Although most students pursue internships during the summer, there are many great opportunities for students to intern during the school year. Internships are an opportunity for motivated students to explore their interests and career opportunities prior to college. These opportunities give students a leg up on determining what college majors to apply to, help students get a better sense for the types of careers they should focus on, and help in the college admissions process by demonstrating true interest in the major, field and program that they are applying for.
Several well-renowned institutions within the United States offer internship programs to high school students in various disciplines ranging from nonprofit to politics to science, to name a few. Listed here are internships for fall 2021 with deadlines right around the corner. Rising seniors looking to enhance their upcoming college applications, in particular, can make the most of these opportunities. Also, due to COVID, many internships are still run virtually, thus making it possible for students to apply to programs outside of their state. Hurry and apply to them before they fill up!
Internships with Cultural Institutions
About the Institution: The Smithsonian Institution is the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex. Originally founded in 1846, it houses 19 museums and the National Zoo. The prestigious Smithsonian museums help educate and share resources with the general public while preserving certain heritages and histories.
About the Internship: The Smithsonian offers a variety of internships ranging from interning with the Natural History Museum to the Smithsonian Libraries to the American Art Museum and so forth. Each application is managed and processed separately by its own unit. We have provided examples of some Smithsonian internships with approaching deadlines below. To look at their complete list of offerings, visit the official Smithsonian page on Smithsonian Internships: Mentor-Based Learning Opportunities. However, while browsing these options, keep in mind that they are not opportunities limited to highschool students, but offered to undergraduate and graduate students as well. Make sure to check the eligibility requirements.
Richard Louie Memorial Internship for High School Students
https://asia.si.edu/research/fellowships-internships/richardlouie/
Dates: Fall Semester
Application Deadline: 15 August 2021
The Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery is the Smithsonian’s museum of Asian art. High schoolers who intern here are introduced to Asian art. Interns undertake independent projects within a departmental area of interest. In addition, interns will be included in other museum activities.
Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center Internship
https://smithsonianapa.org/internships/
Dates: Fall 2021 (September to December)
Application Deadline: 18 June 2021
This internship will run virtually for the fall of 2021. The Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center is a migratory museum bringing Asian Pacific American history, art and culture to you through innovative museum experiences online and throughout the United States. The internship program will allow students to learn through direct exchanges with artists, scholars, and cultural practitioners.
National Museum of the American Indian Internship
https://americanindian.si.edu/connect/internships
Dates: Fall; Starting September
Application Deadline: 6 July 2021
The National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) Internship provides educational opportunities for students interested in the museum profession and related fields. Students learn about the museum's collections, exhibitions, programs, and methodologies, and to meet professionals in the museum field. There may be limited virtual internships available in the fall of 2020.
Washington Performing Arts Institution Internship
About the Institution: Washington Performing Arts provides a platform to connect artists, audiences, students, and civic life. The institution’s achievements have been recognized with a National Medal of Arts and with three Mayor’s Arts Awards from the DC Government.
About the Internship: Washington Performing Arts offers motivated and creative highschool students hands-on exposure to all aspects of art management. The internship is personally tailored around each intern, allowing them to each explore art management, artists, and portfolio work in different ways.
Dates: Fall; August/ September to December: specific start and end dates determined individually
Application Deadline: 27 June 2021
Internships in Science
NASA High School Internship Program
About the Institution: NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) is the United States’
independent agency for space exploration. Established in 1958, succeeding the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics. NASA studies Earth, the climate, the sun, our solar system, and beyond. We conduct research, testing, and development to advance aeronautics, including electric propulsion and supersonic flight. We develop and fund space technologies that will enable future exploration and benefit life on Earth.
About the Internship: NASA provides internship opportunities to students from high school to the graduate level.The programs provide students’ with research and experiential learning under a mentor in NASA, enhancing their learnings in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Students are made a part of authentic projects, and are not required to have prior knowledge before applying to the internship (though it is always a bonus).
Dates: Fall; Late August/early September, mid-December, 16 weeks
Application Deadline: 9 July 2021
For more information on STEM related opportunities for your high schooler, make use of our STEM Research for High School Students Guide which lists over 1,000 internships, summer and school year programs, and research opportunities.
Internships with the Government
U.S. Department of State’s Pathways Internship Program
About the Institution: The United States Department of State, or State Department, is an executive departpartment of the U.S. federal government that takes care of the country’s foreign policy and international relations
About the Internship: The U.S. Department of State’s Pathways Internship Programs include the Internship Experience Program (IEP) and the Internship Temporary Program (ITEP). Both programs provide students with opportunities to explore Federal careers. The IEP is a non temporary program wherein the internship lasts the length of the academic program for which the intern is enrolled. The ITEP is a temporary program wherein interns work during seasonal and holiday breaks in academic programs as well as year-round. Interns in this program are appointed to temporary appointments, not to exceed one year or their projected graduation date (whichever is shorter) and extensions may be made in one year increments. The positions to which the interns are appointed have no promotion potential, therefore, students must apply through USAJOBS to be considered for higher-graded positions. ITEP participants are not eligible for any other benefits until after conversion into the competitive service. To find out more about whether you met eligibility requirements and to see different dates to apply for, please contact Pathways@state.gov and visit https://careers.state.gov/work/pathways/internship-programs/. Dates and deadlines are flexible.
Student Volunteer Trainee Program at Department of Education
About the Institution: The United States Department of Education is responsible for providing educational resources and equal opportunities within the country to help promote student achievement.
About the Internship: The volunteer program provides students with an opportunity to work with and contribute to education policy and administration. The opportunity allows students to strengthen skills in Human Resources Management, Training and Development, Data Analytics, Project Management, Education Policies, Grants Management, Communications, and Information Technology.
Dates: Fall 2021
Application Deadline: 3 cut-off dates of June 11th, July 12th, and August 11th.
Internships with Nonprofit Organizations
United Planet Virtual Internship and VolunteerQuests
About the Institution: United Planet is a nonprofit organization located in Boston, Massachusetts that aims to create a global community. It connects volunteers with communities across the world to make a difference and engage with different cultures.
About the Internship: The virtual internship program allows students to help connect with global communities through assisting the daily operations of the communities that they are working with. The tasks are tailored to the current needs of the organization and the skills of the volunteers. Tasks can surround areas related to health services, environmental sustainability, children and education, or community development. Application dates and deadlines are flexible.
For additional insights, read:
Do High School Students Need a Focus?
Most Prestigious Summer Programs
Why Summer Jobs and Work Experience Matter When High School Students Apply to College
Meaningful Summer Activities that Enhance College Application
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