14 Business Internships for High School Students in Oregon
Doing an internship in high school is one of the best ways to build your resume, gain work experience, and figure out what you want to do for your career. You’ll develop communication and organizational skills that'll serve you well no matter which industry you eventually work in. If business is something you're drawn to, internships can help you learn about marketing, finance, entrepreneurship, and operations. An internship can also make your college applications stand out, especially if you’re applying to competitive undergraduate business schools.
What business internships are available for high school students in Oregon?
Oregon has a range of options for high schoolers looking to get into business. You'll find internships focused on marketing, management, and customer engagement at local chambers of commerce, startups, and community organizations. Your day-to-day tasks might include creating social media content, handling customer inquiries, or shadowing business owners. These experiences help you get a clearer picture of what a business career could look like, which is useful as you decide what to study in college.
We researched and narrowed down the 14 best business internships for high school students in Oregon to help you get started.
1. Oregon Business Academy (OBA) High School Intern
Location: Oregon State University (Corvallis, OR)
Stipend: $1,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 15–25 interns per session
Dates: June 21–27 or July 26–August 1
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Current high school students; previous Business Week experience preferred
As an Oregon Business Academy high school intern, you will step behind the scenes of a seven-day residential business simulation camp to help operations run smoothly. Your core responsibilities involve supporting daily program logistics, leading student check-ins, guiding group activities, and assisting company advisors. Throughout the week, you will learn about foundational business topics like entrepreneurship, marketing, finance, and operational management. The program offers a dual perspective, facilitating an experiential learning environment while providing direct mentorship from corporate professionals. By the end, you will have developed practical skills in leadership, professional communication, organizational management, and team collaboration.
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 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks
Ladder Internships is a remote internship program that places you with startups and growth-stage companies to contribute to defined business projects. 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. Project supervisors at the host organization assign tasks, provide direction, and review your work within the context of ongoing business priorities. 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!
3. Hillsboro WORKS Summer Internships
Location: Various locations across Hillsboro, OR
Stipend: $18–$29/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; approximately 50–70 students per summer
Dates: 8–10 weeks between June and August
Application Deadline: Early March
Eligibility: Local students and alumni aged 16–24
The School to Career – WORKS Internships program is a paid summer initiative coordinated by the Washington County Chamber of Commerce that places you with local businesses and organizations in Washington County, Oregon. You are matched with a host employer and assigned project-based responsibilities that reflect current operational needs within the organization. Depending on the placement, your work may involve marketing support, administrative coordination, customer engagement, research tasks, or assistance with internal processes. You contribute to defined assignments under the supervision of company staff, with expectations around deadlines, communication, and quality of output. The program connects you with professionals across industries, including small businesses, nonprofits, and regional employers.
4. Port of Portland Internship Program
Location: Port of Portland, Portland, OR
Stipend: Paid, amount not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; approximately 15–20 interns per cycle (across all departments)
Dates: Runs for 12 months; full-time during summer, part-time during the school year
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum 2.5 GPA
The Port of Portland Internship Program is a year-long internship that assigns you to a specific department supporting airport, marine, and business operations. You may work in engineering, finance, environmental services, public affairs, legal, planning, and information technology, depending on departmental needs. The internship generally runs full-time during the summer and part-time during the academic year. Your responsibilities include completing project-based tasks, assisting with research or analysis, and supporting ongoing operational work. You report to a supervisor who provides direction and reviews your assignments.
5. Morrow County High School Internship Program
Location: Port of Morrow, Boardman, OR
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately competitive; 60 interns
Dates: September – May
Application Deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: Morrow County high school juniors and seniors
The Morrow County High School Internship Program is a formal partnership designed to bridge the gap between education and the local workforce. It connects you with local businesses and organizations across healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing, finance, education, maintenance, mechanics, and information technology. You are matched with a host site based on availability. The internship involves reporting to a workplace setting, following employer guidelines, and completing assigned tasks that support daily operations. You interact with supervisors and staff while observing how teams manage schedules, safety procedures, and communication in a professional environment.
6. Bank of America Student Leaders Program
Location: Multiple locations across the US
Stipend: Paid, amount not disclosed; all expenses for Summit in Washington, D.C. are also covered
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; roughly 300 students nationwide
Dates: Typically in summer, including a July Summit
Application Deadline: January 15
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors living in an eligible area for the program; not participated in the program before; authorization to work in the U.S.
The Bank of America Student Leaders program is an eight-week summer initiative that combines a paid internship with a local nonprofit organization and a national leadership summit in Washington, D.C. You will complete assignments at a nonprofit agency in your community, assisting with daily operations and service-related activities. The program includes a week-long Student Leaders Summit where you meet other selected participants and attend sessions focused on civic leadership and public policy. During the internship, you work under the supervision of nonprofit staff and contribute to existing organizational projects. The program operates in multiple U.S. communities served by Bank of America.
7. Kaiser Permanente Business/Management Summer Internship
Location: Various KP regional offices (including the Northwest region covering Portland, OR)
Stipend: Paid hourly, rate not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; approximately 40–50 students
Dates: 7–8 weeks (typically running from mid-June to mid-August)
Application Deadline: Varies by region (typically January for CA, March/April for the NW region)
Eligibility: Current high school junior or seniors aged 16–19; legal right to work in the U.S.; residing in a designated KP service area
This internship engages you in the operational and administrative side of a major healthcare network, showing you how a large-scale medical business functions behind the scenes. You will cover topics like healthcare administration, project management, financial operations, and departmental communications. During your internship, you will analyze workflow data, manage internal databases, coordinate team meetings, and shadow business managers. The program pairs you with a dedicated corporate mentor while integrating you directly into actual business initiatives rather than simulated classroom exercises. By the end of the summer, you will develop practical skills in data analysis, professional networking, workflow optimization, and organizational leadership.
8. CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen) High School Internship Program
Location: Several locations across the US; Lake Oswego and Portland in Oregon
Stipend: Paid, amount not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; around 60–70 students
Dates: 6–8 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 and authorized to work in the U.S. without the need for an employment visa
The CLA High School Internship Program is a paid summer internship for students aged 16 to 18, placing them in business-oriented work within the professional services and accounting industries. Internships occur in select CLA offices across the United States and run for a set period during the summer months. You will complete tasks related to accounting, tax, consulting, wealth management, digital services, client service simulations, or similar business functions. Work may include participating in team projects, assisting with real client-related tasks, and contributing to group activities that reflect professional workplace expectations. The program operates on a defined schedule with set workdays and hours, and compensation is provided for work completed.
9. Columbia Works Summer Internship Program
Location: Several locations across Morrow County, OR
Stipend: Paid hourly, rate not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; approximately 10–15 interns per summer
Dates: 8 weeks between June and August
Application Deadline: May 23
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors; some positions require students to be 18+
The Columbia Works Summer Internship Program places you in paid summer internships with businesses and organizations in Morrow County across business, information technology, and workforce development. You complete job assignments with host organizations while gaining exposure to workplace operations and professional practices. The program also includes participation in a professional development workshop coordinated through Columbia Works. Internships are offered through regional employers and are part of the Oregon Works network, connecting you with opportunities to contribute to ongoing business tasks. Applications are submitted either directly to employers or through the Columbia Works application process.
10. PWA Youth Impact Council
Location: Portland Workforce Alliance, Portland, OR; virtual options available
Stipend: $200
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; typically, 15–25 students
Dates: November – May
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10–12
The PWA Youth Impact Council is a paid peer leadership role for high school students that runs a series of monthly meetings focused on advisory and career readiness work. You participate in cohort sessions where you build skills in areas such as resume writing, interviewing, networking, and professional communication. The program includes requirements like attending most meetings, completing a mock interview and resume, and working on a final project that evaluates part of PWA’s programming. You also take part in events such as the NW Youth Careers Expo and may have optional opportunities to attend board meetings or engage with additional PWA activities. Successful completion of the council’s requirements results in a stipend at the end of the term.
11. SummerWorks Youth Internship Program
Location: Portland Metro Area (Multnomah and Washington Counties, OR)
Stipend: Paid hourly, rate not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; approximately 300–600 participants annually
Dates: 8–12 weeks between July and September
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Students aged 16–24 living in Multnomah or Washington County
The SummerWorks program engages you in the reality of the local business landscape by matching you with a company in the Portland area for a paid summer job. You will cover essential business topics like workplace communication, industry-specific operations, and basic project management. During your internship, you will attend work-readiness workshops, shadow business professionals, execute administrative tasks, and collaborate on departmental projects. The program deeply integrates with local employers, pairing you with a dedicated career coach who guides your journey. By the end, you will walk away with practical skills, including professional networking, time management, and workplace problem-solving.
12. Interns 4-Good
Location: Virtual
Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; typically large cohorts
Dates: Year-round opportunities with flexible hours
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students
The Interns 4‑Good program offers remote, business-focused internships where you support nonprofit organizations with administrative and operational tasks. You may assist with areas such as finance, marketing, communications, data analysis, project management, or client relations, depending on the organization’s needs. Internships are fully virtual and allow flexible hours to fit around your school schedule. You complete assigned projects under the guidance of nonprofit staff and contribute to ongoing business functions within the organization. The program provides documentation of completed hours for your records.
13. Portland Pickles Summer Intern
Location: Portland, OR
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; approximately 25–40 interns
Dates: Summer
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students living in or willing to move to Portland, OR
The Portland Pickles summer internship engages you in the business of sports entertainment and minor league baseball. You will explore business topics like public relations, corporate partnerships, ticket sales, and fan engagement. You will execute partnership deliverables, capture social media content, and manage retail merchandise during live games. This program uniquely combines sports management with small business operations, giving you a behind-the-scenes look at live event production. Ultimately, you will walk away with robust skills in customer service, social media strategy, and operational planning.
14. Portland Banger FC / Portland Cherry Bombs FC Summer Intern
Location: Portland, OR
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; approximately 15–25 interns
Dates: May – July
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students living in or willing to move to Portland, OR
The Portland Bangers and Cherry Bombs FC summer internship engages you in the day-to-day business operations of a growing sports organization. You will gain comprehensive exposure to core business topics, including marketing, public relations, corporate partnerships, ticket sales, fan engagement, retail merchandising, broadcasting, game day operations, and data analytics. During the program, you will execute partnership deliverables, manage merchandise retail booths, and assist with social media planning. The program allows you to build a small sports business from the ground up by working directly with the Cherry Bombs, Portland's newly launched pre-professional women's soccer team. By the end of the summer, you will have developed practical, real-world skills in customer service, operational planning, and targeted sports marketing.