11 Internships near San Jose for High School Students
7 minute read
For high school students thinking about the next steps beyond graduation, internships are opportunities to help you stand out from the crowd. In 2023, 38% of U.S. businesses offered high school internships, with companies on the west coast offering slightly more than on the east-coast. Still, researchers estimate that only around 5% of high schoolers nationwide complete professional internships before graduating. Students in the San Jose area are particularly lucky to have hundreds of companies and organizations hoping to partner with them as they explore careers and develop professional skills and experience. We hope you’ll use this list as a curated guide to start your intern journey as high school students in and around San Jose.
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Why Pursue an Internship in High School?
High schoolers are perfectly positioned to use internships as launch pads towards long-term success after graduating from school. The top reasons to pursue an internship include:
Early Career Exploration: Internships empower students to “try on” professional roles and to explore various industries early on in their careers. Completing an internship can help you make confident and informed decisions about your next steps beyond high school graduation.
Skill Development: Internships increase your value to employers and academic programs. High school students who successfully complete internships build specific knowledge and improve versatile soft skills. These can include teamwork, time management, and communication, all of which will remain important and transferable throughout your career.
College Readiness: Research shows that high school students who complete internships are significantly better prepared for college and career compared to those who don’t. According to the College Board, internships boost your college applications by demonstrating your interest in taking on responsibility and your commitment to learning.
Networking Opportunities: Forbes experts agree that internships are valuable opportunities for building professional relationships and mentorships, which can lead to future references and jobs in San Jose. Read more about the benefits of having a mentor in high school.
Criteria for Choosing the Best Internships
The best internship is the one that fits your personal needs and goals. Consider your academic interests, your career plans, and the types of activities that you find engaging and fulfilling. A great internship will connect you with inspiring mentors whom you look up to and will want to learn from. That being said, be practical: transportation options are limited for many high schoolers, so the location of the internship is key. It’s also important to consider the timeline of the program: if you have other plans during the summer or academic year that could overlap with your responsibilities as an intern, you might be stretched too thin to get the most out of any single experience. Remember, also, that not all high school internships are paid, which is an important consideration for many students and families. Finally, keep an eye on specific eligibility requirements, such as GPA and grade level.
11 Best Internships in San Jose for High School Students
Stanford STaRS Internship Program
Eligibility: Ages 16+
Location: Stanford University
Timeline: June 23 – August 8, 2025
Application Deadline: Closed for 2025; 2026 deadline will be announced soon.
Cost: Free
STaRS (Science, Technology, and Reconstructive Surgery) is a research internship and mentorship program through Stanford University. The goal of the program is to provide high school students with personalized support and guidance as they explore careers in research and healthcare. The in-person program lasts 7 weeks and runs Monday-Friday from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The RAMP UP pathway is a track within STaRS that is specifically for first-generation and low-income students interested in oral healthcare and dentistry careers.
Pediatrics Internship Program (PIP) at Stanford
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors residing in the Bay Area
Location: Stanford University
Timeline: June 16 – July 25, 2025
Application Deadline: Closed for 2025; 2026 deadline will be announced soon.
Cost: Free; $3,000 stipend available for students with financial need
Stanford Medicine’s Pediatrics Internship Program (or PIP, for short) introduces students to exciting topics in pediatric medicine through research mentorships alongside Stanford faculty, post-doctoral researchers, and students. Participants work on their projects, in person, for 30 hours per week throughout the duration of the six-week internship.
Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
Eligibility: Ages 16+ (Juniors and Seniors)
Location: Stanford University
Timeline: June 9 – July 31, 2025
Application Deadline: February 22, 2025; deadline for 2026 session will be announced soon.
Cost: Free; $500 stipend provided
Participants in the SIMR program at Stanford are matched with leading researchers for eight-week-long, hands-on research mentorships. When submitting their applications, students can choose from eight institutes with which to complete their mentorships:
Immunology
Neurobiology
Cancer Biology
Bioengineering
Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine
Cardiovascular Biology
Bioinformatics
Genetics and Genomics
Instead of conducting lab research, some SIMR students may opt to participate in a hands-on bioengineering bootcamp. This program introduces students to the field of bioengineering in the form of lectures from various Stanford researchers, as well as a team-based biodesign project.
Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship
Eligibility: Grades 9–12
Location: Virtual
Timeline: June 16 – June 27, 2025
Application Deadline: February 28, 2025; deadline for 2026 will be announced soon.
Cost: $850 (need-based scholarships are available)
Stanford’s AIMI (Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging) summer research internship is designed for students entering grades 9-12 in Fall 2025. The internship takes place 100% virtually from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, Monday to Friday. Participants receive a broad introduction to the fundamentals of AI in healthcare, group mentoring from Stanford students and researchers, as well as opportunities to connect with guest speakers from academia, industry, and non-profit organizations.
AI Internship Program by Veritas AI
Eligibility: High school students with prior AI/ML experience
Location: Online
Timeline: 8 weeks starting November 11, 2025
Application Deadline: October 20, 2025
Cost: $2,490
Veritas AI’s internship program connects high schoolers with real startup companies for unique and valuable collaborations. Together with the host startup, student interns will identify a real-world AI project and a series of deliverables to work towards over the eight-week period. These internships are opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience while exploring their passions for AI.
Ladder Internship Program
Eligibility: High school students
Location: Remote
Timeline: Varies
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Cost: Varies
Ladder Internships was founded by entrepreneurs to help high school students gain hands-on experience in real-world startup environments. Their internship program places students at host companies where they will be immersed in a startup environment. Along with the host company, Ladder also helps students identify a project to complete over eight weeks, working 5-10 hours per week. Past projects have ranged from building go-to-market strategies to developing AI-driven pricing models. Gaining work experience in a real startup environment is an amazing way to stand out as a high schooler thinking about next steps!
County of Santa Clara Internships
Eligibility: High school students enrolled in or recently graduated (within 6 months) from an accredited or state-licensed school, with a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
Location: Various departments across Santa Clara County
Timeline: Varies
Application Deadline: Open year-round
Cost: Free; stipend available. More information
Santa Clara County offers internship opportunities for high school students. Students can apply for specific opportunities based on the openings currently available. Throughout the year, openings are posted from departments including the Office of the District Attorney, the Public Health Department, and the Parks Department. The nature of each internship will vary depending on the job function. Not seeing the right opening at the moment? Students can apply directly to a department so that their resume will be on file and ready for consideration the next time an internship matching their interests becomes available.
Kaiser Permanente LAUNCH Program
Eligibility: High school students ages 16–19 by June 1, with priority given to juniors and seniors. Must reside in a Northern California Kaiser Permanente designated service area
Location: Kaiser Permanente, San Jose
Timeline: June 16 – August 1, 2025
Application Deadline: Applications are closed for 2025; applications for summer 2026 will open in November 2025.
Cost: Free; stipend provided (minimum wage)
The LAUNCH Internship Program through Kaiser Permanente offers paid internships for high school students interested in non-clinical healthcare professions. Interns explore career paths based on their interests, developing job skills applicable to accounting, sales, communications, and more under the supervision of inspiring mentors.
Bank of America Student Leaders Program
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors residing in eligible communities and authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship
Location: San Jose
Timeline: Eight weeks
Application Deadline: Begins in the fall
Cost: Paid internship
The Student Leaders Program was founded in 2004 with the goal of connecting high school students with local nonprofits for paid internships. High school juniors and seniors who are passionate about serving their communities can use this experience to gain hands-on experience in the workforce. Additionally, interns get to spend one week of the program participating in the national Student Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C.
Guadalupe River Park Conservancy Internships
Eligibility: Ages 16+, available for a six-month commitment
Location: Guadalupe River Park, San Jose
Timeline: Minimum six weeks
Application Deadline: Open year-round
Cost: Free
Guadalupe River Park Conservancy is a network of trails and parks in downtown San Jose. Their education office organizes various internships throughout the year for students and adults interested in working for a minimum of six weeks on their team or on an individual project. Interested candidates should check the available internship opportunities and can email [email protected] to request additional information.
Genomics Research Internship Program at Stanford (GRIPS)
Eligibility: Ages 16+, with a minimum 3.0 unweighted GPA. Must live in Alameda, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, or Santa Cruz counties. Background in biology, chemistry, or programming recommended
Location: Stanford University + virtual/online (hybrid)
Timeline: June 17 – August 8
Application Deadline: TBA
Cost: Free; limited need-based scholarships available
GRIPS places high school students from the Bay Area in research-intensive internships at Stanford genomics laboratories. Participants in the program will build valuable skills in a growing research field while growing their network and working directly with experienced genomics mentors.
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How to Make the Most Out of an Internship
Congratulations: you’ve landed the internship of your dreams! Now, how will you maximize your experience?
Set Goals and Expectations. Be clear with yourself and with your mentors about what you are hoping to get out of the internship program.
Stay Organized and Manage Your Time. Starting from Day 1, make a plan for how you will tackle small and large tasks. Productivity apps, task managers, and old-fashioned notebooks can simplify your life and make sure none of your responsibilities fall through the cracks.
Take Initiative and Ask Questions. Volunteer for assignments and ask questions about everything you don’t understand.
Network with Colleagues. They are hoping to network with you, as well! Start by simply introducing yourself.
Reflect on the Experience. Once you’ve completed the internship, look back at your initial goals and expectations to understand how well the experience matched what you were hoping for.
Developing Transferable Skills That Set You Apart
Beyond specific industry knowledge, internships help you develop versatile skills that colleges and employers value:
Problem Solving: Tackling real challenges during your internship shows adaptability and critical thinking.
Communication: Collaborating with colleagues and presenting ideas builds confidence.
Leadership and Teamwork: Taking initiative and contributing to group projects strengthens your ability to lead and work well with others.
Digital Literacy: Many internships provide hands-on experience with industry tools and software.
Polygence mentors work alongside you to identify and build these transferable skills throughout your internship journey, ensuring you gain momentum in both academic and professional areas.
How Polygence Mentorship Complements Your Internship Journey
Internships open doors, but having a dedicated mentor can help you walk through those doors with confidence and purpose. Polygence mentors—PhD-level experts passionate about your academic and career goals—offer personalized guidance to design impactful research projects and navigate professional environments.
Our mentorship helps you:
Deepen your understanding of your chosen field through project-based learning.
Build a compelling portfolio that highlights your skills and accomplishments.
Prepare for college and career applications with personalized support.
Develop future-ready skills that set you apart from your peers.
By pairing your San Jose internship with Polygence mentorship, you maximize the value of your experience, gaining momentum that lasts well beyond graduation.
Conclusion: Kickstart Your Career with an Internship Today
Hundreds of companies in and around San Jose offer internships to high schoolers. Completing an internship can have long-term positive impacts on your career by boosting college admissions results, building your professional network, and empowering you to develop transferable skills.
Want more information on internships? Feel free to read more about the top internships for high school students around the country!
Polygence’s research mentorship program and Polygence Pods are built to complement your internship experience in San Jose. We provide personalized guidance from PhD-level research mentors in the academic field(s) that you are most passionate about to help you stand out before, during, and after completing your dream internship. Your Polygence mentor is ready and waiting to guide you through the process from start to finish.
Partner with Polygence today to explore careers, build valuable skills, and maximize your internship journey!