As a high school student, it can be challenging to find the right internship. Luckily for high school students in New Jersey (NJ), there are plenty of opportunities. The best summer internships for high school students in NJ are those that offer hands-on experience and exposure to potential career paths.
Many summer internships in NJ are offered by companies that aim to prepare high school students for the workplace after graduation. If you’re looking for NJ high school internships, read on to learn about our top picks, in addition to the benefits of doing one.
Are There Summer Internships in NJ for High Schoolers?
Yes, there are many summer internships in NJ for high schoolers. These can be paid or unpaid internship programs, lasting anywhere from a few weeks to a year or more. Whether paid or unpaid, internships provide opportunities for skill development, networking, learning, and valuable work experience.
Internships for high schoolers will provide opportunities to develop professional skills that are valuable in the workplace like communication and problem-solving. These key soft skills will be essential to include when writing your resume.
Top Internships for High School Students in NJ
| Internship Program | Organization | Compensation | Type |
| Anthem High School Program | Anthem Blue Cross | Unpaid | All Year |
| Governor’s School of Engineering & Technology | Governor’s School of NJ/Rutgers | Paid | Summer |
| Governor’s School in the Sciences | Governor’s School of NJ/Drew University | Paid | Summer |
| Jersey 1st Internship Program | Jersey 1st | Unpaid | Summer, spring |
| Metropolitan Museum of Art | Princeton University | Paid | Summer |
| NASA High School Internship Program | NASA | Paid | Fall, spring, and summer |
| NJDOL | The NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development | Paid | Semester, summer |
| Women and Families Ascending Association (WAFAA) | VolunteerMatch | Unpaid | All Year |
Summer Internships in New Jersey for High Schoolers: More Info
Anthem High School Internship Program | Anthem Blue Cross
- Length: Minimum 3 months
- Compensation: Unpaid
- Application Requirements: Must be 18-years-old and a senior in high school, currently enrolled in a health sciences academy and curriculum
This internship program is a unique opportunity for seniors to gain real-world experience and skills in their desired career field. Students have the opportunity to work alongside professionals in various departments of the healthcare industry. Students will have the chance to work on projects relating to events, marketing campaigns, and infrastructure development.
Governor’s School of Engineering & Technology | Rutgers
- Compensation: Paid
- Application Requirements: Must submit an application, essay, and letters of recommendation.
The Governor’s School of Engineering & Technology is a 6-week compensated internship. The Governor’s School will teach students technology and engineering through various hands-on activities and presentations. The purpose of Governor’s School is to provide high school students with an opportunity to learn about and experience college students’ life. The program is open to juniors and seniors in high school.
Governor’s School In the Sciences | Drew University
- Compensation: Paid
- Application Requirements: Two letters of recommendation, high school transcript, and two single-page essays
The Governor’s School of Science is a 6-week internship for high school students. This program offers academic enrichment, leadership development, and community service opportunities. This internship exposes students to various scientific to broaden their appreciation and knowledge of science, and it also provides hands-on research experience in a student’s area of interest.
You will have the opportunity to learn about the legislative process, meet with government officials, and participate in other various activities.
Met High School Internship Program | The Met
- Compensation: Paid
- Application Requirements: Must be a junior or senior in high school, must submit a writing sample and letter of recommendation
This internship is a unique opportunity to gain access to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, one of the world’s most renowned museums. This summer internship program allows students to gain experience working in a museum environment. It offers a variety of learning opportunities, including workshops, tours, lectures and the opportunity to develop a research project of their choice.
NASA High School Internship | NASA
- Length: 3 months
- Compensation: Paid
- Application Requirements: Must be 16 years of age, US citizens or permanent residents
The NASA High School Internship offers students in New Jersey the opportunity to participate in a fall, spring, and summer internship program. The program provides students with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in various aspects of NASA’s work. Internships are available in multiple fields, including engineering, science, mathematics, and computer science.
NJDOL Summer Internships | The NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development
- Length: 6 weeks
- Compensation: Paid
- Application Requirements: Must be a high school student, submit a cover letter and resume
The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development is a government agency that offers internships to high school, undergraduate, and graduate students. Students will gain experience working in a government office and learn about the department’s responsibilities in enforcing labor laws, providing workforce development programs, and managing unemployment insurance.
Jersey 1st Internship Program | Jersey 1st
- Length: 10 weeks
- Compensation: Unpaid
- Application Requirements: Must be a high school student with a strong interest in government and politics, must be available for the full 10-week duration, resume and cover letter
The Jersey 1st internship program is an excellent opportunity for students in NJ who are interested in government and politics as they relate to the state of New Jersey. The program provides students the chance to obtain practical experience through community service, grassroots advocacy, research, and communications networking.
Women and Families Ascending Association (WAFAA) | VolunteerMatch
- Length: Unspecified
- Compensation: Unpaid
- Application Requirements: No specific requirements are needed to apply
WAFAA is a non-profit organization focused on women, children, families, and communities. This program provides services and support to immigrant women and families. The WAFAA internship is a great way to gain experience in the non-profit sector. This experience will be a great way to include volunteer work in your resume.
Benefits of New Jersey High School Internships
Hands-On Experience
High school internships offer students opportunities to gain real-life hands-on experience in their desired fields. This real-world experience helps interns gain valuable insights into how the job is done, including the skills and knowledge needed to succeed. This experience can help students decide whether or not they want to pursue a career in that field.
Career Exploration and Development
Internships offer students the chance to explore different careers and determine which ones might be a good fit as a future career choice. Career explorations and development are essential because they allow students better to understand their interests, skills, and values.
Networking Opportunities
High school internships provide students with valuable networking opportunities.
Networking opportunities will open doors to students to meet professionals who can provide career advice. Networking also allows students to learn about the work culture, build leadership skills, and access potential advancement in their future careers.
Should I Apply to NJ High School Internships?
Yes, high school students should apply to NJ high school internships. There are many great opportunities in New Jersey, including working in the technology, pharmaceutical, and financial industries. Internship opportunities will allow students to gain professional-real world experience and develop skills.
NJ High School Internships FAQ
Some internships do offer compensation, while others do not. This is dependent on the company and the type of internship. While some internship programs receive government sponsorship, small companies may not and therefore may not be able to pay their interns. It is vital to research the specific internship before applying to see if payment is provided.
To increase your chances of landing a great internship in high school, you can network with people in your field of interest and prepare for internship interview questions about why you want an internship and what you hope to gain from it.
Yes, NASA pays its high school interns. However, the amount varies depending on the academic level. Students must be 16 years old or older and have completed high school to be eligible to apply. Also, all must be US citizens or permanent residents.
The most common types of apprenticeships are academic, corporate, and government.
Academic internships allow students to gain practical experience in their field of study. Corporate internships enable students to gain experience in a realistic business setting. Government internships give the students a chance to gain experience in a government setting.
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