10 Business Internships for High School Students in New Jersey (NJ)
High school is an excellent time to start exploring possibilities in the world of business. Internships provide the perfect opportunity to step out of the classroom and gain real-world experience. They offer a firsthand look into how businesses operate and the skills needed to succeed in a professional environment.
If you’re eager to learn how businesses function or simply curious about the industry, a business internship can be a fantastic way to build new skills, expand your professional network, and clarify your career aspirations. Beyond the immediate benefits, internships also add significant value to your college applications, making you stand out to admissions teams.
To help get you started, here are 10 business internships for high school students in New Jersey.
1. Ladder Internships - Business Track
Location: Virtual! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Dates: 8-week programs with multiple cohorts throughout the year.
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year; Current deadline: February 9, 2025
Eligibility: High school students, who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks
Cost/Stipend: $2,490; Financial aid available
Ladder Internships connects high school students with virtual internships at startups and nonprofits worldwide. This program, developed by Harvard entrepreneurs, offers an 8-week experience where you can work on real-world projects in fields such as business, technology, AI, sustainability, healthcare, and finance. You'll collaborate closely with startup managers and receive guidance from a Ladder Coach, who will mentor you throughout the internship, helping you build communication, time management, and teamwork skills.
This opportunity includes personalized training sessions and hands-on projects, ensuring you gain practical knowledge while contributing to impactful initiatives. At the conclusion of your internship, you'll present your project, showcasing your achievements and growth. The internships are fully remote, allowing you to participate regardless of your location. Most opportunities are based in the U.S., Asia, Europe, and the UK. You can explore all available options through the application form.
2. Bank of America’s Student Leaders Program
Location: Various nonprofit organizations across New Jersey; the summit takes place in Washington, D.C.
Dates: 8 weeks during the summer of 2025, including the summit from July 21 - 26, 2025
Application Deadline: January 15, 2025
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors with U.S. work authorization and permanent residence in one of the eligible locations
Stipend: The program includes a paid internship and a fully funded trip to the Student Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C.
The Bank of America’s Student Leaders Program offers high school juniors and seniors a unique opportunity to engage in an 8-week paid internship with local nonprofit organizations, gaining firsthand experience in community service and leadership. You’ll also attend a national leadership summit, connecting with like-minded peers and building skills that prepare you for both work and life challenges.
During the internship, you’ll also gain hands-on experience serving your community through organizations like the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and Habitat for Humanity. You’ll also participate in the National Student Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C., where you’ll see how nonprofits, governments, and businesses collaborate to address local challenges. Many interns take their new skills and inspiration back to their communities, creating meaningful change and improving lives with passion and dedication.
This is a highly selective program, with only 300 students making it to the final cohort every year (acceptance rate of 5-8%)
3. Mercer County Student Internship Program
Location: Mercer County offices, NJ
Dates: Internships typically commence at the end of the school year, around late June
Application Deadline: May 3, 2025 (Tentative, based on 2024 dates)
Eligibility: Students who are at least 15 years of age and either live in Mercer County or attend a school or university in Mercer County
Stipend: $15.14/hour for high school students
The Mercer County Student Internship Program offers high school and college students in Mercer County, New Jersey, the chance to gain practical experience through paid internships across various county departments. You’ll find a variety of internship opportunities across departments like Administration, Boards & Authorities, Correction Centers, Transportation & Infrastructure, Economic Development, Human Resources, and more. This program is designed to provide hands-on training that aligns with educational goals and prepares students for professional careers.
Participating in this program allows you to gain valuable work experience in a governmental setting, enhancing your understanding of public administration and community service. Throughout the program, you’ll engage in career-focused activities organized by the Office of Personnel. These activities are crafted to teach new techniques, build on your existing knowledge, and help you explore potential career paths in public administration.
Location: Virtual
Dates: Minimum commitment of 3 months, with internships available year-round
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: All high school students can apply
Cost: Free
The Building-U High School Internship is a virtual program designed to engage high school students in various roles within a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating resources for their peers. As an intern, you'll join teams focused on areas such as Resource Research and Development, Student Ambassadorship, Multimedia, Marketing, and Blogging. These teams address real business challenges, providing you with practical experience in strategizing and decision-making.
This structure ensures you develop skills in research, marketing, multimedia production, and more, all while contributing to a nonprofit's mission. The remote nature of the program offers flexibility, making it accessible regardless of your location. This experience can enhance your college applications and provide valuable insights into various professional fields. It’s a chance to learn, lead, and make an impact while being part of a team that understands the needs of students firsthand.
5. Startup Internship Program by Empowerly
Location: Virtual
Dates: Fall, Spring, and Summer sessions are offered
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students from 9th grade through college
Stipend: Not specified
The Empowerly Startup Internship Program offers high school and college students the opportunity to explore various career paths, develop professional skills, and collaborate with globally-minded companies. You can choose a session that fits your schedule — fall, spring, or summer — and apply to over 40 startups offering roles in both tech and non-technical fields. The program offers assistance with resumes, cover letters, and interview preparation, ensuring you're well-equipped to navigate the competitive job market.
Interns can choose from a diverse array of startups across industries such as artificial intelligence, communications, education, health, nonprofits, and more.
6. New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell (NJCCIC) Internship
Location: Virtual
Dates: Internship typically runs during the summer months; Specific dates for 2025 are TBA
Application Deadline: Application window usually opens in April
Eligibility: Current high school student in grades 9 through 12 for the upcoming academic year
Stipend: Paid Opportunity
The High School Summer Internship Program offers two exciting opportunities tailored to students interested in cybersecurity. The Cybersecurity Basics Internship Program is ideal for those new to the field, providing a strong introduction to key concepts and foundational skills. On the other hand, the Advanced Cybersecurity Internship Program is designed for students with prior experience, offering deeper insights and hands-on challenges to refine their expertise.
These internships are highly relevant to the business world, as cybersecurity plays a vital role in protecting company assets, maintaining data integrity, and ensuring compliance with regulations. By participating, you’ll gain skills that businesses value, such as managing risks, safeguarding sensitive information, and supporting secure operations, setting you up for success in a field critical to today’s digital economy.
7. EnergyMag Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Dates: Flexible durations are available:
- Half-time internships: 2 to 8 weeks, requiring 20 hours per week.
- Quarter-time internships: 1 to 9 months, requiring 8 hours per week.
Application Deadline: Applications are open all year round, you can apply here.
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors only who have taken at least one honors science or honors English class.
Cost: Free
EnergyMag offers virtual research internships specifically designed for high school students who want to explore the renewable energy industry. These internships provide a startup-style work environment where you’ll develop research and analytical skills by investigating specific companies, technologies, and market trends in this rapidly growing field.
The program is flexible to fit a student’s schedule. You can choose a part-time option lasting 2 to 8 weeks, requiring 20 hours per week. Every intern is paired with a mentor who will guide and support them throughout the program. Upon completing the internship, students receive a Letter of Accomplishment to showcase their work and skills.
This opportunity is perfect for high school students interested in renewable energy and looking to gain valuable experience and insights into this transformative sector. You’ll need to research a scientific or business issue and get in touch with people from the relevant field.
8. The Mary Miller Summer Program by the PHC Group
Location: Virtual
Dates: Summer; specific dates are announced annually.
Application Deadline: Not specified, but you are urged to apply as soon as possible.
Eligibility: High school juniors and senior
Stipend: This is a paid internship, but information on the exact amount is not available.
The Mary Miller Summer Program by the PHC Group is a paid internship designed to provide rising high school juniors and seniors with a unique opportunity to develop leadership skills and gain real-world experience in a global team. Interns will be involved in a variety of tasks, such as assisting with social media projects, engaging in online community interactions, and providing technical support. They’ll also explore creative ways to collaborate virtually and build relationships within the team.
Interns will attend planning meetings, create social media content, conduct social marketing research, monitor interactions, and contribute to a performance-driven environment. This program not only allows students to develop important professional skills but also provides them with meaningful exposure to the workings of a global organization.
Location: Virtual
Dates: Internships are available year-round, with flexible durations depending on the specific opportunity.
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students from grades 9–12
Stipend: Unpaid
Interns 4-Good is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that connects high school students with virtual, skill-based internship opportunities. The program regularly updates its list of opportunities, offering internships across various fields, especially in marketing and outreach. These internships enable students to build their resumes while contributing to meaningful causes.
If you intern with a partner nonprofit, you’ll also support Interns4Good by submitting weekly reports detailing your hours and a summary of your work for their records. You can request verified hour reports to share with organizations of your choice, ensuring your contributions are documented.
Location: Virtual
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: There are multiple deadlines throughout the year; upcoming spring cohort deadline is February 9, 2025
Eligibility: The program is currently open to all high school students
Cost: $2,900; Financial available
The Young Founder’s Lab is a 4-week start-up boot camp created by Harvard entrepreneurs. In this program, you’ll work on building a start-up that solves a real-world problem, guided by mentors from major companies like Google, Microsoft, and X. Participating in the Young Founders Lab offers a comprehensive introduction to entrepreneurship, providing practical experience in building a startup from the ground up.
You'll also attend classes on business basics, workshops, case studies, and panel discussions. This is a great chance for high school students to explore both theoretical and practical aspects of business, giving you the tools to create a successful start-up. This program not only enhances your business acumen but also strengthens your college applications and prepares you for future entrepreneurial endeavors.