8 Business Internships for High School Students in Massachusetts
Doing a business internship in high school can help you understand how different parts of the field work, whether it’s marketing, finance, entrepreneurship, or management. Internships give you the chance to apply what you’ve learned in school, pick up new skills, and start seeing how businesses operate on a day-to-day level. They can also help you clarify what areas you enjoy most, which can be useful when you’re making future academic or career choices.
Massachusetts is a strong place to look for these opportunities because of its mix of universities, established companies, and growing startups. Boston, for example, is a hub for business and innovation, with industries ranging from biotech and healthcare to finance and consulting. Local colleges and nonprofits also run programs designed specifically for high school students, making it easier to find an internship that fits your interests.
To help you explore, we’ve pulled together 10 business internships for high school students in Massachusetts.
1. TIP Intern Program—Federal Reserve Bank of Boston
Location: Boston
Deadline: Rolling
Application Dates: Summer, with potential for year-round extension
Eligibility: High school students aged 16-18 who have studied in Boston Public Schools
Cost/Stipend: Free; Paid internship
If you're a Boston Public Schools student who has completed sophomore year, the Today’s Interns, Tomorrow’s Professionals (TIP) program offers an opportunity to kickstart your career. This paid summer internship gives you work experience, along with mentorship, job coaching, and workshops to help build your skills. Strong performers may even be invited to continue in a year-round role for up to three years. It's a great way to learn, earn, and explore your potential in a professional environment.
2. Ladder Internships
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!
Cost: Varies depending on program type; Financial aid available
Ladder Internships is a competitive program designed for motivated high school students to gain experience at high-growth start-ups. These start-ups span a wide range of industries, including tech, deep tech, AI/ML, health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more, and many have raised over $1 million in funding. Over the course of the 8-week virtual internship, students work on projects alongside their start-up manager and receive guidance from a dedicated Ladder Coach, ultimately presenting their work to the company.
3. INROADS Internship Program
Location: Various locations, including Massachusetts
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Varies by internship
Application Deadline: Varies by internship
Eligibility: High school seniors and college students from underrepresented backgrounds
Stipend: Paid internship
INROADS is a nonprofit organization that offers paid internships to high school seniors and college students from underrepresented backgrounds. Through leadership development, career readiness training, mentorship, and access to paid internships, they provide learning opportunities that foster personal and professional growth. You will be placed with corporations such as Deloitte, Liberty Mutual, and Johnson & Johnson. The program includes leadership training, mentorship, and networking opportunities with executives, like-minded peers, and INROADS alumni.
4. The Education Cooperative (TEC) Internship Certificate Program
Location: Boston Metrowest area, Massachusetts
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Varies by internship
Application Deadline: Varies by internship
Eligibility: Students must complete at least two years of high school to qualify for the program.
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid
The Education Cooperative (TEC) Internship Certificate Program is a career exploration placement program supporting junior and senior high school students in the Boston Metrowest area. This program connects you with local businesses and public sector employers. You will gain experience in fields like business administration, marketing, and finance. The program emphasizes career exploration and skill development. You may receive credit for participation from your district school.
5. Year Up
Location: Various locations, including Massachusetts
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
Stipend: Paid internship
Year Up is a career development program for young adults that bridges the gap between education and meaningful work. It offers training in fields like business, IT, and finance, followed by a six-month internship with companies such as JPMorgan Chase, Salesforce, or Bank of America. The program supports students with mentorship, coaching, and a weekly stipend during their training and internship period. While it’s primarily for ages 18–26, high school seniors planning next steps after graduation can explore it as a post-high school pathway.
6. Massachusetts Life Sciences Center High School Apprenticeship Challenge
Location: Massachusetts
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by year
Dates: Varies by internship
Application Deadline: Varies by year
Eligibility: High school students aged 16 and above.
Stipend: Paid internship
This internship is open to Massachusetts students ages 16+ from underrepresented schools or communities, with applications reviewed on a rolling basis. The program offers up to $17/hour for six weeks. You’ll learn alongside professionals and build lab skills. Before starting your placement, you’ll complete pre-internship training—covering biotech techniques and workplace habits—to ensure you’re career-ready. You’ll end the internship with both technical lab experience and professional confidence, making this a step into STEM careers and college-level science opportunities.
7. Boston University Summer Challenge
Location: Boston University, Massachusetts
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: 2-week sessions (June 15–27, July 6–18, July 20–Aug 1, 2025)
Application Deadline: Varies by year
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Cost: Application fee—$60; Tuition fee—$3,585 (nonrefundable)
Boston University’s Summer Challenge is a 2-week academic enrichment program where high school students live on campus and dive into college-level learning. You'll choose two seminars from a wide range of subjects and participate in lectures, group projects, and assignments. The program also includes an admissions workshop to guide you through the college application process. Beyond academics, you’ll enjoy social activities, explore Boston, and make lasting friendships. It’s a great way to experience college life while expanding your interests and skills.
8. Young Founders Lab
Cost: Varies depending on program type
Location: This program is 100% virtual, with live, interactive workshops
Eligibility: The program is currently open to all high school students
Program 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!
The Young Founder’s Lab is a start-up boot camp founded and run by Harvard entrepreneurs. In this program, you will work towards building a revenue-generating start-up 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 start-up itself, you will also participate in interactive classes on business fundamentals and business ideations, workshops and skill-building sessions, case studies, panel discussions, and more.The program is an excellent opportunity to delve into the world of business in high school and have a space to explore multiple theoretical as well as practical frameworks that lead to a successful business. You can check out the brochure for the program here. While this isn’t a traditional internship, it follows the work-learn structure of one quite closely!
Image Source - Young Founders Lab Logo