15 Internships for High School Students in NJ (New Jersey)
If you're a high school student in New Jersey keen on learning a new skill or exploring a subject of interest, an internship is an excellent way to do that. An internship experience can teach you to apply theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios, offer real-world experience, while you interact with professionals in the industry, thus expanding your network for the future.
Whether you’re interested in science, engineering, medicine, law, marketing, or administration, these internships will help you refine your skills and boost your college applications! New Jersey offers a wide range of internship opportunities for high school students across disciplines – and we’ve listed 15 of the best in this blog! Let’s dive in.
Subject Areas: Multidisciplinary
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: Multiple deadlines throughout the year. Summer cohort: April 14, 2024 (Regular Admission 1) | May 12, 2024 (Regular Admission 2)
Dates: 8-week programs with multiple cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Starting at $1,990. Financial aid is available
Founded by Harvard alumni, Ladder Internships is a fairly selective program that pairs high school students with startups and non-profit organizations for virtual internships. You can choose from a wide range of industries, including technology, engineering, machine learning, AI, computer science, health tech, medicine, media, journalism, sustainability and more. For this program, you will be paired with a manager at the startup and a Ladder coach, who will serve as your second mentor. With their guidance, you will work on a real-world project that’s relevant to the startup’s larger goals, and present your work at the end of the internship. The program also provides one-on-one training in communication, time management, and more, along with group sessions with fellow interns. The opportunities in this internship program span across the globe with a concentration in the US, UK, Asia, and Europe.
2. Princeton University’s Laboratory Learning Program
Subject areas: Engineering, technology, computer science, STEM
Eligibility: U.S. high school students (citizens, legal permanent residents, and international students attending U.S. high schools) who are at least 16 by June 15, 2024
Application Deadline: Applications usually close in March.
Dates: June-August (5-6 weeks)
Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Cost/Stipend: There is no cost to attend, and this is an unpaid internship.
Princeton University’s Laboratory Learning Program offers high school students the opportunity to work with faculty and researchers in Princeton laboratories and assist them with ongoing research, usually in engineering and the natural sciences. Around 40 interns are selected from nearly 700 applications, making this a fairly competitive program. Selected interns will work under the mentorship of Princeton faculty and researchers on projects in:
Engineering: Project offerings include the development of a bio-inspired soft robot, large language model applications in environmental sustainability, molecular modeling and machine learning of smart polymeric materials, exploring lung development in birds and lizards, safe robotics for coral reef conservation, and more.
Natural Sciences: Projects include sustainable catalysis, antibiotic discovery, biophysics, fossil size database, and more.
Princeton faculty lead research teams, which include postdoctoral, graduate, and undergraduate students, and other staff researchers. At the end of the program, you will present a two-page research summary report. Research opportunities vary year on year, depending on the laboratories and researchers’ focus areas.
3. NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) internship
Subject Areas: Multidisciplinary – Engineering, architecture, biological science, communication, physical science and more
Eligibility: Full-time students (high school through graduate level) or part-time college students enrolled in a minimum of 6 semesters who are U.S. citizens. Applicants must be at least 16 years old at the time of application with a minimum 3.0 GPA
Application Deadline: January (Fall Session) | August (Spring Session) | October (Summer Session)
Dates: There are three internship sessions. Fall (16-week program, from late August or early September to mid-December) | Spring (16-week program, from mid-January to early May) | Summer (10-week program, from late May or early June to August).
Location: These internships are offered across NASA facilities. Students in New Jersey may select roles in their area. Virtual options are also offered!
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Interns may receive a stipend based on course duration and academic level
Every year, NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) internship selects over 2,000 high school students who contribute to current projects at the agency under the mentorship of researchers, scientists and engineers at NASA. The program includes training, mentoring, and career development opportunities, while students work with the top science, engineering, financial, information technology and business minds in the world. The internships are offered in a range of subjects and disciplines, including space science, engineering, aeronautics, technology, space microbiology, ecology, and even outreach and communications.
As an intern at NASA, some of the activities you might engage in include designing experiments, analyzing data from space missions, or developing new technologies – engaging in real-world experiences, getting valuable experience and a solid insight into NASA's work. You can check out all the open positions here - you may have to use the “Filter” option to see opportunities only open to high school students.
4. Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory High School Summer Internship
Subject areas: Plasma physics, fusion energy
Eligibility: Students who are at least 16 years old, and are graduating seniors in high school when the internship begins, may apply. Students must obtain their own transportation to and from the Laboratory. Housing is not provided. Those applying must be US citizens or have permanent resident status. Note, the internship begins the summer after you graduate, not the summer after your junior year.
Application Deadline: March 1, 2024
Dates: 8-10 weeks in the summer (Monday-Friday) after graduation. The exact dates of the internship depend on the intern’s school schedule. Some internship options that run during school semesters are also offered.
Location: Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton University, NJ
Cost: Free
The Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory offers internships during semester and summer periods for high school seniors – the summer after you graduate and before college begins. Internships in the fall or spring can count for academic credit. These internships allow you to work in a plasma physics lab under the guidance of professionals, and are tailored for high school students who have demonstrated both a passion for the field and a solid academic foundation in relevant subjects.
As an intern, you will work on a project with a member of the laboratory’s research or engineering staff, at one of the most prestigious and renowned institutions in the country. You will engage in a range of activities, from experimental work to computational simulations, gaining practical skills and insights into scientific research. Through this program, you will have the chance to delve into various aspects of plasma physics, fusion energy, and related fields, broadening your understanding of these complex subjects.
Note: It is strongly recommended that applicants have a background in physics, chemistry, advanced math, engineering, computer languages, and coding!
5. New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) STEM Research Programs
Subject Areas: STEM
Eligibility: New Jersey high school students who are completing 10th or 11th grade in June of the year of enrollment. Applicants should have demonstrated an interest in science with a minimum 3.75 unweighted GPA
Application Deadline: February 26, 2024
Dates: June 24, 2024 - August 1, 2024
Location: New Jersey Institute of Technology, NJ
Cost: $500
These programs at the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) offer a comprehensive STEM research internship experience, along with a chance to develop your professional and career skills. In this program, students gain hands-on experience and explore different STEM fields. The program's structure allows students to deep dive into a specific research project, under the guidance of a faculty advisor. Students learn to navigate the complexities of research, from the initial stages of design and hypothesis to data collection, analysis, and interpretation.
Students will also work in collaboration with a research team, which includes undergrads, graduate students and postdoctoral researchers. One of the key outcomes of the internship is the development of an electronic poster. At the end of their internship, students share this poster and their research outcomes at the annual Summer Research Symposium with faculty and peers.
6. Bank of America’s Student Leaders Program
Subject areas: Business, marketing, administration, community development, leadership, nonprofit work
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors with U.S. work authorization and permanent residence in one of the eligible locations
Application Deadline: Applications for 2024 are now closed. Applications for 2025 will open in fall 2024.
Dates: June-July (8 weeks). The summit will be held on July 22-27, 2024.
Location: Multiple locations in the country. Students based in NJ can select one of the several location options in the state. The program also includes a one-week residential Student Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C., for which all costs will be covered.
Stipend: Hourly rate + fully funded trip to the Student Leaders Summit
This is a national leadership training and work experience internship program that connects students to employment, service, and skill development opportunities. It is aimed at helping students develop their leadership and community skills. You will be paired with a local nonprofit organization to work with, where you will learn about the various aspects of running such an organization, engage in community service projects and develop a deeper understanding of social issues. You will engage in real-world projects and assignments related to financial analysis and community leadership. This hands-on experience allows you to apply their classroom knowledge to practical situations. The internship includes a week-long Student Leadership Summit held in Washington, DC. The travel, food and stay for the same will be covered by the bank.
Students have interned with nonprofits such as Boys and Girls Clubs of America and Habitat for Humanity, exploring the intersection between non-profits, governments, and businesses. This is a highly selective program, with only 300 students making it to the final cohort every year (acceptance rate of 5-8%).
7. Princeton Summer Journalism Program (PSJP)
Subject Areas: Journalism, media studies
Eligibility: Applicants must be a junior in high school at the time of application with a minimum 3.5 unweighted grade point average. With an interest in journalism, they should also meet socioeconomic conditions. Check details here.
Application Deadline: February end
Dates: Multi-week hybrid that culminates into a 10-day residential summer program
Location: Princeton University, NJ
Cost/Stipend: Free. All housing, food, transportation, and equipment costs will be covered for the on-site portion of the program.
This program is ideal for students interested in the field of political journalism. A highly selective and prestigious program, PSJP admits only up to 40 students in its annual cohort. It’s conducted in a hybrid format, with online workshops and lectures, and a 10-day residential program at the end. PSJP offers high achievers from low-income families a free residential journalism and college prep program where they will study politics and current affairs, learn from Princeton professors and journalists, and collaborate with a college advisor. Students will take part in a summer intensive that includes virtual and on-campus workshops and lectures led by program graduates and journalists from publications such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, The New Yorker, New York Magazine, The Daily Beast, Politico, and CNN, among others. You will be required to complete weekly reading assignments while writing news articles.
During the residential stay, participants will stay in university dorms and experience college life while attending discussion-based workshops and lectures. At the end of the residential program students will publish the Princeton Summer Journal. The website provides last year’s publications that interested students can go through.
8. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) at the Department of Navy (DoN)
Subject areas: Multidisciplinary
Eligibility: High school students who have completed at least grade 9, are at least 16 years old when the internship begins, can apply. Graduating seniors are eligible as well. There is room for some exceptions. Students are recommended to check whether their preferred lab choice has any other particular requirements.
Application deadline: Applications open in August and close on November 1st every year.
Program dates: Eight weeks in the summer. Exact dates vary depending on the lab you choose.
Location: There are several lab locations to choose from across the country. Students based in NJ can select the one in Lakehurst, New Jersey.
Cost: There are no registration costs, however, housing, meals, transportation, and medical expenses are not covered. You can expect to have to travel to and from your lab, depending on your placement.
Stipend: $4,000 (new participant) | $4,500 (returning participant)
This is a prestigious research-focused program that places high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors in Department of Navy (DoN) laboratories across the country. It’s an opportunity to work alongside leading researchers and engineers at Navy laboratories and facilities across the country, on real Naval research. You will be mentored by expert scientists and engineers at Navy labs. While working on projects hands-on, you will gain valuable knowledge and skills in various STEM disciplines, such as computer science and aeronautics.
Your lab choice is based on your subject of interest. Engineering is a popular area of research, so you will have the flexibility to choose labs all over the country. Some research topics that have been covered are development of Ansys fluent workflow for axial fan simulation and flow around object, and analysis of CSS Georgia bones and various consolidants.
With approximately 300 placements across over 38 laboratories nationwide, SEAP is highly competitive, and because of its association with the US government, it’s regarded as highly prestigious too.
9. Summer Experience at the Coriell Institute For Medical Research
Subject areas: Medicine, stem cell research, genetics
Eligibility: Before the start of the program, students must be 17 years old and should have a US citizenship.
Application Deadline: May 15, 2024
Dates: July 17, 2024 - August 17, 2024
Location: The Coriell Facility, Camden, New Jersey.
Stipend: $1,000
The Coriell Institute, a leader in stem cell research and genetic discoveries, offers this highly selective program where students get to work with world-renowned scientists and researchers. As an intern, you will also attend staff lectures, conduct independent research, learn data analysis concepts, attend a resume-building session, and present your findings in a final presentation. The program gives you the opportunity to work in Coriell's Cytogenomics and Stem Cell labs. Students will have the opportunity to apply for a summer experience in the following areas:
Production Laboratories: You will focus on learning and supporting the fundamental techniques of generating, freezing, and distributing the samples that support the Coriell Biobank. Within the Stem Cell Lab, the work shifts to the exploration of induced pluripotent stem cells. During a stint in Coriell's Molecular Biology Lab, the students will learn about and support the efforts of extracting DNA from various sample types.
Research & Development: You will learn how Coriell’s labs and expert technicians support scientists around the world. The labs at Coriell offer a wide range of services that other labs might need assistance with.
Project Management: Your focus will be on shadowing the sample submission process and helping with administrative tasks that support the Coriell Biobank.
10. New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell (NJCCIC) Internship Program
Subject Areas: Cybersecurity
Eligibility: All high school students are eligible to apply.
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year. Summer semester: March | Fall Semester: July | Spring Semester: November
Dates: Multi-week program offered in the fall, spring, and summer semesters. The fall and spring semesters are part-time, and the summer is a full-time program
Location: New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell offices in West Trenton and Newark
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Interns are paid a stipend (No amount specified)
The New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell (NJCCIC) internship program is designed for high school students looking to explore the field of cybersecurity. The program accepts students from different disciplines to work in a range of development opportunities. As an intern, you will gain direct, hands-on experience in NJCCIC’s high-tech environment, while learning a variety of tools and techniques used to detect and combat cyber security threats.
You will have the opportunity to learn about email security, cyber threat detection and analysis, and public outreach, among others. While working alongside experienced cybersecurity professionals, you can contribute to ongoing NJCCIC projects and gain relevant work experience that can give your future career a boost.
11. Medical Internship Navigating Diversity and Science (MINDS)
Subject areas: Medicine
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors from underprivileged backgrounds, with a minimum 3.0 GPA, can apply.
Application Deadline: May (tentatively)
Dates: 6 weeks, July-August
Location: Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, NJ
Cost: Free. Participants will be paid a stipend.
M.I.N.D.S. (Medical Internship Navigating Diversity and Science) is a 6-week paid internship program specifically tailored for underrepresented or financially disadvantaged high school juniors and seniors who are interested in pursuing medicine. This program provides a comprehensive experience, offering valuable insight into various medical professions. It's an ideal opportunity for you to explore the vast and varied landscape of healthcare careers and get a realistic understanding of the field. During the internship, you will explore the study of social determinants of health, learning how factors like environment, social status, and education impact health outcomes. One of the key components of this program is the development and execution of a research project focused on health disparities in New Jersey.
Another exciting aspect is the practical exposure interns receive through medical simulations and field trips. Participants receive CPR/BLS Certification, an essential qualification for any medical professional.
12. Mercer County Student Internship Program
Subject Areas: Multidisciplinary
Eligibility: Students who are at least 15 years of age and either live in Mercer County or attend a school or university in Mercer County
Application Deadline: May 3, 2024
Dates: High school students can begin their internship at the end of their school year, which typically occurs at the end of June. The last day for all students in the summer internship program is the Friday before Labor Day weekend.
Location: Mercer County offices, NJ
Cost/Stipend: No cost; paid a stipend of $15.14/hour
This program provides high school and college students with paid opportunities to work and gain practical training and real-world, hands-on experience that will help them meet their educational goals and prepare them for a professional career. The program boasts a wide array of internship positions across multiple departments, catering to diverse interests – Administration, Boards & Authorities, Constitutional Offices, Correction Center positions, Department of Transportation & Infrastructure, Economic Development, Human Resources and more. During the program, you will participate in career-oriented activities organized by the Office of Personnel. These activities are tailored to teach new techniques and skills, enhance existing knowledge, and assist students in exploring potential career paths in public administration. You can check the different departments that have available internships here.
13. Internships at Senator Cory Booker’s offices
Subject Areas: Public policy, legislature, public service, politics
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years of age with a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average. Applicants must be citizens or permanent residents of the US
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year. Summer semester: April 26, 2024 | Fall Semester: Summer 2024 (Date not specified) | Spring Semester: Fall 2024 (Date not specified)
Dates: 6-week programs with multiple cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, and fall
Location: Senator Cory Booker’s offices in Camden, NJ and Newark, NJ.
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Cory Booker, U.S. Senator from New Jersey, offers a limited number of high school students the opportunity to intern at his Newark and Camden offices and gain first-hand insight into the workings of Congress. As an intern, you will be assisting his team with a variety of constituent-focused tasks. Your daily tasks will include general office duties like answering phones and processing incoming mail and email. Additionally, interns also get an opportunity to accompany the staff for local community events, track constituent opinions on certain issues, conduct various research, and draft memos. You can apply directly through the senator’s website here.
14. Newark Museum of Art Explorers Teen Program
Subject Areas: Museum studies, curation, and more
Eligibility: A rising freshman, sophomore, or junior who attends a Newark school or resides in Newark with a minimum of 2.7 GPA
Application Deadline: June 1, 2024
Dates: This program is held over 3-4 years, and is conducted year-round.
Location: Newark, NJ
Cost/Stipend: No cost; students will be paid a stipend
The Newark Museum of Art Explorers Teen Program helps high school students develop essential skills and self-confidence for their future academics and careers using the museum's collections, resources, and staff. During the program, you will intern in the different areas of the museum. You will have the opportunity to design and lead projects that will give you hands-on experience in a variety of jobs and fields of study. The museum organizes group trips to other cultural institutions and conducts workshops on leadership training, public speaking, team-building, and STEM, as part of the program.
The paid program requires students to commit 6 after-school hours per week during the school year, 25 hours per week in the summer, and undertake 30 hours of community service every year.
15. Veritas AI Internship
Subject Areas: AI, ML, computer science
Eligibility: Open to high school students who have prior experience with AI/ML or have completed a Veritas AI program.
Application Deadline: October 20, 2024
Dates: The start date for the upcoming cohort is November 11, 2024.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,490 (some financial aid is available)
The AI Internship Program by Veritas AI is founded and run by Harvard graduate students. Through the 8-week internship, students have the opportunity to work with VC-backed startups on real-world AI/ML projects. Students work directly with mentors from Harvard, Wharton, Google, Microsoft, McKinsey & Company, and more.
This program is a great opportunity for students who have prior experience with AI/ML and are looking to gain real-world exposure to a career in the field. Students get a chance to network with industry professionals, work closely with company leadership, and receive a letter of completion from the company at the end of the internship. You can learn more about the program here and apply here.
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.