10 Business Internships for High School Students in North Dakota

Internships are a great way for high school students to strengthen their resumes, stand out in the college admissions process, and prepare for future careers. They give you a chance to apply what you've learned in school while developing professional skills like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. For students interested in business, internships are useful for seeing how companies operate. 

What business internships are available for high school students in North Dakota?

North Dakota has some great options for high schoolers looking to explore professional environments. These internships can give you exposure to business areas like accounting, operations, marketing, and customer service. You could intern at companies in finance, healthcare, and technology. Well-known employers across the state, like Microsoft in Fargo, Bobcat Company, Sanford Health, Bell Bank, and Scheels, offer internships for high school students. These internships allow you to build business skills and meet professionals who can give you career advice.

If you're a high school student in North Dakota, we've listed 10 business internships below that offer structured learning and mentorship.

1. Altru Health System: School to Career High School Internship

Location: Altru Hospital (Grand Forks, North Dakota)

Stipend: $16.50/hour

Dates: June 1 – August 7

Application Deadline: March 31

Eligibility: Must be at least 16 years old by June 1; entering junior or senior year of high school (or a recent graduate); proficient in English

In this internship, you understand the business operations that keep a large-scale healthcare system running effectively. You will cover core operational topics like departmental logistics, IT infrastructure management, inventory control, and frontline customer service. During your shifts, you will track department statistics, deploy and troubleshoot computer hardware, manage medical supply inventory, and coordinate patient intake processes. The program provides the opportunity to navigate the administrative and logistical backbone of a major organization long before college. By completing these tasks, you develop highly transferable business skills, including cross-functional communication, organizational problem-solving, and technical troubleshooting.

2. Ladder Internships

Location: Remote

Cost/Stipend: Cost varies depending on the program type; financial aid is available / No stipend

Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall

Application Deadline: Varies 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 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks

Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students! In the program, you work with a high-growth start-up on an internship. Start-ups that offer internships range across a variety of business industries, from tech/deep tech and AI/ML to health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies, on average, raising over a million dollars. Past founders have included Y Combinator alums, founders raising over 30 million dollars, or founders who previously worked at Microsoft, Google, and Facebook. In the program, interns work closely with their managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects and present their work to the company. They will also have the opportunity to attend group training sessions with other interns in their cohort. Apply now!

3. Butler Machinery Work-Study

Location: Multiple ND Locations (Fargo, Bismarck, Minot, Jamestown)

Stipend: Paid hourly, rate not disclosed

Dates: Year-round

Application Deadline: Rolling basis

Eligibility: 16+ years old, current high school student

In this work-study program, you witness the daily business operations and logistics of a massive heavy equipment dealership. You cover core business topics like inventory management, workplace safety compliance, customer communication, and corporate shop operations. During your shifts, you will assist in managing parts inventory, maintain vital operational records, answer customer inquiries, and shadow mentors on the shop floor. The program pairs you directly with an expert mentor, allowing you to experience a highly structured corporate environment long before college. By the end of the internship, you learn essential professional skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, effective workplace communication, and time management.

4. Bismarck State College (BSC) Career Quest – Business Track

Location: Bismarck State College Campus (Bismarck, ND)

Cost/Stipend: None

Dates: June 17–19

Application Deadline: Rolling registration until spots are filled

Eligibility: All high school students

When you attend the Bismarck State College Career Quest Business Track, you dive into an interactive day exploring the dynamic world of commerce. Throughout the program, you will cover core topics including general business, marketing, finance, entrepreneurship, and education. You will develop mock business pitches, analyze financial case studies, and network with local industry professionals. The camp is fast-paced and has a one-day intensive format, allowing you to experience a college-level curriculum without giving up your entire summer. 

5. North Dakota Leadership Seminar (NDLS)

Location: University of Jamestown, Jamestown, ND

Cost/Stipend: None

Dates: May 29–31

Application Deadline: Typically, mid-spring

Eligibility: High school sophomores

In the North Dakota Leadership Seminar, you engage in a collaborative environment that builds foundational skills essential for any future business leader. Throughout the program, you will explore core topics like servant leadership, organizational behavior, problem-solving, and civic responsibility. You will listen to industry guest speakers, participate in panel discussions, and work on a volunteer project alongside your peers. The seminar also features a post-program challenge where you commit to 100 hours of community service, giving you a chance to run your own social-impact initiatives.

6. JA Introduction to Business and Technology 

Location: In-person at participating high schools throughout North Dakota (Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks, etc.).

Cost/Stipend: None

Dates: One semester course (Fall: August – December or Spring: January – May)

Application Deadline: Students generally register for this course during their school's standard course registration window (usually Feb–March for the following year)

Eligibility: High school students enrolled in a participating ND school

The JA Introduction to Business and Technology program in North Dakota is a course that introduces you to the fundamentals of business, entrepreneurship, and technology. Through the program, you will learn skills like teamwork, problem-solving, and decision-making. The curriculum combines teacher-led instruction, volunteer guidance, and project-based activities, giving you real-world experience in applying business concepts. By participating, you gain a strong foundation in business and technology, develop critical professional skills, and build confidence that can help you succeed in future careers or further education.

7. Fargo Public Schools Traditional Summer School - High School Business

Location: Fargo, ND

Cost: None for in-district students; tuition-based for out-of-district students 

Dates: Semester 1: June 9–18; Semester 2: June 18–30

Application Deadline: Late May

Eligibility: Students entering grades 9–12

In this summer business program, you will dive into the core concepts of personal finance, introductory business principles, and economic systems. Throughout the course, you will create a mock personal budget, analyze stock market trends, develop a basic business plan, and participate in collaborative case studies. By engaging in these practical exercises, you will learn how to manage money effectively and understand how local businesses operate on a daily basis. Ultimately, you will build essential skills in financial literacy, critical thinking, and project management that apply directly to everyday life and your future career.

8. Minot Area Workforce Academy - Business Education

Location: Minot, ND

Cost/Stipend: None

Dates: Academic school year 

Application Deadline: Typically, spring during standard high school course registration

Eligibility: High school students enrolled in the Minot, Kenmare, Minot Air Force Base, or Sawyer school districts

In the Minot Area Workforce Academy's Business Education program, you gain a practical, hands-on understanding of how modern companies operate in a global economy. You will cover essential business topics like personal finance, computer information systems, economic principles, and entrepreneurship. During the courses, you will draft business plans, manage simulated budgets, and participate in local job shadowing. The program uniquely operates inside a newly expanded career center that actively partners with local Minot businesses for real-world networking. By finishing this coursework, you will build strong technological proficiency, financial literacy, problem-solving abilities, and professional communication skills.

9. EnergyMag Research Internship

Location: Virtual

Stipend: None

Dates: Half-time: 2–8 weeks summer (20 hours/week); Quarter-time: 1–9 months year-round (8 hours/week)​

Application Deadline: Rolling basis

Eligibility: Sophomores, juniors, and seniors only; have taken at least one honors science or honors English class; minimum GPA of 3.25

The EnergyMag Research Internship is a remote program for high school students passionate about energy storage and renewable energy. You can choose between half-time (20 hours/week) or quarter-time (8 hours/week) formats, making it flexible for summer or year-round participation. During the internship, you will gain experience in research, data analysis, and industry reporting on scientific or business topics. Mentors guide you throughout, helping you develop real-world skills in research, professional communication, and technical writing, while giving you practical insight into the energy industry and preparing you for future academic and career opportunities.

10. North Dakota FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America)

Location: Statewide across local North Dakota high schools (State Leadership Conference held in Bismarck)

Cost: Nominal state and national membership dues (typically $10–$20 annually), plus conference registration and travel fees 

Dates: Academic school year; the State Leadership Conference is typically held in late March

Application Deadline: Varies by school; however, state and national dues must typically be paid by February 1 to compete in the spring state conference

Eligibility: High school students enrolled in North Dakota schools

As a member of North Dakota FBLA, you will explore the practical side of the corporate world by studying topics like finance, marketing, economics, and management. Throughout the school year, you will lead chapter meetings, organize community service projects, and pitch business plans to industry professionals. The program features a competitive structure, which allows you to test your knowledge against other students at state and national conferences. Ultimately, this experience gives you a clear preview of workplace expectations and builds your professional network before graduation.