High School Summer Internship Programs
The 2026 Application Will Open January 28th
The application for the 2026 High School Summer Internship Programs opens January 28, 2026 - February 28, 2026.
A link to the application will be posted on this website.
About the Programs
High School interns are placed at various locations based on their future career interests. There is one application for all five programs, and applicants identify program choice on the application. Dates for the programs may vary, so please check your availability before applying.
- Must be currently enrolled in an Austin-area high school and a city of Austin resident to apply.
- Must be a rising sophomore, junior, senior or current senior.
- Must be between the ages of 15 and 18 years old.
- 6 week internship.
- Interns work 20 hours per week.
- Interns are paid $13.00/hr.
- Must be available for the full duration of the program with no more than 3 days of absences.
For more information on the High School Summer Internship Program, please email: summerhsintern@austintexas.gov
Emerging Leaders Summer Internship Program (ELSIP)
This partnership between the City of Austin, Bank of America, and the Quality of Life Foundation gives high school students an opportunity to gain leadership skills and work experience through a paid summer internship. This internship program places interns in a variety of different career-fields based on their career interests. ELSIP interns also participate in two educational field trips. Placements vary based on intern’s interest and availability.
Program Dates: June 1, 2026 – July 10, 2026
Get Ready! Summer Internship Program
Get Ready! Summer Internship Program offers STEAM-based (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) internship opportunities. This program allows youth to work in a professional work environment, allowing them to gain work ethic, work experience, and learn more about that career field. The goal of the program is to increase knowledge, engagement, and work experience in STEAM-centered career fields. Placements vary based on intern’s interest and availability.
Program Dates: June 1, 2026 – July 10, 2026
Aviation Department Summer Internship Program
Internships with the Aviation Department are located at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport Campus. Interns are placed based on their future career interests within the Aviation Department Divisions. Past placements have included: Ground Transportation, Property Management, Finance, Planning & Engineering, Security, and the Visitor's Center.
Program Dates: June 1, 2026 – July 10, 2026
Austin Convention Center Internship Program
Students will have the opportunity to intern with various divisions of the Austin Convention Center and Palmer Event Center in order to gain knowledge structured around convention events and the hospitality industry. Examples of the divisions within this hospitality field include: Accounting, Administration, Building Maintenance, Environmental Compliance Services, HR, IT, Marketing, Parking Services, Purchasing, Public Event Services, Safety and Security and Sales. Interns are assigned to a specific unit for the duration of the program. Intern's preferred placements are not guaranteed.
Program Dates: On hold until 2029 due to construction.
Automotive/Entrepreneurial Internship Program
This internship program was created as a pilot program in 2024 . The idea was that interns could select from a variety of opportunities related to their interests, including sales, management, finance, customer service, and mechanics.
The Youth Initiatives Office partnered with five Austin-area car dealerships to host interns: Audi South Austin, BMW of South Austin, Henna Chevrolet, Nyle Maxwell Family of Dealerships, and Onion Creek Volkswagen.
Program Dates: June 1, 2026 – July 10, 2026
