14 Business Internships for High School Students in Oregon
TL;DR
Business internships for high school students in Oregon include local employer placements, residential program support, and virtual startup projects. Roles represented in this list span banking transactions, business analysis, office administration, event support, and communications, with responsibilities depending on the placement. Ladder Internships offers fully online startup internships where high school students work on real projects with guidance from company managers.
What makes customers choose one business over another? The U.S. Small Business Administration explains how market research helps businesses understand potential customers and competitive analysis helps them distinguish their offerings. Practical business experience can help high school students connect these ideas with the decisions organizations make each day. Working with business information or customer-facing processes can also help students explore which parts of the field interest them.
This selection focuses on business-related responsibilities, high school eligibility, and Oregon locations or virtual access.
If you’d like to explore opportunities beyond Oregon, browse these business internships for high school students. For a broader view of nearby fields, explore these high school internships in Portland.
Why should you do a business internship?
A business internship can help you test your interests against an organization's practical demands. Working with colleagues and real business information can reveal whether you enjoy analytical, administrative, or customer-facing work. Explore that experience through Ladder Internships, which connects high school students with startups for guided projects.
What skills can you pick up in business internships?
Business internships can help you interpret information, communicate clearly, and organize work around business priorities. Depending on your role, you might strengthen financial numeracy, analytical thinking, or professional writing. These skills matter because business teams need accurate information and understandable explanations to make decisions and serve customers.
How do you choose the right option?
Consider several factors before applying, including your grade level, location, academic background, schedule, and budget. 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 |
Cost |
Students interested in remote startup experience and business projects aligned with their interests |
|
|
Business Leadership and Employer Placements |
Oregon Business Academy (OBA) High School Intern, Hillsboro WORKS Summer Internships, Morrow County High School Internship Program, Columbia Works Summer Internship Program, SummerWorks Youth Internship Program |
Cost |
Students seeking leadership experience or broad career exploration through local employers and business communities |
|
Banking and Business Analysis |
Bank of Eastern Oregon – Student Teller Internship, Beef Northwest Feeders – Business Analyst Intern |
Cost |
Students drawn to financial services, quantitative work, and how businesses use operational information |
|
Public and Community Administration |
Port of Portland Internship Program, Boardman Chamber of Commerce – Chamber Assistant Intern, City of Boardman – Customer Service Assistant Intern, City of Irrigon – City of Irrigon Assistant Clerk Internship, Columbia River Health – Admin Support / Front Office Intern, Heppner Chamber of Commerce – Office Staff/Mercantile Intern |
Cost |
Students interested in public service, community business support, or administration in service organizations |
1. Oregon Business Academy (OBA) High School Intern
Location: Corvallis, Oregon
Stipend: $1,000; up to $100 approved travel reimbursement
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; cohort size not stated
Dates: June 21–27 and July 26–August 1; applicants may indicate availability for either or both sessions
Application Deadline: Not specified; applicants will be contacted closer to Business Week
Eligibility: High school students; able to attend all training and the entire Business Week; background-check consent required
You support an Oregon Business Week by leading student check-in/check-out, supervising group activities and workshops, organizing supplies, and assisting a Company Advisor. The work can help you develop leadership, teamwork, communication, organization, and event-operations skills while interacting with Oregon business mentors.
Who is it best for: Students who want an intensive, residential business experience combining leadership, event operations, peer support, and interaction with business professionals.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Cost varies depending on the program type; financial aid is available / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 25%; around 100 students per cohort
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
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 5–10 hours/week for 8 weeks
You are matched with a host organization based on your stated interests and work on assignments such as market research, competitive landscape analysis, customer profiling, operations review, financial modeling support, or strategy documentation. Your responsibilities typically center on producing structured deliverables, including research briefs, slide decks, written reports, and internal planning materials aligned with the company’s objectives. In addition, a Ladder Coach conducts scheduled check-ins to monitor progress, clarify expectations, and provide feedback on the quality and organization of your output. Apply now!
Who is it best for: Students who want a remote startup experience completing business projects such as market research, customer profiling, operations review, or financial-modeling support.
3. Hillsboro WORKS Summer Internships
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Stipend: Paid; rate varies by placement
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; cohort size not stated
Dates: June–August; placement-specific dates vary
Application Deadline: June 2
Eligibility: Ages 16–24; students and recent alums; placement-specific requirements apply
You complete meaningful, project-based work with a Hillsboro-area employer while participating in professional development and building workplace connections. Available business-oriented roles can include events and operations, marketing and office support, digital content, communications, and social media.
Who is it best for: Students who want a paid local summer placement where they can contribute to marketing, operations, communications, customer engagement, or other business projects.
4. Port of Portland Internship Program
Location: Portland, Oregon
Stipend: Paid hourly; the rate depends on the student’s year in school, and the salary range is reviewed and adjusted annually
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; cohort size not stated
Dates: Generally 12 months; full-time summer, part-time school year; exact dates vary by position
Application Deadline: Position-specific; recruitment typically begins in spring, with openings possible year-round
Eligibility: Enrolled during employment, or following term for summer; proof of enrollment or intent; minimum 2.5 GPA; continued relevant coursework
You can apply classroom learning in areas such as business, finance, public affairs, planning, legal work, technology, or other Port operations, depending on the position available. Internships generally last 12 months, combining full-time summer work with part-time school-year work under Port staff supervision and mentorship.
Who is it best for: Students who want a paid, mentor-supported internship inside a major public port and airport organization while exploring business, finance, public affairs, or related operations.
5. Morrow County High School Internship Program
Location: Morrow County, Oregon
Stipend: Paid, amount not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; ~75 interns
Dates: School year; position-specific schedules
Application Deadline: Typically, in April
Eligibility: Juniors and seniors across Morrow County high schools; position-specific qualifications apply
The program includes banking, business analysis, chamber, city administration, assessment/tax, treasury, and other business-facing placements. Your responsibilities depend on the host organization, allowing you to develop practical workplace, customer-service, administrative, finance, or analytical skills in a local professional setting.
Who is it best for: Students who want paid school-year work experience with a local employer and the flexibility to explore finance, administration, business operations, or community organizations.
6. Bank of Eastern Oregon – Student Teller Internship
Location: Boardman, Irrigon, and Ione, Oregon
Stipend: Paid, amount not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; cohort size not stated
Dates: School year; flexible weekday schedule
Application Deadline: April 3
Eligibility: Morrow County high school juniors/seniors; basic computer and clerical skills; effective communication; understanding of debits/credits; ability to count currency
You learn teller operations by processing supervised deposits and check cashing, balancing a cash drawer, handling mail and night-depository transactions, and learning the bank’s products and services. You also complete job-specific Bank Secrecy Act/Anti-Money Laundering training while developing customer-service, cash-handling, clerical, and financial-services skills.
Who is it best for: Students who want hands-on exposure to retail banking, customer transactions, cash handling, financial-services operations, and bank compliance procedures.
7. Beef Northwest Feeders – Business Analyst Intern
Location: Boardman, Oregon
Stipend: Paid, amount not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; cohort size not stated
Dates: School year; Fridays; flexible within program requirements
Application Deadline: April 3
Eligibility: Morrow County high school juniors/seniors; entry-level Excel; organization, accuracy, and communication skills; reliable transportation to the Boardman jobsite
You support commodity and cattle teams with transaction data, ticket reconciliation, daily and periodic reporting, performance analysis, and inventory spreadsheets. You may also assist with quality-assurance reviews, internal audits, commodity sampling, freight reconciliation, reception, and physical inventory, giving you broad exposure to agricultural business operations.
Who is it best for: Students who want practical business-analysis experience using spreadsheets, operational data, reporting, inventory, and quality-control processes in an agricultural company.
8. Boardman Chamber of Commerce – Chamber Assistant Intern
Location: Boardman, Oregon
Stipend: Minimum wage
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; cohort size not stated
Dates: School year, Semester 1 and/or 2; flexible weekdays
Application Deadline: April 3
Eligibility: Morrow County high school juniors and seniors
You assist with Chamber events, contact members about membership or event participation, research event trends, maintain information kiosks, and support everyday office work. These responsibilities can help you develop communication, organization, customer service, event support, and local-business engagement skills.
Who is it best for: Students who want to learn how a local chamber supports businesses through member relations, events, community engagement, research, and office operations.
If you live outside Boardman or just 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. Columbia Works Summer Internship Program
Location: Morrow County, Oregon
Stipend: Paid; amount varies by employer
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; approximately 10–15 interns per summer
Dates: June–August; employer-specific dates vary
Application Deadline: June 1
Eligibility: High school and college students; some positions require age 18+; position-specific requirements apply
You work with a Morrow County employer in industries that may include business, workforce development, information technology, agriculture, or other local sectors. Columbia Works combines paid workplace experience with free professional development.
Who is it best for: Students who want a paid summer placement with a Morrow County employer plus structured professional development and exposure to local business operations.
10. City of Boardman – Customer Service Assistant Intern
Location: Boardman, Oregon
Stipend: Paid, amount not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; cohort size not stated
Dates: School year, Semester 1 and/or 2; flexible weekdays
Application Deadline: April 3
Eligibility: Morrow County high school juniors/seniors; basic Word and Excel; organization, customer-service ability, strong attendance and work ethic
You support City administration through document scanning, filing and archiving, monthly bill preparation, bulk-mail preparation, telephone service, and assistance to members of the public. The role gives you practical experience with records management, administrative workflows, customer service, and public-sector office operations.
Who is it best for: Students who want office-administration and customer-service experience while learning how a municipal government handles records, billing support, correspondence, and public inquiries.
11. SummerWorks Youth Internship Program
Location: Washington and Multnomah counties, Oregon
Stipend: $18/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; cohort size not stated
Dates: Short-term placements; up to 160 hours or 12 weeks; worksite dates vary
Application Deadline: Ongoing interest form; opportunities offered as places become available
Eligibility: Ages 16–24; residents of Washington or Multnomah County; position-specific requirements may apply
You gain hands-on experience with a regional employer while building practical workplace and professional skills; the specific responsibilities depend on the available placement. Short-term paid work experiences offer up to 160 hours or 12 weeks of work at $18/hour. Business-oriented opportunities may include office, customer service, communications, sales, or operational work, depending on available placements.
Who is it best for: Students who want a paid, short-term introduction to the workplace and would value choosing among changing employer opportunities, including business and administrative roles.
12. City of Irrigon – City of Irrigon Assistant Clerk Internship
Location: Irrigon, Oregon
Stipend: Paid, amount not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; cohort size not stated
Dates: School year; flexible weekdays
Application Deadline: April 3
Eligibility: Morrow County high school juniors/seniors; basic Word and Excel; customer-service and multitasking ability; strong attendance, work ethic, and organization
You support City administration with records scanning and filing, monthly bill and bulk-mail preparation, public inquiries, and weekly updates to City social media. The work can build office administration, records management, communication, customer service, and basic digital communications skills.
Who is it best for: Students who want hands-on municipal office experience combining clerical administration, customer service, records management, billing support, and social media.
13. Columbia River Health – Admin Support / Front Office Intern
Location: Boardman, Oregon
Stipend: Paid, amount not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; cohort size not stated
Dates: School year, Semester 1 and/or 2; flexible weekdays
Application Deadline: April 14
Eligibility: Morrow County high school juniors/seniors; enrolled in Morrow County Internship Program; strong attendance and work ethic; integrity, compassion, and accountability
You work with front-office and revenue-cycle staff on patient paperwork, copying, faxing, mailing, filing, patient flow, event setup, and other clerical duties. The position gives you experience with administrative processes and customer-facing office work in a healthcare organization.
Who is it best for: Students who want business-administration and front-office experience in healthcare, particularly patient-facing clerical work and day-to-day office operations.
14. Heppner Chamber of Commerce – Office Staff/Mercantile Intern
Location: Heppner, Oregon
Stipend: Paid, amount not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; cohort size not stated
Dates: School year, Semester 1 and/or 2; flexible weekdays
Application Deadline: April 3
Eligibility: Morrow County high school juniors and seniors
You get exposure to both Chamber operations and the Willow Creek Economic Development Group, including the community-grant lifecycle and event planning. You also help with member communications, Chamber events, visitor assistance, the Chamber boutique, and tourism information, building business-support, communication, organization, and customer-service skills.
Who is it best for: Students who want experience with chamber operations, local economic development, event planning, member communications, tourism, and community-facing business support.
Can a business internship help with your college applications?
A business internship can give you concrete experiences to discuss in your college application’s activities section or essays. Depending on your responsibilities, you might reflect on handling financial information, supporting customers, or contributing to an organization’s operations. Explaining what you learned can connect practical responsibility with your developing academic interests.
How do you apply for a business internship?
Start with the official application instructions, including eligibility, deadlines, and required materials. Prepare examples of your interest in business, such as a school enterprise, fundraising responsibility, or a project involving financial information. Allow time to assemble the required documents and complete any additional steps, since the process varies by placement.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Will I need spreadsheet or banking knowledge before I start?
Some roles expect existing knowledge, including entry-level Excel or an understanding of debits, credits, and currency counting. Other entries emphasize communication, organization, and work habits without listing those particular technical prerequisites, so the expected starting knowledge differs across the list.
2. Can I explore the business side of agriculture?
Yes, the list includes an agricultural business-analysis placement and broader local employer programs that can include agriculture. Depending on the placement, you may work with commodity or cattle data, inventory spreadsheets, operational reporting, or quality-assurance processes.
3. How much does the length of an internship vary across the list?
The list spans weeklong residential work, short-term placements, school-year roles, and internships that generally last 12 months. Schedules vary by placement, including flexible weekdays and full-time summer work. For an eight-week remote startup experience, Ladder Internships offers real projects with a manager.
4. Can only juniors and seniors participate?
No, the list combines roles for local juniors and seniors with programs using broader high school eligibility or an age range of 16–24. Some age-based options also include recent alums, while individual placements may set additional requirements.