An inside look at Red Hat’s high school internship program

High School Internship program participants, pictured on their first day at Red Hat

In July 2026, the second High School Internship Program kicked off in Boston and Raleigh. This unique internship, taking place over the course of four weeks, gives high school juniors and seniors a first glimpse into the professional world—laying a foundation they can continue to develop as they pursue their future academic and career goals. 

The goals for program participants are to leave with a better understanding of how global technology businesses operate, intensive exposure to the product development lifecycle, and a better understanding of their own strengths and potential career paths—gained through navigating unfamiliar challenges and collaborating with teammates. 

During the 1st week, cohorts were divided into teams to solve a simulated business problem. Tasked with representing 2  fictional companies, one specializing in electric scooters and the other in gaming headsets, each team developed both a product and a sales pitch that targeted specific customer priorities and pain points. 

Interns were assigned a role within their cross-functional teams, which were made up of sales associates, technical engineers, and product managers. This structure allowed participants to engage with a line of products that felt familiar and exciting, while also providing firsthand experience working with teammates who bring varied skill sets.

Over the course of this project, the teams witnessed how business decisions can influence marketing messages and shape customer expectations. Eesha Soni, an intern in the Boston office, served as a technical engineer on the electric scooter design team, evaluating trade-offs in materials, performance, and safety to better meet customer needs.

Eesha reflected on the impact of the experience, and the way it set her early-career journey apart. “Being able to learn from professionals and see what their day-to-day looks like helped me imagine myself in their roles,” she tells us, “which has ultimately been helping me narrow down my potential career options.”

The teams also gained a deeper understanding of how gaps in communication between engineering and sales teams can lead to business challenges. With each individual focused on a slightly different objective, the group learned how to collaborate while balancing competing priorities.

Haley Rankin, another participant, noted how her team evolved and eventually found their rhythm. “As the weeks progressed, we realized each of us has a specific time to speak and a time when we should listen,” she explains. “As of now, our team has really figured out how to gel, and we’ve been able to identify our strengths and weaknesses and use that to our benefit.”

Haley’s teammate, Kailyn Pereira, echoed the supportive environment that emerged in her group. “My highlight, personally, would be working with everyone in my team," said Kailyn. “During our team sessions, we were able to collaborate with each other and share ideas, and that was such a safe space.”

Lily Kahn, who interned as a sales associate on the electric scooter team in Raleigh, was surprised by the program's approachable nature, which balanced productivity with connection. "We had a good time," reflects Lily. "We got our work done, but we were also just sharing ideas and bringing some fun into it."

Beyond their projects, the group also engaged in career-focused sessions that included: intern etiquette, AI in the workplace, job shadowing sessions, and resume workshops. These sessions encouraged participants to explore their curiosities, gain insight into areas of interest, and receive feedback as they developed their team projects. Each participant was also paired with a college intern on the North America Summer Internship Program, who provided guidance and support on topics such as college applications and career exploration. 

Erynn Turner reflected on the ability to shadow different teams. “I’ve learned about project management, and I’ve met people in different roles, like sales associates and tech engineers,” Erynn tells us. “That has educated me on the different careers out there, and where I might see myself fit best.”

Teams also participated in office hours with Jeremy Eder, a Red Hat engineer and advisor, who helped them refine their ideas for the final presentation. Jeremy explained the strengths and weaknesses of certain business models, and asked the group to present what a subscription model for their products might look like. In response, the group took the feedback and delivered a mock-up at their next meeting. 

When Jeremy gives feedback, he takes on a customer persona and connects what they pitch to his experiences at Red Hat. “I try to be constructive and weave in some of the lessons I learned in hard ways,” explains Jeremy. 

On July 31st, the teams in both Boston and Raleigh presented their final findings to Red Hatters, an audience composed of peers and mentors who had witnessed their growth throughout the program. Acting as representatives of their simulated companies, the interns delivered polished salespitches for their final products, sharing how they navigated challenges and made compromises along the way.

Natalie Covello, Senior Program Manager on the Emerging Talent team, expressed her pride on the interns’ final presentations, as well as the growth and accomplishments she witnessed throughout the 4-week program. Looking ahead, she says: “I hope they are able to build upon this internship experience and grow in the upcoming years. I can't wait to see what they all accomplish.”

Want to stay connected about upcoming Emerging Talent programs at Red Hat? Keep an eye on our careers site and sign up for our Talent Community to get updates on future opportunities.