Nonprofit internships: Empowering youth, building a passionate workforce

Young people want to make a difference. What they often lack isn’t motivation; it’s access to opportunities. Too many students move through high school without a clear sense of how their interests connect to careers or what meaningful work looks like day to day. If we want them to step confidently into the future, we need to give them opportunities to explore options before they graduate—especially in the nonprofit sector, where the work is meaningful but not always visible.

The sector presents both opportunities and challenges. Many nonprofit leaders report concerns about burnout, and a 2025 survey found that 70% of nonprofit employees are considering or looking for new jobs. Nonprofit internships and work-based learning experiences can help students understand where they might fit in the sector, while creating a qualified talent pipeline for the sector.

My own path was shaped by my participation in a Congressional internship while in high school. That experience affirmed my interests and became my “aha” moment about the importance of giving more young people such entry points into the workforce.

Nonprofit internships are a win-win for students and organizations

My internship experience showed me how classroom learning connects to the real world, while building skills like time management, communication, and accountability. As a young person, when you’re trusted with real work, you begin to see yourself differently and recognize that your contributions matter.

Employers benefit as well. Research from Britebound (formerly American Student Assistance) and Jobs for the Future (JFF) shows 92% of employers say giving back is their primary motivation for offering high school internships, 86% say these experiences strengthen their talent pipeline, and 81% say they bring more diverse candidates into the field. Organizations often find that interns bring fresh perspectives and added capacity, while giving staff opportunities to grow as mentors.

Internships allow students to test different pathways

One of the most valuable lessons I learned as an intern is that you don’t need to have everything figured out. Internships are a chance to test ideas and refine direction.

Through experiences in the U.S. Senate, Massachusetts State House, and UK Parliament, I saw different roles up close. I valued those opportunities and came to realize that government work was not the only way to make a difference in the world. I discovered a preference for direct, hands-on impact. That clarity only came from trying different paths.

For students, that experimentation is essential. Understanding what you don’t want to do can be just as powerful as discovering what you do.

How nonprofit internships can build a powerful, engaged workforce

Building a strong workforce starts with investing in young people early. When students have meaningful experiences, they’re more likely to see the nonprofit sector as a place to build a career.

High school internships give students the chance to explore interests before the pressure to choose intensifies, while helping organizations build a more diverse and prepared talent pipeline. At the same time, interns contribute in real ways and add capacity. Today’s interns are often tomorrow’s staff and leaders.

Strong nonprofit internship programs that benefit both the students and the organization need to be designed with intention. Offer paid, structured internships, provide mentorship, and create opportunities for students to engage directly with your mission:

Paid internships: One of the most important choices we make at Britebound, which aims to give high school students equitable career-readiness opportunities, is to pay our interns. Many students cannot afford to take unpaid opportunities, and compensation helps to ensure equitable access.

Structured projects: Clear expectations, meaningful projects, and opportunities for choice all contribute to a strong experience. We allow interns to explore areas of interest while gaining exposure to different parts of the organization and create opportunities for them to see our work in action and its impact. Interns should understand how their work connects to the mission.

Mentorship: By pairing interns with dedicated staff who model career pathways and provide regular check-ins, nonprofits can help young people build confidence, develop skills, and gain a clearer sense of how to grow within a workplace.

Feedback loop: We also listen and adapt. For example, we found that many interns prefer in-person experiences, so we adjusted our “hybrid” approach accordingly. It’s crucial for nonprofit leaders to be flexible when working with young people from diverse backgrounds and with varied needs.

Strengthening the future of students and the sector

The nonprofit sector needs passionate people who want to make a difference. Many young people already have that drive. What they need are opportunities to explore it. For me, those early opportunities made the difference. They shaped my path and continue to guide my work today.

To build the next generation of nonprofit leaders, we need to engage students early. By investing in young people, we strengthen both their futures and the future of our sector.

Photo credit: Ivy Hedberg, Britebound