Let’s face it: finding a high school internship is tough. You’re competing with college students, scrolling through websites that look like they were built in 2005, and half the “opportunities” you find end up being expensive summer camps in disguise.
But what if you didn’t have to compete with the rest of the world?
We found a viral guide from a student who landed an internship every single summer of high school (including one at NASA). Her secret wasn’t being a genius; it was knowing where to look.
Here is the “Bulldog Blueprint” to securing an internship this year using the 5 websites most students ignore.
1. The Database: StandOutSearch
Most internship sites are messy. StandOutSearch is different because it was built by a high school student for high school students.
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What it is: The largest free database of internships and research opportunities specifically for the high school age group.
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Why it works: You don’t have to guess if you’re “old enough” to apply. You can filter specifically by age, interest area (STEM, Business, Humanities), and location.
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Bulldog Tip: Use this as your starting point to see what’s out there, but keep an eye on deadlines—some of the best programs recruit as early as January or February!
2. The Filter-Friendly Option: TeenLife
You might have heard of TeenLife, but you are probably using it wrong.
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The Trap: When you first land on the site, the first page is often full of “Sponsored” listings. These are usually expensive “pay-to-play” summer programs, not paid internships.
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The Fix: Use the sidebar filters aggressively. Filter for “Volunteer” or “Internship” and scroll past the first few sponsored results to find the genuine opportunities buried deeper in the list.
3. The NASA Backdoor: Your State’s “Space Grant Consortium”
Everyone applies to the main NASA internship portal. That means you are competing with thousands of students across the country. Want a better shot? Go local.
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The Secret: Every single state has a Space Grant Consortium dedicated to funding STEM education locally. They often have specific funding to hire local students for NASA-related projects.
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How to find yours: Go to the NASA Consortium Directors List, find your state (e.g., New York), and visit that specific website.
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Why it works: You are only competing against students in your state, not the whole country.
4. The Local Connection: Chamber of Commerce
This is the ultimate “work smarter, not harder” move. The Chamber of Commerce is essentially a club for all the business owners in a specific town or city.
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The Strategy: Find the website for your local Chamber of Commerce (e.g., search “Yonkers Chamber of Commerce” or “Westchester County Chamber of Commerce”). Look for their Member Directory.
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The Move: Don’t just look for job postings. Use the directory to find businesses in fields you like (marketing, engineering, law) and email them your resume directly.
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Why it works: Small local businesses often don’t have HR departments or formal application portals. If you email them offering help, you’re solving a problem for them before they even post a job ad.
5. The Startup Scene: Techstars
Want to work somewhere fast-paced where you’ll actually do real work? Look for startups. Techstars is a prestigious investor that funds hundreds of new startups every year.
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Why Startups? Big companies (like Google) have strict legal rules about hiring minors. A startup with 5 employees? They just need help. They are often flexible, remote-friendly, and willing to take a chance on a smart high schooler.
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How to do it: Go to the Techstars Portfolio Page or their Job Board. Look for companies that interest you and reach out to the founders directly.
Ready to apply?
Don’t wait until June! The best summer spots are filled by spring. Pick one of the methods above and send out 3 emails this week.
Need help with your resume or a cold-email template? Stop by the Guidance Office!
