15 Consulting Internships for High School Students in Montana
If you are a high school student interested in consulting, an internship can be a worthwhile way to explore this field in great detail. Consulting internships give you the opportunity to build analytical thinking, strengthen your resume, and gain exposure to how organizations solve complex business problems. By working on real projects, you can improve skills such as research, data analysis, communication, and structured problem-solving – qualities that colleges and employers consistently value. Consulting internships for high school students in Montana allow you to explore how strategic recommendations are developed and presented, whether for businesses, nonprofits, or startups. These experiences can also help you validate your academic interest in consulting-related careers before committing to a college major or making a long-term career decision.
To look at what consulting internships are on offer in other states, find Louisiana’s offerings here, and Minnesota ones here!
Why should I do a Consulting Internship in Montana?
As a high school student in Montana, you can find consulting internships that focus on solving real business or organizational challenges under professional guidance. These opportunities may involve tasks such as market research, competitor analysis, strategic planning, or process improvement projects for startups, nonprofits, or consulting-focused programs. Many consulting internships for high school students in Montana are offered virtually, allowing you to collaborate with mentors and teams across the country while developing core consulting skills. Montana-based students can still access meaningful consulting-related experiences through programs that focus on market research, competitive analysis, operational strategy, and client problem-solving.After evaluating accessibility, mentorship quality, and relevance to consulting work, we’ve put together the list of 15 consulting internships for high school students in Montana that are open to a diverse range of applicants.
Quick Look
15 programs total spanning public diplomacy, digital strategy, market research, and remote startup work, hosted by organizations including the U.S. Department of State, the Smithsonian, and several fully remote startup-matching platforms
Most programs are fully remote, reflecting Montana's limited local consulting infrastructure, including Ladder, PHC Group, EnergyMag, BUILDING-U, BSD Education, Interns4Good, VenturEd, SparkCampus, and Spark SMP
The Snider SELF Experience at the University of Maryland is the only program on this list that awards college-level coursework credit, culminating in a venture pitch presentation similar to a consulting deliverable
Several programs are specifically local to Montana communities, including the Mansfield Center High School Internship (statewide) and the Carbon County Youth Internship Program (Red Lodge area)
Costs vary from fully free options like the Mansfield Center, Forward Montana Fellowship, EnergyMag, and Interns4Good to Ladder Internships, which starts at $2,490 with financial aid available
1. Mansfield Center High School Internship Program
Location: Montana (in person; some flexibility is provided depending on the program)
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified; placement based on interest and availability
Dates: 5 - 8 weeks (short-term; schedules vary depending on the program)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Outstanding Montana high school students interested in public diplomacy and international affairs
The Mansfield Center High School Internship Program allows high school students to gain hands-on experience with public diplomacy and international exchange through project-based work with Mansfield Center staff. Internships are flexible and can be scheduled after school, during the summer, or occasionally during evenings or weekends, depending on the program area. Your work may involve research support, program coordination, event preparation, or contributing to initiatives focused on global engagement and policy education. The internship is flexible and is often customized based on your interests and availability, allowing a more tailored learning experience. Through this program, you build research, communication, and analytical skills while gaining insight into policy-focused and advisory work relevant to consulting, public affairs, and international studies.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote (you can work from anywhere in the world)
Cost/Stipend: Starting at $2,490 (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
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; winter: November)
Eligibility: Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can work for 8 - 12 weeks, devoting 10 - 20 hours/week
Ladder Internships is a selective, remote internship program that allows students to work with high-growth startup companies on real consulting and business projects. You are matched with a startup based on your interests and skills, with opportunities across consulting, marketing, journalism, health tech, AI/ML, and other business-related fields. Throughout the internship, you contribute to meaningful projects such as market research, competitor analysis, operational planning, or strategic recommendations. You receive close mentorship from both a startup manager and a dedicated ladder coach who supports your professional development. The program concludes with a formal presentation of your work to the company, giving you experience in client-style communication, structured problem-solving, and professional accountability.
3. Carbon County Youth Internship Program (RLACF)
Location: Carbon County, Montana (primarily Red Lodge area; in person)
Cost/Stipend: Paid opportunities available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified; placements depend on available host organizations
Dates: Summer (internship length varies depending on the placement)
Application Deadline: Rolling (based on internship availability)
Eligibility: Open to high school students in Carbon County, Montana
The Carbon County Youth Internship Program, facilitated by the Red Lodge Area Community Foundation (RLACF), allows students to gain real-world work experience by working as interns with local organizations and businesses. Internships are designed to support career readiness and help you explore vocational pathways through hands-on responsibilities rather than just observation. Available roles vary each summer and may include positions in education, museum operations, technology support, or community programs. The program emphasizes flexibility, offering paid placements and schedules that accommodate student availability. Alongside on-the-job experience, you receive career readiness materials and access to additional employment resources across Montana. Through this program, you gain practical skills, build local professional connections, and gain exposure to career pathways within your community.
4. Pathways Internship Programs – U.S. Department of State
Location: Varies depending on the role (students may apply to locations that are near them)
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on the post.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified | placements depend on available host organizations
Dates: Varies depending on the track and posting | Internship Experience Program (IEP): runs for the length of the academic program | Internship Temporary Program (ITEP): seasonal, holiday, or year-round placements
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the location and role
Eligibility: Students must be at least 16 years old by the application closing date and maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0The Pathways Internship Programs allow students to gain hands-on experience within the U.S. federal government while exploring careers related to public policy, international relations, and public service. Depending on your placement, you may work in offices such as the Department of State, Environmental Protection Agency, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or the Office of the General Counsel. Your responsibilities typically involve supporting day-to-day operations, research, administrative tasks, or policy-related projects under professional supervision. The program offers two tracks: the Internship Experience Program (IEP), which may include eligibility for non-competitive promotions and federal benefits, and the Internship Temporary Program (ITEP), which provides short-term or seasonal experience. Through these internships, you develop professional skills, learn how government agencies operate, and gain insight into careers related to public service and policy.
5. Forward Montana High School Fellowship
Location: Lubrecht Forest, Montana (in-person) plus remote components
Cost/Stipend: None; $500 stipend provided upon successful completion
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified | placements depend on available host organizations
Dates: July 8 - 11 (in-person retreat) with additional remote/asynchronous work afterward
Application Deadline: May 30
Eligibility: Open to high school students during the summer term
The Forward Montana High School Fellowship is a short-term, project-based program focused on civic engagement, leadership, and community problem-solving. You begin by participating in an in-person retreat at Lubrecht Forest, where you engage in discussions and activities focused on community organizing, relationship building, and equity. The program uses interactive, project-based civic education tools to help you analyze real issues and develop actionable ideas. Outside of the retreat, you complete additional work remotely, applying what you’ve learned within your own community. While not a traditional consulting internship, the fellowship builds transferable skills in research, strategic thinking, collaboration, and presenting solutions – making it relevant for students interested in consulting, public policy, or social impact work.
6. PHC Group – Mary Miller Summer Program
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend provided (exact amount not specified)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified; placements depend on available host organizations
Dates: June - August (tentative, based on last year’s timeline)
Application Deadline: To be announced
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors with U.S. work authorization
The PHC Group – Mary Miller Summer Program is a remote internship designed for high school students interested in business, communications, and digital strategy. During the program, you support the PHC group team with social media strategy, online engagement, performance tracking, and participating in client-facing planning meetings. You also conduct social marketing research and contribute to discussions involving campaign trends, analytics, and digital outreach. The internship emphasizes collaboration and creative problem-solving, encouraging you to validate new approaches to community building and digital communication. Throughout the experience, you are guided by the public health director while developing skills in content creation, data-informed decision-making, and professional stakeholder communication.
7. Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC) Internships
Location: Virtual and Washington, DC (varies depending on the internship)
Cost/Stipend: None; modest stipend provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified; placements depend on available host organizations
Dates: Varies depending on the term (spring, summer, and fall offerings when available)
Application Deadline: Varies by term (future opportunities typically posted from January to February)
Eligibility: Varies depending on the internship; age and educational requirements are listed for each role
SSEC internships allow students to support national and global STEM education initiatives rather than laboratory or museum-based research. Depending on the role, you work on projects focused on curriculum development, digital learning resources, educator professional development, communications, or program support. Through this experience, you gain insight into how large education-focused organizations design, implement, and scale educational programs. Internships emphasize collaboration, project-based work, and exposure to nonprofit operations in the education sector. You typically work alongside SSEC staff and contribute to initiatives that directly impact K-12 science education, with applications submitted through the Smithsonian Online Academic Appointment System (SOLAA).
8. EnergyMag – Virtual Internship in Energy Research & Analysis
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Free to participate; unpaid internship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified; placements depend on available host organizations
Dates: Half-time option: 2 - 8 weeks in summer (approximately 20 hours per week) | quarter-time option: 1 - 9 months, year-round (approximately 8 hours per week)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions (check the website for updated information)
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a GPA above 3.25 | at least one honors science or English course recommended
This virtual internship is designed for high school students interested in business-oriented research and energy markets. You work on a real-world project researching a company, market trend, or emerging energy technology within the renewable energy storage sector. The program emphasizes applied skills such as industry research, stakeholder outreach, and professional report writing under the guidance of a dedicated mentor. You learn how to synthesize information from diverse sources and translate those findings into structured, publishable insights. While the internship is unpaid, producing a publishable report earns you a formal letter of accomplishment summarizing your key contributions and performance.
9. BUILDING-U High School Internship
Location: Remote (open to students worldwide)
Cost/Stipend: Free to participate (unpaid)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified; placements depend on available host organizations
Dates: Year-round; internships typically last 3 months or longer
Application Deadline: Rolling (email-based application)
Eligibility: Open to high school students in grades 9 - 12
The BUILDING-U High School Internship is a fully remote, project-based program where students work on real business challenges within a student-led organization focused on creating free educational resources for high school students. You join one of several functional teams, such as resource R&D, marketing, business & development, coding, social media analytics, or data privacy, each focused on addressing specific organizational needs. Your work may involve researching and writing program listings, analyzing marketing data, supporting partnerships, developing web projects, or creating digital content. Teams are globally distributed, giving you experience collaborating with peers from different countries and backgrounds. In addition to technical and project skills, you build teamwork, communication, and decision-making skills by contributing to ideas across teams and participating in cross-functional meetings.
10. BSD Education & Young Founders School High School Internship Program
Location: Remote with global host companies
Cost/Stipend: Not specified (may vary depending on the school partnership or sponsorship; check application details)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified; placements depend on available host organizations
Dates: 4 - 6 weeks (minimum commitment of 4 hours per week)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Open to high school students | eligibility may vary depending on the school partnership or cohort
This high school internship program allows students to gain real-world work experience by collaborating with startups and companies from around the world. You begin by completing short online preparatory courses before being matched to a project aligned with your chosen career group in business, finance, healthcare, or technology. During the internship, you work on practical, project-based assignments that help you develop professional skills that include communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. You receive guidance and mentorship from experienced professionals while exploring different career paths in a structured environment. The program concludes with a final presentation, giving you the opportunity to showcase your work and gain professional experience that can strengthen your resume and future applications.
11. Interns4Good – Nonprofit Internship Program
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified; placements depend on available host organizations
Dates: Year-round; length and weekly hours vary depending on the placement
Application Deadline: Rolling (applicants typically hear back within one week)
Eligibility: Open to high school students in grades 9 - 12
Interns4Good connects students with remote internships at mission-driven nonprofit organizations across the U.S. Depending on organizational needs, you may work in areas such as marketing, graphic design, communications, video editing, or social media management. Once you are placed, you complete weekly assignments, submit progress reports, and receive feedback from nonprofit supervisors. The program offers flexibility, with schedules and responsibilities tailored to meet both the intern and the host organization’s needs. You may also contribute to Interns4Good-led initiatives such as tutoring, curriculum development, or blogging. Through this experience, you gain practical skills, verified service hours, and resume-building experience entirely online.
12. VenturEd High School Fellowship
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: No cost
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified; placements depend on available host organizations
Dates: 8 weeks (exact dates vary)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
The VenturEd High School Fellowship allows students to intern for eight weeks remotely with a Silicon Valley startup. You are matched to a company based on your interests and skills, with responsibilities that may include digital marketing, product design, data analysis, or operations. Training is built into the program, ensuring you are supported as you take up professional tasks. You also receive mentorship from entrepreneurs and industry practitioners who guide you through workplace expectations. Weekly sessions focus on career readiness, college planning, and professional development, making the experience accessible to students from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds interested in business.
13. SparkCampus Internship Program (SparkPrintz)
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Paid (performance-based compensation; exact details not specified)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified; placements depend on available host organizations
Dates: July 6 - August 10 (5 weeks; summer term)
Application Deadline: Closed for the current summer term (future cohorts may open)
Eligibility: Open to high school students
The SparkCampus Internship is a five-week, accelerated virtual program that introduces students to business entrepreneurship within the apparel industry while working with a fast-growing startup. You participate in weekly workshops focused on sales, marketing, and entrepreneurship, and hear from guest speakers who share key insights across industries. The program emphasizes applied learning, allowing you to practice strategies by negotiating real-world deals with clients. You also engage in networking activities and collaborate with a cohort of motivated peers from different schools. Throughout the experience, you build practical business skills, expand your professional network, and gain resume-ready experience in a remote startup environment.
14. Spark Summer Mentorship Program (SPARK SMP)
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: No cost; some projects offer stipends
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified; placements depend on available host organizations
Dates: 8 - 12 weeks (typically between May and August)
Application Deadline: April 22
Eligibility: High school students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents living in the U.S.
The Spark Summer Mentorship Program connects students with mentors from universities, research institutions, and industry to work on structured, project-based assignments aligned with their interests. While the program spans multiple STEM areas, you can pursue business-oriented tracks such as competitive analysis, market research, or strategy-focused projects. Your work involves collecting and analyzing data, evaluating organizational approaches, and preparing written or presentation-based deliverables similar to consulting tasks. Mentorship is a core element, with professionals providing regular feedback and guidance on applying concepts in real-world contexts. Over the course of the program, you gain experience managing projects, collaborating in a professional environment, and presenting project outcomes that demonstrate your analytical and problem-solving skills.
15. Snider Enterprise and Leadership Fellows (SELF) Experience – Enterprising Leader (BMGT262)
Location: University of Maryland, College Park, MD (in person with residential or commuter options) or fully virtual
Cost/Stipend: Tuition-based program (cost varies; scholarships available based on need)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified; placements depend on available host organizations
Dates: July 12 - 31
Application Deadline: Varies (application through Terp Young Scholars required)
Eligibility: Innovative and motivated high school students accepted into the Terp Young Scholars program
The Snider Enterprise and Leadership Fellows (SELF) Experience is a selective summer program that immerses students in entrepreneurship and leadership through a college-level course at the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business. You work in teams to tackle real-world problems, applying real-world concepts in strategy, marketing, economics, and personal finance while building a personal leadership plan. Throughout the program, you collaborate with faculty and business executives, receiving feedback as you validate your ideas and refine solutions. The experience concludes in a venture pitch presentation that replicates entrepreneurial and consulting-style deliverables. Offered both in person and online, SELF emphasizes self-discovery, structured problem-solving, and professional communication, which are key skills that translate well for future consulting, business, or entrepreneurial pathways.
Questions Students Often Ask About These Programs
Most of these programs are remote since I'm in Montana. How do I know if a remote consulting-style internship is worth doing compared to waiting for an in-person opportunity?
Remote programs like Ladder, VenturEd, and BSD Education still place you on real projects with real deliverables and mentor feedback, which builds the same core consulting skills, research, analysis, and client-style presentation, that an in-person program would. Given how limited in-person consulting options are in Montana specifically, a well-structured remote program is often the more realistic and equally valuable path.
I'm interested in public policy or government work rather than private business consulting. Are there options here for that?
Yes. The Mansfield Center High School Internship Program focuses specifically on public diplomacy and international affairs, and the U.S. Department of State's Pathways Internship Programs place you in federal offices working on policy-related projects. Both build the same analytical and research skills as a business consulting internship, just applied to public sector problems.
A few of these, like SparkCampus and BSD Education, are paid or performance-based while others are entirely free. Does the paid status affect how legitimate or valuable the experience is?
Not necessarily. Free programs like Interns4Good and BUILDING-U still involve real weekly deliverables and mentor feedback, and are run by established remote internship platforms. Paid or performance-based programs like SparkCampus tend to involve more direct client interaction, such as negotiating real deals, which can offer a more intensive experience, but the free options are equally legitimate for building a consulting-style resume, especially if budget is a concern.