14 High School Internships in the Bay Area
If you’re a high school student looking for internships in San Francisco or in the larger Bay Area, we’ve got you covered. We’ve curated a comprehensive list of 14 internships the Bay Area offers, that give you real-world experience and help you explore your career interests.
Internships can be an integral part of your high school experience as they allow you to explore your interests hands-on, whether that’s in an office or out on the field. Internships can provide the opportunity to learn and grow, allowing you to apply your classroom knowledge in practical settings and develop essential skills for your future.
Whether you're keen to explore science, technology, arts, or social impact, this list has something for you. Many of these internships come with stipends and mentorship opportunities that will further help you hone your skills, while adding value to your profile!
1. KP Launch High School Internship at Kaiser Permanente
Location: You can intern at a Kaiser Permanente Medical Center or business office closest to where you are. Find a location near you.
Eligibility: Students who are aged 16-19 by June 1, 2024, and are current high school students and/or graduating seniors of the Class of 2024, can apply. Priority is given to juniors and senior-level students. Those applying must have the right to work in the US.
Application deadline: Applications typically close December-end.
Program dates: June 17, 2024 – August 2, 2024
Stipend: $15.50 - 18 per hour
Kaiser Permanente, one of the top healthcare and insurance providers globally, offers summer internships that allow high school students to get practical experience and insight into the healthcare industry, giving them an opportunity to work at the intersection of healthcare and business administration.
The program offers tracks in a number of industries adjacent to or relevant to healthcare, such as accounting, sales and marketing, communications, product development and more. Students can choose an area based on their interests! During the program, interns will engage in hands-on activities, shadowing experiences, and educational workshops that deepen their understanding of the business-end of healthcare. Interns will also attend workshops and seminars for professional and personal development training. The program encourages students to explore their career interests in medicine and its numerous related fields.
A remote option:
Location: Virtual! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Eligibility: Open to all high school students, who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. These internships are also open to undergraduates and gap year students!
Application Deadline: February 18, 2024 (Spring cohort) | February 18, 2024 (Summer cohort, early application deadline) | April 14, 2024 (Summer cohort, regular application deadline). The program also runs in the fall and winter.
Program Dates: 8-week programs with multiple cohorts throughout the year.
Cost: Starting at $1,990. Financial assistance is available.
Ladder internships, a program founded by Harvard alumni, gives high school students the opportunity to intern with startups and nonprofits across the world, in an entirely virtual setting!
A fairly selective program, Ladder partners with organizations that range across a number of different industries – technology, machine learning and AI, finance, environmental science and sustainability, business and marketing, healthcare and medicine, media and journalism and more. Students can choose where they want to intern based on their interests!
You will work on a real-world project and have the chance to present your work at the end of the internship. You will work closely with your manager and a Ladder Coach – who serves as a second mentor. This internship program offers a balance between theoretical knowledge building and practical application, with a curriculum tailored for high school students. The program employs a coaching/work-based model, which will include professional skill development sessions as well.
3. Careers in Science (CiS) Intern Program at California Academy of Sciences
Location: California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, CA
Eligibility: To be eligible for the program, applicants must:
- Be currently enrolled full-time as a 9th or 10th-grade student in an SFUSD school (check if your school qualifies here).
- Maintain a GPA of 2.5 and a grade of C or higher in science and math.
- Be able to obtain a valid work permit (US citizens and others authorized to work in the US).
- Commit to all attendance requirements for 2 or 3 years, through high school graduation.
Application Deadline: April 1, 2024 (Selected applicants will be required to attend an in-person group interview on April 27, 2024.)
Program Dates: After school and on weekends, year-round participation for 2-3 years till graduation.
Cost/Stipend: No cost; Careers in Science interns get paid above minimum wage.
Careers in Science is a multi-year, year-round, paid internship and youth development program for San Francisco high school students who come from communities underrepresented in STEM, including girls and students of color. As a part of this internship, you will attend interactive training sessions that will give you insight into different careers from practicing STEM professionals, and you will receive guidance on your college application process too. Not only that, you will go on college tours and get opportunities to present at STEM conferences and festivals. Interns will also get to work on a science research or environmental action project led by an Academy researcher or partner. Interns will also serve on the CiS Leadership Council and are eligible for individualized mentorships with Academy experts. On Saturdays during the school year and weekdays in the summer, students will conduct fieldwork outdoors and facilitate learning experiences for Academy visitors on the public floor.
Location: University of California, San Francisco
Eligibility: Current 11th graders, who are at least 16 years old by the start of the program, have a minimum GPA of 2.5
Application deadline: March 1, 2024
Program dates: June 10, 2024 - August 2, 2024
Stipend: Students will receive a stipend, but information on the exact amount is not available.
The CURE (Community, Urban, Research, and Education) Internship Program is ideal for high school students keen to explore biomedical research. This internship provides a platform for students to gain insight into career opportunities across various fields of research, including basic, clinical, behavioral, and population sciences. As an intern, you will receive mentorship from UCSF faculty, post-doctorate students, and graduate students. Interns will also conduct their own research and present their findings at a 1-day Research Symposium at the end of the program. As a part of the internship, you will also receive college and career advice.
5. Neuroscape: Summer High School Internship at the University of California, San Francisco
Location: University of California, San Francisco (Mission Bay campus)
Eligibility: Students enrolled in an SFUSD high school can apply.
Application deadline: Applications typically open around January or February, and remain open for several weeks.
Program dates: The internship is conducted over the summer, and the dates will be decided on the student’s availability.
Stipend: No information is available.
This internship program combines science and technology, offering 25 students a chance to explore the subject of translational neuroscience and possible careers in the field. During the program, interns will be paired with a team of mentors as they work on an independent research project. Interns will gain hands-on experiences and learn new skills related to translational neuroscience and technology, with projects ranging from literature reviews to interactive media programming. With laboratory experiments, data analysis, and scientific discussions, you will gain insights into various fields, such as biology, medicine, and public health. The internship will culminate in short presentations about what you learnt over the course of the program.
6. Project Pull at San Francisco City Department
Location: Across city and county department offices, with some hybrid options too.
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors that live in San Francisco or go to a high school in San Francisco can apply. Further details on eligibility and dates are available.
Application deadline: February 14, 2024
Program dates: June 10, 2024 - August 2, 2024
Stipend: TBD. Last year, student interns were paid $17.50 per hour
If you’re interested in exploring work in the public sector, and are thinking about taking up work that has a social impact, consider these internships. Project Pull internships are designed to provide work experience, mentorship, and professional development to diverse youth, and introduce students to the public sector. As an intern, you will be placed in one of the many different city departments, where you will work on projects and gain hands-on exposure to different areas of public service. Through this immersive experience, you get a chance to develop essential skills, including teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and leadership. You will also receive guidance and support from dedicated mentors who will help you navigate career paths and set goals for your future.
7. Student Interns at Sandia National Laboratories
Location: Livermore, California (40 minutes from San Francisco)
Eligibility: Students who are at least 16 years old, are enrolled full-time in an accredited college, university or high school, are U.S. citizens can apply. Those applying must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for R&D, technical or business roles.
Application deadline: Rolling deadline, as internship openings are continuously updated.
Program dates: Year-round, if you choose that program option. For the Co-op internships, you can select your internship period, in coordination with Sandia and your school.
Summer Interns - 40 hours per week | Year-round Interns - 25 hours per week
Stipend: Students will receive a stipend commensurate to the work they put in, and it will vary with the internship role.
Sandia National Laboratories is a contractor for the U.S. Department of Energy’s ‘National Nuclear Security Administration’ (NNSA). They offer internships in the summer and year-round for students, which come with a certain prestige. Students can apply for internships in technical, business, and research & development roles, giving them the chance to work on national projects. This is a chance for students to get hands-on experience in a top-notch research environment. As an intern, you will work with expert scientists and engineers on projects that contribute to technological advancements. Intern positions can include work in cyber security, energy, engineering, and software, under the guidance of a manager, who will help structure your work assignment, schedule and the duration of your internship. You will receive mentorship from some of the country’s top scientists and experts, and cutting-edge training, making these internships a valuable learning experience.
Year-round internships: These allow students who attend local schools to work part-time at a Sandia site, working up to 25 hours a week for high school students, and up to 40 hours per week during school breaks.
Co-op internships: These are conducted in partnership with individual schools, and allow students to take time off during the academic year to gain work experience at Sandia, working up to 40 hours a week. They run for 3–8 months in the academic term and may include an adjacent summer term.
Location: Bay Area Metro Center (weekly, mostly online seminars)
Eligibility: Students who attend a local high school, live in the Bay Area, and are at least 16 years old and will have completed the 9th grade by the beginning of the internship can apply.
Application deadline: Interest forms open in early February, and close by mid-spring.
Program dates: To be announced. Typically held June-July
Stipend: No information is available.
This internship will give you an idea of the inner workings of a metropolitan planning organization, and help you plan a career in government service. You will get to learn what regional agencies do and what skills you might need for a career in the public sector, how decisions are made that impact the air you breathe, your neighborhoods, how you commute, and other factors that influence community health. You will also participate in making decisions that benefit the community. With online sessions and quizzes, you will explore concepts such as – how long a bridge is supposed to last, why there are so many potholes, why housing is so costly, is water really rising in the Bay Area, and so on. At the end of the program, you will make a presentation on a local challenge on transportation, housing, environmental justice and/or related topics.
9. SFUSD Work-Based Learning Summer Internships
Location: San Francisco. Exact location varies with the internship role.
Eligibility: Internships are intended for sophomores and juniors, and priority will go to rising seniors
Application deadline: February 29, 2024
Program dates: 6 weeks (20 hours a week) in the summer, dates will be decided based on the student’s choice of industry.
Stipend: Students will be paid a weekly salary.
The SFUSD offers a range of internships in various sectors that are intended to help high school students develop their professional skills while they explore an industry they’re interested in. As an intern, you will work for a minimum of 20 hours per week. You will choose an industry sector from a range of choices available, including animation, architecture, automotive technology, biotechnology, computer science, engineering, environmental science, finance, law, marketing, media, and more. You will work alongside industry mentors in your chosen field, and explore careers in that field. The internship will also help you develop skills that come in hand during college and in your future.
If you’re interested in pursuing health and medicine, consider the Health Education Outreach Internship at SFUSD.
10. High School Explainers Program at Exploratorium
Location: Exploratorium, San Francisco
Eligibility: Students who are at least 15 years old, and not more than 18 years old, and have completed their first year of high school can apply.
Application deadline: Applications typically open in March for the summer program and in July for the year-round program.
Program dates: Throughout the year (after school and on weekends) and in the summer (5 days a week)
Stipend: San Francisco minimum wage
This paid opportunity allows you to engage in science communication and museum education. As an Explainer, you become an ambassador of science, interacting with museum visitors, leading demonstrations, and running many museum operations. You will get hands-on experiences and training, allowing you to work on your communication and presentation skills while deepening your understanding of various scientific concepts. The program encourages active learning and empowers you to be a confident and effective science communicator. Explainers also collaborate with peers and museum staff, and are given a sizable amount of responsibility at the museum.
Location: University of California, San Francisco
Eligibility: Current high school juniors enrolled in an SFUSD high school, SF charter school, or College Track San Francisco can apply.
Application deadline: February 24, 2024
Program dates: 8-week internship beginning in June.
Stipend: $3200 (part-time, 35 hours a week) | $4500 (full-time, 45 hours a week)
If you’re interested in biomedical research, this internship can be a valuable opportunity for you. It is an opportunity to work alongside UCSF scientists, researchers, and medical professionals in a top-notch laboratory and healthcare setting. As an intern, you will work on hands-on research projects, gain exposure to cutting-edge technologies, and contribute to scientific advancements. You will also participate in educational workshops, seminars, and mentorship programs that expand your knowledge and professional skills. You will be paired with a scientist mentor who guides you while you learn and hone your skills to complete a unique research project.
12. Bay Area Youth Science (BAYS) Program at UCSF
Location: University of California, San Francisco
Eligibility: KIPP-SFCP students who are rising juniors and seniors, and at least 16 years old, can apply. See all eligibility requirements here.
Application deadline: February 24, 2024
Program dates: June 17, 2024 - August 9, 2024
Stipend: $5,000
The Bay Area Youth Science (BAYS) Program is an eight-week paid summer internship that helps students participate in and conduct research in various labs at UCSF. These projects vary across numerous areas – drug discovery and design, cancer biology, computational chemistry, infectious disease treatments, COVID-19 therapeutics, structural biology, protein biophysics, and more. Students can work in a subject area that interests them. Students will be paired with and guided by UCSF graduate students and postdoctoral students, who will help you with research basics, professional and personal skill development, and college prep. They will also mentor you as you build your research project towards a final presentation at the end of your internship. Interns will also take part in college prep sessions once the internship is concluded, where you will work on college applications, financial aid needs, scholarships to look out for, and more.
13. UCSC Science Internship Program
Location: University of California Santa Cruz
Eligibility: Students who are at least 14 years of age on the program start date can apply.
Application deadline: March 31, 2024
Program dates: June 23, 2024 - August 10, 2024
Cost: $4,250. Scholarships are available.
The UCSC Science Internship Program (SIP) is an intensive 9-week program wherein students work on various projects in a discipline of their choice. These projects usually cover subjects in science, engineering, social sciences, humanities, or art. Interns will work under the mentorship of UCSC researchers. SIP begins with 2 weeks of online research training and preparation, after which you will participate in 7 weeks of in-person research. During your time at the research institute, you will work alongside UCSC faculty, graduate students and post-doctoral researchers who will provide one-on-one mentoring. What’s unique about this program is that you will be working on existing research projects at UCSC, which means you will actively participate in and contribute to STEM research that has real-world application. The program culminates in a symposium where you will present your findings, demonstrating your learning and contributions to the scientific community.
14. Summer Interns Galileo Camps
Location: Multiple locations in the Bay Area, Southern California and Chicago area. Here’s all the Bay Area camp locations.
Eligibility: High school students and college students who are at least 16 years old.
Application deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Program dates: Typically July-August.
Stipend: $12.00 - 15.35 per hour
This program invites high school and college students to be the Renaissance staff of their summer team. As part of their summer team, you will primarily help campers with logistics and operations. More specifically, you will be working as an office assistant, lesson helper, game leader, activities planner, and support camp operations to keep camp running smoothly, from setting up space for families to check-in. You will also provide leadership, energy, and camp spirit for campers, constantly assessing group dynamics and the needs of individual campers while working closely with the camp director and operations coordinators to complete various administrative duties throughout the day and week.
Here’s a bonus program you can consider if you’re interested in marine biology – Youth Crew at the Marine Mammal Center.
Looking for an immersive internship experience?
Check out Ladder Internships!
Ladder Internships is a selective, virtual internship program where students work with startups and nonprofits from around the world! The startups range across a variety of industries, with a large number of them in tech. As part of their internship, each student will work on a real-world project that is of genuine need to the startup they are working with, and present their work at the end of their internship. In addition to working closely with their manager from the startup, each intern will also work with a Ladder Coach throughout their internship. Apply now!
Stephen is one of the founders of Ladder Internships and a Harvard College graduate.