14 Business Internships for High School Students in Arizona
TL;DR
This article covers 14 business-related internships for Arizona high school students, spanning corporate, city, nonprofit, and CTE placements plus one virtual option. Depending on the program, students may support office operations, assist with marketing or sales, research grant prospects, or build a business idea. Most options are in person, with sites across the Phoenix metro area and Pima County. Ladder Internships offers high school students remote 8-week projects with startups, guided by a dedicated manager.
What does it take to keep a business running day to day, from tracking inventory to reaching new customers? That question matters in Arizona, where small businesses make up 99.5 percent of all businesses, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration's Office of Advocacy. An internship lets you see those decisions in action in a real workplace, from scheduling and records to marketing and customer service. That kind of exposure can help you figure out which part of business interests you most.
We selected these programs based on their Arizona locations or remote access, high school eligibility, and the business-related work or training they describe.
If you're open to fields beyond business, our guide to summer internships for high school students in Arizona covers more options across the state. And if you'd like to look nationwide, we've rounded up business internships for high school students along with business programs for high school students that teach core business areas through applied learning.
Why should you do a business internship?
A business internship shows you how organizations actually handle customers, records, budgets, and communication. Seeing that work up close can help you figure out whether marketing, finance, operations, or management suits you. Ladder Internships lets high school students explore this remotely through 8-week startup projects with a mentor.
What skills can you pick up in business internships?
Business internships can build practical skills such as spreadsheet work, professional writing, organizing information, and communicating with customers or colleagues. These skills matter because business decisions often rely on accurate records and on people who can explain the data clearly. Depending on the role, you might also research markets or customers and turn your findings into a practical recommendation.
How do you choose the right option?
Consider several factors before applying, including your grade level, location, academic background, schedule, and budget. You should also check requirements related to citizenship, residency, coursework, or GPA, as these can vary significantly!
|
Program type |
Top programs |
Cost / Stipend |
Best For |
|
Virtual Programs |
Ladder Internships, Aliento Organizational Development Intern (in person with hybrid option) |
Cost |
Students who want flexible, project-based business experience, whether fully remote or partly from home with a nonprofit |
|
Corporate and Industry Internships |
Salt River Project High School Internship, Honeywell High School Internship, Textron Aviation High School Internships |
Cost |
Students curious about how large utility, aerospace, and aviation companies manage operations, data, and business functions |
|
Youth Workforce and Summer Employment Programs |
Phoenix Youth RISE, Career Ready Tempe Internship, Pima County Summer Youth Employment Program, AZYouthforce |
Cost |
Students looking for a paid introduction to the workplace with work-readiness training, including those drawn to entrepreneurship or customer service |
|
School District and CTE Internships |
PUSD CTE Student Intern, West-MEC High School Professional Internships, ElevateEdAZ, City of Mesa Environmental and Sustainability Division Internship, HUSD CTE Marketing Pathway Internship |
Cost |
Students in CTE or work-based learning pathways who want to apply business, marketing, or office skills with a local employer |
1. Salt River Project High School Internship
Location: Tempe and other Phoenix-area SRP sites, Arizona
Stipend: Paid; amount not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; cohort size not stated
Dates: Runs throughout senior year; individual placement dates vary
Application Deadline: Positions posted as needed; no program-wide deadline
Eligibility: High school seniors enrolled in COE or ICE as a senior-year class; selected interns complete a background check and drug screening
You work on real SRP projects as a paid intern while gaining experience in a professional business environment. Depending on the placement, you may gain experience in project management, workplace communication, accountability, and office functions such as marketing, media relations, technology, or legal work.
Who is it best for: Students who want a year-long workplace experience that develops professional communication, project-management, and business-environment skills.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Cost varies depending on the program type; financial aid is available / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Between 10–25%; 70–100 students
Dates: Multiple cohorts available throughout the year, including Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring
Application Deadline: Varies as per cohort; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: High school, undergraduate, and gap year students who can commit 5–10 hours per week for 8 weeks
Ladder Internships matches you with startups or organizations to work on structured business projects in areas such as market research, strategy, operations, and marketing. You receive mentorship from industry professionals and participate in regular check-ins to track progress. The program emphasizes independent work, accountability, and professional communication. You complete a final deliverable or presentation summarizing your work. This program suits students seeking flexibility and skill-based learning. Apply now!
Who is it best for: Students who want a flexible, remote, project-based introduction to market research, strategy, operations, or marketing with mentorship and a concrete final deliverable.
3. Honeywell High School Internship
Location: Phoenix, Tempe, and Glendale, Arizona
Stipend: $18–22 per hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; cohort size not stated
Dates: 8-week summer internship
Application Deadline: February 6
Eligibility: Age 16+; current high school student in engineering, robotics, or computer science through specified partner schools/programs; U.S. Person; role-specific coursework applies
The currently available Arizona high school postings are technical rather than dedicated business internships. You can nevertheless gain exposure to data analysis, process improvement, project work, and cross-functional manufacturing operations while working with Honeywell professionals and a mentor.
Who is it best for: Students who want to understand how data, engineering, software, and operational processes support a large industrial business.
4. Textron Aviation High School Internships
Location: Mesa, Arizona
Stipend: Paid, amount not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; cohort size not stated
Dates: Fall: full semester; spring and summer placements also offered
Application Deadline: Varies as per cohort
Eligibility: Current high school student; age 16+; Microsoft Office familiarity
You help monitor and coordinate parts of the company so operations run smoothly and efficiently. Textron also provides Campus to Corporate training covering business etiquette and professional skills, giving you both workplace exposure and structured career preparation.
Who is it best for: Students who want hands-on exposure to business operations inside an aviation company while developing organization, communication, and workplace skills.
5. Peoria Unified School District – CTE Student Intern – PUSD Students Only
Location: Glendale, Arizona
Stipend: $15.15 per hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not stated
Dates: Continuous start; temporary placement
Application Deadline: Open until filled
Eligibility: PUSD students in grades 11–12; enrolled in a CTE Internship or other work-based learning program; transportation to worksite and driver’s license required
You assist departments at the PUSD district office and collaborate with CTE program managers and other student interns on assigned projects. The work can strengthen business-relevant skills in spreadsheets, Microsoft Office, professional communication, organization, and working with colleagues and outside contacts.
Who is it best for: Students who want practical office experience and opportunities to build administrative, project, and professional-communication skills.
6. AZYouthforce (AZYF) – Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley
Location: Greater Phoenix, Arizona
Stipend: Paid; rate varies by internship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; up to 30 interns per Academy
Dates: Summer, Spring, and Fall cohorts available
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Ages 14–21; enrolled in school; 30-hour AZYouthforce Academy required before most internships; legally authorized to work in the U.S.
You complete workforce-readiness training before being matched with paid opportunities through employer partners. AZYF also offers an entrepreneurship pathway in which participants develop a business over eight weeks, covering areas such as the value proposition, revenue streams, cost structure, and pitching.
Who is it best for: Students who want structured career preparation followed by paid work experience, particularly those interested in entrepreneurship, customer service, or business fundamentals.
7. Phoenix Youth R.I.S.E. (Research and Invest in Summer Employment)
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Stipend: $15.15 per hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: First-come, first-served; 150 planned places
Dates: June–July; four weeks, 80 hours
Application Deadline: First-come, first-served basis
Eligibility: Ages 16–24 at application; City of Phoenix resident; documentation establishing the legal right to work in the United States
You receive work-readiness preparation before completing a short paid placement at a participating worksite. The Youth R.I.S.E. internship includes 80 paid work hours over four weeks, with placements across a range of participating worksites, including business.
Who is it best for: Students who want a short paid introduction to workplace expectations, employer operations, and transferable professional skills.
8. City of Tempe: Career Ready Tempe Internship
Location: Tempe, Arizona
Stipend: $15.15 per hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; 20 interns in the most recently reported cohort
Dates: June–July; six weeks, 120 hours
Application Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: Entering grade 11 or 12; age 16+ by internship start; Tempe resident, Tempe-school student, or TUHSD student; minimum 2.0 unweighted GPA; interview and required training participation
You can be matched with a Tempe business in areas including accounting, business management, business operations, digital communications, marketing, or software/app design. Alongside your internship, you complete professional-development training through ARIZONA@WORK and ASU Edge and receive support from a College Connect Advisor.
Who is it best for: Students who want paid experience with a local business plus structured training and individualized college-and-career guidance.
If you live outside Tempe or don’t want to commute every day, consider Ladder Internships that pair you with startups to work on real projects in a fully virtual format.
9. West-MEC High School Professional Internships
Location: West Valley, Arizona
Stipend: Paid or unpaid depending on employer placement
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size varies by employer and program
Dates: Timing varies by employer and CTE program
Application Deadline: Varies by employer and CTE program
Eligibility: Requirements vary by employer, CTE program, and individual placement
West-MEC Career Services helps students prepare for industry experiences through resumes, cover letters, professional-skills development, and mock interviews with industry partners. Employers can also partner with West-MEC to provide internships and real-world projects, which may involve business placements in marketing, finance, sales, etc.
Who is it best for: Students who want career-field work experience through an employer placement and support developing resumes, interviewing skills, teamwork, and professional communication.
10. Pima County – Summer Youth Employment Program
Location: Pima County, Arizona
Stipend: Minimum $16.54 per hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; up to 850 planned places
Dates: Session 1: June 1–26; Session 2: July 6–31
Application Deadline: February 27
Eligibility: Ages 14–21; worksite and placement requirements vary by internship
You are placed at a Pima County business, government department, or other worksite to build practical employment skills while earning an hourly wage. Placements include marketing assistant, customer service, receptionist, and sales-support positions, giving business-focused participants relevant work experience.
Who is it best for: Students who want paid summer work experience and are interested in customer service, marketing, sales support, office work, or other entry-level career fields.
11. ElevateEdAZ (Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation Initiative)
Location: Greater Phoenix, Arizona
Stipend: Placements may be paid or unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; ~489 interns
Dates: School-year placement; generally an 18-week semester; 120–240 hours during senior year
Application Deadline: No centralized deadline; student interest/application form contains no closing date
Eligibility: Grade 12; two consecutive CTE courses in the same program; on track to graduate; satisfactory attendance, discipline, and academic standing
You progress through an application, employer interview/matching, onboarding, and workplace experience connected to your CTE pathway. ElevateEdAZ specifically works with employers in pathways including Business Management & Administration, Finance, and Marketing, allowing business-focused students to connect classroom CTE learning with an actual workplace.
Who is it best for: Students who want an extended employer-based experience tied directly to business, finance, marketing, or another CTE pathway.
12. Aliento – Organizational Development Intern
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Stipend: $18 per hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; cohort size not stated
Dates: Fall, with potential spring extension
Application Deadline: August 7 priority deadline; otherwise accepted on a rolling basis
Eligibility: High school, college, or university student; in-person placement with hybrid option
You work with Aliento’s organizational-development team on prospect research, identifying fundable projects, maintaining tracking systems, and occasionally drafting or editing proposals for private and public grants. The role provides unusually direct exposure to fundraising, nonprofit strategy, research, and the operational side of running an organization.
Who is it best for: Students who want hands-on exposure to nonprofit business operations, fundraising research, grant development, and organizational strategy.
13. City of Mesa + Mesa Public Schools CTE – Environmental and Sustainability Division Internship Program
Location: Mesa, Arizona
Stipend: Paid, amount not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; cohort size not stated
Dates: Year-spanning annual placement starting in August
Application Deadline: Applications are routed through the student's CTE career coach
Eligibility: High school senior; enrolled in Mesa Public Schools and a CTE program; resume and successful background check required
You support the City of Mesa’s Environmental and Sustainability staff with administrative work, records management, inventory coordination, educational materials, public outreach, literature requests, and events. This placement combines office and operational responsibilities in a sustainability-focused municipal setting, giving you direct experience in how a public organization manages projects, information, supplies, and community engagement.
Who is it best for: Students who want administrative and operational experience while applying business skills within an environmental and sustainability organization.
14. Higley Unified School District – HUSD CTE Student-Business/Industry Internship – Marketing Pathway
Location: Gilbert, Arizona
Stipend: Paid or unpaid depending on business placement
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size varies by placement availability
Dates: Senior-year placement; exact dates vary by business and CTE program
Application Deadline: Coordinated through program instructor; no program-wide deadline published
Eligibility: HUSD CTE seniors who have completed their CTE program; placement depends on available local-business opportunities in the student’s career field
You are paired with a local business in your CTE career field for on-the-job experience while earning high school credit. The district does not publish standardized duties for the Marketing pathway, so the specific marketing or business activities depend on the host business and placement arranged through the CTE program.
Who is it best for: Students who want to apply their completed CTE coursework in a real local business setting and gain practical exposure to marketing or related business work.
Can a business internship help with your college applications?
A business internship can give you specific experiences to discuss, such as managing office records, supporting marketing work, or researching grant prospects. Reflecting on those responsibilities helps you show how your interest in business developed through real work. You can also explain what you learned about how organizations run and what you hope to study next.
How do you apply for a business internship?
Start with each program's official application instructions, since eligibility, deadlines, and requested materials differ widely. Prepare a few clear examples of your interest in business, such as a class project, a club role, a part-time job, or a small venture you started. Take time to gather any requested documents and, if needed, coordinate with a school counselor or CTE teacher.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What kind of business work will I actually be doing?
You can expect a real mix, from administrative support to project-based work. A few placements center on office tasks like records, spreadsheets, and reception, while others involve coordinating operations, researching grant prospects, completing market research projects, or developing a business through an entrepreneurship pathway.
2. Can I focus on marketing if that's the part of business I like most?
Yes, marketing comes up in half of the entries on this list. Depending on the option, it appears as a placement area with a local employer, a CTE marketing pathway, or an entry-level marketing assistant role, so you have several ways to explore it.
3. Will I get paid, or will I have to pay to take part?
Most of these internships are paid, with listed rates ranging from $15.15 per hour to $18–22 per hour. A few depend on the placement and may be paid or unpaid, while the fully remote option varies by program type. If you prefer working remotely, Ladder Internships offers startup internships with full financial aid available to students in need.