with your interests. You’ll get to contribute through activities like coding, laboratory experimentation, design work, research tasks, or science communication, depending on your strengths.
3. Summer Academic Research Experience (SARE)
Location: Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
Stipend: $3,000
Dates: June 23 – August 14
Application Deadline: November 1 – February 1
Eligibility: High school students from households earning less than 200% of the federal poverty level; must be educationally under-resourced
As a participant in the SARE program, you will spend most of your time conducting mentored lab research under the guidance of doctoral or postdoctoral fellows while also attending classes in bioethics, mathematics, scientific writing, and laboratory science. The curriculum helps you strengthen analytical and communication skills, while the mentoring component fosters professional growth and lab proficiency. You’ll work on active research projects, learning techniques like data analysis, microscopy, and hypothesis testing, and might even get to contribute to published studies. The program concludes with a public presentation of your research before an audience of scientists, peers, and family members.
4. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)
Location: Varies based on Department of the Navy (DoN) lab locations (MD included)
Stipend: $4,000 (new participants); $4,500 (returning participants)
Dates: June – August (8 weeks)
Application Deadline: August 1 – November 1
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10-12 (16+) who are U.S. citizens
SEAP connects talented high school students with Department of the Navy laboratories for eight weeks of hands-on research each summer. Around 300 students are selected annually to work in one of 38 Navy labs across the country. If chosen, you will collaborate with scientists and engineers on real-world projects in areas such as cybersecurity, electronics, and materials science. You’ll engage directly in laboratory experiments, data analysis, and systems design while gaining insights into military research and technological innovation.
5. Biophysics Research for Baltimore Teens (BRBT)
Location: Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
Stipend: $15 per hour
Dates: July 8 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors living in Baltimore City and attending a Baltimore City public school
The Biophysics Research for Baltimore Teens program will introduce you to hands-on biomedical research at Johns Hopkins University. Over the course of several weeks, you’ll work in advanced laboratories alongside university instructors, graduate students, and faculty mentors on projects involving DNA and protein engineering, microbiology, and molecular biology. This paid internship blends daily lab work with classes that explain the scientific principles behind each experiment, helping you develop critical thinking and data analysis skills.
6. Johns Hopkins Summer Jobs Program (JHSJP)
Location: Johns Hopkins University and Health System campuses, Baltimore, MD
Stipend: $15 per hour
Dates: June 22 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 2 – February 15
Eligibility: High school students living in Baltimore City; Must register with both YouthWorks and the Johns Hopkins Summer Jobs Program
During the Johns Hopkins Summer Jobs Program, you’ll work five hours a day, five days a week, gaining firsthand exposure to professional roles in healthcare, research, and administration. The program combines work experience with weekly professional development sessions that focus on communication, leadership, and workplace responsibility. You’ll also learn about the core values and culture of Johns Hopkins while contributing meaningfully to your assigned departments. Beyond practical skills, the program also emphasizes mentorship and personal growth, helping you develop a strong foundation for future academic and career pursuits.
7. Bank of America Student Leaders Program
Location: Various locations across the U.S., including MD (the Leadership Summit is held in Washington, D.C.)
Stipend: Paid
Dates: 8 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: October 14 – January 15
Eligibility: U.S. high school juniors and seniors who live in an eligible area and have not participated in the program before (more details here)
The Bank of America Student Leaders Program selects about 300 high school juniors and seniors nationwide for an eight-week paid internship at local nonprofit organizations. As a participant, you’ll work with community-based nonprofits such as Habitat for Humanity or Boys & Girls Clubs of America, learning about fundraising, budgeting, and community development. Alongside your internship, you’ll attend the week-long Student Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C., where discussions and workshops focus on civic engagement, economic responsibility, and leadership in action.
8. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
Location: All 50 U.S. states + Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, and the Pacific Islands
Stipend: $3,000
Dates: 8 weeks from June – August
Application Deadline: November 21 – January 25
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors (16+)
The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program is an eight-week paid summer internship run by the American Fisheries Society that pairs you with professional mentors in fisheries and aquatic science. As a participant, you’ll gain hands-on experience in marine or freshwater environments, working on tasks like fish population surveys, water quality testing, electrofishing, or habitat restoration. This internship covers both field and laboratory research, allowing you to assist in specimen analysis, data processing, and environmental education initiatives. Each internship is unique, depending on your mentor’s area of expertise, and some placements include extended field trips for data collection.
9. CLA High School Internship Program
Location: Various locations across the U.S., including MD
Stipend: $18 – $20 per hour
Dates: June 16 – July 17
Application Deadline: Not mentioned
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors who are between the ages of 16-18
The CLA High School Internship Program introduces you to professional services, business, and accounting through paid, hands-on summer experiences. As an intern, you will work on real projects involving tax preparation, auditing, and financial analysis while learning directly from mentors in the field. The program emphasizes skill development in problem-solving, communication, and teamwork through activities like case studies, job shadowing, and team projects. In addition to practical exposure, you will participate in workshops and networking events that help you understand the broader business environment and potential career paths.
10. Baltimore Law Links Internship
Location: Various law firms and agencies across Baltimore, MD
Stipend: $15 per hour
Dates: June 23 – August 7 (tentative)
Application Deadline: January – April 5 (tentative)
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors enrolled in Baltimore City Public Schools
The Baltimore Law Links Internship will place you in a seven-week, paid summer internship at a law firm or legal organization. As an intern, you will work full-time and gain firsthand experience performing administrative tasks, assisting with document preparation, and learning about the inner workings of the legal system. The program also includes participation in the Law & Leadership Institute, a 50-hour seminar series with workshops, speakers, and professional development sessions designed to teach workplace etiquette and leadership skills.
11. Urban Alliance High School Internship Program
Location: Various businesses across Baltimore, MD
Stipend: Paid
Dates: 9-month program during the school year
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school seniors enrolled in Baltimore City Public Schools
The Urban Alliance High School Internship Program will connect you with a year-long, paid internship opportunity that combines job skills training, mentorship, and workplace experience. The program begins with six weeks of pre-employment training, followed by part-time work during the academic year and full-time employment over the summer. You will be matched with both a workplace mentor and an Urban Alliance Program Lead, ensuring continuous guidance throughout the internship. You’ll also take part in weekly professional development workshops designed to strengthen communication, teamwork, and goal-setting skills.
12. Baltimore Alliance for Careers in Healthcare (BACH) Fellows Internship Program
Location: Various hospitals and healthcare institutions in Baltimore, MD
Stipend: Summer Program: Paid; School-Year Program: Unpaid (eligible for Service-Learning Hours)
Dates: 5-week summer internship starts in late June or early July; School-year program follows the academic year
Application Deadline: January – March
Eligibility: High school juniors, seniors, and recent graduates in the Baltimore area
The BACH Fellows Internship Program is a selective program that connects approximately 35 Baltimore high school students with hands-on learning experiences in hospitals and health centers across the city. During the five-week paid summer session, you’ll shadow healthcare professionals, explore allied health careers, and learn about medical technology while developing practical workplace skills such as punctuality, communication, and conflict resolution. The school-year version of the program offers a volunteer-based experience that also fulfills Service-Learning requirements. You will be guided by a teacher-mentor who provides professional development and support throughout the internship.
13. Zoo Teen Volunteer Program
Location: The Maryland Zoo, Baltimore, MD
Stipend: Unpaid (qualifies for service learning hours)
Dates: Year-round volunteer commitment; Training begins in late June/early July
Application Deadline: January 31 – April 11
Eligibility: High school students aged 14-17
The Maryland Zoo’s Zoo Teen Volunteer Program introduces you to the world of animal care, conservation, and public engagement. You’ll begin as a Zoo Guide, helping visitors by answering questions and sharing information about exhibits and conservation efforts. After completing your summer volunteer requirements, you can specialize in guest engagement or conservation research, depending on your interests. You will also receive comprehensive training, leadership development, and opportunities to take part in events like Zoo BOO! or Breakfast with Bunny.
14. Internships at Maryland Public Television (MPT)
Location: Maryland Public Television, Owings Mills, MD (virtual options offered too)
Stipend: Unpaid
Dates: Summer: June 2 – August 15; Fall: September 10 – December 15; Spring: January 28 – May 15
Application Deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors willing to commit to at least 16 hours per week
Maryland Public Television internships will expose you to the inner workings of a public broadcasting network. As an intern, you’ll participate in projects related to television programming, production, development, or digital media, with options for both in-person and hybrid roles. Depending on your placement, you might assist with co-productions, communications, marketing, or IT, gaining exposure to multiple aspects of broadcast operations. Each intern works closely with MPT professionals, dedicating at least 16 hours per week to meaningful tasks that enhance technical and creative skills.
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 – Johns Hopkins University