15 Paid Business Management Internships for High School Students
Trying out an internship in high school can be a good idea if you’re curious about how a field works beyond textbooks and club meetings. Internships offer practical experience in your field of interest and exposure to how companies operate. You get to practice skills such as problem-solving, communication, and project management while seeing how professionals handle challenges and make decisions.
Why should I do a paid business management internship in high school?
For students who see themselves in leadership, entrepreneurship, finance, or operations someday, paid business management internships for high school students can help you figure out which direction excites you the most. Paid internships tend to be more selective, which makes them a strong addition to your college applications and resume. A growing number of top colleges, companies, and organizations offer business management internships designed for high schoolers. Since the opportunities on this list are paid, you can also save money for college or future educational experiences by participating.
To make things easier, we’ve pulled together a list of the 15 best business management internships for high schoolers that pay participants.
1. Young Entrepreneurs Program
Location: Kansas City, MO / Columbus, OH
Stipend: $12–14/hour + $2,500 scholarship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; Kansas City: 15 – 25 students, Columbus: typically, a large cohort size
Dates: Session 1: June 2 – 27; Session 2: July 7 – August 1
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors residing in Kansas City or Columbus
The Young Entrepreneurs Program places high school students in paid, four-week internships at companies across the Midwest, allowing participants to see how businesses approach innovation and everyday management. You’ll work on assignments that build skills in financial planning, communication, and strategic problem-solving while observing how organizations balance budgets, respond to market needs, and plan for growth. You also meet mentors who explain how business decisions often intersect with economic and engineering considerations. Those who complete the paid business management internship for high school students receive a $2,500 scholarship.
2. Boston Private Industry Council (PIC) Internship Program
Location: Boston area, MA
Stipend: $15 - $18/hour (wages vary based on employers)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; more than 3,000 teenagers annually
Dates: 6 – 7 weeks between July and August
Application Deadline: Typically, early spring
Eligibility: 9th-12th graders at Boston Public Schools who are 16 years old by July 1 and who have work authorization in the U.S.
Boston’s PIC Internship Program connects public school students with paid summer roles through the Mayor’s Summer Jobs initiative, leading to placements across various industries, including technology, finance, law, health care, and life sciences. Depending on where you’re matched, your work may involve supporting HR teams, assisting marketing staff, handling customer service tasks, or helping with accounting or operations. Past employer partners include major institutions such as Fidelity Investments, Liberty Mutual, the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, and Bank of America, providing an insight into how large organizations operate. Each placement exposes you to the day-to-day realities of office environments and how professionals in different sectors make decisions.
3. Warner Bros. Reach Honorship Program – Business Track
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Stipend: $5,000 scholarship towards college + stipend paid during summer internship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 5 – 6 students annually
Dates: 4 summers during your college years, beginning the summer you graduate
Application Deadline: Typically, January or February
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors from Burbank or Los Angeles County having a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
The Warner Bros. Reach Honorship Program supports graduating seniors in Burbank and Los Angeles County by combining paid, multi-year studio internships with a college scholarship. Each summer, the program matches interns with a new executive mentor who introduces them to the workflows and networks that shape the entertainment industry. These roles span more than 60 studio departments, ranging from marketing and finance to social media, publicity, operations, and media research, where you may assist with projects connected to active film or television productions.
4. Chicago Summer Business Institute
Location: Chicago, IL
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely selective; around 125 students yearly
Dates: 6 weeks between June and August
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors residing in Chicago with a family income of $80,000 or less per year and a GPA of B or 3.0
The Chicago Summer Business Institute provides paid internships aimed at familiarizing high school students with the financial services world and the broader field of business. The program places you at organizations such as Cabrera Capital Markets, Siebert Brandford Shank, and the City of Chicago’s Department of Finance, where you’ll observe how budgeting, economic research, and financial analysis shape organizational choices. While contributing to workplace tasks, you also attend workshops covering topics like economic principles, financial planning, and professional expectations. This paid business management internship for high school students also lets you take part in projects focused on how firms allocate resources and respond to economic conditions.
5. Clark County Summer Business Institute (SBI)
Location: Clark County - Las Vegas
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; approximately 250 to 300 students
Dates: 6 – 8 weeks in the summer; early June – late July/early August
Application Deadline: Typically, late winter/early spring
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are at least 16 years old and have a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA
The Clark County Summer Business Institute gives high school students an eight-week, paid introduction to professional work through internships at more than 80 local businesses and organizations. You will work on tasks related to business administration, medicine, law, communications, IT, or other fields, depending on placement. Thursdays are reserved for seminars covering topics such as financial literacy, workplace communication, and broader career-readiness skills. Some interns may also receive college payment bonuses at the end of this paid business management internship for high school students.
6. Ladders for Leaders
Location: Various locations in New York City, New York
Stipend: At least $16.50/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; cohort size varies by year
Dates: 6 weeks in the summer; typically, mid-June or the first week of July, and ending in late July or early August
Application Deadline: January 9
Eligibility: Rising high school senior or college student | Ages 16 – 24 | Must have prior paid or volunteer work experience | Legally allowed to work in the U.S. | Resident of one of NYC’s five boroughs
Ladders for Leaders, part of New York City’s Summer Youth Employment Program, places students in paid internships across government agencies, nonprofits, and major corporations. You complete 30 hours of pre-employment training that covers résumé writing, interview preparation, workplace etiquette, and professional communication, ensuring you enter their roles well-prepared. Once placed, you might work in fields such as business operations, marketing, policy, or administrative support, depending on your interests and the employer’s needs. A large alumni network also supports interns by offering ongoing events and networking channels after the summer ends.
7. Emma Bowen Foundation (EBF) Summer Internship
Location: Various locations across the U.S.
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 150 students
Dates: 8 weeks in the summer, exact dates vary by placement
Application Deadline: Rolling acceptance
Eligibility: High school seniors who plan to attend a four-year accredited U.S. college or university and have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 | Currently authorized to work in the U.S. | At least 18 years old prior to the internship’s start
The Emma Bowen Foundation Summer Internship matches students of color with paid positions at major media, entertainment, and technology companies such as NBCUniversal, Paramount, Warner Bros. Discovery, and the NFL. You will join one of three tracks–Business, Content, or Innovation–which span areas including journalism, marketing, public relations, sales, engineering, computer science, and data analysis. Once paired with a partner company, you take on projects aligned with your chosen focus while receiving ongoing mentorship from professionals in the field. You also join the EBF Launch Career Activation Program and take part in the Annual Summer Conference, both of which provide training, panels, and valuable networking opportunities.
8. Project Pull at San Francisco City Department
Location: Lawrence Hall of Science, Berkeley, CA
Stipend: $19.25/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; over 170 students
Dates: June 9 – August 1
Application Deadline: February 17
Eligibility: High school students entering junior year or senior year, or college-bound in the Fall | Live or attend school in San Francisco | Have a minimum 2.75 GPA
Project Pull places students in paid summer internships within various City and County of San Francisco departments, giving them a close look at how local government agencies operate. The program pairs you with a professional mentor throughout the experience. Depending on your placement, you may contribute to projects in fields such as business administration, public health, engineering, or architecture. You also attend workshops that build skills in communication, leadership, and teamwork, reinforcing what you learn on the job. Because you’re working directly with city staff, you gain insight into how public service shapes community operations and long-term planning.
9. High School Business Internship – PNNL
Location: PNNL (various locations)
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; typically, small and localized cohorts
Dates: August – May (during the school year)
Application Deadline: Rolling acceptance
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who attend a partnering local high school (Tri-Cities, WA) and have U.S. work eligibility
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory’s High School Business Internship runs during the school year and allows students to work up to four hours per day in areas connected to administration, communications, accounting support, or project coordination. As an intern, you’ll earn elective credit through your school’s work-based learning program while working alongside mentors. You also participate in leadership workshops, career exploration activities, and occasional tours of the laboratory, which highlight how administrative and business roles support scientific research. These experiences show how large federal research institutions manage operations, finances, and internal communication.
10. CLA High School Internship Program
Location: Multiple locations around the U.S.
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; 60 – 70 students
Dates: Eight weeks (mid-June – August)
Application Deadline: January
Eligibility: High school students at least 16 at the start of the program | Authorized to work in the U.S. without visa sponsorship
The CLA High School Internship Program places students in a professional accounting and business services environment where they support teams working on real client engagements. You will participate in job shadowing, team projects, and case studies that introduce you to tax preparation, audit processes, and financial analysis. You’re given a laptop for the duration of the internship, allowing you to work with tools commonly used by professionals in the field. As you sit in on team discussions and observe how deliverables are prepared, you gain insight into how financial information is interpreted for clients across different industries. Mentors provide further guidance to interns throughout the program.
11. TIP Intern Program–Federal Reserve Bank of Boston
Location: Boston
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely selective; typically small and highly localized cohorts
Dates: 8 – 10 weeks in the summer, between July and August, with potential for year-round extension
Application Deadline: Typically, March
Eligibility: High school students aged 16-18 who attend a Boston Public School and have completed their sophomore year
The TIP Intern Program at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston introduces high school students to paid summer work within a major financial institution, blending job responsibilities with coaching, mentorship, and skill-building workshops. The program places you in various departments where you support administrative duties, financial operations, or project tasks that relate to the bank’s mission. Students who perform well may be invited to continue in a year-round position for up to three years. You also interact with staff from multiple departments, allowing you to see how different roles contribute to the broader financial system. Workshops and meetings help interns learn about career pathways and the purpose of the Federal Reserve’s work.
12. KP Launch High School Program
Location: Kaiser Permanente Medical Centre or business office closest to you
Stipend: Up to $24/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 40 – 50 students
Dates: June 15 – July 31
Application Deadline: January 9
Eligibility: High school students aged 16–19 with work eligibility in the U.S. and permanent residence in a Northern California Kaiser Permanente designated service area
The KP Launch High School Program is a paid, seven-week internship that introduces students to the administrative and business operations within large healthcare systems. It places you in departments such as accounting, communications, workforce administration, operations, or finance, where you support staff with tasks tied to hospital and clinic workflows. Your activities could involve developing and analyzing financials to identify operational efficiencies, conducting market research for a new health initiative, or supporting project management tasks within a specific department. Weekly workshops cover topics like communication, project management, and workplace readiness. Mentorship is built into the experience, with supervisors explaining how different administrative roles contribute to overall healthcare delivery.
13. Bank of America Student Leaders Program
Location: Nationwide (the Leadership Summit is held in Washington, D.C.)
Stipend: Stipend provided + all expenses towards the trip to Washington, D.C. are covered
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 5% – 8%; about 300 students selected annually across 100 communities
Dates: 8 weeks in the summer; Student Leaders Summit: July 21 – 26
Application Deadline: January 15
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who have authorization to work in the United States, live in an eligible area, and have not participated in the program before
The Bank of America Student Leaders Program selects juniors and seniors for an eight-week paid internship at a local nonprofit, giving them the chance to assist with daily operations while observing how organizations manage budgets, run programs, and coordinate community outreach. The program matches you with nonprofits such as Habitat for Humanity or the Boys and Girls Clubs, where you handle tasks that align with organizational needs, helping you see how business principles apply in a mission-driven environment. You also travel to Washington, D.C., for the Student Leadership Summit, which features discussions on civic engagement, public policy, and collaboration across sectors.
14. Meta Summer Academy
Location: Menlo Park, CA
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Competitive stipend paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; around 150 students per year
Dates: June 16 – July 25
Application Deadline: February 14
Eligibility: High school sophomores who are year-round residents of East Palo Alto, Belle Haven, or Redwood City | Minimum of 2.0 cumulative GPA
The Meta Summer Academy offers high school participants an immersive professional development experience, focusing on the sophisticated inner workings of a leading technology firm. Over several weeks, you engage with real-world corporate challenges, receiving an introduction to essential coding fundamentals while exploring how diverse departments, including media relations and corporate communications, contribute to technology-driven operations. Beyond technical aptitude, the program emphasizes business management skills such as strategic networking, cross-functional collaboration, and critical self-reflection. Through workshops and mentorship, you gain a broader, practical understanding of career pathways and opportunities within the global tech industry.
15. U.S. DOJ Pathways Internships
Location: U.S. Department of Justice
Stipend: Paid and unpaid opportunities available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very selective; cohort size varies by type and year
Dates: IEP: Academic-year aligned | ITEP: May–August (Summer)
Application Deadline: Varies by posting (check USAJobs.gov)
Eligibility: Currently enrolled high school students who are at least 16 years old by the closing date of the announcement | Minimum 2.0 GPA
The Federal Pathways Internship Program provides high school students with an opportunity to support crucial public policy, diplomatic initiatives, and internal government functions within a federal agency. Whether joining the long-term Internship Experience Program (IEP) or the seasonal Internship Temporary Program (ITEP), you engage in substantive work such as drafting essential reports, reviewing complex records, and directing key outreach projects. This experience provides exposure to business management principles, like operational efficiency and inter-agency collaboration, as you work with professionals. Furthermore, these competitive, paid internships offer advancement pathways, often including non-competitive conversion to career civil service positions shortly after successful completion.
Looking for an immersive internship experience?
Check out Ladder Internships!
Ladder Internships is a selective, virtual internship program where students work with startups and nonprofits from around the world! The startups range across a variety of industries. As part of your internship, you will work on a real-world project that is of genuine need to the startup they are working with, and present your work at the end of the internship. Apply now!
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