Updated October 2026
TL;DR
This article covers 12 business internships for high school students in Florida, with options spanning fields like accounting, entrepreneurship, government operations, and tech. They let you work with real organizations rather than just learning about business in the classroom. Most run over the summer for 4 to 12 weeks, though a couple are structured differently, including one nine-month program. Pay varies, with several offering stipends and hourly wages, while a few are unpaid or come with a fee. Two options are fully remote or virtual, but most require you to live in a specific Florida county or city.
Interested in business and wondering how to explore it outside of school? An internship can place you within real organizations, helping you see what happens behind the scenes and take part in projects rather than only learning about business in class. These internships can help you understand how different types of organizations make decisions, serve customers, manage operations, and grow. As an intern, you might help with marketing, research, customer outreach, operations, or other day-to-day tasks. The experience can also help you explore different academic and career paths within business before college.
Why should you do a business internship in Florida?
Florida’s mix of industries makes it a good place to explore business in settings ranging from hospitality and tourism to healthcare, technology, finance, and entrepreneurship. Within the state, you may find opportunities connected to tourism and hospitality, finance, healthcare, technology, real estate, retail, marketing, or entrepreneurship. You may also get to see how a local business or larger organization responds to the needs of its customers and community. This can help you move beyond the idea of “business” as one broad field and figure out which parts of it actually interest you.
How do you apply for a business internship?
Begin by identifying the type of business experience you want and then look closely at each program’s eligibility requirements. The requirements can vary by the exact location and industry, so some may be designed for students in a particular city, county, school district, or grade level. You may need to submit a resume, transcript, recommendation, essay, or responses about your interests and goals. For in-person internships, also consider how you will get to the workplace and whether the schedule fits with your summer or school-year commitments. Keep track of application deadlines separately because business internships across Florida may not follow the same schedule. You can use our guide to applying for a high school internship to help you strategically prepare for the application process.
To make your search as easy as possible, we have compiled a list of 12 business internships for high school students in Florida. Our selection emphasizes options that come with credible hosts, meaningful business exposure, and early networking opportunities.
If you are looking for additional learning experiences beyond Florida, check out our selection of business internships and business programs.
Quick overview
|
Program type |
Top programs |
Cost/Stipend |
Best for |
|
Professional services and corporate internships |
CLA High School Internship Program, Jimerson Birr High School Internship, Emma Bowen Foundation Fellows Program |
Free; some options come with stipends. |
Students who want a structured, paid or unpaid introduction to a professional office environment, such as accounting or law |
|
Entrepreneurship and startup programs |
Cost varies with aid available |
Students who want to build their own venture or explore startup operations through mentored projects in a fully remote or virtual format |
|
|
County & Local Government Programs |
CareerSource Tampa Bay Summer P.A.Y.S, M-DCPS Summer Youth Internship Program, Hillsborough County RISE |
Free; stipends of up to $1,200 – $1,500 or hourly pay available |
Students in specific Florida counties who want a paid local internship with structured professional skills training |
|
Specialized industry, tech, or research pathways |
FSCJ Stepping Stones, Palm Beach County Film & TV Commission Internship Program, America On Tech Tech Flex Leaders, George Mason ASSIP Business Track |
Cost: Free to $1,299 (financial aid available); stipend and unpaid options both available |
Students interested in a specific industry, such as entrepreneurship certification, film commission operations, research, or tech and AI training |
12 Business Internships for High School Students in Florida
1. CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA) High School Internship Program
Location: Multiple CLA office locations nationwide, including in Florida
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend paid (amount not specified)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not officially disclosed
Dates: June 15 – July 16
Application deadline: TBA for the next cohort
Eligibility: Students who are at least 16 at the start of the program and are authorized to work in the U.S. without requiring an employment-based visa; selected interns under 18 must submit the required work authorization papers.
CLA’s four-week high school internship lets you explore real-world work within the accounting and professional services industry through a blend of learning and hands-on experiences. You will work on a case study that serves a range of clients and industries, shadow professionals at work, and contribute to team projects that help you understand CLA's workplace culture. Throughout the summer experience, you will collaborate closely with CLA staff. This program can also be an opportunity to explore roles and pathways in accounting.
Who it's best for: Students who want a paid, hands-on introduction to accounting and professional services over the summer.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Remote! You can participate from anywhere in the world.
Cost: Varies by program type; full financial assistance available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts every year, including Fall, Summer, Spring, and Winter
Application deadline: Varies by cohort; Fall (September), Spring (January), Summer (May), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: Students who can work 10 – 20 hours/week for 8 – 12 weeks; open to high school, undergraduate, and gap year students!
Ladder Internships is a selective startup internship program for ambitious high school students! Through the program, you will work with a high-growth startup on an internship. Startups that offer internships range across a variety of industries, from AI/ML and tech/deep tech to journalism, health tech, marketing, consulting, and more. Ladder’s startups are high-growth companies that, on average, raise more than $1 million. You will work closely with a manager on real-world projects and present your work to the company. The virtual internship is usually eight weeks long. Apply now!
Who it’s best for: Students looking for opportunities to work with startups on real projects in a fully remote format.
3. Emma Bowen Foundation Fellows Program
Location: Various sites across the U.S., including in Florida
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 150 students/year (Florida-specific numbers not available)
Dates: Eight weeks (minimum) in the summer, starting in May/June; dates vary based on the hiring organization.
Application deadline: Application window: September – April; recommend submission period is January, as applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Eligibility: 12th graders who are planning to attend four-year accredited U.S. colleges or universities, have a cumulative GPA of 3.0+, are at least 18, and are authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship
The Emma Bowden Foundation Fellows Program connects high school students to paid work experiences in various fields, including business. If selected, you will spend your summer working at an organization near you. You may take up a role in human resources, sales, public relations, marketing, or other business-related areas while also receiving on-the-job training and opportunities to connect with peers and mentors. You will typically work 35 to 40 hours each week throughout the internship. The experience will additionally offer professional development workshops and one-on-one coaching.
Who it’s best for: Students looking for a mix of paid summer internship and professional development support within one program.
4. Young Founders Lab
Location: 100% virtual with live, interactive workshops
Cost: Varies depending on program type; full financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts each year, including summer, fall, winter, and spring
Application deadline: Varies by cohort; you can find the application link here.
Eligibility: High school students
The Young Founder’s Lab is a startup boot camp founded and run by Harvard entrepreneurs. In this program, you will work toward building a revenue-generating startup that addresses a complex problem. You will also have the opportunity to be mentored by established entrepreneurs and professionals from Microsoft, Google, and X. Apart from building the startup itself, you will also participate in classes on business fundamentals and business ideation, workshops and skill-building sessions, case studies, and panel discussions. This can be an opportunity to delve into the world of business in high school and explore theoretical and practical frameworks that drive business success. You can check out the brochure for more details!
Who it’s best for: Students looking for a remote opportunity focused on developing a business venture.
5. Jimerson Birr High School Internship
Location: Jimerson Birr office, Jacksonville, FL
Cost/Stipend: None specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: Four to six weeks in the summer
Application deadline: Spring; exact date not specified
Eligibility: High school students
Jimerson Birr is a commercial litigation firm that lets high schoolers explore firsthand how businesses rely on legal services over four to six weeks in the summer. At Jimerson Birr, you will work within one of the firm’s departments, with placements available in communications, marketing, accounting, IT, and legal services, and collaborate with professionals to build workplace knowledge and skills. You will work with department heads and assist with real organizational tasks. Throughout the internship, you will explore the daily responsibilities of attorneys and build an early professional network. Additionally, you will attend biweekly team meetings and work on active cases and research.
Who it’s best for: Students looking for summer work experience focused on corporate/business law.
6. CareerSource Tampa Bay Summer P.A.Y.S
Location: Various employers across Hillsborough County and Pinellas County, FL
Cost/Stipend: No cost; $15/hour stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not officially disclosed
Dates: Six weeks in the summer; dates vary by role and employer
Application deadline: Not specified; applications open in February.
Eligibility: Hillsborough or Pinellas County residents who are 16 – 24 years old and meet low-income criteria
The Summer P.A.Y.S. program connects students and young adults with paid work opportunities offered by employers across Pinellas and Hillsborough counties. You will work with a local organization, build soft skills, receive career coaching, and participate in leadership and professional development activities. You can indicate your preference for a business-focused placement within fields like marketing, IT/Tech, or management to explore real-world business operations. As a participant, you will find opportunities to enhance career readiness and build an early professional network.
Who it’s best for: Students in Pinellas and Hillsborough counties looking for paid summer internships at local organizations.
7. M-DCPS Summer Youth Internship Program
Location: Various locations across Miami-Dade County, FL
Cost/Stipend: No cost; $1,500 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Up to 10 interns/host; overall acceptance rate not specified
Dates: July 1 – August 2
Application deadline: May 8
Eligibility: Rising 10th- to 12th-graders, ages 15 – 18, enrolled in Miami-Dade County Public Schools or Charter Schools with a GPA of 2.5 or higher, who have completed the online pre-internship course; applicants must be residents of Miami-Dade County and eligible to work in the U.S.
This internship program combines classroom learning with hands-on experience by placing students directly in professional work environments in Miami-Dade County. Over the course of five weeks, you will join a local organization, build and apply skills in business, engineering, tech, or hospitality settings, and earn school credit. You can indicate your preference for a business-focused placement. While tasks can vary by site, each placement will offer opportunities for skill-building, including workplace communication, problem-solving, and time management. You will work on assignments and receive feedback from your supervisor throughout. This can also be an opportunity to start building a professional network.
Who it’s best for: Students in Miami-Dade County looking for paid business internships at local organizations.
8. Hillsborough County RISE (Redefining Internships for Student Empowerment) Internship Program
Location: Various county department offices in Hillsborough County, FL
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Eight weeks over summer break, typically starting in June; exact dates vary by department
Application deadline: March 13
Eligibility: Hillsborough County Public School juniors or graduating seniors, ages 16 and up, who are residents of Hillsborough County and have a minimum 2.0 GPA
RISE places you within a Hillsborough County government department, such as Fire Rescue, Parks and Recreation, Public Utilities, or Pet Resources, where you will be assigned a supervisor who guides you through daily tasks and evaluates your progress throughout the internship. Alongside your placement tasks, you will take a series of courses covering interviewing skills, personal finance, professionalism, and resume development. The program will also give you the chance to shadow employees in similar roles, helping you build a clearer picture of what careers in local government could look like. You will wrap up by presenting a final overview of a specific project you assisted with or an improvement recommendation for your assigned department.
Who it's best for: Hillsborough County students who want paid, hands-on exposure to how local government departments operate, along with structured professional skills training.
9. Florida State College at Jacksonville’s Stepping Stones
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Cost/Stipend: No cost; $1,200 scholarship stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly specified
Dates: Summer or Fall term (the season immediately following high school graduation)
Application deadline: Not specified; you can start by submitting an interest form, and a full application is sent if you qualify
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors from low-income, high-needs schools in the greater Jacksonville area
Stepping Stones is a workforce and employment initiative that gives graduating high schoolers a structured path toward earning an industry certification within focused tracks, which include entrepreneurship and business-adjacent areas. Within the entrepreneurship track, you will learn how to open and operate a small business and explore topics like business operations, marketing, sales, accounting, and management techniques. Upon completion of the coursework, you will be able to sit for the Entrepreneurship Small Business (ESB) certification. During the program, you will also build soft skills such as time management, financial planning, goal-setting, and problem-solving. You will have access to mentorship from FSCJ faculty, staff, and industry partners, academic advising and tutoring, and financial aid or scholarship assistance. The program will also assign a Student Success Advisor/Coach to help keep you on track and a Job Placement Coordinator to support your transition into the workforce once you complete the program.
Who it's best for: Students in Jacksonville seeking a fast, stipend-supported path to a specific industry certification and job placement.
10. Palm Beach County Film & Television Commission Internship Program
Location: Palm Beach County Film & Television Commission office, West Palm Beach, FL
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: 12 weeks (commitment of 20 hours/week); dates vary with flexible scheduling available
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students or graduates who are residents of Palm Beach County or are full-time students at local universities; current high schoolers need to submit letters of recommendation from current instructors.
Palm Beach County Film & Television Commission lets students explore the administrative and business aspects of film commission operations. As an intern, you will gain firsthand exposure to film commission policies, government permissions and insurance regulations, and resources available for film professionals. Your schedule will include assisting with daily film commission activities, working on special research projects, and learning how to work within a professional environment. Upon completion, you will receive a final evaluation from the FTC staff.
Who it’s best for: Students interested in exploring and assisting the daily operations and inner workings of Film and Television commissions.
11. America On Tech Tech Flex Leaders (Miami)
Location: Miami, FL (hybrid; in-person sessions held in Downtown Miami)
Cost/Stipend: No cost to participate; stipend awarded upon successful completion
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not officially disclosed
Dates: Fall semester: September 7 – December 7 + Demo Day: December 17 | Spring semester: January 18 – May 3 + Graduation: May 13; summer internship dates vary by role
Application deadline: Priority deadline: July 5 | Final deadline: August 17
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors or seniors who are residents of Miami-Dade or Broward County (graduating seniors are not eligible)
Tech Flex Leaders is a nine-month program that introduces you to web development and emerging AI tools through weekly technical training and professional development sessions. In your first semester, you will learn HTML, CSS, and Bootstrap while getting an introduction to foundational AI concepts, building toward a Demo Day Competition where top teams present their final web projects to a panel of judges. In your second semester, you will choose a specialized track, such as Advanced Web Development, UX Design, Digital Marketing, Product Management, or Data Science, with business-focused tracks blending tech and core operations. As a participant, you will be eligible to apply for select internship roles through AOT's employer partner network as they become available. Most sessions are held virtually over Zoom, though you will need to attend in-person sessions, including orientation, select technical sessions, and the Demo Day and Graduation events, at least three times each semester.
Who it’s best for: Miami-area students who want a free introduction to tech and AI during the school year and a chance to secure a paid summer internship.
12. George Mason University Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP): Business Track
Location: Virtual option available
Cost/Stipend: $25 application fee + $1,299 tuition for three course credits (fee waivers available); no stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not officially disclosed
Dates: June 18 – August 12 (eight weeks)
Application deadline: February 15
Eligibility: High school or undergraduate students who are at least 15 years old for remote internships or 16+ years old for in-person/wet-lab opportunities
George Mason’s ASSIP is an eight-week opportunity to explore the world of business through mentored research projects. Within a business-focused placement, you may contribute to research focused on corporate finance, the economics of AI, market structure, blockchain, investments, or financial technologies, depending on your mentor’s active project. During the program, you will learn how to review existing literature, work with research tools, and practice scientific writing and formal communication. You will also learn about possible career paths through discussions with researchers and industry professionals. You will leave with three college credits.
Who it’s best for: Students interested in exploring finance or business through hands-on research under a mentor's guidance.
What skills can you pick up in business internships?
The skills you develop will depend on the organization, but you might work on marketing research, presentations, communication, sales, customer service, financial tasks, or project coordination. Some internships may introduce you to tools used for organizing information or analyzing business data, while others may give you more experience communicating with customers or working on promotional projects. You can also learn how businesses divide responsibilities, meet deadlines, and make decisions as part of a team.
Can a business internship help with your college applications?
A business internship can help you build a more specific story around your interest in business, especially if you are still deciding whether you want to study areas such as finance, marketing, management, entrepreneurship, or another related subject. Here’s how business internships can make a difference to your profile while applying to colleges:
Demonstrate your understanding of business beyond the classroom: An internship can offer you the chance to discuss something you observed or worked on that gave you a different perspective from what you had learned in school.
Highlight responsibility: If you were trusted with a project, client interaction, research task, or other responsibility, you can explain what you learned from being accountable for that work. A marketing campaign, customer interaction, research assignment, or business problem can give you a concrete example to discuss in an essay or interview.
Connect the experience to future plans: If the internship helped you identify a potential major, career path, or business area, such as marketing, finance, operations, or entrepreneurship, you want to explore further, you can discuss that progression.
Need a few more tips? Check out our guide to using your internship to boost college applications.
What students wonder about these business internships
1. Will you work on real business tasks, or mostly shadow and observe professionals?
Most of these internships involve direct, hands-on work, such as assisting with active projects, research, or department tasks, rather than just shadowing. That said, the balance between shadowing and hands-on responsibility can vary depending on your specific placement and host organization.
2. How much do these internships pay, and is there a cost to apply?
Pay varies widely across the list. Several internships offer a stipend, with amounts ranging from about $1,200 to $1,500, or hourly pay around $15/hour. A few are unpaid, and at least one requires a tuition payment in exchange for college credit.
3. Will you work on your own independent project, or support work that's already underway?
This depends on the program. Some place you within an existing team or department where you contribute to ongoing work, while others are structured around building something of your own, such as a startup or business venture, from the ground up. If you want to work on a real startup project, Ladder Internships can connect you to organizations for a fully virtual internship experience.
4. Are these internships open to students across all grade levels, or mostly limited to juniors and seniors?
Eligibility differs by program. Some are limited to rising juniors, seniors, or graduating seniors, while others are open more broadly to any high schooler, so it's worth checking each program's specific age and grade requirements before applying.