Are internships for high school students usually paid or unpaid?

For most high school students, internships are usually unpaid, but don’t let that scare you off. The real payment is in experience, connections, and discovering what you like (or don’t like) before college. Some larger companies and research labs offer paid gigs, but they’re rare and often super competitive. You’ll find more paid options as you get older or if you have a specialized skill, like coding. If money is a must, look for part-time jobs that also give you some work experience. Either way, internships can still be a great investment. You might not earn cash, but you’ll walk away with stories, skills, and maybe even a LinkedIn connection or two. Sometimes, that’s worth its weight in gold.