15 Business Internships for High School Students in Illinois
If you are a high school student interested in business, an internship can be a worthwhile way to explore the field. Internships give you experience of the professional world, helping you build practical skills such as communication, teamwork, and time management. These experiences strengthen your resume and college applications by showing initiative and advanced skills. An internship also helps you assess whether a field genuinely interests you before committing to a college major or career path. Business internships show you how finance, management, marketing, and operations work together in organizations.
What business internships are available for high school students in Illinois?
Illinois offers a range of business internships for high school students, including opportunities with startups, large corporations, nonprofits, and public-sector agencies. Some programs focus on project work, while others combine job experience with workshops on financial literacy, professional communication, and career readiness.
With so many options available, identifying programs that offer meaningful responsibilities can be challenging. To help you get started, we’ve put together 15 business internships for high school students in Illinois that provide industry exposure and skills that support college preparation and future career growth.
1. Chicago Summer Business Institute
Location: Chicago
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: 6 weeks from June to August
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors residing in Chicago with a GPA of a “B” or 3.0 average and a family income of $80,000 or less per year
This six-week paid business internship for high school students in Illinois places students in professional business settings across Chicago, including financial firms, corporate offices, and public agencies. You will assist with tasks such as budgeting, economic research, data management, or administrative coordination, depending on your placement. Alongside your internship hours, you participate in weekly workshops focused on resume development, workplace communication, and professional expectations. Guest speakers from finance, accounting, and public administration provide insight into how business decisions are made across different sectors.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote (you can work from anywhere in the world).
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on the program (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort – spring (January), summer (May), fall (September), and winter (November)
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can work for 8 -12 weeks, devoting 10 - 20 hours/week
Ladder Internships is an eight-week virtual program that connects students with high-growth startups in fields such as business strategy, consulting, data analysis, and operations. You work directly with startup teams on real projects that may involve market research, performance tracking, or operational planning. Many host companies are venture-backed and led by founders with prior experience at established technology or business organizations. Throughout the internship, a dedicated ladder coach provides structured guidance and feedback on your work. You also complete one-on-one training in time management, communication, and professional execution. The program concludes with a presentation of your project outcomes to the host company. Here is the application form.
3. Bank of America Student Leaders
Location: Nationwide (leadership summit is held in Washington, D.C.)
Cost/Stipend: Provided; all expenses towards the trip to Washington, D.C. are covered
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Over 300 students
Dates: June - August, with the Summit held in July
Application Deadline: January 15
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who have authorization to work in the U.S., live in an eligible area, and have not participated in the program before
The Bank of America Student Leaders program offers an eight-week paid internship with a local nonprofit organization in Chicago. In your role, you support operational functions such as budgeting assistance, project coordination, fundraising support, and community outreach. This well-regarded business internship for high school students in Illinois highlights how financial decision-making and resource management influence nonprofit organizations. All participants also attend a national Student Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C., which features sessions on economic policy, nonprofit finance, and leadership development. You interact with peers from across the country while learning how business, government, and community needs intersect.
4. Genesys Works Chicago
Location: Various locations across Chicago
Stipend: $10,000 - $13,000 during senior year
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: 8 weeks of summer training between the junior and senior year
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Open to juniors in high school who are on track to graduate | can work in the U.S.
Genesys Works Chicago begins with an eight-week summer training program that focuses on professional communication, business technology, and workplace readiness. After completing training, you will be placed in a paid, part-time internship with a corporate partner during your senior year of high school. Your responsibilities may include supporting finance teams, assisting with data analysis, coordinating projects, or managing administrative processes. You typically work up to 20 hours per week while continuing your academic studies. The program also provides ongoing coaching related to college applications and career planning.
5. CLA High School Internship Program
Location: Various locations across the U.S., including IL
Stipend: $18 - $20 per hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: 8 weeks, typically from mid-June to August
Application deadline: Typically early January
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors who are between the ages of 16 and 18 years
CLA’s High School Internship Program provides a paid summer experience in accounting and professional services. You’ll participate in job shadowing, interactive case studies, and team-based projects that reflect client work. Depending on location, you may observe auditing processes, assist with internal research, or help prepare documentation used by client service teams. You also attend meetings to see how professionals analyze financial information and collaborate on business decisions. Mentorship from CLA staff provides guidance on career pathways in accounting and advisory services.
6. Chicago Transit Authority - One Summer Chicago High School Internship
Location: Chicago (hybrid)
Stipend: $16.20/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 250 interns; highly competitive
Dates: June 23 - August 8
Application Deadline: April 18
Eligibility: Open to rising sophomores through graduated seniors (ages 16 - 18 years) enrolled in high school with a minimum GPA of 2.5 | must be eligible to work in the U.S.
The Chicago Transit Authority offers a seven-week paid internship through One Summer Chicago that introduces students to public-sector operations. You’ll participate in a hybrid work experience that combines professional assignments with structured development workshops. Interns receive financial literacy training covering budgeting, compensation, and workplace money management. The program also provides mentorship and opportunities to connect with other high school interns across the city, and access to technology and transportation support to help you complete your responsibilities. Eligible participants may also earn college credit through Olive-Harvey College while gaining paid work experience.
7. One Summer Chicago – Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP)
Location: Chicago area
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 6 weeks in the summer
Application deadline: Typically, May
Eligibility: Chicago youth aged 16 - 24 years
This paid business internship for high school students in Illinois is a six-week initiative that places you in entry-level job roles or structured training programs across Chicago. Placements may include government offices, corporate departments, local businesses, or nonprofit organizations focused on day-to-day operations. In business-oriented roles, you may assist with administrative tasks, customer service support, scheduling, or basic operations that keep organizations operative. All participants complete workforce preparation training covering resume writing, interview skills, and professional communication.
8. One Summer Chicago – Chicagobility
Location: Chicago area
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 6 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Chicago youth aged 14 - 15 years
Chicagobility is an entry-level summer experience within One Summer Chicago that focuses on career readiness rather than traditional job placement. You’ll earn a stipend for completing 120 hours of structured activities over six weeks. The program includes workforce preparation, financial literacy training, and guided career exploration. You develop practical skills such as setting up direct deposit, creating a professional resume, and communicating effectively in workplace settings. Adult mentors provide consistent support throughout the program. Chicagobility primarily serves students from underrepresented or high-need backgrounds.
9. Adler Planetarium Summer High School Internship
Location: Adler Planetarium, Chicago
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; approximately 20 interns across roles
Dates: June 30 - August 8
Application deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10 - 12
The Adler Planetarium Summer Internship places high school students in a paid, full-time role supporting the operations of a major cultural institution. Depending on the assignment, you may assist with visitor engagement, event coordination, or internal program logistics. These responsibilities offer insight into how nonprofit organizations manage daily operations and deliver public-facing services. You work alongside staff members across departments while contributing to ongoing projects. Professional development sessions focus on workplace skills and cross-functional collaboration. The internship offers a behind-the-scenes perspective on the business and operational aspects of museum management.
10. On the Money (OTM) Paid Internship
Location: Chicago
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: January - May (spring cohort)
Application Deadline: Interviews begin January 13
Eligibility: City of Chicago high school students
OTM spring internship offers a paid, hybrid internship for Chicago high school students interested in finance, economics, and entrepreneurship. You will research and write an original article focused on personal finance or economic issues relevant to young audiences. Interns participate in editorial meetings, collaborate with peers, and receive mentorship through DePaul University’s Writing Center. The program also includes training in financial literacy, interviewing, and professional communication. Your completed work is published and distributed across Illinois. This experience connects writing skills with real-world business, financial topics, and media production.
11. University of Chicago Youth Internship Program (YIP)
Location: University of Chicago campus and partner units
Cost/Stipend: Minimum wage
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 22 - July 30
Application Deadline: February 20
Eligibility: Chicago public high school students, aged 16+ years by June 23 | authorized to work in the U.S.
The University of Chicago Youth Internship Program is a business internship for high school students in Illinois that follows an earn-and-learn model. In year 1, you will participate in workshops focused on career exploration, leadership development, and college preparation. Activities include workplace tours, guest speakers, and postsecondary planning sessions. Returning students in year 2 are placed in six-week internships within university departments. Responsibilities may include scheduling support, inventory tracking, meeting participation, or project assistance. All interns complete a formal presentation reflecting on their experience and skills gained.
12. Future Founders – Be Your Own Boss Internship
Location: Virtual-first, with potential in-person events in downtown Chicago
Stipend: Paid (amount based on attendance and participation)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive, large applicant pool
Dates: January 20 - February 12
Application Deadline: January 12
Eligibility: Open to Chicago public and charter high school students
Be Your Own Boss is a paid virtual internship that introduces students to entrepreneurship and the fundamentals of startup development. You’ll work in teams to generate a business idea, outline a basic business model, and develop a prototype or concept. The program includes sessions led by entrepreneurs and business professionals who explain how startups operate and scale. You build skills related to collaboration, problem-solving, and pitching ideas to an audience. Networking is built into the experience, allowing you to connect with peers and industry mentors. The business internship for high school students in Illinois concludes with a virtual showcase where teams present their projects.
13. SparkCampus Internship Program
Location: Virtual
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderate
Dates: July 6 - August 10
Application Deadline: July 4
Eligibility: All high school students
SparkCampus is a five-week online internship that places students with SparkPrintz, a student-founded startup in the custom merchandise industry. You will take part in weekly workshops covering sales strategies, marketing fundamentals, and day-to-day business operations. Interns work collaboratively on real company projects that support growth and client engagement. Guest speakers share insights on entrepreneurship, branding, and different business pathways. The program also provides mentorship focused on strengthening professional communication skills. You are paid during the internship, making it a practical way to gain early startup experience while learning how small businesses operate.
14. Junior Economic Club of Chicago – Careers in Business (CIB) Internship Program
Location: Partner startups, firms, and organizations across Chicago; hybrid/remote options may be available
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size varies as per partner organizations
Dates: Typically, summer and academic year options
Application Deadline: Varies by partner organisation; JEC membership required
Eligibility: High school students who are members of the Junior Economic Club of Chicago
This business internship for high school students in Illinois connects participants with paid internships at startups, investment firms, and business organizations across Chicago. Depending on the placement, you may assist with market research, company analysis, investment underwriting support, or business development. Past host organizations have included investment firms, financial education nonprofits, and startups affiliated with university entrepreneurship initiatives. Your responsibilities vary depending on the needs of the host organization, offering exposure to different business models and industries. The program also connects you to the Junior Economic Club’s broader professional and alumni network.
15. Rotary Club of Chicago – JOB1 Summer Internship Program
Location: Partner businesses and nonprofits citywide
Cost/Stipend: Typically unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 8-week program in the summer (June - August)
Application Deadline: March 14
Eligibility: Chicago high school juniors and graduating seniors, aged 16+ years | students must complete job readiness training and attend the JOB1 job fair
JOB1 combines job readiness training with an eight-week paid internship at a Chicago business or nonprofit organization. Before placement, you complete required training sessions focused on workplace expectations and attend a job fair coordinated by the Rotary Club of Chicago. Once placed, you work between 20 and 40 hours per week in a professional environment that reflects real employment conditions. Responsibilities vary by site but often include operational support, administrative assistance, and team-based tasks. Participants also complete a volunteer service project that connects professional skills with community engagement.