25 High School Internships in Seattle in 2025

What’s Covered:

• 25 High School Internships in Seattle
• How to Find an Internship
• How Much Do Internships Impact Your College Chances?
• Do You Want to Know How Your Internship Will Impact Your Admissions Chances?

 

Internships are a phenomenal way to boost your college application, gain work experience, and discover career options—just to name a few benefits. Although internships are popular among college students, completing an internship while you’re still in high school is great career preparation and an excellent way to develop a new skill set.

 

25 High School Internships in Seattle

 

1. The Port of Seattle High School Internships 

 

Application Deadline: May 18 

Duration: N/A 

 

The Port of Seattle’s Internship Program offers various paid high school internships across a variety of fields such as aviation operations, maritime operations, governance, community engagement, and green jobs. The Port of Seattle’s goal is to provide high school students with the skills they need to succeed in a corporate environment and promises participants “real work on real projects—no coffee runs.”  

 

Students must be 16 years old before the internship begins, enrolled in/recently graduated from high school, and have been involved with community organizations and extracurricular activities.

 

2. Seattle City Light High School Internship 

 

Application Deadline: N/A

Duration: Eight weeks (late June/early July – August) 

 

If you’re interested in exploring energy production and distribution, Seattle City Light offers eight-week, paid summer internships that allow you to get hands-on experience with utilities. You’ll be able to talk with executive leaders, participate in professional development workshops, visit multiple City Light facilities, and more.   

 

You must be at least 16 years of age, a U.S. citizen, a continuing high school student, and possess a minimum 2.0 GPA to participate in this internship.

 

3. Seattle Children’s Hospital

 

Application Deadline: March 9

Duration: Four weeks (July 14 – August 8)

 

Are you considering a career in the medical field? If so, the research training program for high school students at the Seattle Children’s Hospital may be the ideal internship opportunity for you. During the internship, students will learn about biochemistry, immunotherapy, gene editing, and infectious diseases. Students will also participate in college readiness and career exploration workshops.  

 

To participate, students must be current high school sophomores (rising juniors) and have a strong interest in biology, biochemistry, microbiology, public health, or a related scientific field. Eligibility for the program is limited to local students who live within commuting distance of downtown Seattle.

 

For their participation in the program, students receive a $2,000 stipend to offset the cost of transportation and meals.

 

4. Youth Maritime Program

 

Application Deadline: N/A

Duration: Two years

 

The Youth Maritime Program is a two-year internship opportunity for high school students interested in a career in the maritime industry. Students are expected to commit to weekend activities during the school year and Monday through Friday during the summer. Participants have the chance to network with maritime industry experts, receive college and career support, build soft skills, and get a firsthand look at the maritime industry.

 

Participants earn more than $5,000 during the program, gain volunteer hours, and have access to financial support.

 

5. Youth Aerospace Program

 

Application Deadline: N/A

Duration: Two years

 

Similar to the Youth Maritime Program, the Youth Aerospace Program is a two-year internship opportunity for high schoolers interested in the aerospace industry. This program is held at both Renton Technical College in Marysville and Everett Community College.

 

The program runs from participants’ junior year through senior year—students are required to attend weekend activities during the academic year and commit to a Monday-through-Friday schedule over the summer. Participants gain work experience, build transferable skills, and connect with professionals in the aerospace and advanced manufacturing industries.

 

Just 20 students are selected to participate in this out-of-this-world summer program.

 

6. Microsoft Discovery Program

 

Application Deadline: February 26

Duration: Four weeks (July to August) 

 

Although located just outside of Seattle—in Redmond, Washington—graduating high school seniors interested in high-tech will want to check out this awesome opportunity with Microsoft. Over the course of the four-week program, participants learn programming fundamentals, develop valuable career skills, receive mentorship from Microsoft employees, and explore potential tech careers. The Microsoft Discovery Program is open to students who live within 50 miles of Redmond.

 

7. UW Botanic Gardens Youth Summer Internship

 

Application Deadline: May 23

Duration: Four weeks (July 7 –  August 1)

 

This internship is for teens ages 16 to 18 who are interested in environmental fields. Participants meet with environmental professionals, learn about potential career paths, build skills, and work with children in a camp setting. The program covers a number of disciplines and connects students with environmental agencies across the Puget Sound—helping ensure students find a path right for them.

 

8. Bank of America Student Leaders 

 

Application Deadline: January 15

Duration: Eight weeks 

 

Not a local internship per se, but the Bank of America Student Leaders program connects community-minded students to local nonprofits to participate in paid internships. More than 300 students from over 100 communities, including Seattle, participate in the program annually. Students build valuable work experience and serve their communities over the program’s eight weeks while working 35 hours a week. The highlight of the program for many participants is the week-long Student Leaders Summit held in Washington, D.C.   

 

The Bank of America Student Leaders Program is open to high school juniors and seniors who are in good standing at their school and in an eligible market—like Seattle.

 

9. Seattle Police Explorers Program 

 

Application Deadline: N/A

Duration: N/A 

 

The Police Explorers Program serves as an introduction to police operations and potential careers in law enforcement. Students can participate in a wide range of programs covering topics from crime scene investigation to traffic control to crowd control procedures—they’re also given the opportunity for in-person visits to the K-9 unit and harbor patrol. The program is open to full-time students between the ages of 14 and 21 with a minimum GPA of 2.5.

 

10. King County Parks Youth Conservation Corps

 

Application Deadline: April 30

Duration: Six weeks (July 8 – August 14)

 

This paid program offers internships with the King County Parks & Recreation Division. Interns work 22 hours a week while developing a deeper understanding of land management, exploring problems impacting human and environmental health, and participating in workshops focused on local environmental challenges. Students also build valuable skills—like public speaking and writing—and engage with other interns.

 

The program is open to students in grades 10 through 12. Students from populations historically underrepresented in environmental leadership and land management are encouraged to apply.

 

11. Clean Water Ambassadors Internship

 

Application Deadline: April 21 

Duration: Five weeks (July 7 – August 7) 

 

This internship allows students to explore local environmental issues, solutions, and careers focused on clean water. In addition, students will build their communication skills, explore topics related to clean water, develop and implement projects, and participate in field trips and workshops. 

 

Students must be at least 16 years old to apply. Applicants interested in exploring environmental topics and from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

 

12. Fred Hutch Cancer Center Summer High School Internship Program

 

Application Deadline: March 31

Duration: Eight weeks (June 23 – August 15)

 

This competitive paid internship is aimed at rising high school seniors from backgrounds underrepresented in biomedical research. The program begins with two weeks of hands-on training in laboratory safety followed by mentored activities in a research group. Participants also attend seminars and professional development workshops and take part in a variety of social activities with their team and peers. The program culminates with interns giving presentations to the Fred Hutch community. 

 

Interns are responsible for their own transportation and housing, which gives Seattle locals a leg up on being selected for this impressive internship.

 

13. Y-WE Grow Internship

 

Application Deadline: N/A

Duration: Six weeks (July 9 – August 15)

 

This internship program introduces teens (it’s open to those aged 13 to 19) to farming, food justice, and community. The free program is aimed at young women, trans, non-binary, and gender expansive youth—providing them with hands-on learning experiences and growth as individuals.

 

Participants will grow culturally relevant produce and learn to disrupt racism and injustice in the food system. The program concludes with a two-night trip to Ayeko Farm in Enumclaw, Washington.

 

14. Uterish Summer Internship

 

Application Deadline: March 24

Duration: (June – August)

 

Students interested in social justice and careers in fields like publishing, marketing, and communications will want to check out this unpaid, remote internship with Uterish—a feminist non-profit committed to reproductive justice and supporting Planned Parenthood. The internship is open to rising high school juniors and seniors, and the anticipated workload is about five hours a week.

 

Interns gain hands-on experience facilitating and assisting with a variety of messaging projects. In the past, interns have written blogs and newsletters, developed social media campaigns, and worked on publicity projects.

 

15. PacTrans Paid Internships

 

Application Deadline: March 7

Duration: Up to three months

 

The Pacific Northwest Transportation Consortium (PacTrans) offers high school juniors and seniors—along with undergraduates in the freshman through junior years—paid internship opportunities exploring infrastructure. Participants will gain work experience, receive mentorship, build their resumes, and explore fields like transportation, engineering, planning, and computer science.

 

Interns are expected to work between 8 and 16 hours a week and can earn up to $4,000.

 

16. Open Studio Seattle Summer Internship

 

Application Deadline: May 1

Duration: Four weeks (July 28 – August 22)

 

Under-resourced rising and recently graduated seniors interested in architecture and design will want to check out this paid internship through Open Studio. Interns assist with routine office and clerical work, attend team meetings and site visits, and shadow press events—ultimately gaining real-world experience in a professional environment. Interns also engage in activities focused on research, design, problem solving, critical thinking, and presentation to build up a portfolio of work.

 

Interns are compensated $20.76 per hour and are scheduled to work 40 hours a week. They’re also provided with financial assistance for their travel.

 

17. Seattle Parks & Recreation Teen Late Night Internship

 

Application Deadline: April 1

Duration: N/A

 

This internship for high schoolers aged 15 to 17 is provided by Seattle Parks & Recreation and places interns in one of eight Seattle-area community centers that serve teens on Friday and Saturday nights. Interns assist with a variety of tasks, including preparing and coordinating events, greeting attendees, managing sign-ins, marketing, and creating a welcoming environment. Interns develop a number of valuable skills such as communication, leadership, and teamwork. They also gain firsthand experience with civic engagement and public service.

 

Interns are paid $20.76 an hour and can expect to work between 10 and 20 hours weekly.

 

18. Young Executives of Color (YEOC) Program

 

Application Deadline: May 31

Duration: Nine months (September – May)

 

The YEOC Program is a free college academic readiness program aimed at current high school sophomores and juniors from economically disadvantaged backgrounds and potential first-generation college students. Participants explore business-related careers, attend professional development lectures and workshops, prepare for college admissions, and receive mentorship.

 

19. Young Women’s Leadership Summit (YWLS)

 

Application Deadline: April 30

Duration: One week (August 2 – 9)

 

This week-long program for rising high school seniors explores what it means to be a woman in the business world. Students will explore a variety of business subjects, build professional skills, and discover career paths through workshops, lectures, site visits, roundtable discussions, and networking.

 

20. SafeFutures Summer Youth Employment Program

 

Application Deadline: June 30

Duration: Six weeks (July 3 – August 14)

 

SafeFutures, a group that empowers young people from communities of color and low-income communities in the Puget Sound area to realize their potential, offers 20 internships every summer. Interns explore potential careers and build transferable skills through developmental activities, field trips, and listening to guest speakers.

 

The program is open to students entering ninth grade through graduating seniors. This is a paid internship—students receive a $1,200 stipend upon the successful completion of the program.

 

21. Maximal Learning Summer Internship

 

Application Deadline: April 30

Duration: 12 weeks (June – August)

 

In this internship, high school students gain first-hand startup experience while bolstering their resumes and learning directly from founders. Three internship tracks are available: Product Development (remote), Growth Marketing (remote), and User Research (Seattle area).

 

Interns are expected to work a minimum of 20 hours a week—working on task-specific projects, brainstorming sessions, and attending weekly intern meetings.

 

22. Rainier Beach Youth Stewards

 

Application Deadline:

• Summer: May 18
• Fall: August 17

Duration:

• Summer: Ten weeks (June 24 – August 29)
• Fall: Ten weeks (September 16 – November 22)

 

This student work program, designed for youth ages 14 to 18, introduces participants to farm education and wetland restoration. Students engage in activities like planting, harvesting, field management, and wetland restoration. They also participate in training focused on professional development, team building, job skills training, and civic engagement.

 

This is a paid opportunity. Summer participants receive a $300 weekly stipend, and fall participants receive a $140 weekly stipend. Students are encouraged to participate in all seasons of the program. Participants should be prepared to work in all conditions—rain or shine.

 

23. UW Nurse Camp

 

Application Deadline: April 15

Duration: One week (July 14 – 18)

 

This free week-long program for high school sophomores and juniors introduces students to nursing careers. Participants engage in a variety of activities, including shadowing nurses working in hospitals, meeting nurses working in a number of areas of health care, and learning skills like how to control infection and how to take vitals.

 

Participants also learn how to prepare for college and gain admission to nursing school.

 

24. Seattle Fire Department Cadet Program

 

Application Deadline: Rolling

Duration: N/A

 

Students ages 16 to 20 can explore careers in the fire service through this program. This program requires students to have an interest in becoming a Seattle firefighter and be in good physical condition—they must pass the Cadet Program Physical Ability Test, which includes lifting two 55-pound hoses, carrying a 72-pound ladder, and dragging a 150-pound mannequin.

 

25. King County International Airport High School Intern

 

Application Deadline: April 18

Duration: N/A

 

Students interested in aviation will want to look into this internship, which offers the chance to work alongside airport professionals. Students will assist with  basic engineering and technical services under the guidance of a mentor with tasks including:

 

• GIS data editing, digitizing, and map creation
• Drafting drawings from notes and sketches
• Taking field measurements
• Assisting with engineering records management

 

The program is open to high school juniors and seniors. Interns are allowed to work 20 hours a week during the school year and 40 hours a week over the summer.

 

How to Find an Internship

 

Network

 

If you haven’t already, you’ll quickly discover that one of the best ways to land a job (or an internship!) is through your connections. Think of the older adults in your life, like parents, teachers, administrators, coaches, grandparents, friends, and especially people with interests or careers that align with your future aspirations. Ask your network if they have or know of any internship opportunities, and even if they don’t right now, they’ll likely let you know when an opportunity does arise. 

 

Join LinkedIn

 

After networking with your friends and family, consider creating a LinkedIn profile to do some online networking. LinkedIn is an essential tool you will use in your professional career to connect with other professionals and explore job opportunities. 

 

Once you’ve built a LinkedIn profile and have added your education, work experience, extracurriculars, and leadership experiences, you’ll be able to attract job recruiters. You can also use the LinkedIn job board to search for internships relevant to your interests and career goals! 

 

Explore Local Opportunities

 

Are there any small, local Seattle businesses you love to support? Consider visiting the store location and asking the owner if they have any unadvertised internship opportunities. Chances are, they’re probably willing to give a loyal customer a chance to help their business succeed!

 

Discover National Opportunities

 

While local internship opportunities are always a great avenue to explore, national internship opportunities also offer incredible, well-respected experiences for high school students. You can often find national internships online. Search for your field of interest, such as STEM, journalism, and more, to find internships that align with your future major.

 

How Much Do Internships Impact Your College Chances?

 

Your extracurriculars will help you get into college to a certain extent, depending on the rarity and prestige of the activity. To make things easier to understand, we’ve divided extracurriculars into four tiers. Tier 1 encompasses the most impressive and unique extracurriculars, such as being named a Bank of America Student Leader. Conversely, tier 4 encompasses the most common extracurriculars seen by admissions committees, like volunteering at your local food bank or homeless shelter.    

 

Having one or two tier 1 or 2 extracurricular activities can help you stand out during the admissions process, especially if you’re applying to highly selective schools. While internship rankings vary per program, highly selective and especially national programs will certainly fall into tiers 1 or 2.  

 

 

 

CollegeVine’s free chancing engine can calculate your odds of admission using metrics like your GPA, test scores, and extracurricular activities, such as internships. Our chancing engine will even give you tips on improving your profile to increase your chances of admission!