16 Paid Business Internships for High School Students
Interested in business but not sure what working in the field actually looks like? A business internship can give you a chance to explore areas like entrepreneurship, marketing, finance, consulting, or management while you are still in high school. You might work on a real project, learn from business professionals, or get a closer look at how a company operates. It can also help you figure out which parts of business you enjoy before you start thinking about college majors and careers.
TL;DR
This article rounds up 16 business internships for high school students across areas such as marketing, finance, consulting, entrepreneurship, and administrative operations. Options range from paid corporate programs at companies like Meta, Kaiser Permanente, and CLA, to city-run initiatives in Chicago and San Francisco, to fully remote picks like Ladder Internships and Young Founders Lab. The options vary widely in scope, location, and duration, so it's worth checking each program's location, pay, and eligibility requirements to find the best fit for you!
What would you actually do in a business internship?
Business internships can look quite different depending on the company and the type of work involved. You may help with market research, analyze business data, support a marketing campaign, work on a consulting project, or assist a startup with its day-to-day operations. Some internships may give you a specific project to complete, while others may involve working with a team on several smaller tasks. The experience can give you a better idea of what business work looks like beyond what you learn in school. Here’s how to apply for a high school internship to get you started!
What areas of business can you explore?
Business spans many areas, and an internship can expose you to one or more areas depending on your interests, position-specific requirements, and the hiring department. You could explore marketing, finance, entrepreneurship, consulting, sales, management, operations, or business analytics. Some programs may also combine business with fields such as technology, social impact, or economics. Exploring different areas can help you figure out which parts of business you find most interesting.
How do you choose the right business internship?
The right internship for you will depend on your interests, grade level, location, schedule, and the type of experience you want. Some opportunities may be based at companies or organizations, while others may be virtual. You should also look at whether the internship is paid, whether there are any fees, how much time you need to commit, and whether you meet the eligibility requirements. Checking these details before applying can help you narrow down the options and focus on internships that fit your goals. If you need step-by-step guidance, start with our guide on choosing the right internship!
To help you explore the available options in detail, we have put together a list of 16 business internships for high school students.
If you are looking for structured learning experiences, check out our list of free business programs. If you are curious about starting a venture of your own, also explore our selection of startup internships.
Quick overview
|
Program type |
Top programs |
Cost/Stipend |
Best for |
|
Internships at large companies and corporate programs |
Free; stipends available |
Students who want a paid, structured introduction to how a large company or organization operates |
|
|
City and government programs |
Chicago Summer Business Institute, Junior Economic Club's CIB Program, Project Pull |
Free (stipends at CSBI and Project Pull available; CIB is unpaid) |
City-based students seeking local placements at startups, businesses, or city departments, often with income or residency requirements |
|
National lab or research-adjacent programs |
PNNL High School Internship, Idaho National Laboratory Internship |
Free; stipend available |
Students near a national lab who want to explore business and admin roles within a STEM-focused research setting |
|
Small organization internships |
Awesome Inc. Team Alpha, Jimerson Birr High School Internship, SPARK Summer Mentorship Program |
Free – small registration fee (unpaid to stipend of up to $500 available) |
Students who want closer mentorship and hands-on project work at a smaller firm, nonprofit, or startup |
|
Regional paid internship programs |
Free (paid, $21+/hour to local minimum wage) |
Students in specific areas (SF, Minnesota, LA) looking for paid, local work experience |
|
|
Virtual options |
Varies (financial aid available) |
Students who can't relocate/commute or want a remote startup-focused experience |
16 Business Internships for High School Students
1. Ladder Internships
Location: Remote! You can participate from anywhere in the world.
Cost: Varies by program type; full financial assistance available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts every year, including Fall, Summer, Spring, and Winter
Application deadline: Varies by cohort; Fall (September), Spring (January), Summer (May), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10 to 20 hours a week for 8 to 12 weeks; open to high school, undergraduate, and gap year students!
Ladder Internships is a selective startup internship program for ambitious high school students! Through the program, you will work with a high-growth startup on an internship. Startups that offer internships range across a variety of industries, from AI/ML and tech/deep tech to journalism, health tech, marketing, consulting, and more. Ladder’s startups are high-growth companies that, on average, raise more than $1 million. You will work closely with a manager on real-world projects and present your work to the company. The virtual internship is usually eight weeks long. Apply now!
Who it’s best for: Students looking for flexible remote internship experiences and exposure to startup culture!
2. Meta Summer Academy
Location: Menlo Park, CA
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; ~200 students in total since the program began.
Dates: June 15 – July 24
Application deadline: February 14
Eligibility: High school sophomores who are year-round residents of North Fair Oaks, East Palo Alto, Belle Haven, or Redwood City and have a minimum of 2.0 cumulative GPA
Meta Summer Academy is a paid experience that offers high schoolers exposure to the inner workings of a large technology company. Over six weeks, you will attend workshops covering coding basics, digital media, and project-based tasks that reflect real-world workplace operations. The program will also help you see how different teams contribute to product development. Mentorship from professionals will help you understand day-to-day responsibilities in tech roles. Alongside technical abilities, you will work on building communication and teamwork skills essential in workplace settings. The experience can offer insights into business-focused career pathways within tech.
Who it’s best for: Students in and around Menlo Park looking for a paid tech-focused business internship.
3. CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA) High School Internship Program
Location: Multiple CLA office locations nationwide
Stipend: Paid; specific amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not officially disclosed
Dates: June 15 – July 16
Application deadline: Varies by year
Eligibility: Students who are at least 16 years old at the start of the program, able to attend in person every day for all four weeks, have reliable transportation, and are authorized to work in the U.S. without needing an employment-based visa; selected interns under 18 must submit required working papers.
This four-week, in-person program introduces you to the accounting and professional services industry through a mix of structured learning and hands-on experiences. You will work on an interactive case study involving varied clients and industries, shadow professionals at different levels as they serve clients and support their communities, and take part in team projects designed to give you a feel for CLA's workplace culture. Throughout the experience, you will collaborate closely with CLA staff. This can be an opportunity to explore career paths in accountancy.
Who it's best for: Students who want a paid, immersive introduction to accounting and professional services.
4. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory High School Internship
Location: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate: Not specified
Dates: June – August (summer) | August – May (academic year)
Application deadline: Summer applications: Early March | Academic year applications: Early June
Eligibility: Local high school students; students must be at least 18 to use laboratory spaces.
The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory offers high school students the opportunity to gain exposure, build on their skills, and network as business interns during the school year. In the summer, you can work up to full-time from June through August. Depending on your placement, you will work closely with experienced PNNL business professionals, scientists, or engineers, with mentorship from dedicated staff throughout your internship. Beyond your core work and research experience, you will take part in leadership development activities, laboratory tours, and communications and career awareness workshops. You may be able to earn elective credit through your school's work-based learning program.
Who it’s best for: Students who want to explore the business operations within a national laboratory.
5. KP LAUNCH High School Internship Program
Location: Kaiser Permanente facilities in Northern California
Stipend: $25/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by year; ~300 students in the past cohort.
Dates: June 14 – July 30
Application deadline: January 9; applications open on November 16.
Eligibility: High school students and graduating seniors, ages 16 – 19 by June 1, who live in Northern California Kaiser Permanente service areas and are authorized to work in the U.S.; priority given to high school juniors and seniors.
The KP LAUNCH High School Internship Program provides students a structured, paid introduction to non-clinical and administrative healthcare operations. You will work full-time in departments such as accounting, legal, customer service, human resources, information technology, insurance, and sales and marketing, exploring real administrative workflows within healthcare settings. The program will also offer access to professional skill development through workshops covering communication, workplace practices, and career planning in healthcare. You will gain exposure to how large health organizations function and explore interdepartmental collaboration. Mentorship and networking opportunities will help you learn from supervisors and senior members of Kaiser Permanente about various non-clinical healthcare career pathways.
Who it’s best for: Students in Northern California interested in paid business-focused experience within a healthcare setting.
6. Awesome Inc. Team Alpha Internship
Location: Awesome Inc Lexington, KY
Stipend: Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Spring: January 20 – May 1 | Summer: May 19 – August 14 | Fall: August 18 – December 11 (15 – 20 weeks)
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Late high school students through recent college graduates who will be able to work in Lexington, KY; a portfolio of projects and experience with GitHub are required. Some experience with React is preferred.
Team Alpha is Awesome Inc.'s internship program, designed to help you build a practical skill set while contributing to the Lexington tech and startup community. You will choose one of four focus areas: Events & Marketing, Graphic Design, Videography, or Web Development & Programming, and work on real projects tied to that team's role in the organization. Depending on your track, you may help produce videos telling local entrepreneurs' stories, build web applications, design visual branding materials, or organize citywide community events. Throughout the internship, you will build a portfolio of completed work, along with professional connections in Lexington's tech and startup scene. The experience can offer a glimpse into growing high-tech startups across Kentucky.
Who it's best for: Students or recent grads in the Lexington area who want real portfolio-building experience in marketing, design, video, or web development at a startup-focused nonprofit.
7. Chicago Summer Business Institute (CSBI)
Location: Varies based on host company; sites in Chicago, IL
Stipend: Paid; amount varies by the host organization
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: Six weeks in the summer; dates vary
Application deadline: March 31; application portal will open on February 1.
Eligibility: 10th and 11th graders who live in Chicago, hold a “B” or 3.0 average, and have household incomes less than $80,000/year
CSBI is a six-week summer experience for high school students who want to explore the business and financial sectors in Chicago. During the summer, you will join a Chicago-based organization and engage in tasks that offer you real workplace experience focused on business and entrepreneurship. You will also attend workshops, hear from guest speakers, and get the chance to build workplace skills like leadership and communication. The program is designed to offer early exposure to real workspaces, teamwork, and how businesses operate on a daily basis.
Who it’s best for: Chicago-based students looking for paid internship experiences in the summer.
8. Jimerson Birr High School Internship
Location: Jimerson Birr office, Jacksonville, FL
Cost/Stipend: None specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not officially disclosed
Dates: Four to six weeks in the summer
Application deadline: Spring; exact date not specified
Eligibility: High school students who can work at the Jimerson Birr office in Florida
Jimerson Birr is a business and commercial litigation firm that invites high schoolers to explore how businesses rely on legal services. Over four to six weeks, you will work within one of the Jimerson Birr departments, including accounting, communications, marketing, IT, and legal services, and collaborate with industry leaders to build workplace skills. You will work with department heads and help with real tasks. Throughout the internship, you will connect directly with the firm’s staff and attorneys, building an early professional network. Additionally, you will attend biweekly team meetings and contribute to active cases and research.
Who it’s best for: Students who are interested in gaining early workplace experience focused on corporate/business law.
9. SPARK Summer Mentorship Program (SMP)
Location: Remote or in-person in the Greater Seattle area, WA; other sites may also be available
Cost/Stipend: Small registration fee and project costs may be applicable; paid (with up to $500 stipend) and unpaid opportunities available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; exact number varies by project
Dates: 8 – 10 weeks between June and August
Application deadline: Typically, April/May
Eligibility: High school students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
SPARK SMP connects high school students to project teams led by mentors who are professionals from academia, industry, or research. You will spend a few weeks in the summer working on real projects in marketing, business, data science, robotics, AI, machine learning, or other STEM or business areas, depending on your mentor. You may work on research-focused tasks while learning how collaborative environments function. Mentors will outline the project scope, overall expectations, and deliverables at the start of the experience. You will learn about real workflows and problem-solving, and may even access professional development sessions. The experience may wrap up with a formal presentation of project outcomes to peers and mentors.
Who it’s best for: Students looking for mentored work experiences and the chance to collaborate with professionals on real projects.
10. Idaho National Laboratory High School Internship
Location: Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, ID
Stipend: Paid; housing and transportation not provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: 10 to 16 weeks; dates vary by opportunity
Application deadline: Varies by opportunity
Eligibility: Full-time students attending accredited high schools or colleges with a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA; international students at accredited U.S. institutions must have valid Curricular Practical Training (CPT) authorization
INL is a national lab focused on nuclear energy research and development as well as work in national security, environmental science, and applied engineering. It places high schoolers alongside mentors to work on projects in various areas, including business and administrative departments, including communication and logistics. You will spend most of your time working on real projects within your assigned department and the rest on seminars, lab tours, and networking. Throughout the experience, you will gain exposure to business-focused career paths within laboratory and research settings. Your internship will conclude with a final project presentation.
Who it’s best for: Students in or around Idaho looking for a paid opportunity to explore how a national laboratory tackles administrative and non-STEM operations.
If you live outside Idaho or just don’t want to commute every day, consider Ladder Internships, which pair you with startups to work on real projects in an entirely virtual format.
11. Junior Economic Club of Chicago Careers in Business (CIB) Internship Program
Location: Startups and businesses across Chicago
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly specified
Dates: Rolling internship placements (typically summer and academic year options)
Application deadline: Varies by partner organization; JEC membership required
Eligibility: High-performing Chicago high school students
The CIB Internship Program, run by the Junior Economic Club of Chicago, places high school students in startups or businesses in Chicago. As an intern, you will engage in placement-specific tasks and gain real-world exposure to business operations within the assigned organization. Your tasks may include conducting market research, conducting financial analysis, helping the marketing team, and assisting with business development efforts and daily operations. The program typically works with organizations and initiatives like the Zell Fellows Program at Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management, FinLit, and Dekos Capital to offer internships.
Who it’s best for: Chicago students looking for placements at local businesses to gain early work experience.
12. Enterprise for Youth’s Paid Summer Internships
Location: Partner organizations in San Francisco, CA
Stipend: $21+/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly specified
Dates: June 8 – July 31
Application deadline: TBA; typically April
Eligibility: Rising 11th and 12th graders from an SFUSD school, and/or San Francisco residents; preference is given to students who have attended Enterprise for Youth’s Job Readiness Training.
Enterprise for Youth offers eight-week internships that let high schoolers explore sectors like small business, tech, healthcare, professional services, nonprofit, climate, culinary, retail, and legal or financial services and gain real-world work experience. At your assigned organization, you will engage in professional development workshops to build workplace skills, understand job contexts, and connect with peers and professionals. You will work on assigned tasks while working closely with an internship supervisor and Enterprise staff. The program is designed to provide summer work experience while helping you develop foundational workplace and soft skills.
Who it’s best for: San Francisco students looking for paid summer work experiences in a business area of choice.
13. The Intern Project
Location: Various organizations in Los Angeles, CA
Stipend: Paid + college credit available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: Cohorts in the fall, spring, and summer
Application deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: LA County 10th – 12th graders
The Intern Project places students in professional work environments where they can contribute to ongoing projects across industries, including business, arts and media, non-profit, and tech. During the internship, you will engage in placement-specific tasks and participate in workshops focused on communication, project management, and career readiness. Mentorship and informational interviews will offer you some insight into career paths and professional expectations. You will also connect with peers and professionals across areas, building a broader understanding of workplace environments. The program is also designed to offer college credit, a stipend, and insights to support future academics and college applications.
Who it’s best for: LA County students looking for paid local internships and mentored work experience.
14. Project Pull Internships
Location: City and County of San Francisco departments, San Francisco, CA
Stipend: $23/hour (tentative)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 8 – July 31 (tentative; details for the next cycle TBA)
Application deadline: February 16 (tentative; details for the next cycle TBA)
Eligibility: Students entering their junior or senior year and students who are college-bound freshmen; applicants must be San Francisco residents or SFUSD students with a minimum 2.75 GPA
Project Pull connects students with work opportunities within city departments. During the program, you will work within the assigned department for 20 hours/week over eight weeks. You will have access to mentors who will guide you through projects connected to areas such as business, IT, and communications. The experience is designed to introduce you to workplace expectations and career pathways. The schedule will also include weekly sessions to help you develop professional skills and learn about careers in the public sector.
Who it’s best for: San Francisco students looking for paid government-led work experiences.
15. BrookLynk Summer Internship Program
Location: Sites in Brooklyn Center, MN and Brooklyn Park, MN (and surrounding areas)
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not officially disclosed
Dates: June 16 – August 25 (internships run for 6 to 10 weeks within this window)
Application deadline: March 31
Eligibility: High school-age students in Minnesota; applicants must meet at least one of several academic, health, social, and economic criteria listed here.
BrookLynk connects students with paid internships at local employers, providing hands-on exposure to workplaces in their area of interest. During the program, you will build professional skills, gain real work experience, and build an early network within the local community. Before the internship begins, you will complete a mock interview with a volunteer professional from the local business community, who will offer you direct feedback to help you improve your performance. To prepare for the experience, you will also access BrookLynk's "Get Ready!" handbook, which covers interview skills and professional expectations. The experience can help you build professional skills and learn about academic pathways.
Who it’s best for: Minnesota students interested in paid local work experiences and building an early professional network.
Bonus!
16. Young Founders Lab
Location: 100% virtual with live, interactive workshops
Cost: Varies depending on program type; full financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer, fall, winter, and spring
Application deadline: Varies according to cohort; you can access the application link here!
Eligibility: High school students
The Young Founder’s Lab is a startup boot camp founded and run by Harvard entrepreneurs. In this program, you will work towards building a revenue-generating startup that addresses a complex problem. You will also have the opportunity to be mentored by established entrepreneurs and professionals from Google, Microsoft, and X. Apart from building the startup itself, you will also participate in interactive classes on business fundamentals and business ideation, workshops and skill-building sessions, case studies, and panel discussions. This can be an opportunity to delve into the world of business in high school and explore multiple theoretical and practical frameworks that lead to business success. You can check out the brochure for more details!
Who it’s best for: Students looking for an accessible remote opportunity focused on building a startup.
What skills can you build during a business internship?
A business internship can help you develop skills that are useful both in school and in future work experiences. Depending on the program, you may practice communication, teamwork, research, problem-solving, data analysis, presentation, or project management. You may also learn how to work with people who have different roles and responsibilities within an organization. Some internships include mentorship or workshops, giving you an opportunity to learn directly from business professionals.
Does a business internship help with college applications?
A business internship can help you add meaningful work experience to your profile in a few ways:
Helps explore your interests: As an intern, you get to figure out which areas of business you enjoy and whether you want to study business in college.
Lets you demonstrate what you learned: Through an internship, you can highlight the skills you developed, such as communication, teamwork, research, or problem-solving on your profile.
Offers meaningful experiences: You get to discuss the projects you worked on, the challenges you faced, and what the internship taught you about business in your college applications.
Your internship experience can be best utilized if you explain what you actually did and how it shaped your understanding of business while creating your profile for college applications. To help you plan more effectively, here’s how to use your internship experience to boost your college applications.
Questions students often ask about these business internships
1. Do I need prior business experience to apply?
No, most programs do not require prior experience, though some have GPA minimums or specific skills preferences. It’s worth checking each program’s eligibility carefully to find an option that aligns with your background.
2. Will my work be limited to pure business areas, or could it be in a related field?
Some programs offer core business exposure, while others let you explore areas like economics, community service, and the overall business ecosystem. Many options take into account your interests and background before assigning you to specific departments, so you may be able to explore what you want.
3. Do I need to live in a specific city to apply?
Many of these internships are tied to a specific region, including options in Chicago, Minnesota, or Kentucky. If you don't live near a host city, remote options like Ladder Internships and Young Founders Lab are open to students anywhere.
4. What grade level are these internships designed for?
Most options on the list target current high school students in 9th through 12th grade, though eligibility varies. Some options are limited to sophomores, while others, like Ladder Internships, are open more broadly to high school, undergraduate, and gap year students.