If you are a high school student in New Jersey with an interest in law, public policy, or government, you do not have to wait until college to get meaningful experience. Across the state, a growing number of verified programs are specifically open to high schoolers — offering everything from U.S. Senate office experience to hands-on cybersecurity and government work. This guide covers the top legal and government internships in New Jersey for high school students, with verified program details, deadlines, and direct source links.
1. U.S. Senator Cory Booker — Summer High School Accelerated Session
This is one of the most accessible and well-structured government internships in New Jersey specifically designed for high schoolers. Senator Booker's offices in Newark and Camden offer a dedicated Summer High School Accelerated Session — a 14-consecutive-business-day program running in August.
What You Will Do: Interns assist the state team with constituent-focused tasks, draft memos, track constituent opinions on legislation, attend community events with staff, and conduct policy research. It is a real look into how a U.S. Senate office serves New Jerseyans day to day.
Eligibility: Current high school students. Preference is given to New Jersey residents.
2026 Summer Dates: August 11 – August 28, 2026
Application Deadline: April 10, 2026 at 11:59 PM
How to Apply: The application portal is now open. Apply directly through Senator Booker's website.
Contact: Internship@booker.senate.gov
Source: booker.senate.gov — Internship Applications
2. NJCCIC — High School Cybersecurity Internship Program
The New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell (NJCCIC), which operates under the NJ Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness (NJOHSP), is nationally recognized for its high school internship program. It is one of the only state government programs in New Jersey that explicitly welcomes high school students for hands-on government and security work.
Two tracks are available for grades 9–12: a Cybersecurity Basics Program for students new to the field, and an Advanced Cybersecurity Program for those with prior experience. The Advanced track runs from late July through October.
What You Will Do: Interns work on intrusion detection, vulnerability management, cyber threat intelligence, risk management, and public outreach alongside NJCCIC professionals.
Eligibility: Current NJ high school students in grades 9–12. U.S. citizenship or permanent residency required. A letter of support from a parent, guardian, mentor, or teacher is required.
Application Deadline (2025 cycle): May 9. Watch the NJCCIC website for 2026 dates.
Source: cyber.nj.gov — High School Internship Program
3. United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) — New Jersey Delegation
This is one of the most prestigious civic programs available to high school juniors and seniors in the country. Two New Jersey student leaders are selected each year to travel to Washington, D.C. for an immersive Washington Week, where they meet sitting U.S. Senators, Supreme Court Justices, Cabinet members, and senior government officials.
What You Will Do: Delegates attend government briefings, congressional sessions, and leadership meetings. It is a once-in-a-lifetime introduction to how the federal government functions at the highest level.
Eligibility: Currently enrolled 11th or 12th graders in a New Jersey public or nonpublic high school, actively serving in an elected or appointed student leadership role (such as student body president, class officer, or student representative to a board of education). Students selected as delegates in prior years are not eligible.
2026 Washington Week: March 7–14, 2026
Stipend: $10,000 college scholarship awarded to each delegate.
How to Apply: Nominations are made by your school principal — each school may nominate one student only. If more than one application comes from the same school, both are disqualified. Contact USSYP@doe.nj.gov for more information.
Source: nj.gov/education — United States Senate Youth Program
4. Mercer County Student Internship Program
For high school and college students in the Trenton area, Mercer County runs an active structured internship program across multiple county departments, including the County Counsel's office, the Office of the County Executive, and public administration divisions. This is an excellent entry point into local government internships in New Jersey for students who want county-level civic experience.
What You Will Do: Interns are placed in one department of their choice and participate in a cohort model that combines departmental work with professional development workshops and peer learning.
Eligibility: Open to students. The 2026 cycle is currently active and accepting applications.
How to Apply: Applications are submitted through Mercer County's Primepoint Applicant Tracking System. Select one department of interest and apply directly.
Contact: Bradley Miller, Human Resources Coordinator — bmiller@mercercounty.org
Source: mercercounty.org — Student Internship Program
5. NJ High School Law & Government Opportunity Database
Not a single program, but an essential resource. The High School Law and Government Opportunity Database for New York and New Jersey is a curated, regularly updated listing of internships, pre-law programs, mock trial opportunities, and civic fellowships specifically for high school students in the region. It aggregates options that are difficult to find through a standard search, including county prosecutor observer programs, local legal aid volunteer roles, and law-adjacent summer programs.
Source: highschoollawgovjobs.com/ny-nj
6. Your Local NJ Legislator's Office — District Internships
Every New Jersey district has both a State Assembly member and a State Senator, and many of these offices quietly accept high school interns, especially during the summer. These positions are rarely advertised publicly, which means students who reach out directly and proactively have a genuine advantage.
What You Will Do: Typical responsibilities include constituent correspondence, policy research, attending legislative sessions, and drafting memos on local issues.
How to Find Your District: Visit njleg.state.nj.us and use the "Find My Legislator" tool. Once you have identified your Assembly members and State Senator, email their district office directly. Address your email to the District Director or Chief of Staff, attach a one-page resume, and explain that you are a high school student interested in a summer or semester internship.
There is no central application. However, a well-written, direct outreach email to a district office is often all it takes.
Application Tips for High School Students
Start earlier than you think you need to. Senator Booker's summer application closes April 10. The NJCCIC closes in May. Many students miss these windows because they do not start looking until school ends.
Be specific about why you are interested. Reference the actual work of the office or agency, connect it to something you care about, and explain what you hope to learn. Generic letters do not stand out.
A clean one-page resume is enough. Include academics, clubs, student government, volunteer work, and any relevant coursework such as pre-law or civics. Professional experience is not required — that is the point of the internship.
Get a teacher or counselor to review your application early. For programs like NJCCIC and USSYP that require letters of support or school nominations, do not ask for a recommendation the week before the deadline.
Use your school's pre-law resources. If your school has a law academy program, your advisor likely has contacts with government offices and law firms. Ask whether they have placed students in the past.
Follow up. If you email a district office and do not hear back in two weeks, send a brief, polite follow-up. Persistence, done respectfully, reflects well on you.
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PAA / FAQ
Q: What should I do if I miss a deadline?
A: Do not wait a full year. Email the office or program coordinator, express your interest, and ask to be notified when the next cycle opens. District legislator offices in particular can be flexible — reaching out off-cycle often works since availability changes throughout the year.
Q: Do I need a minimum GPA to apply for government internships in New Jersey as a high school student?
A: Most programs listed here do not publish a GPA cutoff. What matters more is your cover letter, resume, and demonstrated interest. That said, competitive programs like the USSYP or NJCCIC Advanced track will naturally favor students with strong academic records, so it is worth maintaining good standing.
Author: Written by Wahiq Iqbal
Wahiq Iqbal is the Head of Growth & Automations at RISE Global Education, where he builds scalable systems that connect business strategy with seamless user experience. He is an operations and UX professional with a background in Computer Science and design. He thrives at the intersection of design, technology, and operations—solving complex problems, building efficient processes, and creating fast, human-centered systems that drive measurable growth.
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