How to Get an Internship in High School

Can high school students get internships?

Yes. Employers and organizations in a range of fields offer internships and other career-exploration opportunities for high school students. Eligibility differs by program. Before spending time on an application, check:

• Minimum age
• Required grade level
• Location or residency requirements
• Work schedule
• Required classes or skills
• Parent or guardian consent
• Working papers or other employment documents

A program may also limit applications to students from certain schools, districts, or partner organizations. Use those requirements to narrow your list before you start applying.

When should you start looking for a high school internship?

For a summer internship, begin researching during the fall before the summer you want to work. If you’re looking for a summer position, use this schedule:

Formal programs often publish their schedules months in advance, while local organizations may hire closer to summer. Record the deadline from the current application page rather than relying on dates from a previous year.

What should you look for in a high school internship?

Choose one or two goals before you begin your search.

You may want an internship to explore a career, earn money, practice a skill, or learn how a workplace operates. Your goals will help you decide which opportunities deserve your time.

For example, a student interested in career exploration should look for a position with hands-on work and access to people in that field. A student who needs summer income should filter for paid opportunities first.

If you aren’t sure which careers interest you, use Appily’s career exploration resources or try a free virtual job simulation. Virtual job simulations let you practice tasks connected to different careers before committing to a longer experience.

Write your top one or two goals in your internship tracker and use them when comparing opportunities.

Where can high school students find internships?

Search both locally and online. Good places to look include: 

• Your school counselor or college and career office
• Career and technical education programs
• Local businesses
• Nonprofit and community organizations
• City, county, and state government offices
• Libraries and museums
• Colleges and universities
• Research organizations
• Hospitals and health organizations with youth programs
• Parks and recreation departments
• Youth employment and workforce programs
• Employer career websites
• Online job and internship listings

Ask your school counselor or career office whether your school has employer partnerships, internship lists, job-shadowing programs, career fairs, or local youth employment programs. CareerOneStop’s Youth Program Finder can also help you locate employment and training programs near you. Include smaller organizations in your search. Look at the work you would do, how closely you would be supervised, and whether you would have opportunities to build a skill.

Can you use LinkedIn to find a high school internship?

Students who meet LinkedIn’s age requirement can use it to research organizations, learn about career paths, and find people who work in fields they are considering. LinkedIn currently requires users to be at least 16. Local laws may require a higher minimum age.

Students who cannot or do not want to use LinkedIn can research employers through company websites, school resources, career fairs, community organizations, and direct email outreach. Choose two or three organizations you’re interested in and research how they hire students.

How do you find an internship without professional connections?

Give people a specific idea of the experience you want. Instead of saying, “I need an internship,” tell a counselor, teacher, coach, relative, neighbor, or another trusted adult what field you want to explore. You might say:

A specific request makes it easier for someone to suggest an organization or contact. You can also build your own list of organizations.

For example, if you’re interested in marketing, research local businesses, nonprofits, theaters, community organizations, and event companies.

For health care, look at hospitals, health nonprofits, public-health organizations, colleges, and youth medical programs. Check age requirements before applying.

Students interested in technology can research technology companies, libraries, school IT programs, nonprofits, and maker spaces.

Think about what your list might look like, and once you have it built out, check each organization’s website. If it doesn’t advertise opportunities for high school students, send a brief email asking what is available.

Internship outreach email template for high school students

Keep your message short and specific.

Subject: High school student interested in [field] experience

Hi [Name],

I’m a [grade] student at [school], and I’m interested in learning more about [career or field].

I’m reaching out to ask whether [organization name] offers internships, job-shadowing, volunteer projects, or other opportunities for high school students. I have experience with [relevant class, activity, project, or skill] and would be interested in helping with [specific type of work].

I’d be happy to send my resume or provide more information.

Thank you for your time,

[First and last name]

Before sending the email, add one sentence that shows why you chose that organization. If you don't receive a response, send one brief follow-up after five to seven business days. Then continue with the other organizations on your list.

What do you need to apply for a high school internship?

Start with the application instructions. They tell you exactly which materials the organization wants. Depending on the program, you may need:

• A resume
• An online application
• Short essay responses
• A cover letter or statement of interest
• Your schedule or availability
• A reference
• A letter of recommendation
• A portfolio or work sample
• A transcript
• Parent or guardian permission
• Working papers or employment documents

Create a folder for each internship and save the job description, application requirements, deadline, and anything you submit. If a recommendation is required, ask early enough for the person to write it before the deadline. Give them the internship description, due date, and a short explanation of why you’re applying.

How do you make a resume if you have no work experience?

A high school resume can include much more than formal employment. Use experiences that show responsibility, skills, initiative, or results. You might include:

• Relevant classes
• Clubs and school activities
• Sports
• Volunteer work
• Leadership roles
• Academic or personal projects
• Technical and creative skills
• Awards
• Tutoring
• Babysitting or pet care
• Freelance or informal work
• Work for a family business
• Responsibilities at home

Describe what you did rather than listing only a title. For example, instead of “Yearbook Club Member,” write: “Photographed school events and helped select and organize images for the yearbook’s spring activities section.”

You can use Appily’s high school resume guide to build each section and turn activities into clear descriptions.

Do you need a cover letter for a high school internship?

Submit a cover letter when the application requires one. If it is optional, include one when you can add useful information that is not already clear from your resume.

Your letter should explain:

• Why the organization or role interests you
• Which class, project, job, or activity connects to the opportunity
• What you could contribute
• What you hope to learn

Be sure to use plain language and specific examples. Review the job description before submitting the letter and make sure your examples relate to the work the intern would perform.

Can you get an internship at 15, 16, or 17?

Yes. Your age affects which jobs you can perform and, in some cases, the hours you can work.

For nonagricultural employment covered by federal law, 14 and 15-year-olds face restrictions on both working hours and permitted occupations. Federal law allows 16 and 17-year-olds to work broader hours, although certain hazardous occupations remain prohibited.

State rules may add stricter requirements. Some states also require working papers or work permits.

Internship programs can set their own eligibility rules as well. A program may require applicants to be between 16 and 18 even when a younger student could legally perform similar work somewhere else.

Before you apply, confirm:

• The minimum age and grade
• Your expected work hours
• The duties you would perform
• Transportation requirements
• Work-permit or working-paper rules
• Parent or guardian consent requirements
• Your state’s youth-employment rules

Use the U.S. Department of Labor’s youth-employment guidance and your state labor department’s current rules when checking employment requirements.

Is a paid internship better than an unpaid internship?

Students who need income should prioritize paid internships. For every opportunity, compare the compensation with the work itself. Look at your responsibilities, schedule, supervision, training, transportation costs, and any other expenses you would have to cover.

Before accepting an offer, ask:

• What work will I be responsible for?
• Who will supervise me?
• What training will I receive?
• How will I get feedback?
• What hours will I work?
• How much will I be paid, if the position is paid?
• Will I have transportation, meal, clothing, or equipment costs?
• What project, skill, or experience should I expect to complete?

Unpaid internships at for-profit employers are also subject to federal wage-and-hour rules. The U.S. Department of Labor explains that courts use a “primary beneficiary” test when determining whether an intern is considered an employee under the Fair Labor Standards Act. State laws may impose additional requirements. Review the current federal and state guidance before accepting an unpaid position, especially if the employer expects a regular work schedule or duties similar to those performed by paid employees.

How can you tell whether an internship is worth your time?

Look for clear responsibilities, consistent supervision, and work that connects to your goals. Use these questions when evaluating an internship:

• Do I know what I will work on?
• Will someone train or supervise me?
• Will I practice a skill I want to develop?
• Does the schedule fit with school and other responsibilities?
• Can I afford transportation and other costs?
• Has the organization explained its expectations clearly?

Be cautious if an organization cannot describe the work, pressures you to accept immediately, or asks for sensitive personal or financial information before you have verified the opportunity. Prioritize the quality of the work and supervision over the organization’s name.

How should you prepare for a high school internship interview?

Research the organization and reread the internship description before your interview. Then choose several experiences you can use to answer questions about your skills and interests.

Interviewers may ask:

• Why you applied
• What interests you about the organization
• Which class, project, or activity you’re proud of
• How you have worked with other people
• How you handled a challenge
• What you want to learn
• How you manage your time
• When you are available to work

Your examples can come from school, sports, volunteering, extracurricular activities, part-time work, personal projects, or responsibilities at home. Practice answering a few questions out loud before the interview. Aim for clear examples rather than memorized speeches.

Questions to ask during an internship interview

Use the interview to learn what the job would involve. You might ask:

• What would a typical week look like?
• What kinds of projects would I work on?
• Who would supervise me?
• What training would I receive?
• How do interns receive feedback?
• What are the expected hours?
• Are there transportation, clothing, equipment, or other requirements I should know about?

Write down two or three questions before the interview so you have them ready.

What should you wear to an internship interview?

Wear clean clothing that fits the workplace. An office, museum, restaurant, laboratory, and landscaping company may have different expectations. Ask about the dress code if the employer has not provided guidance.

For a virtual interview, test your camera, microphone, and internet connection beforehand. Choose a quiet place where you can focus on the conversation.

For an in-person interview, check the route and travel time before the day of the interview. Plan to arrive a few minutes before your scheduled time.

What should you do after an internship interview?

Send a short thank-you email within 24 hours. Mention something specific from the conversation and confirm your interest in the position.

For example:

Hi [Name],

Thank you for speaking with me today about the [internship name] position. I enjoyed learning more about [specific project or responsibility].

I’m interested in the opportunity to build my skills in [field or skill] and contribute to [project or organization].

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Best,

[Name]

Follow the hiring timeline the interviewer gave you. If the organization said decisions would be sent in two weeks, wait until that period has passed before asking for an update.

High school internship programs to explore

Eligibility, application dates, and compensation can change from one program cycle to the next.

Add local opportunities to your search.

National programs can have narrow eligibility requirements and limited locations. Include organizations in your community when building your internship list. Search local government offices, museums, small businesses, colleges, nonprofits, libraries, and youth employment programs.

Pick five local organizations connected to your interests and check their websites for internships, summer jobs, volunteer roles, or job-shadowing opportunities. Contact the organization directly when no student opportunities are listed.

What if you can’t find a high school internship?

Part-time jobs, volunteering, job shadowing, career and technical education, virtual job simulations, and independent projects can all help you gain experience. Choose an alternative that lets you practice a skill or learn more about a field.

A student interested in marketing could help a community organization create social media content. Someone exploring computer science could build a website or complete a coding project.

Students interested in health care can look for age-appropriate volunteer programs, career exploration programs, or job-shadowing opportunities.

Your first experience can lead to stronger applications for jobs or internships later. Use Appily’s guide to getting work experience in high school to compare your options and choose a next step that fits your schedule and goals.

Do internships help with college applications?

An internship can be a meaningful activity to include on a college application. Colleges also consider jobs, volunteering, family responsibilities, school activities, independent projects, and other ways students spend their time outside class. If you complete an internship, describe the work rather than relying on the employer’s name or your title.

Be ready to explain:

• Your responsibilities
• What you contributed
• The skills you developed
• A challenge you handled
• What you learned about the career
• How the experience affected your academic or career interests

Keep notes about your work during the internship. Record projects, responsibilities, results, and skills so you have specific details when you later update your resume or college applications.

Take the next step

Choose one career field you want to explore and identify five organizations or programs connected to it. Check the eligibility requirements, add the deadlines to your calendar, and update your resume before you begin applying.

If you’re still deciding which careers or college majors interest you, take Appily’s free College Major Quiz to explore options based on your interests, strengths, and goals.

FAQs about high school internships