12 Business Internships for High School Students in Boston, Massachusetts

If you’re a high school student interested in business , business internships are a great way to gain practical experience, build new skills, and start exploring future career paths. You don’t need to be set on a specific career in business to benefit from these internships. In fact, business internships can be broad and versatile. Many roles focus on transferable skills—like communication, collaboration, problem-solving, and leadership—that are useful no matter where you end up. If you’re based in Boston, you’re in luck! 

From startups to established companies, and nonprofit organizations to local government programs, Boston offers a wide range of opportunities that can let you explore what business looks like in different settings.

In this blog, we’ve rounded up 12 business internships for high school students in Boston. These programs will not only help you boost your resume and college applications but also give you a head start in understanding what it takes to thrive in the professional world.

1. Bank of America Student Leaders

Location: The program is held all across the country – you will be assigned a local non-profit organization to work with in your region/area. The Leadership Summit will be held in Washington, DC.
Stipend: It is a paid internship, but no information is available on the exact amount. The trip to Washington, DC is covered by the bank!
Dates:  8-week summer internship, including an all-expenses-covered week-long Student Leadership Summit in Washington, DC. Dates vary by location, but the internship usually begins shortly after the school year ends
Application Deadline: Applications open in October and typically close in January
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors are eligible to apply. See all eligibility criteria here

Every year, the Bank of America Student Leaders Program selects about 300 driven, community-minded high schoolers for a paid eight-week internship with nonprofits like Boys and Girls Clubs of America and Habitat for Humanity. A highlight of this selective program is the week-long Student Leadership Summit in Washington, DC, where travel, food, and lodging are fully covered. At the summit, you’ll explore how nonprofits, governments, and businesses work together to meet community needs, giving you the tools and inspiration to create change.

2. Ladder Internships - Business Track

Location:  Virtual! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Cost: Varies according to program type
Dates: 8-week programs with multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year, varies with the cohort
Eligibility: Open to all high school students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. These internships are also open to undergraduates and gap year students!

Ladder Internship gives high school students the opportunity to intern with start-ups and nonprofits across industries like tech, healthcare, business, and more. You can choose a field that matches your interests and work on projects, presenting your work at the end of the program. You will be guided by both a startup manager and a Ladder Coach, gaining experience while learning to navigate the startup world. With a strong focus on work and structured coaching, past interns have created pitch decks, marketed new products, conducted market research, and more. 

3. CLA High School Internship Program

Location: Various locations across the US, including Massachusetts. See all available locations here.
Stipend: It is a paid opportunity, but information on the exact amount is not available
Dates: 8 weeks, typically from mid-June to August
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in January
Eligibility: High school students aged 16-18 years can apply

The CLA High School Internship Program is a four-week paid opportunity for students interested in accounting and professional services. You will gain experience in tax preparation, financial analysis, and audit procedures while applying your knowledge. You'll work alongside experienced professionals, strengthening analytical and problem-solving skills. You will complete a team case study, explore different roles within the firm, and connect with mentors and peers.

4. Emma Bowen Foundation Internship

Location: Various locations across the U.S., including Boston, Massachusetts
Stipend: Varies depending on EBF partner organizations
Dates: 8 weeks from late May to early June
Application Deadline: Early January
Eligibility: U.S. high school senior; cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0; student of color (Asian, American Indian/Alaskan Native, Black, Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, Hispanic/Latino, or Multi-Racial) 

The Emma Bowen Foundation Summer Internship is an 8-week paid opportunity for high school seniors and college students of color interested in business, media, tech, and related fields. Fellows are placed with leading partner companies to gain experience in roles such as production, journalism, engineering, PR, marketing, business strategy, and more. Many interns return across multiple summers, deepening their experience and professional network. The program also includes career coaching, mentorship, and workshops, helping you build skills, explore career paths, and strengthen future job or college applications through industry exposure.

5. High School Business Internship with PNNL

Location: Multiple PNNL locations across the country, with virtual options available too.
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Dates: During the academic year (August through May)
Application Deadline: Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so it is recommended to apply as soon as they open in early February
Eligibility: All high school students are eligible to apply

The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) offers high school students the chance to intern during the academic year, gaining business experience while earning elective credits through their school’s Work-Based Learning Program. You will work four hours a day, five days a week, and are paired with mentors from PNNL’s business and administrative departments. In addition to these responsibilities, you will participate in leadership development activities and workshops that build professional skills and confidence. This structured internship offers exposure to the business side of a leading national research laboratory.

6. Fidelity Investments – Summer Internship

Location: Fidelity Investments, Boston, Massachusetts
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Dates: 5 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: TBA
Eligibility: Female high school students

The Fidelity Investments Summer Internship is a five-week program that introduces high school students to core areas of finance, including investment strategies, portfolio management, and financial analysis. Interns take part in projects that develop skills like communication, critical thinking, and risk assessment. You’ll collaborate closely with finance professionals, gaining exposure and mentorship from experts in the field. Whether you're considering a future in asset management, financial advisory, or investment banking, this internship offers a strong foundation and valuable insight into potential career paths.

7. Today’s Interns, Tomorrow’s Professionals (TIP) Internship Program

Location: Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, Boston, Massachusetts
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Dates: It depends on the opportunity you apply for. Click here to know more
Application Deadline: Depends on the opportunity you apply for. Click here to know more
Eligibility: High school students who have completed their sophomore year in Boston Public Schools

Today’s Interns, Tomorrow’s Professionals (TIP) is a paid summer internship program for income-eligible high school students in Greater Boston, hosted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston in partnership with the Boston Private Industry Council (PIC). The program provides work experience, career coaching, and skill-building workshops focused on workplace readiness and financial literacy. Interns are placed in departments across the Bank and mentored by professionals in the field. Top-performing students may be invited to continue in year-round roles for up to three years.

8. Young Founders Lab 

Location: Virtual, with live, interactive workshops
Cost: The total cost to attend the 4-week program is $2900. There is need-based financial aid
Dates: Typically 4 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: Applications typically close mid-May
Eligibility: The program is currently open to all high school students

The Young Founder’s Lab is a startup bootcamp created by Harvard entrepreneurs, designed to help high school students build real, revenue-generating businesses. As a participant, you’ll develop a startup that solves a problem while receiving mentorship from experienced professionals at companies like Google, Microsoft, and X. In addition to working on your startup, you’ll attend interactive classes on business fundamentals, take part in case studies, panel discussions, workshops, and more. It’s a great way to explore business theory and practice early on and build entrepreneurial skills in a collaborative, hands-on environment.

9. Communications & Marketing Intern, Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC)

Location: Virtual
Cost: No cost.
Dates: 10 weeks, May to August.
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old can apply
Note: Students can choose to intern virtually, in-person at the SSEC in Washington, DC, or in a hybrid format

This summer internship is ideal for high school students interested in exploring the communications and marketing side of business. You will contribute to projects that support and enhance the Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC) brand, helping you to develop marketing materials and assist with communication strategy, content creation, and asset management. You’ll gain experience by researching the Smithsonian’s vast network, learning how to strengthen brand identity, identify subject matter experts, and create accessible, culturally relevant content. This is a great opportunity to build skills in branding, strategic communication, and global audience engagement.

10. PHC Group’s Mary Miller Summer Program

Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Students will be paid, but the amount is not specified.
Dates: Summer (exact dates not specified)
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis
Eligibility: Rising or current high school seniors with work authorization

The Mary Miller Summer Program offers high school students a chance to build leadership, communication, and teamwork skills in a professional setting. You will take part in collaborative team projects, develop independent work, and interact with senior leadership throughout the program. Working under the guidance of the Public Health Director, you’ll assist with social media initiatives, online community engagement, and technical support. Responsibilities include attending planning meetings, researching social media trends, creating engaging content, analyzing performance, and incorporating feedback from both team members and clients to strengthen your communication and project development skills.

11. Get Girls Going Summer Incubator (Entrepreneurship Program for Black Teen Girls)

Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Cost/Stipend: Free to attend; includes mentorship and extended year-round support
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; cohort size not publicly listed
Program Dates: July 9 – August 16 (Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM)
Application Deadline: Typically in late spring (exact date varies)
Eligibility: Open to Black high school students in Boston entering 10th–12th grade in Fall 2024. Must be able to attend all programming and be interested in continuing work on your business after the summer

If you're a Black female high school student with a business idea or an interest in entrepreneurship, Get Girls Going offers a 6-week summer incubator to help you build, grow, and lead your own social enterprise. You’ll work closely with a dedicated entrepreneurship mentor and advisor while exploring how innovation can be used to address racial and gender inequities. The program focuses on developing leadership and changemaking skills through real-world business development. While not a formal internship, the program offers experience through workshops and work on your project, giving you skills and insights related to business and innovation. You’ll also continue to receive support during the school year to keep developing your venture.

12. Boston Private Industry Council (PIC) – Summer Internship Program

Location: Boston, Massachusetts (placements at local businesses, public agencies, and community organizations)
Cost/Stipend: Paid; wages vary by position and employer
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Varies; thousands of BPS students participate annually
Program Dates: Typically runs from early July to mid-August
Application Deadline: Usually in the spring (varies by employer and community organization)
Eligibility: Open to high school students enrolled in Boston Public Schools. Some placements may have additional age or grade-level requirements

This program connects students to paid internships and employment opportunities across Boston. Through a partnership between the City of Boston, the Boston Public Schools, and the Boston Private Industry Council (PIC), students are placed in roles at over 200 private-sector companies and institutions, including top firms in finance, tech, healthcare, life sciences, law, and architecture. In addition to private-sector internships, the PIC collaborates with more than 60 community-based organizations and city agencies to provide subsidized jobs throughout Boston neighborhoods. These local placements help you earn income, gain skills, and explore different professional paths. Many students use these experiences as a foundation to apply for more competitive internships the following year.