11 Business Internships for High School Students in Los Angeles, California
Internships offer high school students an excellent opportunity to gain valuable skills, industry exposure, and networking connections while still in school. They provide practical experience in professional environments. Internships are a great option for students who want to explore jobs in business, including management, marketing, finance, and more. As an added benefit, many of these programs include stipends or other financial incentives.
Through project-based work, these internships improve your resume and foster a feeling of accountability. Business internships, whether conducted virtually or in person, are a useful tool for students trying to establish a foundation in the field of their choice. The 11 best business internships for high school students in Los Angeles are listed below; each offers chances for development and career advancement.
1. Warner Bros Reach Honorship Program
Warner Bros. Discovery provides a unique program for students interested in the media and entertainment industries. Participants in this program receive a paid summer internship at Warner Bros. Discovery Studios in Burbank, California, and a scholarship. The curriculum allows you to explore various topics related to the studio and corporate sides of the entertainment business. You can obtain experience in conventional business activities like finance, operations, marketing, communications, and human resources.
Location: Warner Bros. Discovery Studios, Burbank, California
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: The exact acceptance rate and cohort size are not publicly disclosed, but the program is typically selective.
Dates: Summer, but the specific dates vary annually.
Application Deadline: March/April
Eligibility: High school seniors who reside or attend school in Burbank or Los Angeles County.
Cost/Stipend: Paid + scholarship
2. Ladder Business Internship Program
Ladder’s Business Internship Program gives high school students the opportunity to engage with real-world business projects focusing on operations, marketing, finance, and strategy. Interns will engage in client-facing activities, such as project development and execution, and learn how business departments collaborate to accomplish company objectives. The program includes mentorship opportunities where professionals help interns build technical and soft skills like leadership, communication, and business analytics. Additionally, students will collaborate on projects where they will show their work to senior mentors and receive feedback. The internship's virtual environment enables students to work from anywhere at any time while still obtaining a great deal of practical experience.
Location: Virtual
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Limited spots available
Dates: June 1-July 31
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
Cost/Stipend: Stipend available
The Intern Project (TIP) gives high school students from Los Angeles County schools the chance to work in various disciplines, including business. By matching students with internships at established firms, this program offers practical experience in business environments. You will be partnered with mentors who provide exposure to various corporate roles, career guidance, and skill development. You will gain vital professional skills, including teamwork, communication, and problem-solving.
Location: Los Angeles, California
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Varies; competitive selection process.
Dates: Summer (June – August)
Application Deadline: Not specified; early application recommended.
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors from Los Angeles County public high schools.
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship; stipend amount not specified
4. Emma Bowen Foundation Internship
The Emma Bowen Foundation (EBF) Internship allows high school students to explore careers in media, tech, and business. To gain knowledge from specialists in the field, you will work at some of the country's leading media and technology organizations. You will learn about fields like journalism, web development, marketing, production, and business management. The program offers projects, networking opportunities, and skill-building courses. EBF seeks to create a diverse workforce in the tech and media sectors by providing paid internships, mentorship, and a support system.
Location: Locations across the US
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Varies
Dates: Summer
Application Deadline: Early January
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors aged 17-18
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship
5. Meta (Facebook) Summer Academy
Meta's Summer Academy (previously Facebook Summer Academy) provides an exciting internship opportunity for high school students curious about the inner workings of a top tech company. You will explore a range of positions at Meta during this program, learning about daily operations and the technology that underpins one of the biggest social media platforms in the world. In addition to working on projects that develop your technical and business skills, you will be mentored by specialists in the field. The program aims to give students from underrepresented communities access to professional mentorship.
Location: Meta’s headquarters in Menlo Park, California
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Varies
Dates: Summer
Application Deadline: February 14
Eligibility: High school sophomores who are full-year residents of East Palo Alto, Belle Haven, North Fair Oaks, or Redwood City
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship
6. Bank of America Student Leaders Program
The Bank of America Student Leader Program is an eight-week paid internship providing students with valuable nonprofit organization experience. In addition to gaining experience in corporate leadership, customer service, and community involvement, you will learn about NGOs' vital role in meeting community needs. At the Student Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C, you will participate in workshops and conversations about civic engagement, leadership, and the nexus between business and public service. This program is a good option for students who want to improve their communities and gain leadership experience.
Location: Locations across the US
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Varies
Dates: Summer
Application Deadline: TBA
Eligibility: High school students aged 16-18
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship
7. CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA) High School Internship Program
This well-known high school internship program offered by CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA) allows students to obtain experience in accounting, professional services, and business. CLA, one of the most prominent CPA and consulting organizations in the US, offers a rare chance to work on customer projects and get involved in various company functions, such as financial analysis, auditing, accounting, and consulting. You will get a head start on understanding how companies and organizations function, especially in the professional services sector.
Location: Los Angeles, California
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Varies; competitive selection process.
Dates: Summer (duration not specified)
Application Deadline: Not specified; check program website for details.
Eligibility: High school students interested in business, professional services, or accounting.
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship; stipend amount not specified.
8. Port of Long Beach Internship
Students have a rare opportunity to obtain work experience at one of the nation's busiest and most important ports through the Port of Long Beach High School Internship Program. The program, intended for juniors and seniors in high school, allows you to explore career options in public administration, engineering, commerce, international trade, logistics, and environmental science. Throughout the six-week summer internship, you will interact with professionals and learn about the inner workings of port operations and adjacent sectors. You will also participate in professional development courses, receive one-on-one mentoring from Port employees, and attend personal enrichment training classes emphasizing essential skills like communication, workplace etiquette, and financial literacy.
Location: Port of Long Beach, Long Beach, California
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: No information available
Dates: Six weeks during the summer (varies)
Application Deadline: March
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who reside in Long Beach or attend a high school within the Long Beach Unified School District service area with a minimum 2.5 GPA.
Cost/Stipend: Paid
9. The Commerce Business Program
High school students can engage with small business owners in Los Angeles through the Commerce Business Program, assisting them with everything from digital marketing tactics to market research. By helping with daily business operations and learning how to oversee small business initiatives, you will gain valuable experience. During the program's professional development workshops, you will learn about important business topics like strategic planning, budgeting, management, and leadership. Additionally, you can use the networking opportunities to connect with industry leaders.
Location: Los Angeles, California
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 5-10 students annually
Dates: Summer (June – August)
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors interested in business and entrepreneurship
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship
10. Gen1 Capital NextGen Internship
The Gen 1 Capital Next Gen Internship and Career Pathways Program aims to develop the next generation of leaders in various industries, such as engineering, business, entrepreneurship, investing, and medicine. The curriculum allows college and high school students to explore several career paths and apply abstract ideas to practical problems. Participants in Gen 1 Capital work on initiatives that tackle problems in fields like computation, social governance, transportation, health, and the environment. For the final project, you will identify a problem, analyze the market, develop a thesis, and suggest a workable solution or business model.
Location: Virtual
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: No information available
Dates: Summer
Application Deadline: TBA
Eligibility: High school students with a keen interest in business
Cost/Stipend: Paid + scholarship
11. Los Angeles County Office of Education's Career Technical Education
The Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) offers technical assistance to school districts across the county through its Career Technical Education (CTE) internship program. The program aims to give students the knowledge and abilities to enter the workforce, post-secondary education, and career training. The program offers courses in 15 industries, including business, combining academics and technical training with problem-solving. Although not a traditional internship, this program is a great way to build the skills needed for a future business career.
Location: Los Angeles, California
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not disclosed
Dates: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students
Cost/Stipend: N/A