15 Software Internships for High School Students in Utah

If you’re a high schooler interested in learning about computer science, programming, or technology careers, a software internship can help you do that. Software internships will introduce you to the different tools used by software engineers, which include GitHub for managing code, Visual Studio Code, and project management tools that help teams stay organized. You might get to write simple programs in Python or JavaScript, help test software for bugs, build basic websites, analyze data, or assist with app development projects. Some internships also offer workshops, mentorship, and research projects that allow you to learn how software is designed, built, and improved.  

Why should you choose an internship in Utah?

Utah is a great place to explore software because it has a fast-growing tech industry and a large number of technology companies. The state’s “Silicon Slopes” region, which includes cities such as Lehi, Provo, and Salt Lake City, is home to startups and established companies in software, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and data science. You’ll also find strong computer science programs and research opportunities at institutions like the University of Utah and Weber State University. With access to tech companies, university-led initiatives, and industry professionals, Utah offers plenty of opportunities for high school students who want to learn more about software development and the technology sector.

Here are 15 software internships for high school students in Utah.

If you’re looking for summer programs for high school students in Utah, you can find them here. You can also check out more software internships for high school students here.

Key Takeaways

• These 15 programs cover a wide range of software-related experience, from AI and machine learning research at the University of Utah and Stanford to robotics, cybersecurity, and app development through university labs, state programs, and industry-run camps, along with Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs, which offers a virtual research track for students who want a fully remote option.
• Program lengths vary considerably, from short multi-day camps like Hi-GEAR and CodeAdventure to longer eight- to ten-week research internships, so you can choose based on how much time you want to commit.
• Many of these programs are free to attend, while a few charge a program fee or require payment, and Horizon’s cost varies by track with financial aid available, so it’s worth comparing the details before you apply.
• Several programs pair you directly with a faculty mentor or research scientist on an independent project, and Horizon takes this further by matching you one-on-one with a professor or PhD scholar for the full length of your research.
• For students who want to walk away with a completed, publishable research paper rather than a short-term internship or camp experience, Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs offers a mentored path toward a formal academic paper across 600+ specializations, including data science and machine learning.

15 Software Internships for High School Students in Utah

1. University of Utah’s High School Summer Research Internship

The University of Utah’s High School Summer Research Internship is an eight-week program during which you’ll spend 30 hours each week assisting faculty members and graduate students with research projects. You’ll work in a laboratory setting, where you’ll learn how academic research is conducted, explore different engineering fields, and visit engineering facilities across campus. If you join a computer science-focused lab, you may work on software development, artificial intelligence, machine learning, or software systems, and use programming languages such as Python, C++, or Java to solve engineering and computational problems. You’ll also gain experience with software tools, debugging, hardware and software systems, research literature, and technical documentation. The program concludes with the creation and presentation of an academic research poster.

2. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)

Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as data science, machine learning, political theory, and more! Horizon is one of the few research programs for high school students that offers you the choice to engage in either quantitative or qualitative research. Once you select a particular subject track, Horizon pairs you with a professor/PhD scholar who acts as a mentor throughout your research journey. As a participant, you will be expected to develop a 20-page research paper that you can send to prestigious journals for publication as a high school student. The program also provides a letter of recommendation for each student and detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects. Apply here!

3. Utah STEM Action Center’s mySTEM Scholars

Utah STEM Action Center’s mySTEM Scholars program helps you build leadership skills, participate in citizen science, and serve your community through STEM-focused projects. You’ll create and carry out a personalized Action Plan, which is a STEM-based service project designed to address real-world challenges. You’ll receive guidance from a mentor and access to STEM advisors who can support your interests, including software and computer science. If you choose a software focus, you may develop apps, websites, games, or other technology solutions and learn coding and problem-solving skills. The program also offers STEM learning resources, opportunities for project funding, and experience with data analysis, mapping, and other software tools through citizen science projects.

4. Uintah Basin Student Research Internship (USU)

The Uintah Basin Student Research Internship at Utah State University is an eight-week research program that allows you to work with faculty mentors on original scientific research projects. You’ll help design and carry out a research project, explore topics that may include fields such as biology, natural resources, chemistry, or geology, and present your findings to the Uintah Basin research community. The program also allows you to meet researchers from across Utah and connect with potential local employers. Depending on your mentor and project, you may gain experience with software tools such as Python or R for data analysis or GIS platforms like ArcGIS or QGIS. You might also use ecological modeling software and technologies for environmental monitoring, automation, sensors, and drone data collection.

5. Utah Valley University’s Empowered Professionals of Tomorrow

UVU’s Empowered Professionals of Tomorrow is a tuition-free, seven-week program that helps you prepare for college and future careers through university coursework, career exploration, mentorship, and hands-on learning. You’ll participate in classes, workshops, and program activities and complete college-level courses that appear on your official UVU transcript. In the Engineers and Technologists of Tomorrow track, you’ll get exposure to computer science through coursework in programming fundamentals, logic, and software concepts. You’ll also earn two tuition-free college credits and interact with mentors who help you learn about software tools, technologies, and career pathways.

6. National Security Agency (NSA) High School Work Study Program

The NSA High School Work Study Program allows you to gain paid work experience and complete a school-sponsored work experience program. You’ll work during the school year and receive on-the-job training based on your area of study, including business, Chinese language, or technical computer courses. Available roles include Office Assistant, Computer Aide, and Chinese Language Work Study. If you’re selected for the Computer Aide/Technical track, you may gain experience with enterprise software environments, Windows and Linux systems, and scripting and automation. You’ll also learn to use tools such as Python, PowerShell, or Bash, as well as database management and software for system monitoring, network analysis, and cybersecurity operations, under the guidance of NSA mentors.

7. Weber State University’s Envisioneering Summer Bridge Program

Weber State University’s Envisioneering Summer Bridge Program is a free seven-week opportunity that allows you to learn about engineering, technology, and related careers. You’ll take two free college courses, receive tutoring and mentoring, participate in hands-on activities, and visit industry sites. Courses include Introduction to Architecture and Introduction to Engineering and Technical Design using SolidWorks. You’ll learn engineering design principles, CAD modeling, geometric constraints, design visualization, technical drawings, assembly drawings, dimensioning, tolerancing, and team design projects. The program also introduces digital presentation tools and architectural software applications for creating, interpreting, and presenting professional design concepts and construction documents.

8. Pathmaker Scholars Summer Research Program at Huntsman Cancer Institute

The Pathmaker Scholars Summer Research Program at Huntsman Cancer Institute is a 10-week residential research experience that encourages you to pursue careers in research, medicine, and education. You’ll complete a one-week laboratory techniques course and spend nine weeks working with a university or Huntsman Cancer Institute faculty mentor on a research project. The program includes research, meetings, events, and activities, as well as the opportunity to present your work at the Summer Research Symposium. Research areas span many fields of cancer science, and successful participants are automatically accepted into the following summer’s program. If you’re placed in a lab that focuses on bioinformatics, biostatistics, or computational biology, you may also gain experience with data analysis software, Python or R programming, scientific imaging tools, and research visualization software.

9. NeuroRobotics Summer Enrichment Training Program

The NeuroRobotics Summer Enrichment Program offers a customized two-month research experience for high school students interested in engineering, neuroscience, and software. You’ll work on interdisciplinary projects that may involve robotics, virtual and augmented reality systems, clinical diagnostic tools, exoskeletons, or human subject research with biomedical, electrical, mechanical, and computer engineering researchers. You’ll learn about software development, like programming in Python and C or C++, creating control systems, and processing sensor data. You’ll also learn to write code that can work with microcontrollers, sensors, and robotic hardware. Past participants have presented research, published papers, earned scholarships, and received recognition at science competitions.

10. Park City Center for Professional Advanced Studies (PCCAPS)

PCCAPS is a high school program that allows you to work on projects and earn both high school and college credit. You’ll work with industry professionals, use professional tools, and solve projects based on current workforce needs. If you choose Technology Solutions or another software-related pathway, you may learn programming languages such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. You may also get to work on web, application, or game development, or GIS data projects. Projects are introduced within the first two weeks and often involve collaboration across specialties such as engineering, digital design, business, and health sciences. 

11. Utah STEM Action Center’s Innovation Hub

Utah STEM Action Center’s Innovation Hub is a makerspace with workshops, FabLabs, and collaborative spaces that are open to students of all ages. Instead of traditional computer science classes, you’ll learn software by applying it to real projects involving robotics, engineering, and digital fabrication. You can gain experience programming robots and microcontrollers using tools such as Scratch, block-based coding platforms, and Python- or C++-based environments. The Hub also teaches software used for CAD, 3D modeling, graphic design, laser cutting, and 3D printing. You’ll participate in community events, Code Nights, and programs like Camp Innovate, which introduce programming and computational thinking concepts. Open Tinker Time will give you space to develop software projects and collaborate with mentors and peers on troubleshooting and improvement.

12. University of Utah’s Hi-GEAR Camp

University of Utah’s Hi-GEAR Camp introduces you to engineering and computer science careers by allowing you to participate in team projects, lab tours, guest speakers, and problem-solving activities. You’ll explore fields such as computer science, civil, electrical, materials science, biomedical, chemical, and mechanical engineering, as well as learn how these disciplines are applied in real-world settings. While not technically an internship, the program includes introductory coding demonstrations and hands-on projects that teach you programming concepts and logic, and give you exposure to software used in areas such as robotics, computer graphics, and other engineering applications. You’ll also learn how software helps technologies like aircraft avionics and flight simulators. 

13. CodeAdventure Summer Camps

CodeAdventure is a free three-day technology camp for girls who want to explore careers and skills in tech. While not an internship, this program gives you the chance to learn software engineering, cybersecurity, data analytics, and user experience design through hands-on projects and guidance from working technology professionals. You’ll analyze real datasets, design application interfaces, identify digital security threats, and write code to build software prototypes. You’ll also be introduced to software engineering fundamentals such as coding logic, program structure, and practical development skills, and explore how user experience influences software design. You’ll also collaborate with other students on coding challenges and a final team project on what you learned before presenting your work in a showcase on the last day.

14. George Mason University’s Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)

The Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program allows you to work with George Mason University faculty and explore a variety of STEM fields. Depending on your mentor and project, the internship may be remote, in person, or hybrid. You’ll gain hands-on experience with advanced technology and equipment and build skills in scientific writing, communication, and problem-solving. You’ll participate in discussions with STEM professionals and career exploration activities, as well as earn three college credits from George Mason University. If you’re interested in software development, projects may involve machine learning, artificial intelligence, bioinformatics, data science, cybersecurity, simulations, software testing, and large-scale data analysis. Some research projects may also lead to conference presentations or academic publications.

15. Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship

The Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging internship introduces you to how AI is used in healthcare and medical imaging. You’ll attend advanced lectures, receive mentorship from Stanford student leaders and researchers, and participate in Meet the Expert sessions featuring speakers from academia, government, industry, and nonprofit organizations. The program explores both the technical and clinical aspects of AI in medicine and allows you to work on an AI-focused medical project. You’ll learn how machine learning models are developed, trained, tested, and evaluated using clinical imaging data to support disease diagnosis. You’ll also get to learn programming languages like Python and MATLAB, data analysis, model performance evaluation, bias assessment, and the challenges of deploying AI systems in healthcare settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kinds of software internships are available to high school students in Utah?
You’ll find a mix of formats, including university research placements like the University of Utah’s High School Summer Research Internship, industry-connected programs like the NSA High School Work Study Program, and skills-building camps like CodeAdventure and the Utah STEM Action Center’s Innovation Hub. Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs offers a different kind of option, letting you conduct independent research remotely across subjects like data science and machine learning rather than joining a fixed lab or company placement.

Do you need prior coding experience to apply?
It depends on the program. Several, like CodeAdventure and the Utah STEM Action Center’s Innovation Hub, require no prior experience and are designed as an introduction to software concepts. Others, like the NeuroRobotics Summer Enrichment Training Program, expect you to have already completed an AP or IB STEM course and have some experience in software or hardware design, so it’s worth checking eligibility closely before applying.

Are there free options available?
Yes, many programs on this list don’t charge a fee. The University of Utah’s High School Summer Research Internship, the Utah STEM Action Center’s mySTEM Scholars, Weber State’s Envisioneering Summer Bridge Program, and PCCAPS are all free. Horizon’s cost varies by program type, but financial aid is also available there.

Which programs offer stipends or paid positions?
A few of these programs pay participants. The NSA High School Work Study Program offers a stipend based on a government wage classification, the Pathmaker Scholars Summer Research Program pays high school students $3,000, and the Uintah Basin Student Research Internship is a paid opportunity. Several other programs, like the University of Utah’s research internship, don’t offer a stipend but are free to attend.

Are these programs open to students outside Utah?
Most of these programs are specifically designed for Utah residents or students attending Utah schools, particularly ones tied to state initiatives like the Utah STEM Action Center or university-specific programs like Weber State’s Envisioneering Bridge Program. Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs is a notable exception, since it’s a fully virtual program open to students regardless of location.

Is there a way to pursue independent research beyond a structured internship?
Yes. If you want to move from a structured internship into an original research project, Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs pairs you with a professor or PhD scholar to develop a 20-page research paper you can submit for academic publication. The program also provides a letter of recommendation and detailed feedback, and covers over 600 research specializations. You can find the application here.

When should you apply?
Deadlines for these programs are spread throughout the year, so it helps to plan ahead. Several early deadlines fall between December and February, including the University of Utah’s research internship (December 1 to January 31), the Pathmaker Scholars Program (February 1), and Stanford AIMI (December 15 to February 20). March through May bring more deadlines, including PCCAPS (March), the NeuroRobotics program and Utah Valley University’s Empowered Professionals of Tomorrow (both May 1). Horizon, by contrast, has multiple deadlines throughout the year across its Spring, Summer, and Fall cohorts, giving you more flexibility if you miss an earlier cutoff.

Image source: The University of Utah