15 Free Business Internships for High School Students
If you're interested in business from a young age, a free business internship is one of the best ways to explore the field while still in high school. These opportunities allow you to gain hands-on experience in areas such as entrepreneurship, finance, marketing, consulting, management, and economics without the high cost of many pre-college programs. Along the way, you can strengthen your resume, enhance your college applications, build practical workplace skills, and connect with mentors and professionals who can support your future career.
You can check out other business internships available for high-school students here!
Why should you do a business internship in high school?
Whether you're looking to develop professional skills, work on real-world projects, or learn from experienced mentors, these programs provide an excellent starting point for your journey in business. Since many of these internships are offered by leading universities, nonprofits, government agencies, and global organizations, they provide valuable real-world exposure at no cost.
Finding a high-quality business internship that is both accessible and free can be challenging, which is why we've researched for you. Below, we have listed 15 free business internships for high school students, each offering meaningful exposure to business and related fields.
Key takeaways
This list gathers 15 free business internships for high school students spanning municipal government, healthcare systems, technology companies, and UK financial institutions, with standout hosts including Microsoft, Kaiser Permanente, and the Bank of England.
Nearly all of these are genuinely free to participate in, and many pay a real hourly wage, with rates reaching up to $24 an hour at one healthcare system, making this one of the more accessible categories on this list overall.
Three of these are based in the UK rather than the U.S., so U.S.-based students should focus on the domestic options unless UK eligibility applies to them; most of the U.S.-based programs are tied to a specific city or county government, so it's worth checking residency requirements closely.
These programs are spread across many U.S. cities and counties, plus a few UK locations, so nearly all require being local to a specific area, while Ladder comes closest to being fully virtual and location-independent, with cost dependent on financial aid eligibility.
A couple of the earliest deadlines fall in early January for two of the most established programs, so it's worth starting applications well before spring.
1. Chicago Summer Business Institute (CSBI) Internship
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Stipend: Paid, amount not disclosed
Dates: 6-week summer internship program; exact dates vary annually
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: City of Chicago residents currently enrolled as high school sophomores or juniors, maintain a minimum “B” average (3.0 GPA), and have a household income below $80,000 annually
The Chicago Summer Business Institute (CSBI) is a free, six-week paid internship that immerses you in the financial sector. You will explore core topics like financial markets, economic principles, business operations, and analytics. Throughout the program, you will work 24 hours weekly at a corporate partner firm, analyze financial data, attend weekly classroom seminars, and participate in team-building activities. A unique feature of CSBI is its focus on low-income Chicago sophomores and juniors, providing a professional placement and an hourly wage without charging any program fees. Ultimately, this experience helps you develop critical skills such as workplace communication, time management, data analysis, and effective teamwork.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Cost varies depending on the program type; 100% financial aid is available / No stipend
Dates: Multiple cohorts offered in Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter (8–12 weeks each)
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; must commit 10–20 hours/week for 8 – 12 weeks
Ladder Internships is a virtual program connecting you with high-growth startups, offering full financial aid that makes it a completely free business internship for eligible high schoolers. Over eight weeks, you will explore core topics like entrepreneurship, marketing, consulting, technology, and finance. You will complete hands-on activities such as conducting market research, developing business plans, and presenting a final deliverable directly to your host company. The program's unique features include pairing you directly with top-tier startup founders and providing a dedicated Ladder coach. Throughout the process, you will learn valuable skills like strategy development, data analysis, and professional communication. This immersive experience equips you with a robust foundation for your future career without any financial burden. Apply now!
3. Microsoft Discovery Program
Location: Microsoft Office
Stipend: Paid, amount not disclosed
Dates: Atlanta: July 6 – July 31; Redmond: July 13 – August 7
Application Deadline: Late February
Eligibility: Graduating high school senior (rising college freshman) enrolling in a bachelor's degree program in the fall; live and attend high school within 50 miles of Redmond, WA, or in select Atlanta, GA school districts (Atlanta Public, DeKalb, Fulton, Cobb, and Gwinnett); completed pre-calculus, an equivalent course, or 3 consecutive years of high school math by the start of the program; Redmond applicants must be members or participants of a Microsoft-sponsored organization; legally authorized to work in the U.S.
The Microsoft Discovery Program is a four-week summer internship that gives graduating high school seniors the opportunity to work on real-world projects alongside Microsoft employees. Working in small teams, you'll gain hands-on experience while exploring disciplines such as project management, software engineering, UX design, and product development through collaborative projects, mentorship, and discussions with Microsoft professionals. The program is designed to provide insight into how one of the world's leading technology companies operates, making it a valuable opportunity even if you don't plan to pursue a technical career.
4. CLA High School Internship Program
Location: Select CLA offices nationwide (e.g., Baltimore, MD; Quincy, MA; Toledo, OH)
Stipend: Paid, amount not disclosed
Dates: June 15 – July 16
Application Deadline: March 4
Eligibility: High school students aged 16–18 years old; authorized to work in the U.S. without the need for an employment visa
This provides you with a free, fully paid business internship focused on accounting and professional services. During this four-week summer intensive, you will explore topics like audit support, tax preparation, consulting, and financial analysis. Your daily activities will include collaborating on an immersive case study developed with FBLA, shadowing professionals at client meetings, organizing real financial transactions, and participating in community impact events. A unique feature of this program is its direct placement inside a national firm, offering you authentic corporate exposure rather than passive observation. Ultimately, you will learn to analyze financial data, navigate professional business technologies, and develop essential workplace communication skills.
5. KP LAUNCH Internship
Location: Northern California and various KP offices
Stipend: 24/hour
Dates: June 15 – July 31
Application Deadline: January 9
Eligibility: Students must be 16–19 years old by June 1, be current high school students or graduating seniors, reside in a designated Northern California Kaiser Permanente service area, and be legally authorized to work in the U.S.
KP LAUNCH Internship is a paid, seven-week summer internship that allows high school students to explore the business side of healthcare while working at Kaiser Permanente. During the full-time program, you'll gain hands-on workplace experience, attend professional development workshops, participate in networking and social events, and collaborate with professionals across the organization. With placements available at Kaiser Permanente's headquarters in Northern California and other participating locations, the internship provides valuable exposure to healthcare administration, business operations, and corporate careers while earning competitive hourly pay.
6. Municipal Forum of New York and Futures and Options – Urban Leadership Fellows Program
Location: New York City, New York
Stipend: Paid internship + $500 book grant at the closing luncheon; book and technology stipend on completion; hourly wage not stated
Dates: July 7 – August 15 (tentatively)
Application Deadline: February 25
Eligibility: Graduating high school senior residing in New York City; 3.0 GPA or higher; eligibility to work in the United States; working card required for applicants under 18
In this internship, you spend six weeks working full-time inside New York City's municipal finance industry at a firm that trades, underwrites, rates, or advises on municipal securities. Before your placement begins, you complete orientations, Excel training, and business writing workshops, then attend Bond School sessions on how municipal bonds are structured and sold. During the program, you take on assigned work-based challenges, attend career-readiness and public speaking workshops, and join networking events and a field trip. You are paired with a young public finance professional as a mentor, and each intern receives a $500 book grant at the closing luncheon. The business skills you build - spreadsheet work, professional writing, and networking - carry directly into college and finance careers.
7. Fairfax County Public Schools – Capital Programs and Planning — Business Management Internship
Location: Fairfax County, Virginia
Stipend: ~$16.67/hr
Dates: July 6 – August 14
Application Deadline: April 10
Eligibility: Currently enrolled FCPS high school student or graduate enrolled in a post-secondary program; at least 16 years old by the start date; authorized to work in the U.S.
In this internship, you will support the Capital Programs and Planning division at Fairfax County Public Schools through hands-on administrative and operational projects. You will gain exposure to budgeting, resource allocation, and project management while assisting with preparations for the upcoming school year. This paid, six-week program allows you to explore the business operations behind designing and managing large-scale public school facilities. Working alongside industry professionals, you will utilize digital workflows, analyze facility data, and help optimize processes that drive capital improvement initiatives. Additionally, you will participate in weekly professional development workshops focusing on resume writing, personal finance, and workplace communication to build foundational career skills.
8. EY Foundation – Smart Futures Business and Finance
Location: Multiple locations across the United Kingdom
Stipend: Paid, amount not disclosed
Dates: 12-month program featuring up to two weeks of employability skills training and a period of paid work experience during the school holidays
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Year 12 in England or S5 in Scotland; age 16–17 during the programme; state-school attendance; recent free-school-meal, college-bursary, or Education Maintenance Allowance eligibility; GCSE English Grade 4 or Functional Skills Level 2; required Maths grades and 112 projected UCAS points
In this program, you explore accounting, consulting, and other professional-services careers through structured workplace learning. You complete paid work experience with an employer partner and participate in employability workshops, team-building activities, business-focused discussions, and networking practice. The program also pairs you with a business mentor who supports your transition toward employment, university, or a higher or degree apprenticeship. You develop communication, teamwork, problem-solving, presentation, and professional relationship-building skills while gaining insight into how organisations and client-service teams operate. The combination of practical experience, skills training, mentoring, and apprenticeship-focused guidance gives you a grounded introduction to business and finance careers.
9. Economics Awareness Council – On the Money Magazine Internship
Location: Chicago, IL
Stipend: $17.05 per hour
Dates: Summer: June 15 – July 31; Fall and Spring cohorts also available
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors and college students; City of Chicago residents only; U.S. work authorization required to work through Chicago Youth Works
The Economics Awareness Council's On the Money Magazine internship is a part-time, paid opportunity where you contribute to a by-teens, for-teens publication focused on finance and entrepreneurship. Throughout the program, you will deeply explore business topics such as financial literacy, economic trends, and entrepreneurship. Your main activities will involve researching complex financial subjects, writing a full article for the upcoming edition, conducting professional interviews, and participating in public speaking exercises. A unique feature of this program is that it is run in association with DePaul University’s Writing Center and actually pays you to participate, setting it apart from typical unpaid opportunities.
10. Bank of England – Mel Beaman Student Programme
Location: Leeds, England; two days delivered online
Cost/Stipend: One student from the cohort may receive a bursary of up to £10,000
Dates: Four-day hybrid work experience at the end of July; 12-month mentoring programme.
Application Deadline: May 18
Eligibility: Aged 16–17 and in Year 12 when applying, entering Year 13 in September; living in the Leeds area; attending, and having always attended, a UK state-funded school or college there; five GCSEs at grade 4 including English and maths; free school meals or 16–19 bursary history evidenced; household income £30,000 maximum
The Bank of England’s Mel Beaman Student Programme offers you a free, hybrid work experience designed for Year 12 students from lower social mobility backgrounds. Throughout the programme, you will explore corporate dynamics and the specific responsibilities of central banking professionals. As an intern, you will participate in online presentations, collaborate on group projects, and spend two days networking face-to-face in the Leeds office. A unique feature of this initiative is the full year of one-on-one professional mentoring and the opportunity for one standout student to receive a £10,000 bursary. By completing these activities, you will develop essential skills in teamwork, planning, and communication, alongside practical guidance for CV preparation.
11. Port of Seattle – Summer High School Internship Program
Location: Seattle and SeaTac, Washington
Stipend: Paid hourly, rate not stated
Dates: Summer Cohort: Typically an 8-week program running from late June or early July through late August; Winter Cohort: Typically a 10-week program during the winter season
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: At least 16 years old before the internship begins; currently enrolled in high school, graduated from high school no more than 12 months earlier, or enrolled in a GED completion program; authorized to work in the United States
In this internship, you join a major public agency and work inside its business operations across career focus areas including aviation operations, maritime operations, governance, community engagement, and green jobs. You complete real projects for a Port department rather than routine errands, working from SEA Airport or offices along the Seattle waterfront. You learn the Port's Code of Conduct and its communications technology while building business skills such as process improvement, project management, communications, public speaking, and leadership. Career awareness activities, including mentorship meetings, facility tours, LinkedIn 101 sessions, and resume workshops, extend your professional network.
12. Fairfax County Public Schools – ERFC Investments Internship
Location: Fairfax, Virginia
Stipend: ~$16.67/hr
Dates: July 6 – August 14
Application Deadline: April 10
Eligibility: Currently enrolled FCPS high school students and recent FCPS alumni enrolled in post-secondary programs; at least 16 years old by the start date and authorized to work in the United States
In the ERFC Investments Internship program, you explore the business operations of the Educational Employees' Supplementary Retirement System of Fairfax County. You assist the investment team with portfolio monitoring, data analysis, and financial market research to support the fund's growth. Interns review financial statements and track asset allocation performance using digital analytics tools and financial databases. You gain practical experience evaluating market trends, compliance agreements, and corporate finance workflows. As part of a defined-benefit pension system, you directly support the financial stability and retirement planning of public school employees. By working alongside seasoned portfolio managers, you build a professional foundation in institutional investing and business management.
13. Social Mobility Business Partnership – In-Person Work Insight & Skills Experience
Location: Multiple cities across the United Kingdom
Stipend: None
Dates: Multiple 5-day events across several UK cities between June, July, and October
Application Deadline: Rolling, first-come, first-served basis and closes as soon as capacity is reached
Eligibility: Year 12–13 in England and Wales, Year 13–14 in Northern Ireland, or S5–S6 in Scotland; state-funded, non-fee-paying school attendance; first-generation university applicant, recent free-school-meal eligibility, low household income, or care experience
In the In-Person Work Insight & Skills Experience program, you spend one week exploring business careers across four high-profile organisations and a professional sports club. You complete interactive business-style challenges, meet professionals, examine career routes, and work with other students on practical tasks. The programme deliberately rotates you through multiple workplaces, giving you direct exposure to different organisational cultures and professional roles within a single week. You develop communication, teamwork, leadership, creativity, problem-solving, resilience, and goal-planning skills while building confidence in professional settings. SMBP arranges and pays for required travel, provides lunch on in-person days, and gives programme alumni lifetime access to its virtual career-mentoring platform.
14. Vista Chamber of Commerce – Velocity Summer Student Internship Program
Location: Vista, California
Stipend: $16.90/hr
Dates: June 10 – August 9
Application Deadline: April 5
Eligibility: Incoming high school seniors graduating in the class next year; residence in Vista or enrollment at a school within the Vista Unified School District
In this internship, you work as a paid Vista Chamber of Commerce employee placed with a local business, nonprofit, or public agency matched to your career interests. You complete up to 100 hours of workplace experience, capped at five hours a day and 25 hours a week. You apply online, attend a chamber orientation, and interview with host companies that select their own interns, mirroring a real hiring process. Past placements have included development, events, community outreach, and administrative work at member organizations. The Vista Chamber employs you directly and pays $16.90 an hour, covering workers' compensation while your host business supplies the mentoring. You build professional communication, scheduling, and workplace conduct skills.
15. Building-U High School Internships
Location: Online
Stipend: None
Dates: Year-round with a minimum commitment of 3 months (there are no set seasonal cohorts)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12
Building-U's Online Internship Program gives you the opportunity to gain practical experience by working in a department that matches your interests, such as Business Development, Marketing, Research & Development, Coding, Social Media, Animation, or Data Privacy. During the internship, you will research student educational programs, manage Google Ad campaigns, analyze metrics using Google Analytics, and write collaborative blog articles. A unique feature of this year-round program is its structure; you step into a direct leadership role where high school teams actively guide the organization's strategic decision-making and administrative output. Through these team-based projects, you will learn highly practical skills, including marketing analysis, negotiation, teamwork, practical problem-solving, and content creation.
Questions students often ask about these internships
1. Do I need prior work experience to apply to these free business internships?
No, most of these are designed as entry points and don't expect prior work history. A strong application and genuine interest in business matter more than a resume packed with prior roles.
2. A few of these programs are based in the UK. Are they realistic options for U.S. students?
Not typically, since the UK programs require UK residency, UK school enrollment, and specific UK academic qualifications. U.S.-based students should focus on the domestic options on this list instead.
3. Most of these are tied to a specific city or county. Are any genuinely open no matter where I live?
Ladder comes closest to being fully open regardless of location, since it's virtual with financial aid available. Most of the government and municipal programs, though, do require residency in that specific city or county.