10 Automotive Internships for High School Students
Internships for high school students in the automotive industry can offer valuable hands-on experience, enabling students to learn from industry professionals and explore potential career paths. These internships provide useful insights into the design, engineering, manufacturing, and business processes involved in the industry. An internship is also a great way to enhance your resume, showing your passion for the field and commitment to furthering your education.
Here are 10 automotive internships for high school students that will introduce you to various aspects of the field.
Location: Virtual
Eligibility: Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can contribute 5-15 work hours per week for 8-16 weeks.
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer, fall, winter, and spring.
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year.
Cost: Starts at $2490 (financial aid available)
Ladder Internships matches high school students with startups and nonprofit organizations across the world. The program has a structured approach that includes eight sessions with the host organization, though longer research internship opportunities are also available.
Students can select their preferred field and industry from options such as machine learning, AI, engineering, health tech, and more. The roles and learning outcomes will vary across these opportunities, and interns will work on meaningful, real-world projects and gain hands-on experience. Interns will also engage in skill-building workshops and personalized group training sessions and present their findings at the end of the internship. Throughout the internship, students will also get to collaborate closely with startup managers and receive guidance and support from a Ladder Coach.
Location: Metro Detroit, Flint and Pontiac
Eligibility: Students must attend one of the schools selected to participate in the program. For 2023, the list included schools such as Flint Southwestern Classical Academy, Hamtramck High School, Harper Woods High School, and more.
Program Dates: 8 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: Not specified
Cost/Stipend: High school interns are paid as salaried General Motors employees at $15.00 per hour.
High school students are given the opportunity to join GM Student Corps for a summer of team building, professional development, mentoring, and community service in a program designed to prepare them for leadership roles post-high school. Eight interns are chosen from participating high schools and must collaborate with two GM retirees, as well as one college intern, as they develop community service projects in their schools or neighborhoods.
Students are also exposed to career and educational opportunities and weekly life-skill lessons that cover various subjects, such as money management, professional development, and business etiquette. At the end of the program, interns will present their achievements to General Motors' senior leaders.
3. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) by the Department of Navy
Location: Various lab locations.
Eligibility: Must be high school students who are at least 16 years old, have completed grade 9, and are U.S. citizens.
Program Dates: June-August (8 weeks)
Application Deadline: Applications open in August and close on November 1 every year.
Stipend: $4,000 (new participants) | $4,500 (returning participants)
Students interested in fields related to the automotive industry, such as aeronautics, robotics, engineering, computer science, and more, can benefit from this research-focused internship conducted at Department of Navy laboratories across the country. It is a competitive program, with just 38 laboratories and 300 placements for interns to work with leading researchers and engineers and conduct naval research under the guidance and mentorship of expert navy scientists and engineers.
Interns can choose a lab based on their subject of interest and will work on projects related to the field to gain hands-on experience and enhance their knowledge and understanding of various STEM disciplines.
4. Toyota + Accenture “Learning To Lead” (L2L) Program for High Schoolers
Location: Plano, Texas
Eligibility: Open to underrepresented high school students aged 16-18
Program Dates: 6 weeks
Application Deadline: Not specified
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
The Toyota + Accenture “Learning To Lead” (L2L) Program offers underrepresented high school students various professional opportunities. Over the course of 6 weeks, participants will learn key skills in preparation for their academic and professional careers. They will also receive job readiness knowledge and technical learning and experience.
The program’s curriculum is designed to strengthen 6 core pillars: professional development, technology & research, business & financial literacy, team building, social responsibility, and holistic well-being. Participants thus engage in local excursions and sessions on SMART goal setting, professionalism, networking, public speaking, resume building, interview tips, and more.
5. Subaru of Indiana Automotive (SIA) High School Internships
Location: Indiana
Eligibility: Open to high school students from Jeff High School, Harrison High School, and McCutcheon High School
Program Dates: Talk to your school’s ICE/BCE Coordinator for more information.
Application Deadline: Talk to your school’s ICE/BCE Coordinator for more information.
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
The Subaru Automotive Internship Program (SIA) offers students a chance to gain real-world skills from a global leader in advanced automotive manufacturing. Interns are immersed in hands-on experiences across various career paths, allowing them to work directly with industry professionals.
Through this program, participants develop valuable technical and problem-solving skills while learning about Subaru's cutting-edge manufacturing processes and automotive technology. The program provides a comprehensive, immersive learning experience.
6. Universal Technical Institute’s NASCAR Specialized Training Program
Location: Mooresville, North Carolina
Eligibility: Prospective students must be at least 16 years of age. Students under the age of 18 require a guardian to execute the Enrollment Agreement. A high school diploma, GED, or certificate of completion of an officially recognized homeschool program is also required. Read more here.
Program Dates: 15 weeks. The program typically starts in September
Application Deadline: Apply by Sept 23, or keep an eye on the website for more updates.
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
This program offers students a trade school experience with hands-on and theoretical learning. It covers various aspects of NASCAR-endorsed training, such as engines, fabrication, welding, aerodynamics, pit crew essentials, and more.
As a participant, you will gain skills useful across industries and receive instruction from industry experts. Half of your work will be online coursework, and the other half will be done in the lab. Select students may also have the opportunity to work on building real engines under the supervision of instructors—some of these engines have been used in NASCAR-sanctioned races!
7. Servco Automotive Summer Internship Program
Location: Honolulu, Hawaii
Eligibility: Open to high school juniors and seniors.
Program Dates: 8 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: TBA
Stipend: No information regarding pay
The Servco Automotive Summer Internship Program is designed to provide high school students with the hands-on experience and knowledge they need to explore a potential career in the automotive industry.
Over the course of 8 weeks, you will focus on the technician pathway, and you will also get the opportunity to experience various departments within Servco’s automotive retail and distribution teams. You’ll also get to learn more about the different career paths open to you, whether it’s an automotive technician, service consultant, parts counter and warehouse, or warranty administrator.
8. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program
Location: Various locations across the country
Eligibility: Open to high school students who are U.S. citizens with a GPA of 3.0, at least 16 years of age, and available to work full-time.
Program Dates: This is a summer program. The specific dates depend on the location and program you apply to.
Application Deadline: January 1
Stipend: Starts from $492.40; read here for more information.
The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program offers high school students paid internship opportunities where they engage in research projects under the mentorship of AFRL scientists.
Participants can explore a variety of fields and research topics, working alongside mentors of their choice while gaining valuable hands-on experience. This program helps students deepen their understanding of their chosen subjects and lays a strong foundation for their academic and professional futures.
9. SPARK Summer Internship Program (SIP)
Location: Greater Seattle area | Virtual
Eligibility: Must be 9th-12th grade students who are U.S. citizens / permanent residents.
Program Dates: 6 to 8 weeks
Application Deadline: May 1 (based on previous dates)
Stipend: Stipend depends on the internship
Spark SIP is an elite program with a highly competitive acceptance rate of just 3%. This makes it a prestigious opportunity for ambitious high school students.
In this program, participants are sponsored to conduct research on a wide variety of topics and gain practical experience as they interact with industry experts, educators, and mentors from renowned institutions. The program provides students with a professional work environment, thus equipping them with the skills required to pursue successful careers in the future.
10. Textron Aviation High School Internship Program
Location: Wichita, Kansas, and Columbus, Georgia
Eligibility: Open to high school students of at least 16 years of age who can work from Monday to Friday.
Program Dates: High school internships are available year-round. Summer internships last 6 weeks.
Application Deadline: Depends on the program
Stipend: Stipend not specified
Textron Aviation serves both commercial clients and government/military sectors, making it a prestigious organization that significantly boosts students' college applications and resumes. Interns gain hands-on experience in aviation engineering tailored to their specific roles, which equips them for future careers in the field. This includes areas such as data analytics, manufacturing, flight operations, IT, and more.
For instance, in the 2023 Fall cohort, an Engineering-Experimental Assembly intern worked alongside a professional engineer, assisting in the review of technical reports, performing complex lab tasks, and gaining proficiency in CATIA programming.