15 Business Internships for High School Students in New York
For high school students looking to learn beyond the classroom, internships offer a practical way to build experience, strengthen their resume, and explore potential career paths before college. By working in professional environments, you can develop transferable skills such as professional communication, teamwork, organization, and problem-solving, skills that are highly valued by recruiters. Business internships are especially useful if you want early exposure to how organizations operate, whether that involves working with clients, supporting outreach projects, analyzing data, or contributing to marketing and operations. These experiences can help you better understand your interests and make more informed decisions about future academic and career goals.
What business internships are available for high school students in New York?
High school students in New York have great opportunities to explore business before they graduate, including shadowing finance teams and helping with local marketing campaigns. These experiences are valuable because they let you test a career, build a professional network, and pick up practical skills that aren't taught in a standard classroom. Whether it is learning the ropes at massive accounting and consulting firms like PwC and CliftonLarsonAllen, getting an inside look at Wall Street with major banks like JPMorgan Chase, or exploring the corporate side of media giants like NBCUniversal, you get to see how companies operate.
If you are based in New York and interested in the business side of things, we have gathered 15 business internships for high school students in New York to help you get started.
1. NYC Ladders for Leaders
Location: New York City (All five boroughs)
Stipend: At least $16.50/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; 450+ students annually
Dates: 6 weeks between July and August
Application Deadline: Typically early to mid-January
Eligibility: Students ages 16–24, NYC residents, legally allowed to work in the U.S., enrolled in high school or college, with prior work or volunteer experience
In this program, you will dive directly into the corporate business world by working at leading companies and agencies across New York City. During the program, you will cover essential business topics like corporate administration, marketing strategies, workplace etiquette, and financial literacy. You will attend pre-employment training, execute project-based corporate assignments, manage weekly timesheets, and participate in mock interviews. The program integrates with the Summer Youth Employment Program, offering direct placement into high-level corporate environments. Ultimately, you will learn critical professional skills, including resume writing, corporate communication, time management, and interview techniques.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Cost varies depending on the program type; financial aid available / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 10%; 70–100 students
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
In the Ladder Internship Program, you step directly into the business world by working remotely with high-growth startups across industries like finance, tech, and marketing. You cover core corporate topics such as market research, product strategy, and business operations. During the program, you will conduct competitor analysis, draft go-to-market strategies, and present a final business deliverable to the company's leadership. The program's unique feature is that you receive one-on-one mentorship directly from startup founders who have backgrounds at elite firms like McKinsey or Google and a dedicated Ladder Coach. Ultimately, you learn highly practical corporate skills, including project management, professional communication, and strategic problem-solving. Apply now!
3. PENCIL Internship Program
Location: New York City, NY (In-person and remote options available)
Stipend: Paid hourly, rate not publicly disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; typically hundreds of students across NYC
Dates: July – August (Mandatory pre-employment training runs January – April)
Application Deadline: January 9
Eligibility: NYC resident, ages 16–24, currently enrolled in high school or college, legally allowed to work in the US; must complete 20 hours of pre-employment training
The PENCIL Internship Program immerses you directly into New York City's corporate landscape by connecting you with leading business partners for paid summer work experiences. Through this initiative, you explore crucial business topics like corporate administration, professional communication, and industry-specific daily operations. During your time in the program, you will complete pre-employment training, engage in one-on-one mentorship sessions with business professionals, interview with prospective employers, and execute administrative tasks within a corporate office. The program bypasses traditional academic barriers by having no GPA requirement, focusing instead entirely on your professional drive and readiness.
4. Genesys Works New York
Location: New York City, NY (Training is in-person; internships are hybrid or on-site at corporate partner offices)
Stipend: Between $10,000 – $13,000/year
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; approximately 1,200+ students
Dates: 8-week summer training (July–August), followed by a year-long internship (August to the following August)
Application Deadline: Early to mid-March
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors (at least 16 years old) from underserved communities who are legally authorized to work in the U.S., on track to graduate
In this program, you spend your senior year working inside a major corporation exploring topics like information technology, corporate operations, and workplace etiquette. Throughout the year, you will complete an eight-week summer boot camp, manage IT or business operations projects alongside corporate professionals, and attend bi-monthly college coaching sessions. You will also learn to navigate real-world office dynamics while balancing a demanding 20-hour work week with your regular academics. Ultimately, you will develop corporate communication, technical problem-solving, and time management skills.
5. Brooklyn Navy Yard Internship Programs
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Stipend: $17/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; Usually 30–50 students
Dates: Internships are available throughout the year in the Spring, Summer, and Fall
Application Deadline: Varies based on session
Eligibility: Brooklyn residents or attend a Brooklyn-based school; must be a college-bound high school senior (rising freshman in college); must be at least 16 years old
As an intern in the Brooklyn Navy Yard program, you will dive directly into the daily operations of real companies located in one of New York City's major innovation hubs. You will explore practical business topics like operations management, technology, manufacturing, and business development. Throughout the eight weeks, you will complete daily administrative tasks, assist with specialized departmental projects, and attend professional development workshops. The program's standout feature is its customized placement system, which pairs you directly with a business matching your specific career goals.
6. Futures and Options Internship Program
Location: Remote, hybris, or in-person at organisations across New York City | Program workshops will take place in Manhattan, NY
Stipend: A minimum of $17/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; cohort size not specified
Dates: Summer: Early July – Mid-August (6 weeks); Academic Year: Fall and Spring cohorts (approx. 10–15 weeks)
Application Deadline: Summer: January 23; Fall: Late September
Eligibility: NYC high school juniors and seniors aged 16–19; legally authorized to work in the U.S.
The Futures and Options Internship Program offers New York City high school juniors and seniors paid internships paired with structured career readiness training. You will be matched to an internship site aligned with your interests and skills, working with businesses, nonprofits, government agencies, or corporations on day-to-day office and project-based tasks. You may contribute to administrative support, data management, presentations, social media management, and client engagement. Alongside your internship, you will participate in required orientations and weekly career readiness workshops focused on communication, interviewing, resume writing, and financial literacy. The program also includes career exploration field trips to BlackRock, Infor, and UpSlide, offering insight into different industries and workplace environments.
7. The Emma Bowen Foundation Summer Internship
Location: Various media companies across the U.S., including New York
Stipend: Paid, amount not publicly disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive, with only 150 interns
Dates: Minimum of 8 weeks in the summer, starting in May or June
Application Deadline: Typically, early January
Eligibility: High school seniors who are planning to attend a four-year accredited U.S. college or university; minimum cumulative GPA required is 3.0; authorized to work in the U.S.; must be at least 18 years old
The Emma Bowen Foundation Summer Internship is a paid, full-time summer internship that places you in business-focused roles within media, entertainment, and technology companies. You will work 35–40 hours per week for a minimum of eight continuous weeks, gaining hands-on experience in areas such as sales, marketing, public relations, and human resources, depending on your placement. Interns will receive one-on-one mentorship and career coaching, allowing them to learn directly from professionals and better understand how business teams operate within media organizations. A distinctive feature of the program is its multi-year structure, as selected Fellows return for paid internships each summer until college graduation.
8. Global Kids Bookkeeping Internship
Location: Manhattan, NY (Hybrid and On-site options available)
Stipend: Paid and unpaid options available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; typically 1-2 interns with the finance team
Dates: Flexible; year-round and summer options available (requires 8-15 hours per week)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students (typically ages 16+), legally authorized to work in the U.S.
As a bookkeeping intern at Global Kids, you will dive directly into the operational business side of a major non-profit organization. You will explore essential corporate topics, including core accounting principles, financial database management, and daily bookkeeping operations. Throughout the program, you will assist the finance team by entering financial data, reconciling accounting records, and maintaining accurate organizational databases. The internship places you inside the actual headquarters of a global NGO, allowing you to experience exactly how large-scale corporate finances are managed in the real world.
9. The Paley Center for Media - Hearst High School Media Internship
Location: The Paley Center for Media, New York, NY
Stipend: $17/hour + travel reimbursement
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 15 students
Dates: July 6 – August 6
Application Deadline: March 30
Eligibility: Rising 11th and 12th graders with valid NY State Working Papers
In this program, you will explore the business side of the media and entertainment industry through core topics like media literacy, digital learning, and media career development. You will meet with high-profile industry professionals, participate in career-focused Q&A sessions, visit newsrooms and production sets, and produce your own original podcast. This program provides dual mentorship from both Paley executives and current college interns, which culminates in your permanent induction into the Paley Alumni Association for ongoing career networking. By the end of the program, you will possess a strong foundational understanding of how major media organizations operate.
10. LaGuardia Community College’s Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP)
Location: Interns are placed with businesses across NYC
Stipend: $16.50/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive / Lottery-Based; up to 12 interns per supervisor
Dates: Six weeks in the summer between July and August
Application Deadline: February 27
Eligibility: NYC residents aged 14–24 who are legally allowed to work in the U.S.
LaGuardia Community College’s SYEP offers NYC residents aged 16–24 a six-week, paid work experience during July and August, with placements across public and private sector organizations. Roles may involve administrative support, customer service, operations, or office-based tasks at worksites such as government agencies, museums, hospitals, nonprofits, and corporate offices. Alongside your internship, the program includes workforce readiness training and financial literacy sessions, helping you build practical skills related to professional communication, time management, and workplace expectations. SYEP placements expose you to real workplace environments where you collaborate with supervisors and staff, offering insight into how large organizations and businesses operate day to day.
11. NYU Langone Health Student Intern (Enterprise Communications)
Location: New York, NY (Manhattan/On-site)
Stipend: $17/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; cohort size varies based on departmental needs
Dates: 10 to 12 weeks (Typically aligns with the summer)
Application Deadline: Typically, late March
Eligibility: Students with a proven track record of school success
In this internship, you will explore the corporate and operational side of a world-class academic medical center. This business-focused role covers essential corporate communications topics, including internal branding, thought leadership, and healthcare operations strategy. During the program, you will write engaging content like employee profiles, help plan enterprise-level photo and video shoots, manage internal campaigns using tools like Microsoft Lists, and develop performance metrics for hospital operations meetings. The role deeply integrates into hospital management, allowing you to see exactly how executive messaging impacts a massive healthcare workforce.
12. Future Founders: Be Your Own Boss Internship
Location: Virtual
Stipend: Paid, amount not publicly disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; limited cohorts per year
Dates: January 20 – February 12
Application Deadline: January 12
Eligibility: High school students nationwide, living in the U.S., in public and charter schools
In Future Founders’ Be Your Own Boss Internship, you will explore how early-stage startups are developed by working through the core steps of entrepreneurship in a structured, virtual setting. You will collaborate in teams to generate a business idea, build a basic app prototype, and prepare a pitch, gaining exposure to product development, problem-solving, and teamwork. The internship is led by experienced entrepreneurs and business leaders, giving you direct access to mentorship and insight into how founders think about market, users, and growth. A key component of the internship is pitching your idea at a virtual community showcase, where you practice presenting and defending your work to a public audience.
13. CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA) High School Internship Program
Location: CLA offices across the U.S., including New York
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; 60–70 students
Dates: 6–8 weeks, typically from mid-June to August
Application Deadline: Typically early January
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors aged 16–18 who are authorized to work in the U.S. without the need for an employment visa
The CLA High School Internship Program is a four-week, paid summer experience designed for students aged 16 to 18 who want exposure to accounting and professional services. You will work on structured team projects and an interactive case study that introduces how firms support clients across different industries. You will shadow professionals at multiple levels, allowing them to observe day-to-day client work and understand how teams collaborate to deliver professional services. Along the way, you will build skills related to communication, problem-solving, and workplace professionalism. Throughout the internship, you will gain insight into potential career paths while learning how professional services firms operate and engage with their communities.
14. Capital One Student Cafe Ambassador Intern
Location: Bronx, NY (Theodore Roosevelt Campus) & select US cities
Stipend: $52,416/year (paid proportionately for the internship period)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; 10-12 students per branch
Dates: 2-week August training, then academic year
Application Deadline: Rolling (varies by location)
Eligibility: 16+ years old by August 1, enrolled in Theodore Roosevelt Campus (Bronx, NY) and graduating next year, eligible for a work permit
As a Student Café Ambassador, you will experience retail banking by working in a student-run Capital One branch or cafe. You cover core business topics like financial literacy, personal investments, and basic retail branch operations. You will assist customers with digital banking tools, hand out promotional coffee cards, deliver financial presentations to your peers, and help manage routine branch administration. The program's standout feature is its combination of real-world corporate employment with a week-long, university-based college development course built into the experience.
15. EnergyMag Internships
Location: Virtual
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; cohort size not specified
Dates: Flexible; quarter-time internships are available all year round
Application Deadline: Rolling applications
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a GPA above 3.25
In this virtual internship, you will explore the business side of the renewable energy storage industry by researching specific companies, technologies, or narrow market segments. During the program, you will investigate targeted business issues, reach out to industry professionals to gather insights, analyze data from multiple sources, and draft a comprehensive market analysis report. Through these tasks, you will develop professional skills, including market research, data synthesis, formal corporate writing, and effective networking. By the end of your time, you will have a finalized report published on their website and a formal letter of accomplishment to strengthen your professional portfolio.
Image source - Genesys Works logo