If you’re in high school and interested in technology, spending your summer in an IT internship can help you understand what working in this field is really like. You’ll see how computers, software, and systems support the daily work of businesses, schools, or organizations, and you’ll learn by doing simple but useful tasks that keep things running smoothly.
As a participant, you might assist with basic coding, help manage databases, set up hardware, or test software tools. Some internships focus more on learning about cybersecurity or data analysis, while others teach you how to solve small technical issues or help teams with IT support. Each one gives you a closer look at how technology fits into real workplaces.
Summer IT internships can also help you figure out whether you’d like to study computer science, information systems, or engineering later on. This kind of early experience can also make your college applications stronger by showing that you’ve practically explored your interests.
With that, here are 11 IT summer internships for high school students!
11 IT Summer Internships for High School Students
1. NASA OSTEM Internships
Location: Various NASA centers in the country, including virtual opportunities. You can find opportunities here.
Stipend: Paid based on the academic level and session duration
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive / Varies by opportunity, >2,000 students across all programs
Dates: Spring session (Mid-January to Early May) | Summer session (Late May to August) | Fall session (Late August to Mid-December)
Application Deadline: Summer: February 27 | Fall: May 22 | Spring: late October/early November
Eligibility: High school students who have a minimum GPA of 3.0 | U.S. citizens | 16 or older at the time of application
NASA OSTEM internships place high school students inside NASA research teams, where they can apply computing, engineering, and data science skills to real aerospace and technology projects. Depending on the center and session, you may work on areas like satellite data systems, robotics programming, AI-driven modeling, or network security. Mentors include NASA scientists, engineers, and IT professionals, who guide you through technical problem-solving and research workflows. Alongside hands-on project work, you’ll gain experience with tools such as Python for data analysis, simulation software, or systems design platforms, depending on your placement.
2. Meta Summer Academy
Location: Various Meta offices
Cost: No cost; a stipend may be provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 16 – July 25
Application Deadline: February 14
Eligibility: Open only to current sophomores residing in East Palo Alto, Belle Haven, North Fair Oaks, or Redwood City, CA, with a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA
Meta Summer Academy is a six-week program where high school students get exposure to the technical and operational side of running a global social media platform. You’ll work on coding projects, data analysis tasks, and media-related workflows, using programming languages like Python or JavaScript to explore how large-scale systems function. Alongside technical work, workshops focus on skills such as public speaking, networking, and financial literacy, giving you a balance of STEM and professional development. Mentorship from Meta employees allows you to see how engineers, data scientists, and designers collaborate in practice.
3. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Internships
Location: NIST labs in Boulder, CO, or Gaithersburg, MD
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 23 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 6
Eligibility: Juniors, seniors, and newly graduated high schoolers who have not started college must live near one of the two campus locations.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) offers a summer internship program for high school juniors and seniors. You get to assist in real research across six laboratories, with the Information Technology Laboratory (ITL) being especially beneficial if you are interested in computer science. In ITL, you might work on projects related to machine learning, biometric authentication, cryptography, or secure software design. You can build technical skills in areas like data mining, image analysis, computer network modeling, and software testing. You also learn how applied mathematics and statistics support these fields. During the internship, you will work with NIST scientists and engineers and see how advanced computing research helps shape national standards in cybersecurity, networking, and information systems.
4. University of New Hampshire’s HighTech Bound
Location: University of New Hampshire Campus, Durham, NH
Cost: No cost. Interns are paid a competitive hourly rate. The exact amount is not specified.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: July 7 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Open to rising seniors who are U.S. residents
HighTech Bound is a paid summer internship at the University of New Hampshire for rising high school seniors. It lasts four to six weeks and focuses on applied computer science, networking, and AI systems. You work in advanced labs using Apple, Dell, and Cisco technologies to build and test real hardware and software. You join team projects that simulate real-world challenges, like adding AI to smart devices or improving system security. You also learn how to solve problems, document your work, and present technical findings. IT professionals mentor you throughout the program, helping you build practical skills and explore future paths in tech-related college programs and careers.
5. Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: In-person (George Mason University, Fairfax, VA), remote and hybrid options are offered
Cost/Stipend: $25 application fee (which may be waived based on financial need)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 18 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 2
Eligibility: High school students age 15+ for remote/computer lab; 16+ for wet labs.
The Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) at George Mason University offers high school and undergraduate students an intensive eight-week, full-time research experience. As a participant, you will work one-on-one with faculty mentors on projects across fields, and for students interested in IT, there are opportunities in computer science, cybersecurity, data science, software engineering, and machine learning. The program blends hands-on technical research with professional development through seminars and forums led by STEM experts. Many participants contribute to research that results in publications or conference presentations, giving them a strong early foothold in the scientific community.
6. Spark Summer Mentorship Program (SPARK SMP)
Location: Greater Seattle area, WA, or Virtual
Cost: Free. Stipends are based on the projects
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Vary depending on the opportunity, typically between June and August
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in May after opening sometime in April
Eligibility: 9-12 grade students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The SPARK Summer Mentorship Program is a selective research opportunity for high school students interested in AI, machine learning, data science, and related areas. You choose from up to five mentor-led projects and work closely with university professors, industry experts, and research sponsors. Project topics have included medical AI, climate data analysis, quantum computing, data engineering, and software development. You gain hands-on experience with Python tools and learn techniques like neural networks, computer vision, and machine learning workflows.
7. Microsoft’s High School Discovery Program
Location: Redmond or Atlanta
Cost: None. A stipend is paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: July 7 – August 1
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in March (tentatively, based on previous years)
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors who live within 50 miles of Redmond, Washington. Students must be at least 16 years old and have a legal right to work in the U.S. for the duration of the program.
Microsoft’s High School Discovery Program is a hands-on learning experience for high school students who want to explore careers in technology. As a participant, called a Discoverer, you learn programming basics and work in small teams on real product development projects. You get to see how software engineering, product management, and UX design come together during the design process. The program also focuses on career readiness and teaches Microsoft’s core values like growth mindset, collaboration, and inclusion. You receive mentorship from Microsoft employees who help you connect your interests to future tech careers.
8. Cyber Security for Computer Science (CS4CS)
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: No cost
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: July 14 – August 8
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: Current 10th or 11th graders living in NYC or Nassau County
Cyber Security for Computer Science (CS4CS) is a summer program that introduces high school students to the basics of cybersecurity and computer science. You learn about ethical hacking, cryptography, steganography, and digital forensics, and build a strong understanding of how security protects the digital world. The program also teaches you about data privacy and the ethical use of technology, helping you see the challenges in today’s cyber industry. Alongside technical training, you take part in theater-based workshops that improve your communication and teamwork skills.
9. Boston Tech Apprenticeship
Location: Boston, MA
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: 6-7 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students enrolled in a Boston Public School can apply
The Boston Tech Apprenticeship is a paid summer internship for Boston Public Schools high school students who are interested in computer science and technology careers. It lasts six to seven weeks and places you with local companies where you work on real tech projects. Depending on your interests and skills, you might help with web development, helpdesk support, software testing, or even social media and video production. You also learn about workplace culture, professional expectations, and how computer science is used in real jobs. Many students join this program alongside other tech activities like coding clubs, robotics teams, or early college classes.
10. Johns Hopkins ASPIRE Internship
Location: Virtual/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD
Cost: No cost
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 10%
Dates: June 24-26 to August 21
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Open to DC/Baltimore metro area residents, juniors/seniors, ages 15+, minimum GPA of 2.8.
The Johns Hopkins ASPIRE Internship at the Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) gives high school juniors and seniors a chance to explore STEM careers through hands-on projects and mentorship. You will work closely with APL staff, developing technical and problem-solving skills while tackling real-world challenges in a supportive environment. Those interested in IT can choose areas like Information Technology and Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, or Programming and Computer Science. Projects include designing secure systems, detecting cyberattacks, building AI models, and developing accessibility tools or 3D simulations. ASPIRE emphasizes learning over evaluation, helping students build practical skills, gain professional insight, and explore multiple IT disciplines.
11. Girls Who Code Summer Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: None; SIP students may receive a needs-based grant of $300
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Pathways: June 30 – August 8 | SIP: July 7 – July 18 and July 28 – August 8 (tentative based on previous year’s program)
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in April
Eligibility: Current 9th to 11th graders for the SIP, 9th–12th graders for the Pathways program. Applicants must identify as girls or non-binary individuals.
Girls Who Code offers summer programs that help high school girls build coding skills and explore careers in technology. The Summer Immersion Program is a two-week live virtual experience where you learn game design, coding, and user experience basics. You also meet industry professionals who share advice and career stories. The Pathways Program is a six-week self-paced course where you study programming languages like Python, Java, and HTML/CSS. You work on projects in web development, app design, and data science. Both programs help you practice computational thinking, algorithm design, and debugging.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like information technology and computer science, 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 New Hampshire