13 Business Internships for High School Students in Boston
If you’re a high school student interested in business, consider doing a business internship. Internships give you the chance to learn more about business, strengthen your college applications by demonstrating initiative, and build skills that make you more employable. By working in a professional environment, you can gain experience in business fields you’re curious about, from finance to marketing to entrepreneurship, while developing soft skills like communication and teamwork.
Boston, with key industries such as biotech, healthcare, finance, and tech startups, offers students interested in business valuable opportunities to see how companies operate. You can connect with professionals who can help guide your future career path. We’ve narrowed down a list of the 13 best business internships for high school students in Boston, ranging from placements with major companies to opportunities in smaller startups. These internships are designed to give you professional insight.
13 Business Internships for High School Students in Boston
1. TIP Intern Program—Federal Reserve Bank of Boston
Location: Boston
Cost/Stipend: Not specified; Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Summer placements, with potential for year-round extension
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students aged 16-18 who have studied in a Boston Public School
The Federal Reserve Bank of Boston’s TIP Intern Program could be a strong option for gaining early career experience. This is a paid internship that begins with a summer program combining job responsibilities with coaching, workshops, and mentorship. Depending on performance and available positions, some interns are invited to continue in extended year-round roles for up to three years, offering consistent professional exposure throughout high school. You’ll build practical skills such as problem-solving and conflict resolution, which are useful in any workplace. The TIP business internship for high school students in Boston also serves as a stepping stone to professional environments by connecting you with adults in the financial sector and beyond.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available.
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students! In the program, you work with a high-growth start-up on an internship. Start-ups that offer internships range across a variety of industries, from tech/deep tech and AI/ML to health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies on average, raising over a million dollars. Interns work closely with their manager at the startup on real-world projects and present their work to the company. The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long.
3. Bank of America Student Leaders
Location: Nationwide (the Leadership Summit is held in Washington, D.C.)
Stipend: Provided; all expenses towards the trip to Washington, D.C. are covered
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Over 300 students
Program dates: Not specified
Application deadline: January 15
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who have authorization to work in the U.S., live in an eligible area, and have not participated in the program before
The Bank of America Student Leaders program places high school juniors and seniors in paid summer internships at local nonprofit organizations, including those in Boston. Over the 8 weeks, you’ll gain experience in community-focused roles while learning how nonprofits handle operations such as fundraising, budget planning, and program delivery. What makes this program stand out is that all participants also attend a national Student Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C., where you’ll meet peers from across the country and take part in policy discussions and leadership workshops. This dual focus allows you to understand both the local and national contexts of how organizations and businesses contribute to society.
4. Young Founders Lab
Location: This program is 100% virtual, with live, interactive workshops
Cost: Varies depending on program type; need and merit-based financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Varies depending on cohort
Application deadline: Early Decision Deadline: March | Regular Admission Deadline 1: April | Regular Admission Deadline 2: May
Eligibility: The program is currently open to all high school students
At the Young Founders Lab, you’ll step into the role of a startup founder by working with peers to design a business that addresses a real-world challenge. The program walks you through every stage of entrepreneurship, from brainstorming ideas and researching markets to building a minimum viable product and preparing a pitch. Along the way, you’ll take part in workshops that cover case studies, financial planning, and core business frameworks, giving you a practical view of how companies are launched and sustained. Mentorship from professionals with experience at leading tech firms, such as Google and Microsoft, provides valuable insight into how business decisions are made in fast-paced industries.
5. The Emma Bowen Foundation (EBF) Summer Internship
Location: Various locations across the U.S.
Cost/ Stipend: Paid (not specified)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 150 students
Dates: 8 weeks in the summer (exact dates vary by placement)
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school seniors who plan to attend a four-year accredited U.S. college or university and have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0
Through the Emma Bowen Foundation Summer Internship, you can explore career paths in media, entertainment, and technology while interning with some of the biggest names in the industry, including Warner Bros., Paramount, and the NFL. This program is designed to support students from diverse backgrounds who are interested in areas such as business, journalism, PR, sales, engineering, and web development. Once selected, you’ll be matched with a partner organization where you’ll be a part of industry-specific projects and gain practical skills and insights into how the industry works. This business internship for high school students in Boston not only introduces you to possible career directions but also provides mentorship and resources to help you continue developing after the summer ends.
6. Boston Private Industry Council (PIC) Internship Program
Location: Boston area
Stipend: $15 - $18 (wages vary based on employers)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: 6 -7 weeks between July - August
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: 9th-12th graders at Boston Public Schools who will be 16 years old by July 1; Must have work authorization in the U.S.
Through the Boston PIC Internship Program, you can take part in the Mayor’s Summer Jobs initiative, which connects Boston Public School students with employer-paid positions across more than 200 companies. These internships span industries such as finance, healthcare, law, architecture, technology, and life sciences, providing you with the opportunity to explore various professional paths while developing transferable skills. Business and finance placements are common, with past partners including Bank of America, Fidelity Investments, John Hancock, Liberty Mutual, and the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. Depending on your placement, you could be assisting in areas such as human resources, accounting, marketing, or customer service.
7. Year Up
Location: Various locations, including Boston
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: 12 months (6 months training + 6 months internship)
Application deadline: Varies by location
Eligibility: High school seniors and post-secondary students
Year Up is a fully-funded training and internship program that blends classroom instruction with real-world work experience in fields such as business, IT, and finance. The program begins with several months of professional training before students transition into 6-month internships at major companies like JPMorgan Chase, Salesforce, or Bank of America. During this time, participants receive mentorship, coaching, and an educational stipend to help with expenses, while also having the chance to earn college credit through partner community colleges. The support system includes access to housing, transportation, and childcare resources for those who need them, ensuring barriers to participation are minimized.
8. Museum of Science – Summer Youth Internships
Location: Museum of Science
Stipend: Both paid and unpaid opportunities available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Varies by program
Application deadline: Varies by internship program
Eligibility: High school students between the ages of 14 and 19
The Museum of Science in Boston hosts paid internships for students ages 14–19, giving you the chance to gain hands-on work experience while learning how a major cultural institution operates. Internship tracks span areas like educational support, business administration, technical services, and visitor engagement, so you can choose roles that match your interests. Each week, you’ll attend professional development workshops covering topics such as resume writing, workplace communication, and financial literacy, while also going on field trips to other local museums and colleges. In addition to skill-building, you’ll enjoy perks like free access to museum exhibits, IMAX films, and planetarium shows, along with discounts at the museum store and café.
9. SparkCampus Internship Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: No cost
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: July 6 - August 10
Application deadline: July 4
Eligibility: Open to students in grades 9–12
SparkCampus gives you a 5-week look into entrepreneurship by pairing you with SparkPrintz, a student-led startup that designs and sells custom merchandise. During the program, you’ll join online workshops covering business operations, sales, and marketing while also applying what you learn to projects. Unlike purely classroom-based learning, you’ll have the chance to negotiate with clients, contribute to marketing strategies, and see how your work influences a growing company. Guest speakers from different industries are brought in to share insights about building and sustaining businesses. This remote business internship for high school students in Boston is designed to be interactive, with team-based challenges that mimic real startup situations.
10. The Education Cooperative (TEC) Internship Certificate Program
Location: Boston Metrowest area
Cost: $850 for students who attend school in TEC member districts | $950 for students who attend schools in Non-TEC member districts
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Varies by internship
Application deadline: Varies by internship
Eligibility: High school students and college students in the Boston Metrowest area. Students must complete at least 2 years of high school
Through TEC’s Internship Certificate Program, you can explore potential career paths by working with local businesses, organizations, and public-sector employers in the Boston Metrowest area. This program offers placements that highlight fields such as business administration, marketing, and finance. While the internships are unpaid, you may be able to earn credit through your school, depending on district policies. At the end, you’ll receive a certificate of completion and new work experience to be added to your resume. Supervision and evaluations are built into this business internship for high school students in Boston, so that your growth and performance are tracked along the way.
11. Bridge to Calculus Summer Program
Location: Northeastern University
Cost: No cost | Unpaid
Dates: Varies; typically June/July to August
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students
The Bridge to Calculus Summer Program at Northeastern University helps Boston high school students strengthen their math skills while connecting them to real-world financial concepts. The program combines intensive pre-calculus and calculus lessons with project-based learning in financial literacy topics, such as investing, credit, and student loans. Fridays are dedicated to hands-on robotics sessions, where you can apply problem-solving and teamwork skills. Students also explore enrichment areas, including AI, statistics, and chemistry. Boston high school teachers lead instruction with support from Northeastern faculty, ensuring both rigor and guidance.
12. Summer Learning Institute (SLI)
Location: Boston area
Stipend: Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 7 – August 22 | Orientation: July 1
Application deadline: May 13
Eligibility: High school students ages 14–18 enrolled in Boston Public Schools
SLI connects your classroom learning with real-world applications through community-based jobs and college-level coursework. With support from Freedom House, you can gain work experience at local organizations while also enrolling in dual credit courses at Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology and Roxbury Community College. This means you’ll be building a resume and earning college credits at the same time, giving you a head start on future goals. Beyond academics and work, SLI offers leadership and civic engagement programs through workshops and projects designed to enhance advocacy and life skills. The program’s structure highlights how education, career readiness, and community involvement are interconnected, providing a holistic work experience.
13. BU Summer Challenge
Location: Boston University
Cost/Stipend: $4,860
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Session 1: June 14 – 26 | Session 2: July 5 – 17 | Session 3: July 19 – July 31
Application deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Students entering their sophomore, junior, or senior year of high school in the fall
This business internship for high school students in Boston allows you to experience college life while diving into academic subjects that spark your interest, including business and mass communication. For 2 weeks, you’ll live on campus, take part in two noncredit seminars of your choice, and engage in projects, group discussions, and field trips that bring your learning to life. The business seminar, for example, introduces you to core concepts such as business plans, marketing strategies, and financial considerations, while the mass communication seminar explores fields like advertising, PR, and journalism. At the end of the session, each seminar concludes with a final presentation, giving you a chance to showcase what you’ve learned. Beyond academics, you’ll also have the chance to indulge in varied activities and outings around Boston.
Image Source - Federal Reserve Bank of Boston Logo