Internships are crucial for the strong professional development of all students. NACE’s job outlook 2022 report ranks internship experience as one of the most influential factors in hiring decisions. Unlike a short-term job, finding internships for high school students in Maryland can be a bit challenging.
There are some jobs that do not require experience but doing high school internships can be crucial to thriving in the modern world. Qualifying for Maryland high school internships is not that difficult. All you need is to fulfill the eligibility criteria and be passionate about experiential learning. There are even multiple summer internships in Maryland that won’t interfere with the school year.
Are There Summer Internships in Maryland for High Schoolers?
Yes, there are many summer internships in Maryland with an experiential learning component that allow high schoolers to gain experience while learning new skills. These include paid and unpaid internship opportunities in various fields.
Students must apply for the internship in their selected company before the application window closes and prepare for internship interview questions to ensure their selection.
Top Internships for High School Students in Maryland
| Internship Program | Organization | Compensation | Type |
| Activity Specialist | Horizon Day Camp | $850-$1000/month | Summer |
| Geosciences Bridge Program | University of Maryland Eastern Shore | Not mentioned | Summer |
| High School Intern | Erickson Senior Living | Not mentioned | Part time |
| NEI Summer Intern Program | National Eye Institute | Not mentioned | Summer |
| Smart Energy Work | Exelon Corporation | Not mentioned | Short term |
| Student Trainee (IT) | US National Institute of Health | $20.55-$32.38/hour | Summer |
| Supply Chain Quality Intern | Goddard Space Flight Center | Not mentioned | Summer |
| The John Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences | The John Hopkins NIMH Center | $10/hour | Summer |
| United Planet Virtual Internship and Volunteer Quest | United Planet | $100-$300/week | Summer |
| Work Study Student Program 2021/2022 | Library of Congress | $12.34 – $15.44/hour | Part time |
Summer Internships in Maryland for High Schoolers: More Info
Activity Specialists | Horizon Day Camp
- Compensation: $850-$1000 per month
- Application Requirements: Personal information, three references, immunization record
Horizon Day Camp in Baltimore city needs student volunteers and employees for its seven week long annual summer program for children suffering from cancer. Interns will be involved in designing creative fun activities for children. The camp will start at the end of June and continue till mid-August. It will enable them to refine their interpersonal skills.
Geosciences Bridge Program | University of Maryland Eastern Shore
- Compensation: Not mentioned
- Application Requirements: Resume
Geosciences Bridge Program is a 6-week internship program to train minority students from underrepresented groups. It is a paid internship. The program is ideal for students planning to pursue a career in geosciences, as it develops their analytical skills and STEM skills. It includes field trips, courses, lectures, and other activities.
NEI Summer Intern Program | National Eye Institute
- Compensation: Not mentioned
- Application Requirements: Resume
NEI Summer Intern Program is a learning opportunity for high school students under the National Eye Institute. Students get a chance to work along with leading scientists to discover the world of biomedical research. This internship may continue for 8-10 weeks in Maryland. Interns can attend workshops and seminars to enhance their knowledge.
Student Trainee (Information Technology) | US National Institute of Health
- Compensation: $20.55-32.38/hour
- Application Requirements: Resume
This virtual internship program is offered to high school and college students for an amazing summer internship experience. The Student Trainee program provides a hands-on experience to students. Their primary responsibilities may include handling different hardware and software, executing IT programs, responding to customer assistance requests, and customer training.
Supply Chain Quality Intern | Goddard Space Flight Center
- Compensation: Not mentioned
- Application Requirements: Application form
This virtual internship program is designed and offered by NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. Students in grades 11 and 12 with an interest in STEM careers are eligible to apply. The student interns will get a chance to assist supply chain quality teams and participate in meetings. The primary responsibilities include data collection, analysis, and creation of spreadsheets.
The John Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences | The John Hopkins NIMH Center
- Compensation: $10/hour
- Application Requirements: Two letters of recommendation, application
JHIBS provides an in-person internship experience to the high schoolers of Baltimore city. It is an 8-week summer program that starts in June. It provides an opportunity for students from underrepresented areas to learn and enhance their knowledge in neurological sciences at Johns Hopkins University. The practical experience leads to building their career path and foundation in this field.
United Planet Virtual Internship and Volunteer Quest | United Planet
- Compensation: Unpaid
- Application Requirements: Letters of reference, online application, resume, written application, interview
United Planet offers this summer internship program for high school students worldwide. It involves working virtually in the fields of health, education, children, and environmental sustainability. It is an amazing learning opportunity for students to build their network, enhance organizational skills, and know about different cultures. Graduate students can also apply.
Other Maryland High School Internships: More Info
High School Intern | Erickson Senior Living
- Length: Not mentioned
- Compensation: Unpaid
- Application Requirements: Work permit and application
Erickson Senior Living provides active high school students with a chance to build a career in healthcare. The interns are required to collect data, complete assignments, and prepare reports. Students get different duties according to the department they are working in. Those with good communication skills and knowledge of Microsoft Office are preferred.
Smart Energy Workforce Development High School Internship Program | Exelon Corporation
- Length: Not mentioned
- Compensation: Not mentioned
- Application Requirements: Application form, academic reference
Work Study Student Program 2021/2022 | Library of Congress
- Length: One year
- Compensation: $12.34-$15.44/hour
- Application Requirements: Application, resume, letter of recommendation, cover letter, and latest transcript
The Work Study Student program is a progressive career development plan for students to get on the job training with full-time jobs during school breaks. Accepted students get a chance to explore library work under professional supervision. The work may introduce them to areas such as research, copyright, information management, and preservation.
Benefits of Maryland High School Internships
Skill Development
High school additional internships are a way to identify your strengths and weaknesses in a positive environment. Internships and other jobs for high schoolers give students a chance to refine their organizational skills and increase their efficiency by meeting tight deadlines.
Internships also highlight the hidden talents and interpersonal skills of high school students. Their colleagues, supervisors, internship coordinator, and managers of the firm will always be there to give feedback on their abilities and share some advice to help them improve.
Better Job Opportunities
High school internships help students gain real-world experience, which can help them access future opportunities down the line. According to NACE’s 2021 Internship and Co-Op Report, the conversion rate for interns is at 66.4 percent. This means an internship can pave a smooth path to permanent recruitment.
Network Building
Networking is undoubtedly an essential skill in modern times. High school internships allow you to build strong professional connections with people belonging to different organizations. It provides a firm foundation for sound career development. A wide range of connections made through an educational internship will greatly benefit your professional future.
Should I Apply to Maryland High School Internships?
Yes, you should definitely apply for internship opportunities. Having a degree without work experience is not enough in today’s competitive job market. A good internship offers a chance for students to stand out and learn about potential future careers. Internships must be an integral part of the career development process for high schoolers motivated to succeed.
Maryland High School Internships FAQ
Not necessarily, but paid internships provide students with an edge in job recruitment. According to NACE’s Student Survey, students who had attended paid internships received more job offers on average than unpaid ones. They were also more likely to secure a job before graduating. This makes paid internships comparatively better than unpaid ones.
Yes, Maryland high schoolers can get an internship at NASA. There are various summer internships announced by the Goddard Space Flight Center of NASA in Maryland. Students can get complete information about them on the official website of NASA and USAJOBS. They also offer pathway internships providing a direct route to build a successful career.
No, high school internships are not mandatory, but they can give job seekers an edge. As an intern, you can gain insights into the workplace environment and the nature of work in your relevant field in just a few hours per week. You also get a chance to showcase your professional skills, hone your leadership skills, gain valuable work experience, and get in touch with potential employers.
Generally, you will need to fill out an application and prepare a resume to apply for an internship. Every internship program has slightly different application requirements that you need to fulfill. Read all other specific guidelines carefully and adhere to them for a smooth application process, and remember to keep the application deadline in mind.
About us: Career Karma is a platform designed to help job seekers find, research, and connect with job training programs to advance their careers. Learn about the CK publication.
