If you want to test out different career paths before college, applying for a local internship while you’re still in high school is one of the smartest ways to start early. Internships let you step into real workplaces, take on real responsibilities, and learn what different industries actually look like behind the scenes. Instead of guessing what a job might feel like, you get to experience it firsthand and build confidence along the way.
Why choose a San Diego based internship?
San Diego is packed with opportunities that make it an incredible place to start building experience. With top research labs, biotech companies, engineering firms, and healthcare institutions across the city, you can find high-quality internships without having to travel far. Staying local also makes it easier to balance school and work while avoiding housing and travel expenses.
These internships give you the chance to work on real tasks, learn from professionals, and start building skills that look great on college applications and resumes.
If you’re also open to research programs, you can explore our complete guide here.
15 Internships for High School Students in San Diego, CA
1. Heithoff-Brody High School Scholars Program at the Salk Institute
Location: Salk Institute, La Jolla
Cost/Stipend: No cost | $17/hour
Dates: June 16 – August 8
Application deadline: March 28
Eligibility: Open to students 16 years and older who reside and attend school in San Diego County with a minimum 2.75 GPA
The Heithoff-Brody High School Scholars Program at the Salk Institute provides an eight-week paid opportunity to conduct real scientific research under the mentorship of Salk scientists. You will contribute to ongoing projects in molecular biology, genetics, or neuroscience while learning lab techniques like microscopy, electrophoresis, and data analysis. The program includes seminars, workshops, and site visits that introduce participants to the broader biotech landscape of San Diego. You’ll also engage with researchers in discussions on experimental design and scientific communication. The experience culminates in a Summer Scholars Research Symposium, where students present their projects through oral or poster presentations.
2. Air Force Research Laboratory Scholars (AFRL) Program
Location: Multiple locations across the country, including SSC – CGN, San Diego, California
Cost/Stipend: No cost | $615.60 – $861.60/week (based on education level and credits earned)
Dates: Fall: 16 weeks (late August/early September – mid-December); Spring: 16 weeks (mid-January – early May); Summer: 10 weeks (late May/early June – August)
Application deadline: October 10 – January 10 (summer cohort)
Eligibility: U.S. citizens over 16 years of age with a minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0
The AFRL Scholars Program provides paid summer internships for high school students interested in advanced research related to aerospace systems, satellite communications, and defense technology. You’ll work alongside scientists and engineers on active research projects at designated Air Force facilities, gaining hands-on experience in areas like computer modeling, artificial intelligence, and materials testing. You will receive weekly stipends and professional mentorship, with tasks that may include supporting experiments, analyzing data, or developing software.
3. Scripps Student Research Internships
Location: Scripps Research Translational Institute, La Jolla, California (20 minutes from San Diego)
Cost/Stipend: No cost | Paid
Dates: June 2 – August 8 | June 16 – August 22
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: High school students with a strong interest in STEM who will be at least 16 years old by the start of the program
The Scripps Research Translational Institute’s Student Research Internship is a 10-week program where high school students explore biomedical research through projects in genomics, data science, and mobile health technology. Under the guidance of a research mentor, you’ll work on individual projects focused on topics such as digital health trials, precision medicine, or genetic analysis. You will participate in weekly seminars, read and discuss scientific literature, and present your findings at a final poster symposium. Most of the work involves computational or “dry lab” research, though some placements may offer limited lab-based experience.
4. Craig Venter Institute’s High School Internship
Location: J. Craig Venter Institute, La Jolla (20 minutes from San Diego)
Cost/Stipend: No cost | $17/hour
Dates: May – August; 10-15 week opportunities are offered throughout the year
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students aged 16 and above
The J. Craig Venter Institute’s High School Internship immerses you in research areas like genomics, microbiology, and bioinformatics. Over the summer, you’ll assist with experiments, data analysis, and computational modeling while working closely with a mentor in one of JCVI’s labs. You will also attend seminars, journal clubs, and professional workshops designed to strengthen research and communication skills. The program concludes with a formal poster session where you’ll present your project to the institute’s scientists.
5. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) by the Department of the Navy
Location: Various lab locations across the country, including the Naval Health Research Center (NHRC) in San Diego, California
Cost/Stipend: No cost; Stipend: $4,000 (new participants) | $4,500 (returning participants)
Dates: June – August (8 weeks)
Application deadline: November 1
Eligibility: Open to high school students in grades 10-12 who are 16 years old by the start of the program and are U.S. citizens
The Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP), run by the Department of the Navy, places motivated high school students in Navy research labs across the country for eight weeks during the summer. If you’re selected, you’ll work alongside scientists and engineers on ongoing research in fields such as oceanography, cybersecurity, robotics, and materials science. You will take part in experiments, data analysis, and system modeling under close mentorship from professionals. Around 300 students are accepted annually from across the U.S., and placements are matched based on your research interests.
6. OPTIMUS Outreach Program
Location: Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego
Cost/Stipend: No cost | Paid
Dates: June 16 – August 8
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Open to students in grades 10 and 11 who reside in San Diego and attend Lincoln, Hoover, Crawford, Morse, Madison, Garfield, Mark Twain, or Preuss High Schools
Run by UC San Diego’s Moores Cancer Center, the OPTIMUS Outreach Program is an eight-week paid internship that connects high school students, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, with real cancer research and clinical medicine experiences. You’ll spend part of your time assisting in active labs and shadowing medical professionals in oncology clinics, gaining firsthand exposure to both scientific research and patient care. The program includes seminars and mentorship sessions led by UCSD medical and graduate students covering cancer biology, public health, and health disparities. Discussions often explore how research findings translate into treatments and community health impact.
7. The San Diego Natural History Museum Youth Internship Program
Location: San Diego Natural History Museum, San Diego, California
Cost/Stipend: No cost | Unpaid
Dates: Internships are offered all year round
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students 16 years and older who are enrolled in a school-affiliated internship program for academic credit
At the San Diego Natural History Museum, high school interns work behind the scenes in departments such as Entomology, Botany, Herpetology, and Paleontology. You’ll learn how specimens are preserved, cataloged, and studied, while also understanding how collections contribute to conservation and public education. The internship may be customized to focus on one department or allow rotation between several, depending on school requirements and interests. Students typically participate through school-affiliated programs that offer academic credit.
8. Internships at the City of San Diego
Location: City department offices across San Diego
Cost/Stipend: No cost; some paid (e.g., Employ & Empower at $19.47–$22.75/hour), others unpaid
Dates: Vary with the role
Application deadline: Varies with the role
Eligibility: Most internships offered are open to all students in high school. Students are recommended to check their preferred department’s internship requirements before applying.
High school students can explore a wide range of career paths through internships with the City of San Diego. Positions are available across departments such as environmental services, engineering, communications, public health, and policy. Depending on your placement, you might help monitor environmental projects, assist with data collection, contribute to community outreach, or support office operations. Program duration, application deadlines, and stipend availability vary by department, allowing flexibility to match different academic schedules and interests.
9. UCSD SPARK (Summer Program to Accelerate Regenerative Medicine Knowledge)
Location: University of California, San Diego
Cost/Stipend: No cost | Paid
Dates: June 16 – August 8
Application deadline: March 28
Eligibility: Open to high school students who reside in San Diego and attend Lincoln, Hoover, Crawford, or Morse High Schools
UC San Diego’s SPARK program is an eight-week paid summer research internship focused on stem cell and regenerative medicine. As an intern, you’ll join an active lab to study topics such as tissue regeneration, molecular biology, or gene therapy. You’ll also shadow clinicians to see how research translates to patient care and take part in professional development workshops and faculty discussions. The program culminates in a formal presentation at the SPARK Annual Conference, where students share their findings with scientists and peers.
10. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
Location: Available across all 50 U.S. states, Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, and the Pacific Islands. Participants are assigned to locations within a 45-minute commute of where they live.
Cost/Stipend: No cost | $3,000
Dates: June – August (flexible)
Application deadline: January 19
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors and rising college freshmen who are at least 16 years old by the internship start date
Sponsored by the American Fisheries Society, the Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program is an eight-week paid internship for high school students interested in environmental and aquatic sciences. Each participant, known as a Hutton Scholar, is paired with a local fisheries professional who mentors them through hands-on projects. You may help with water quality testing, habitat restoration, or fish population surveys in marine and freshwater environments. In addition to fieldwork, interns complete progress reports and a final summary reflecting their experience.
11. Rady Children’s Hospital: FACES for the Future
Location: Rady Children’s Hospital, San Diego, California
Cost/Stipend: No cost | Unpaid
Dates: 3-year program, from sophomore year to senior year of high school
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Open to high school sophomores who reside in the City Heights area of San Diego
FACES for the Future at Rady Children’s Hospital is a year-round program built to support high school students from San Diego’s underserved communities who are curious about healthcare careers. You will gain hands-on experience through mentorships and internships in hospital and clinic settings, while also attending workshops on communication, leadership, and conflict resolution. The program integrates health career exploration with wellness education, encouraging you to develop as future healthcare advocates. You’ll also receive academic advising and take part in field trips, healthcare panels, and college planning sessions.
12. Pathmaker Internship at Palomar Health
Location: Palomar Medical Center, Escondido (30 minutes from San Diego)
Cost/Stipend: $150 onboarding fee | Unpaid
Dates: 4 six-month internship rotations in a year, starting in March, June, September, and December
Application deadline: Varies with cohort
Eligibility: Open to students who are at least 16 years old before applying
The Pathmaker Internship at Palomar Health allows high school students to experience what it’s like to work inside a hospital while assisting professionals in clinical and administrative settings. Over the six-month program, interns rotate through departments such as emergency care, imaging, and rehabilitation, supporting healthcare teams in patient-centered tasks. You’ll commit to regular shifts, observe medical procedures, and interact with patients under supervision. This is a practical option for students exploring nursing, medicine, or healthcare administration careers.
13. NextVet Internship at Banfield Pet Hospital
Location: Find locations near you using the Banfield.com location finder
Cost/Stipend: No cost | Paid
Dates: 2–10 weeks in the summer
Application deadline: Applications typically open in February
Eligibility: Open to students aged 16+
The NextVet Internship gives high school students a closer look at veterinary medicine through paid, part-time summer placements at Banfield Pet Hospital locations. As an intern, you’ll shadow veterinarians and veterinary technicians to learn how animal health professionals diagnose, treat, and care for pets. You may help with basic clinic tasks, observe medical procedures, and understand how client communication plays a role in veterinary care. The program also includes virtual group sessions where interns connect with other students and industry experts to discuss various aspects of the veterinary field. Throughout the internship, you’ll receive mentorship from hospital teams.
14. Project SEED by American Chemical Society
Location: Various lab locations across the U.S., including several in the Bay Area
Cost/Stipend: No cost | Paid
Dates: 8-10 weeks, June to August
Application deadline: April
Eligibility: Open to students who are current high school sophomores, juniors, or seniors (and recent graduates); have completed one course of high school chemistry; and come from a family with an annual income that does not exceed 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. (Note: Project SEED has multiple methods of documenting eligibility that you can access here.)
Project SEED is a paid summer internship organized by the American Chemical Society that introduces high school students to laboratory research in chemistry and related sciences. Participants spend 8 to 10 weeks working in academic or industrial labs under the mentorship of professional scientists. Depending on your placement, you might study topics like organic synthesis, biochemistry, or environmental chemistry while developing hands-on lab and data analysis skills. The program also includes virtual enrichment camps covering lab safety, professional development, and college preparation.
15. PHC Group High School Summer Program
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: No cost | Paid
Dates: Varies by position
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors
The PHC Group High School Summer Program is a paid virtual internship for rising juniors and seniors interested in public health, leadership, and communications. You will work directly with senior leadership and the Public Health Director on digital projects that support PHC Group’s community-focused mission. Tasks include creating social media content, tracking engagement data, and attending virtual planning meetings to discuss strategy. You’ll learn about social marketing, online outreach, and professional collaboration within a remote team environment.
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 – Scripps Research Translational Institute