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Intern/Leadership Opportunities

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We encourage all students and their families to check the PHS Intern/Leadership Opportunities webpage weekly to view any and all new opportunities that are open to PHS students to apply to.  On this page specifically, we try to provide information on Internship and Leadership Opportunities that become available for students to apply to. These are wonderful experiences that enhance student engagement and leadership exposure, which always looks impressive on resume and future job/college/scholarship applications.

Click HERE to view the list of the Intern/Leadership Opportunities that were posted on the PHS Scholarships Webpage during the 2024-25 school year. There is no guarantee that each of these opportunities will be available again for the 25-26 school year; however, we are hopeful that they will be and that the timeframes will be similar of their application availability as they were last school year!

Below are mostly local, state, and/or some national Internship/Leadership Opportunities that are currently available for students to apply to:

1) Mercer University CASE Program (posted on 11/28/25)

-To be a CASE (Certificate of Achievement and Service Excellence) Scholar through Mercer University, students must be a sophomore or junior during the 2025-26 academic year, hold a 3.5 GPA or higher, demonstrate continued involvement in service during high school, and submit an application form or be nominated for the program by a school staff member. Eligible nominees will then be invited to apply to the program by the Office of University Admissions. Scholars will be awarded the Certificate of Achievement and Service Excellence along with a $500 scholarship, contingent upon their acceptance and enrollment to Mercer University.

-Click HERE for more information on the CASE Program.

-Click HERE to complete a student application.

-The deadline to submit your online student application is March 1st, 2026 (not identified on the website yet, but this was the deadline date last school year).  If chosen as a CASE Scholar, then you will be notified by Mercer University in April of 2026.

2) Georgia Scholar Recognition Program (posted 1/31/26)

-Through the 2026 Georgia Scholar Recognition Program, the Georgia Department of Education (GADOE) recognizes high school seniors who have demonstrated excellence in both school and community life.  Please be aware that Georgia Scholar is a recognition-only program and no scholarship funds are associated.  Each Georgia Scholar will receive both a seal for his or her diploma and a cord to wear at graduation during the month of May.

-Click HERE to access the online application form.

-Click HERE to access the school verification form (please see the PHS Graduation Coach, Ms. Champion, in PHS Room 410 to get these signatures).

-Click HERE for the student brochure and HERE for more information on this GADOE opportunity and the criteria that must be met in order to apply.

-The online application is due March 1st, 2026, by 5pm.

3) 21st Century Leaders Summer Institute Programs (posted on 2/2/26)

-21st Century Leaders (21CL) offers an experience unlike anything else for GA high school students! They offer four different weeklong leadership institutes during the summer to help enhance your leadership skills.  These weeklong leadership building institutes are open to Georgia students who are currently in 9th, 10th, and 11th grades to apply to.

-Click HERE to review more information regarding the 21st Century Leaders Summer Institute Programs.

-Click HERE to view information specific to the Earthcare Institute Summer Program, which is STEM and Environment focused.  No cost to register.

-Click HERE to view information specific to the Film & Entertainment Institute Program.  No cost to register.

-Click HERE to view information specific to the SYLI Institute Program, which is business focused.  There is a $395 registration fee for this program.

-Click HERE to view information specific to the Healthcare and IT Institute Program, which is healthcare and technology focused.

-Click HERE to access the online application.

-The deadline to apply to this leadership opportunity is March 1st, 2026.  If you need assistance with the application and/or the teacher/supervisor recommendation form, then please reach out to PHS Grad Coach, Ms. Champion, in PHS Room 410.

4) Georgia Service Academy Day 2026 (posted on 2/2/26)

-High school juniors, seniors, and their families are invited to Georgia Service Academy Day 2026 to learn more about the application and congressional nomination process for the 5 U.S. Service Academies — the U.S. Air Force Academy, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, the U.S. Military Academy, and the U.S. Naval Academy.  Students and families will have the opportunity to meet with Georgia Senator Ossoff, other elected officials, and military leaders.

-The event will take place on 3/28/26 from 8am-12pm at Dobbins Air Reserve Base.

-Admission to the event is by invitation only.  If you are interested in this opportunity, then please complete the RSVP form HERE.  If you are granted permission to attend, then a formal email invitation will be sent to you (please use a personal email instead of your PHS student email).

-The deadline to apply to this opportunity is March 13th, 2026.

5) North Georgia Military Recruiting Event (NGMRE) 2026 (posted on 2/2/26)

-This event is intended for high school students (freshmen through seniors) and their parents/guardians who wish to learn more about full and part-time military service opportunities.

-The event will take place on 3/28/26 from 1pm-4:30pm at Dobbins Air Reserve Base.

-Admission to the event is by invitation only.  If you are interested in this opportunity, then please complete the RSVP form HERE.  If you are granted permission to attend, then a formal email invitation will be sent to you (please use a personal email instead of your PHS student email).

-The deadline to apply to this opportunity is March 13th, 2026.

6) UNG National Leadership Challenge Weekend (posted on 11/28/25)

-The University of North Georgia's (UNG) Corps of Cadets will host their National Leadership Challenge (NLC) Weekend  on March 27th-29th for JROTC cadets and other high school students (grades 9th-12th) who are considering a military program in college.  Selected students will rappel down a sheer rock cliff at the Army's Mountain Ranger Camp in Dahlonega, construct a rope bridge across a mountain stream, negotiate obstacle and leadership reaction course elements, observe demonstrations by UNG cadet organizations, and meet some of our cadets. 

-NLC Weekend is offered twice per year (fall and spring), and space is limited to 200 students.  Students in grades 9th through 12th are all welcomed to apply.

-Click HERE to review the eligibility requirements and to access the online application if you are interested in this opportunity.

-Although no deadline is specified on their website, it is encouraged that you complete your online application by 3/20.

7) QuestBridge College Prep Scholars Program (posted on 1/31/26)

-The QuestBridge College Prep Scholars Program provides scholarships and awards to summer programs at Emory, UChicago, Yale, and more for outstanding high school juniors from low-income backgrounds.  The College Prep Scholars Program can help equip you with knowledge, experience, and resources to connect you with some of the Nation’s most sought-after colleges, as well as to help you get a head start to a top college.

-Click HERE for more information on this amazing leadership opportunity and to access the online application.

-The deadline to submit your online application to QuestBridge is March 24th, 2026.  Please see the PHS Graduation Coach, Ms. Champion, in PHS Room 410 if you would like assistance with this application.

8) AECA Electrical Apprenticeship Program (posted on 2/2/26)

-The Atlanta Electrical Apprenticeship Program is taking applications through March 31st for their Inside Wireman Apprenticeship Program, Telecommunications Apprenticeship, and their Construction Electrician Apprenticeship.  Classes for these apprenticeships start in Fall 2026.  This is an “earn while you learn” opportunity where you will get paid for your full-time work while you learn this trade!

-Click HERE to access the website for more information and to fill out the online application.

-Click HERE for more information to see which apprenticeship is best for you.

-The deadline to submit your online application and all of its required documents is March 31st.

9) 2026 Youth LEAD Georgia Summit (posted on 2/2/26)

-The J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development at the University of Georgia, in partnership with Chick-fil-A, Inc.®, will host a statewide youth leadership summit this summer on the UGA campus.  The 2026 Youth LEAD Georgia Summit will take place on July 16th-17th, and they are seeking to host at least one rising 11th or 12th grade student (current 10th and 11th grade students at PHS for the 25-16 school year) from each of our state’s school districts. Furthermore, thanks to the generosity of Chick-fil-A®, there is no cost to students participating in the summit.  This summit provides students with an incredible opportunity to hone their leadership skills, build relationships with peers, experience the UGA campus, and discuss issues facings Georgia’s youth.

-Click HERE to learn more information about this leadership opportunity and to access the online application.

-The deadline to submit your online application is March 31st, 2026.  The J.W. Fanning Institute will notify the winners in April 2026.

10) 2026 FBI Teen Academy (posted on 2/2/26)

-The 2026 FBI Teen Academy program allows high school students an opportunity to get a comprehensive look into today’s FBI.  This is a one-day academy that will be held on June 4th, 2026,  and will take place in Atlanta from 8am-5pm.  Students currently in grades 9th-12th are eligible to apply.

-Click HERE for more information about this leadership opportunity.

-Click HERE to access the application.

-Please see PHS Graduation Coach, Ms. Champion, in PHS Room 410 to complete the “School Information” portion and to sign off on your application so that we can keep a list of who applies to the Academy.

-The deadline to submit your application is April 3rd, 2026, and it should be emailed (from your personal email address, not your PHS Gmail account) to at_communityoutreach@fbi.gov .  Students will be notified in May if they have been selected for the Academy.

11)  UNG Ascend – A Summer Honors Experience (posted on 1/29/26)

-The University of North Georgia (UNG) hosts a twelve day Summer Honors Program experience at their Dahlonega campus that is open to PHS Juniors to apply to.  This program is open to all juniors who have a 3.5-4.0 GPA.  The cost to attend the program is $1,750 per camper and will run from May 31st – June 12th.  We are pleased to announce that the PCSD will be sponsoring the cost of attendance for five PHS students to this program for the Summer of 2026.

-If you would like to view your GPA on a 4.0 scale instead of a 100 scale, then please click HERE to view instructions on how to view your unofficial transcript in Infinite Campus.

-Click HERE to view more information on this leadership opportunity and to access the online application.

-Please feel free to list the PHS Graduation Coach, Ms. Champion, to fill out the Teacher/Guidance Counselor Recommender so that your academic information can be submitted and so that we can keep an accurate account of who applies and who is admitted.

-Online applications are due by April 15th, 2026.

12) ​Talking Rock Events Committee (TREC) Volunteer Opportunities

-The lovely Talking Rock Community hosts several events throughout the year and is looking for volunteer help. 

-For more information and how to sign up to volunteer, please email the Talking Rock Events Committee at events@talkingrockga.com or call/text them at 706-851-9152 (if you text, then please provide your name in the message).

13) Keep Pickens Beautiful (KPB) Teen Squad Volunteer Opportunity

-Want to earn volunteer hours by helping Keep Pickens Beautiful?  Then this is the perfect volunteer opportunity for you!  You will earn volunteer hours while working outdoors to beautify your community by planting and maintaining gardens, helping with special events, and participating in community clean-ups.

-Click HERE to register now as a KPB Teen and to sign up for volunteer hours that will be available on Sundays from 2-4pm. See below for some of their upcoming dates/events you can volunteer for:

Past Internship/Leadership Opportunities

The following is a list of intern/leadership opportunities that were posted and the deadlines have since passed:

1) Youth Leadership Pickens 25-26 (posted on 8/6/25 and the deadline was 8/15/25).

2) Georgia State School Superintendent's Student Advisory Council Application (posted on 8/1/25 and the deadline was 9/5/25).

3) 2026 U.S. Senate Youth Program (posted on 8/14/25 & the deadline was 9/30/25).

4) UNG National Leadership Challenge Weekend (posted on 9/8/25 & the deadline was 10/31/25).

5) 2026 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program (posted on 9/8/25 & the deadline was 11/1/25).

6) YES Workforce Academy (posted on 10/22/25 & the deadline was 10/31/25).

7) 25-26 PCSD Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council (posted on 10/22/25 & the deadline was 11/7/25).

8) Georgia DNR Career Academy (posted on 10/26/25 & the deadline was 11/17/25).

9) Appalachian Entrepreneurship Academy (posted on 10/28/25 & the deadline was 12/3/25).

10)  Appalachian STEM Academy (posted on 10/28/25 & the deadline was 12/3/25).

11) AEMC Washington Youth Tour (posted on 11/28/25 & the deadline was 1/31/26).