Internships and Work Based Learning Opportunities

What is your passion? What do you care about? What interests you? As a high school student, there are so many interesting summer programs that provide opportunities for you to explore.

Summer programs allow you to:

  • Explore academic, service and travel interests that further enrich your high school experiences
    Explore a new interest or potential career field
  • Learn about college life
  • Make a difference in a community (near or far away) through service
  • Demonstrate to a college admissions committee that you have distinct interests, passions and commitments that you have fostered by making productive use of your summer month

Types of Programs

There are hundreds of summer opportunities available to you—locally, across the state, across the country and even in other countries! These opportunities include:

  1. Academic programs on college campuses, many of which provide college credit to high school students!
  2. Community Service programs
  3. Travel programs
  4. Programs with a particular focus such as art or science
  5. Internships with different career professionals
  6. Jobs—including those that enable you to explore an academic or career interest

Local Internship Opportunities

Internships or service opportunities based on your particular areas of interest. This may be in a law office, architectural firm, senator’s office, film studio, summer camp etc. Internships help you get ‘real world’ experience in a career field you might be interested in while also helping build your resume and making you a more well-rounded candidate for scholarships and college acceptance.

Looking for a work based learning opportunity?  Visit SantaFeInterns.com

Below are several internship examples in Santa Fe. If you are interested in applying or looking for other internships in career fields not listed please contact your College and Career Coordinator.   (Note: Age requirements and applications deadlines vary.)

The Healthcare Exploration Program is an introduction to a wide variety of disciplines and medical professions. Students are exposed to patient care and how departments and professions work together to perform the functions of a comprehensive medical facility. Rotations through various departments enable students to observe practices and procedures, interact with providers, and experience what it is like to work in the healthcare field. Presentations, discussions, and hands-on activities and projects round out the program to create a dynamic, in-depth educational experience. Learn more. 

Sandia National Labs internships Albuquerque computer, engineering opportunities for students age 16 and older. (Deadline: mid-March) Learn more.

Los Alamos National Lab internships provides qualified northern New Mexico high school seniors the opportunity to develop skills and gain work experience, while receiving exposure to a variety of career fields. Learn more.

The interns devote their time to working on IARC educational programming, research and writing activities, and collections management and registration. Learn more.

The Santa Fe Council on International Relations (CIR) recognizes the importance of gaining work experience in international affairs. As one of New Mexico’s premier internationally-focused organizations, CIR strives to provide internship opportunities for high school and university students. Learn more.

 JOIN “Con Fuerza y Querencia” – the 2021 Acequia Culture Youth Leadership Institute!

Learn more about NM acequias and cultural traditions, and be a protector of local water!

-Deepen your connection to the land and water!

-Grow your leadership skills + explore your passions and future career paths!

-Connect with other young people from across the state!

-Be part of building a healthy and just future for your community!

-Earn a paid stipend!

More information here: https://lasacequias.org/youth-leadership/

Earth Care is accepting applications for the 2021 El Puente Summer Leadership Academy from June 7-11, 2021. We will be hosting the academy in Santa Fe and will be taking 2 field trips as a part of the program. After the leadership academy ends, youth will have the opportunity to participate in more exciting opportunities through the Earth Care network on climate change action, sustainable community development, leadership training, food and resource assistance, and much more. Paid Internships are available. Please apply to the Summer Leadership Academy if you are interested in a summer internship with Earth Care here: rb.gy/l5erqz For more information & questions, please contact us at info@earthcarenm.org or you can call/text 505-428-9510

Lensic interns receive hands-on training in every aspect of technical theater, from lighting and sound to basic rigging, welding, and stage management. The program includes both classroom-style sessions led by theater professionals and hands-on experience. Interns assist with the set-up and execution of a variety of shows, including classical ballet, rock concerts, and lectures featuring bestselling authors and speakers. Interns attend two-hour sessions at The Lensic once a week from October through early May, with time off for holidays and school breaks. Learn more.

Internship opportunities for students interested in arts with SITE Santa Fe in the following areas: Education and Public Programs, Museum Operations, and Exhibitions & Curatorial. Learn more.

Programs through the National Hispanic Cultural Center including writing and theater based programs and also internships. Learn more.

Interns will be assigned to assist students (between the ages of 5-12) under the supervision of a lead museum educator. Learn more.

The media specialist intern with work closely with College and Career Plaza staff to generate newsletters, media/press-releases, social media posts, etc…This will be a good fit for any student interested in journalism and news reporting. If interested please contact Alejandro Jimenez at alejandro@collegecareerplaza.org.

College/University Program Opportunities

Program costs vary widely depending on factors including housing and transportation. Many programs do offer financial aid and scholarship assistance. As you research programs, be sure to make note of specific costs and financial support available.

Even with ‘rolling admissions’ we recommend that you apply early!

SFCC Summer Dual Credit classes (Deadlines: Rolling admission: generally, mid-late Spring)
University of New Mexico
Central New Mexico Community College
Santa Fe Community College
IAIA Summer Enrichment Program

Three week residential program in Santa Fe for academic and personal development for rising 10th and 11th graders. Institute of American Indian Arts

A new leadership and scholarship program for juniors who plan to attend UNM or NMSU. New Mexico Leadership Institute

College program on NM Tech campus in Socorro–take classes taught by NM Tech professors with fellow high school students for a month from late June-late July. (Deadline: mid-March)  The Summer Science Program

College transition support program for rising 10th and 11th Native students that takes place on different college campuses each year. College Horizons

Residential writing programs in MA, OR and IL. (Deadline: Rolling admission.) Bard College Young Writers Workshop

Summer Science and Engineering Program for High School Girls Massachusetts – summer residential science program in July. (Deadlines: early March.) Smith College Summer Science & Engineering Program

Rhode Island residential academic program. Different sessions run between mid-June and early August. (Deadline: Rolling admission.) Brown University Pre-College Summer Program

Colorado residential academic program.  Various sessions that run late May-early August.   (Deadline: Rolling admission)  Colorado College Pre-College Program

California residential academic program from mid-June-mid-July. (Deadline: Rolling admission through early May.)
Stanford University High School Summer College

Rhode Island residential arts based program that runs late June-early July.  (Deadline:  Rolling admission) Rhode Island School of Design Pre-College Program

Illinois residential arts based program that runs early July-early August. (Deadline: Application available in April.) Columbia College Chicago Summer in the City

Indiana residential journalism program for three weeks in July. Deadline: early June.)  University Summer High School Journalism Institute

Minnesota one week residential academic program that runs late July-early August.  All expenses paid. (Deadline: early April)  Carleton College Liberal Arts Experience

Pennsylvania-several residential academic programs that run late June-early August. (Deadline: early March.) Carnegie Mellon Summer Programs for Diversity

Ohio summer program in July for female high school students that runs through July. Scholarships available based on financial need. (Deadline: early June) University of Dayton Women in Engineering Summer Camp

Illinois summer program that has many different class options including music, journalism and communications and runs for 5 weeks. Need based scholarships available. (Deadline: Rolling admission.) Northwestern University National High School Institute

Illinois based 10 week summer academic program. All expenses paid. (Deadline: January) Illinois Wesleyan University Summer Enrichment Program

Tennessee based program that runs for 6 weeks from mid-June-late July with focus on engineering, computer science, sciences, pre med studies. (Deadline: April) Vanderbilt University Pre-College Program

Stevens Summer Advantage offers programs in the sciences, mathematics, business , multi media and college prep workshops. This all takes place on their campus near New York City! (Deadline: June)  Stevens Institute of Technology

Arts-based program that runs late June-late July. More information available on website in late November. (Deadline: March, 2011) California College of Art Pre-College Program

New York Liberal and Studio Arts program that runs early July-early August. (Deadline: March)  Skidmore College Pre-College Program

Writing program runs mid June to early July. (Deadline: February)  University of Iowa Young Writer’s Studio

Sponsors youth campus for Native youth focusing on leadership, government and business. June and July. Scholarships available. Deadline: Rolling admission. University of Arizona Native Nations Institute

Get a taste of freedom this summer. Spend a week (or two!) at St. John’s College exploring great ideas with other high school students. Modeled on the St. John’s Program, the Summer Academy offers participants a rich experience reading and discussing original texts in small discussion classes with faculty members experienced in guiding thoughtful and lively conversations. Students will learn to read texts closely, question their assumptions about the ideas they encounter in them, articulate their own ideas clearly through collaborative inquiry and dialogue, share insights, and listen actively. Learn more.