14 Business Internships for High School Students in Connecticut
High school internships represent a great opportunity to gain practical experience before entering college. If you are a student interested in business, these internships allow you to explore different career paths within the field. By working in business environments, you can develop essential skills in communication, project management, financial analysis, and teamwork that will strengthen your college applications and career prospects. These experiences allow you to clarify your interests and make more informed decisions about your academic and professional future.
Check out other business internships available for high-school students here, for other paid internships in Connecticut, look here.
What business internships are available for high school students in Connecticut?
Connecticut offers many opportunities for high schoolers across established corporations, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and technology startups. The state's proximity to major business hubs like New York City means you can find meaningful business internships here.
How have we shortlisted the best business internships for high school students in Connecticut?
To help you get started, we've put together 15 business internships for students in Connecticut, prioritizing value, selectivity, and exposure offered.
1. Wharton Global Youth Investment Competition
Location: Remote (fully virtual program; teams compete globally)
Cost/Stipend: Free program; all materials and resources provided at no cost
Dates: Typically between September 29 and December 5
Application Deadline: September 12
Eligibility: High school grades 9-12; interested in business or finance; teams of 4-6 students per team
In this program, you’ll hone investment strategy and financial analysis skills through a competitive stock market simulation. Teams assemble portfolios, research companies, and formulate investment theses tailored to consulting applications. The program builds expertise in financial analysis, market research, and business communication, while fostering teamwork and interpersonal skills vital for consulting roles through peer collaboration. You will collaborate with teammates, developing teamwork and communication capabilities as key consulting skills. There will be mentorship and instruction from Wharton faculty and investment professionals that will guide your learning.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote (virtual; work from anywhere)
Cost/Stipend: Varies (Financial aid is available)
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary by cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
Founded by Harvard entrepreneurs, Ladder connects you with high-growth startups across industries, including AI/ML, deep tech, health tech, journalism, marketing, and consulting. You work directly with startup managers and a dedicated Ladder Coach on real-world projects tailored to your interests and strengths. You’ll gain practical experience that translates directly to your resume. The program matches you with startups that have typically raised over $1 million, many led by Y Combinator alumni or former employees of tech giants like Google, Microsoft, and Facebook. Throughout the eight-week program, you complete meaningful deliverables on a structured timeline, presenting your final project to company leadership. You’ll receive comprehensive support through weekly check-ins, mentorship, and professional development guidance that helps you succeed in a startup environment. By the end, you'll have a completed project, a letter of completion from your host company, and substantial portfolio material demonstrating your ability to contribute to real business initiatives.
3. Bank of America Student Leaders
Location: Local nonprofit organizations throughout Delaware
Cost/Stipend: Free; competitive stipend provided
Dates: June–August (8 weeks)
Application Deadline: Open October 14 and close January 15
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors; U.S. citizens or permanent residents; legal authorization to work in the United States
You’ll participate in an eight-week paid internship at a local nonprofit organization where you gain a firsthand understanding of community needs and the critical role nonprofits play in addressing social challenges. Through this program, you’ll develop valuable civic, social, and business leadership skills while working on real organizational projects and initiatives. You will interact with nonprofit professionals who demonstrate how business principles apply within the mission-driven sector, learning about nonprofit management, fundraising, program implementation, and community engagement. A defining feature of this program is the Student Leaders Summit held in Washington, D.C., where you’ll meet peers from across the country, engage in civic learning with leaders from government, business, and nonprofit sectors, and develop your leadership perspective. Throughout your internship, you attend skills-building workshops that strengthen your professional competencies and prepare you for future leadership roles.
4. UConn Pre-College Summer: Accounting
Location: Storrs, CT (University of Connecticut campus)
Cost/Stipend: $2,250-$2,350
Dates: July 12-18
Application Deadline: March 24 for the summer session
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
You’ll get to explore how accounting helps businesses make decisions by working with real financial information from companies like Amazon and Apple. In this course, you’ll examine the basics of the accounting information system and practice interpreting data rather than just memorizing terms. You’ll be expected to use spreadsheets and business tools to organize, analyze, and present financial results in a way professionals do. Through hands-on activities, you will see how concepts like revenues, expenses, and profits show up in real-world situations. You can also expect to discuss how accountants support areas such as management, investing, and entrepreneurship, which can give you insight into different business careers. By the end of the program, you have a clearer sense of whether studying accounting or pursuing a business major is a good next step for you.
5. City of New Haven Student Intern Program
Location: New Haven, CT (various municipal departments)
Cost/Stipend: Paid; hourly rates from $16.35 for freshmen to $18.85 for seniors (as of January 2025)
Dates: Year-round; applications open periodically
Application Deadline: Varies; check the City of New Haven employment website regularly
Eligibility: High school students ages 16+; must be enrolled in an accredited school; preference given to New Haven residents
You’ll gain hands-on experience working directly within municipal government operations, exploring how business functions operate within the public sector. You’ll work under the mentorship of experienced city professionals who guide your development and ensure you're contributing meaningfully to real departmental projects. This internship provides valuable insight into how government agencies manage business operations, including financial management, procurement, and organizational development. You'll develop professional skills in communication, time management, and project execution while working in a structured, professional environment. Many interns continue working in the program throughout the school year or summer, building longer-term relationships with departments and supervisors.
6. Summer Springboard: Business & Entrepreneurship @ Yale
Location: New Haven, CT (Yale University campus)
Cost/Stipend: First week residential: $4,298; commuter: $2,498; each additional week: residential $3,298, commuter $1,998 (can extend to six weeks)
Dates: Session 1: June 14 – June 20 | Session 4: July 5 – July 11
Application Deadline: Rolling; apply well in advance for preferred sessions
Eligibility: High school students ages 15-18
You’ll participate in an immersive on-campus business and entrepreneurship course that teaches fundamental business concepts through hands-on startup development. In your first class, you will be expected to form teams to create an original business idea, which you then develop into a comprehensive business plan with marketing and financial projections. You will learn the Business Model Canvas approach to entrepreneurship, understanding how to structure and validate business ideas systematically. You will get to hear directly from successful entrepreneurs about startup survival, gaining practical insights that complement classroom learning while having the opportunity to interact with business professionals from top companies like Goldman Sachs and McKinsey, as well as startup founders and small business owners, providing diverse career perspectives. The program culminates in pitching your business venture to expert judges who’ll provide professional feedback on your planning and execution.
7. Stevens School of Business: Organizational Leadership Virtual Summer Research Experience
Location: Virtual (weekly asynchronous modules + live office hours)
Cost/Stipend: $1,500 tuition
Dates: Last year was July 7 – August 11 (five weeks)
Application Deadline: Applications typically open in February-March for the summer cohort
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors entering the fall of the application year
You’ll participate in a rigorous, asynchronous virtual program that blends independent learning modules with live weekly office hours led by Stevens faculty and mentors. The curriculum covers organizational leadership, corporate culture, ethics, and social responsibility, providing theoretical knowledge and practical application opportunities. You’ll have the opportunity to develop core skills in analytical thinking, ethical reasoning, and professional communication while exploring how organizations function and make decisions. The program emphasizes understanding how corporate culture shapes employee behavior, organizational decisions, and business success. You can expect to benefit from faculty mentorship and peer collaboration in a structured program that counts toward college credit at many institutions. This program provides intellectual rigor and professional development without requiring campus attendance, making it accessible to students with scheduling constraints.
8. Met Summer High School Internships
Location: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: $1,100 stipend paid
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year; typically 8-12 weeks per cohort
Application Deadline: Application information will be available in early February
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10 and 11 who attend a high school or homeschool in either New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut
To be eligible for this internship, you must currently reside in or attend a high school or homeschool in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut. The internship offers opportunities to explore art, museums, and creative careers while building valuable professional skills. You’ll collaborate with Met experts across diverse departments such as editorial, marketing, social media, education, research, and conservation. Throughout the program, you’ll discover how your interests connect with the creative field and gain guidance from mentors and fellow interns along the way.
9. P-TECH Norwalk
Location: Norwalk, CT (integrated early-college high school with paid internships)
Cost/Stipend: Free tuition; paid internships by employer partners
Dates: Year-round; internships during the school year and summer
Application Deadline: Through the Norwalk Public Schools choice program deadlines
Eligibility: Norwalk residents or students attending Norwalk public schools
P-TECH represents an innovative early-college high school model where you’ll simultaneously work toward your high school diploma and an associate degree in applied science while participating in paid internships. You will gain hands-on business experience through internships with leading companies such as IBM, GE, and Prudential, immersing you in real-world business environments, with tasks in operations, IT, project management, and communications, developing technical and professional competencies aligned with industry needs. You will benefit from one-on-one mentoring with workplace professionals, participate in site visits that deepen your understanding of organizational operations, and build your professional network with experienced business leaders. This experience provides a strong competitive advantage for college applications or direct entry into the workforce.
10. U.S. Department of State Pathways Internship Program
Location: Locations across the US
Cost/Stipend: Paid (pay scales vary)
Dates: School year or summer
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary
Eligibility: Ages 16-18
Through the Pathways Internship Programs in the U.S. Department of State, you’ll gain hands-on exposure to federal careers while supporting the department’s mission. These internships bridge classroom learning with real-world experience, offering insight into the daily workings of government and international affairs. Depending on your availability, you might join the Internship Experience Program, which can run throughout your academic studies, or the Internship Temporary Program, designed for shorter assignments during school breaks. As an intern, you’ll collaborate with experienced professionals, build practical skills, and observe how major organizations manage projects, policies, and operations. By the end of your internship, you’ll have enhanced your resume, developed a deeper understanding of public service career paths, and gained valuable experience to advance your future goals in either the private or public sector.
11. EnergyMag Virtual Internship
Location: Virtual; work from home with remote mentorship
Cost/Stipend: Free (unpaid internship)
Dates: Quarter-time (1-9 months, 8 hours/week) or half-time (2-8 weeks, 20 hours/week) available year-round
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; early application recommended due to limited spots
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a minimum 3.25 GPA; at least one honors-level science or English class (exceptions possible)
This free remote internship centers on renewable energy storage, linking you with experts advancing renewables in global energy systems. You will tackle impactful projects such as company profiles, market research, and professional report drafting, all with ongoing mentorship and supervisor feedback. Your research will include targeted areas such as specific firms, technologies, niche markets, or business trends in renewables, sharpening skills in analysis, writing, research, and project management via real-world challenges. If you have high-quality outputs, they may get published on EnergyMag's site with your byline, boosting your portfolio for future opportunities. After you complete the program, you’ll receive a Letter of Accomplishment detailing your contributions, ideal for sharing with schools or employers.
12. Future Founders – Be Your Own Boss Internship
Location: Virtual (online program)
Cost/Stipend: Paid participation; earn a cash stipend based on attendance and participation
Dates: January 20 - February 12 (spring cohort); additional cycles run year-round
Application Deadline: January 12
Eligibility: Open to high school students nationwide from public and charter schools
You’ll explore entrepreneurship by creating your own business idea, designing a prototype, and pitching your concept at a community showcase. The program connects you with sessions led by established entrepreneurs and business leaders from across the United States, providing direct access to experienced professionals. You’ll learn through STEM-based lessons that build problem-solving skills applicable to business creation and innovation and participate in skill-building sessions covering business fundamentals, market research, and pitch development while working on your individual startup concept. The program's accessibility and stipend structure make it an attractive option for students seeking to explore entrepreneurship while earning income. Your experience culminates in a pitch event where you present your business idea to community members and receive feedback from experienced entrepreneurs.
13. Youth@Work – New Haven Work-Based Learning Experience
Location: New Haven, CT (placements across local businesses, nonprofits, and agencies)
Cost/Stipend: Paid; Connecticut state minimum wage; up to 25 hours per week in summer
Dates: July 6- 31
Application Deadline: N.A.
Eligibility: High school students ages 14-21 who reside in New Haven or attend a New Haven public high school
This large-scale paid internship program places you directly into professional environments with a strong focus on business and organizational operations. You'll work with local businesses, entrepreneurial groups, and administrative offices on assignments including finance assistance, customer service, marketing tasks, and project support. The program is specifically designed to give you early exposure to workplace dynamics such as budgeting, time management, teamwork, and leadership. You will interact with professionals in your field of interest, observe real business practices, and contribute to meaningful projects that impact your host organization. Supervisors provide regular feedback and guidance throughout the internship, helping you develop professionally and ensuring you gain maximum learning from your experience. The paid compensation means you’ll build financial literacy while earning income, and the summer-intensive schedule allows for full-time participation. By completing this program, you'll have verified work experience, professional references, and concrete examples of how you've contributed to business success.
14. ReadyCT Career-Connected Learning Internships
Location: Statewide Connecticut; employer partnerships across multiple sectors and regions
Cost/Stipend: Paid; students earn wages directly from employers
Dates: Year-round; available during academic year and summer
Application Deadline: Varies by school and program; apply through school counselors or ReadyCT partnerships
Eligibility: High school seniors
ReadyCT Student 5.0 connects you with paid internships across Connecticut's high-demand sectors, including business, insurance, IT, finance, healthcare, and manufacturing. You’ll engage in real-world projects, shadow professionals, and gain firsthand experience in workplace expectations and career pathways and participate in resume-building workshops and mock interviews that prepare you for professional success. You’ll also attend site visits to employer locations and benefit from mentorship sessions with industry professionals. The program bridges classroom learning to real-world application, demonstrating how academic skills translate into professional environments. Throughout the internship, you can expect to develop professional competencies while earning income, making this an accessible pathway into the workforce.
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