Software Engineering High School Internships: How to Get One
To get a software engineering high school internship, email tech companies and software startups directly and ask. Most aren't advertised for high schoolers, so a short, specific email from a motivated student stands out. A coding project or GitHub link is your single strongest asset — put it in the first line.
Where to look for software engineering internships
Focus on tech companies and software startups. Smaller and local ones are the most likely to say yes to a high school student who reaches out directly.
How to reach out
- List 20–40 tech companies and software startups.
- Email each with a short, specific note.
- A coding project or GitHub link is your single strongest asset — put it in the first line.
- Attach a simple resume and follow up once.
Related: high school internships · no experience · email templates · how to cold email.
FirstInternships gives you 16,000+ company recruiting inboxes and writes a personal cold email for each from your background. Free to start — great for students reaching out for the first time.
Find companies to email →Frequently asked questions
Can high schoolers get software engineering internships?
Yes, especially at smaller companies. Reaching out directly and showing genuine interest matters more than experience.