Best Internships for High School Students in Los Angeles

There are Los Angeles internship opportunities for graduates, college students, and even high schoolers. Internships for high school students in Los Angeles allow students to gain expert knowledge and define their career goals. There are also summer internships in Los Angeles that allow students to explore different career options and partake in fun and challenging activities.

In this article, you will find a comprehensive list of Los Angeles high school internships, acting as educational opportunities that can help you develop new skills and guide you through your preferred career field.

Are There Summer Internships in Los Angeles for High Schoolers?

Yes, summer internships for high school students are available in Los Angeles, just as they are throughout the United States. These internships are hosted by universities or organizations and designed to polish students’ skills, prepare them for college, offer real-world work experience, and help them navigate their careers.

Summer internships in Los Angeles provide opportunities after the school year for students to get valuable experience in their chosen field. They usually last between eight and 12 weeks. During this period, students get a taste of the college experience, develop new skills, expand their network, and receive mentorship to guide them through their career adventures.

Top Internships for High School Students in Los Angeles

Summer Internships in Los Angeles for High Schoolers: Detailed List

Design Immersion Days | Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc)

• Compensation: Unpaid
• Application Requirements: Junior, senior, or graduating senior; great work ethic; excellent communication skills; ability to work cooperatively; strong interest in working with a diverse, international, and highly collaborative team; computer literacy and passion for video games; knowledge of digital marketing tools

Design Immersion Days (DID) is a four-week pre-college program that exposes high school students to design and architecture. DID offers comprehensive training programs aimed at helping 11th graders and 12th graders develop critical thinking skills and get familiar with the world of design.

Holocaust Museum LA High School Summer Internship Program | Holocaust Museum LA

• Compensation: Unpaid
• Application Requirements: Current 9th-12th grade students; consent form from parent or guardian; interest in history and social justice; writing skills; communication skills

Holocaust Museum Los Angeles is inviting high schoolers with a deep sense of civic responsibility to apply for its four-week summer internship. Although it’s unpaid, the 10 students selected for the opportunity will get a chance to leave the classroom to learn about museum curation and the role that museums play in public conversations about history and art.

Loyola Marymount Pre-College Summer Programs | Loyola Marymount University

• Compensation: Unpaid
• Application Requirements: Completed online application form and essay; high school transcripts; $65 application fee; letter of recommendation; TOEFL score (only required from non-native English speakers)

Loyola Marymount University offers high school students a unique pre-college program over the summer. This is an exciting opportunity for high schoolers to get some college experience. The unique training is curated by a program coordinator to test students’ critical thinking skills. Honing these skills is a boon for their professional development.

Admitted students will have access to comprehensive coursework, career development opportunities, and extracurricular activities. These courses and summer experiences provide chances for students to pursue their academic passions, develop leadership skills, and explore options for their future career fields.

The Pomona College Academy for Youth Success (PAYS)  | Pomona College

• Compensation: Paid expenses including lodging, daily lunch meals, and field trip transportation
• Eligibility Requirements: Resident of Los Angeles County, Orange County, Riverside County, or San Bernardino County; low-income high school students, first-generation, college-age students; member of an underrepresented ethnic group or race; 9th-grade student currently taking Geometry or Integrated Math II

The Pomona College Academy for Youth Success (PAYS) guides over 90 local high school students in college selection and prepares them for admission into a world-class university. The four-week residential program comes with a number of flexible course options, including workshops, projects, field trips, and challenging activities.

PAYS also serves as an education program for underrepresented persons in higher education. These include African-American students, low-income high school students who are the first in their families to attend college, members of the Native American community, Latinos, and other students who are part of an underrepresented racial or ethnic group.

Samuels Family Latino and African-American High School Internship Program (LA-HIP) | Children’s Hospital Los Angeles

• Compensation: Stipend
• Eligibility Requirements: Underrepresented minority in medicine and science, currently a junior in high school, possession of social security number

The Samuels Family LA-HIP is an education program for underrepresented minorities studying medicine and science. It offers vast opportunities for students in this field to learn hands-on laboratory-based research and excel as scientists or physicians. Eligible students must apply in the fall of their junior year of high school and have a genuine interest in the STEM field.

Summer Institute for the Gifted (SIG) | University of California, Los Angeles

• Compensation: Unpaid
• Application Requirements: Current 6th – 12th-grade students between 12 and 18 years old, two SIG recommendation forms from two core subject educators

SIG provides a comprehensive training program for gifted, creative, high-potential, and socially conscious students in the K-12 system. Held at UCLA over a four-week period, this educational program gives students exposure to college campuses and a chance to experience college life. The activities cover science, tech, engineering, arts, math, and humanities (STEAM+).

Summer in Studio | Hussian College, Los Angeles

• Compensation: Unpaid
• Application Requirements: Online application; application essay; audition or portfolio review; letter of recommendation; high school transcripts

Hussian College is offering an online summer internship program for high school students to enhance their skills and build an awesome portfolio. Applicants are evaluated based on academic standing, attendance, number of community service hours, and artistic ability. Eligible students will be able to bundle classes and activities in whatever way suits their schedule.

Summer Springboard | University of California, Los Angeles

• Compensation: Daily stipend
• Application Requirements: Online application, $99 non-refundable application fee, $400 program deposit

Summer Springboard is a college preparation program for high schoolers in Los Angeles. It focuses on helping students discover a career path and experience college life. The internship program includes academic immersion courses, excursions, mentorship, and college-level guest lectures. The internship program coordinator selects guest speakers who will inspire the students.

This summer program is held at some of America’s leading colleges, not only at UCLA, but also at Georgetown University, Fordham University, and Yale. The current list of coursework options include leadership development classes and college-level lectures from the fields of engineering, medicine, business, law, media, and design.

Other Los Angeles High School Internships: More Info

Christian Legal Aid of Los Angeles (CLA-LA) Internship Program | Christian Legal Aid, Los Angeles

• Length: Unspecified
• Compensation: Unspecified
• Application Requirements: Excellent legal skills; passion for the CLA-LA vision; experience working with non-profit organizations, low-income communities, and direct client services; leadership skills

The CLA-LA internship program teaches students the practical aspect of law and gives them the skills needed to become lawyers. CLA-LA has previously accepted interns from top law schools like UCLA School of Law, Loyola Law School, University of Chicago School of Law, University of Southern California Gould School of Law, Pepperdine Caruso School of Law, and many others.

The Christian Legal Aid of Los Angeles offers various internship and volunteer opportunities to law school graduates, current law students, graduate students, undergraduate students, young practicing attorneys, high school students, and college-age students passionate about legal research and writing.

Graphic Design Internship | Umbrella

• Length: 3 months
• Compensation: Estimated $32,000 – $45,000 a year
• Application Requirements: Knowledge of creative content for social platforms; proficiency in Adobe Suite and Keynote; written and verbal communication skills; strong eye for color, composition, and detail; multidisciplinary design portfolio; UI/UX design experience

Umbrella is a boutique agency that focuses on bringing the spotlight to the fashion industry. Interns’ responsibilities are to assist in brand development projects, develop creative assets such as emails, social graphics, and websites for clients, provide administrative support, and assist with errands.

This internship is ideal for college-aged students who are passionate about getting some work experience and also for conscious students looking for hands-on experience and coaching on how to become a graphic designer.

Benefits of Los Angeles High School Internships

They Boost Your Work Experience

Los Angeles high school internships give students insight into diverse career options and help them acquire skills through hands-on activities that translate to future career success. Research from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) suggests that having an internship on your resume can give you an edge the next time you’re up for a job.

They Increase Your Career Opportunities

Los Angeles high school internships bridge the gap between learning and finding a career. High school students with internship experience have an advantage when looking for college internships or full-time jobs, and internships tend to yield better-paying jobs.

They Help Secure Good References and Recommendations

Los Angeles high school internships expose you to mentors and help build your professional network. These mentors can, in turn, help you secure college recommendation letters that will strengthen your college application resume and ease your college admission process. Letters of recommendation increase your chances of college admission.

Should I Apply to Los Angeles High School Internships?

Yes. Los Angeles high school internships present an exciting opportunity to experience college life. Not only do they increase your chances of excelling in the college classroom, but they also give you a head start on preparing for life after college. The benefits they offer include building your confidence, improving your professional skills, and helping you land your dream job.

At a time when, according to Statista, less than 20 percent of working-age teens have jobs, internships are a clear way for high school students to get ahead. By starting early, you will give yourself an advantage over your peers. The skills and social capital you will build as part of your internship experience are exactly what young people need for satisfying careers.

Los Angeles High School Internships FAQ

What are the benefits of high school internships?

High school internships offer educational programs and opportunities for students to gain confidence and hands-on experience, boost their academic achievement, define their career goals, and expand their professional network. It is also an opportunity to secure college recommendation letters, which will ease the college admissions process.

Can I get a high school internship with no experience?

Experience is not a factor that employers consider when recruiting interns because the purpose of internships is to give you experience. However, each extracurricular activity you can put on your resume and cover letter will help. Volunteering, joining clubs, community engagement, and acquiring some professional skills will show your employer that you’re serious about the opportunity.

Do Los Angeles high school interns get paid?

High school interns may or may not be paid, depending on the internship position. Students who get exposure to tech jobs through things like web design and analytics internships are usually well paid, while those in fashion, music, writing, and the arts often get minimal stipends. Internships may also be unpaid when they are part of a school’s academic curriculum.

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What is the duration of a Los Angeles summer internship?

Summer internships often last between eight and 12 weeks and may require the intern to put in up to 40 hours per week. They usually start in May or June and end in August. Because they come after the spring semester, summer internship schedules depend on when the school year ends.