Summer Internship Programs in Seattle: A Comprehensive Guide

Seattle, a hub for innovation and technology, offers a plethora of summer internship programs for students of all levels. These programs provide invaluable opportunities to gain real-world experience, develop essential skills, and explore potential career paths. This article will guide you through a range of summer internship programs available in Seattle, catering to diverse interests and academic backgrounds.

High School Internship Programs

Several programs are specifically designed for high school students, providing them with a head start in their chosen fields.

Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP) at Fred Hutch

The Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP) is a competitive, eight-week, full-time paid internship for students between 11th and 12th grade. The program is specifically designed for students from backgrounds underrepresented in biomedical science. The internship begins with two weeks of hands-on training on laboratory safety techniques and skills in the Fred Hutch Training Labs. For the remaining six weeks, interns are paired and immersed in mentored activities in a Fred Hutch research group in Seattle. Interns also participate in research seminars, attend professional development workshops focused on college and careers, and enjoy social activities with their teams and peers. Seattle Children’s Research Institute is committed to building an inclusive and diverse workforce, and inspiring the next generation of scientists, physicians and healthcare workers.

Career Quest: Seattle Public Schools (SPS) Internship Program

Career Quest is a Seattle Public Schools (SPS) Internship program where students can earn high school credit outside of their school day while exploring careers for their futures. You can earn up to 1.0 CTE credits for work and internship experiences by completing at least 180 hours in one school year for 0.5 CTE credits or 360 for 1.0 CTE credits. Interested students can sign up for a Career Quest course during the summer. Summer Career Quest applications are open.

SafeFutures Summer Program

SafeFutures offers an exciting and competitive summer program for youth between the ages of 14 and 18. During the program, participants become "interns" and explore exciting new career pathways and skill sets. The program includes field trip options, guest speakers, and personal development opportunities. Upon completion of the summer program, participants receive a stipend of $1,200. The applications for the program has been released as of April 1st, 2025.

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Urban Native Education Alliance (UNEA) Internship

The Urban Native Education Alliance (UNEA) Internship offers youth interns a $500 monthly stipend for 8 hours of work per week. Additionally, students earn 0.25 credit for each 90 hours if students work with their school CCLC. UNEA was founded in 2008 to engage generations of Native youth through education, culture, and tradition. This internship 8-10 hours per week during spring semester.

Seattle Parks and Recreation Seasonal Jobs

Seattle Parks and Recreation offers a series of seasonal jobs for high school aged students. They also have opportunities to teach kids how to ride confidently and safely through high-quality bike and trail riding camps.

Outdoors for All Internship

Outdoors for All is a Seattle-based nonprofit that enriches the lives of children and adults with disabilities through outdoor recreation.

Young Women Empowered Programs

Young Women Empowered offers programs in horticulture, writing, and art for teens ages 13-19 in the Greater Seattle area. All of our programs are free to attend and center young women, trans, non-binary, and gender expansive youth.

NFFTY Internship

NFFTY is looking for Programming Interns and Board Members. The Programming Intern is responsible for supporting the programming of the 2026 festival (March 26-29), and supporting the production and execution of screenings and industry events.

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Tilth Alliance's RBYS Program

RBYS is a youth employment program of Tilth Alliance for youth, ages 14-18, to gain job experience through wetland restoration and farm education. Participants are paid $19.97 per hour and receive checks bi-weekly.

Internships Focused on Specific Fields

For students with specific career interests, several internships offer focused experiences in various fields.

Biomedical Science

The Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP) at Fred Hutch is designed for students from backgrounds underrepresented in biomedical science. The internship begins with two weeks of hands-on training on laboratory safety techniques and skills in the Fred Hutch Training Labs. For the remaining six weeks, interns are paired and immersed in mentored activities in a Fred Hutch research group in Seattle. Interns also participate in research seminars, attend professional development workshops focused on college and careers, and enjoy social activities with their teams and peers.

Energy and Environmental Fields

Opportunities are available for teens with a commitment to community and equity to explore careers in environmental fields and the business of energy production and distribution.

Biomanufacturing

The Biomanufacturing Training Program for High School Students offers hands-on training in biomanufacturing, a rapidly growing and exciting field that utilizes cutting-edge science to provide therapeutics for disease treatment.

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Public Service

The Port of Seattle’s Internship Program is designed to provide qualified candidates with an opportunity to excel in their field of study and perform real work to jumpstart their careers. The Port of Seattle offers a diverse field of opportunities for students of every level to pursue career advancement.

Firefighting

Young adults seeking a career as a Seattle firefighter can apply to participate in our department’s cadet programs.

Technology

During this 4-week internship, Discoverers will have the opportunity to experience the Design phase of the product development cycle, develop foundational skills while gaining mentorship from Microsoft employees and community building.

Research

Seattle Children’s Research Institute offers summer scholars authentic research as part of Seattle Children’s research teams, meet with mentors and gain valuable research experience. Curriculum to strengthen research knowledge and skills, consider research pathways and explore contemporary issues in research Five hours per week is allocated to completing the core curriculum.

Adaptive Movement

Volunteers can be a Dance Buddy to a neurodiverse or disabled student in an adaptive movement camp. Volunteers will dance, move, ad play with students facilitated by a teacher.

Internship Program Application Information

Many internship programs have specific application requirements and deadlines.

Eligibility

SHIP: Students between 11th and 12th grade from backgrounds underrepresented in biomedical science.
SafeFutures: Youth between the ages of 14 and 18.
UNEA: Youth interns.
RBYS: Youth ages 14-18.
Young Women Empowered: For young women, trans, non-binary, and gender expansive youth ages 13-19.
Scientific advancements and biomedical research: Must be currently enrolled, or will be enrolled, in an undergraduate, community or technical college, and in good standing with your academic institution. Undergraduates graduating during or prior to the program start date are not eligible.

Deadlines

Career Quest: Deadline to apply: November 2, 2025 at 9:00 PM PST
SafeFutures: The applications for the program has been released as of April 1st, 2025.
Scientific advancements and biomedical research: Applications for the 2025 program are closed. Please check back in October for program updates and guidelines for applicants.
Seattle Fire Department Cadet Programs: Applications received February 1-July 31 will be notified of selection decisions in August.

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