Top 10 Summer Economics Internships for High School Students
For high school students interested in economics, summer internships offer a practical way to explore the field, build real-world skills, and gain insight into potential career paths. These programs allow you to work on meaningful projects, analyze data, and engage with government, research, finance, and policy professionals. They also provide a valuable way to strengthen college applications by demonstrating initiative, critical thinking, and academic curiosity.
To help you get started, we’ve compiled a list of 10 top summer economics internships for high school students — each offering a unique opportunity to apply economic thinking to real-world issues.
1. Chicago Summer Business Institute
Location: Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship
Application Deadline: March 31
Program Dates: 6 weeks in the summer
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors who are residents of Chicago, maintain a B or 3.0 average, and have a family household income of $80,000 per year.
The Chicago Summer Business Institute provides paid internships for high school students in Chicago to explore the financial services industry. A corporate sponsor serves as the host site for these internships. The company helps define goals that you work towards during the 6-week internship and also provides mentorship to facilitate holistic learning.
Furthermore, weekly workshops are organized on a wide range of topics. You can also attend guest speaker sessions and panel discussions that allow you to interact with professionals regarding their careers. Lastly, company tours also provide insights into leadership skills, interpersonal communication, management styles, and elevator pitches.
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Cost: Starting at $2,490 (financial aid available)
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students. The internship entails working with a high-growth start-up; high-growth start-ups are companies that raise over a million dollars on average. Internships with these companies are available in diverse industries from tech/deep tech and AI/ML to health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. You can explore all the options here on their application form. In the program, you work closely with the company managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects, which you will present to the company at the end of the internship. Here is the application form.
3. Bank of America Student Leaders Program
Location: Various locations throughout the U.S.
Cost/Stipend: Stipend is available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Approximately 300
Application Deadline: January 15
Program Dates: 8 weeks from June to August
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors who permanently reside in one of the eligible locations, are in good academic standing, and are authorized to work in the U.S.
The Student Leaders Program by the Bank of America aims to enhance students’ leadership abilities and prepare them for their careers. Students are connected to opportunities for employment, skill development, and service. In the summer, you will intern with a local nonprofit organization, delving into their functioning; how nonprofits, governments, and businesses work together for community impact; and how decisions are made within such organizations.
Although the day-to-day schedule may depend on the nonprofit you are interning with, you can expect to be involved with community service, leadership, and impact-driven work. In the last week of the internship, you will attend the Student Leaders Summit in Washington, DC.
4. US Department of the Treasury Headquarters Student Internship Program
Location: Washington, D.C.
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid
Application Deadline: Typically in May for Summer
Program Dates: Varies by cohort; typically aligned with academic semesters (Fall, Spring, Summer)
Eligibility: High school students who are U.S. citizens
The US Department of the Treasury is accepting interns for spring, summer, and fall sessions, inviting students to intern across different departments in Washington, DC. Departments related to economics include the Office of Domestic Finance, Office of Tax Policy, Office of Economic Policy, Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, among others. You will learn how these departments function and what a federal career looks like while developing skills in leadership, management, and analytics.
As an intern, you will gather, assess, and present data to inform policy decisions. You will also review academic literature, participate in Congressional hearings and meetings, and draft key talking points. Additionally, you will coordinate high-level meetings and collaborate with colleagues at the Treasury and other U.S. government agencies while assisting in various management functions such as budget development and strategic planning.
5. NYC Mayor’s Office Internship Program
Location: Various offices across NYC
Cost/Stipend: Stipend of $16.50 per hour
Application Deadline: March 30
Program Dates: July 7 – August 29
Eligibility: Students who are 16 years of age or older, have current working papers at the time of application, and are enrolled in high school.
In the NYC Mayor’s Office Internship Program, you have the option to intern in multiple departments, including Administrative Services, Payroll/Timekeeping, Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development and Workforce, Deputy Mayor for Public Safety, Mayor’s Office of Emerging Markets, among others. This allows you to contribute to a wide range of initiatives projects. Responsibilities may include tasks like data analysis, drafting briefings, staffing events, assisting with outreach, and supporting special initiatives.
Additionally, you will participate in the bi-weekly Speaker Series, featuring discussions led by Deputy Mayors, Commissioners, Program Directors, and other senior officials. The internship also requires you to create and implement an original service project aimed at benefiting underserved communities and helping those in need.
6. CLA High School Internship Program
Location: Various locations across the U.S.
Cost/Stipend: A stipend is available
Application Deadline: Typically in January
Program Dates: June 17 – July 19
Eligibility: High school students aged 16 – 18
This CLA High School Internship Program is for students interested in business, accounting, and professional services. During the internship, you will work with real clients on real projects, thereby gaining hands-on experience and skills. You will complete an interactive case study that serves different clients and industries.
CLA invites students to shadow professionals, offering them a firsthand look at how these experts serve clients and make a difference in the community. Team projects will enhance your teamwork and collaboration abilities, while also encouraging you to fully engage with the company’s culture.
7. Futures and Options Internship Program
Location: Broadway, Manhattan, NY
Cost/Stipend: Interns earn at least $16.50 per hour
Application Deadline: February 9
Program Dates: 6 weeks in July – August
Eligibility: Juniors or seniors enrolled in a high school in NYC, who are 16 – 19 years old, have a valid working card, and can lawfully work in the US.
The Futures and Options Internship Program enables students to take up paid internships and participate in career readiness workshops. Work experience can be gained from a variety of organizations, including small businesses, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and multinational corporations. You will be matched with the company based on your interests. These companies operate in the financial services, professional and business services, media and entertainment, retail, healthcare, or other sectors.
The internship begins with orientations and workshops on communication, interviewing, financial literacy, resume writing, and more. Thereafter, you will begin your internship, including a mentorship component; the Futures and Options Program Coordinator will be your mentor and coach. Field trips with selected partners provide exposure to potential career pathways.
8. On The Money Summer Internship
Location: Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: Stipend of $16.60 per hour
Application Deadline: April 11
Program Dates: June 16 – August 1
Eligibility: High school seniors who are 18 – 24 years old and residents of Chicago
High school students interested in finance, business, operations, and data analysis may consider interning with On the Money. The Economic Awareness Council aims to prepare students and families regarding financial decisions. As an intern, you will serve as a financial mentor to help other teens understand financial literacy.
You will undergo training to deliver financial education presentations, with industry experts guiding you as mentors to enhance your skills. You will also meet and network with industry professionals in the field you are interested in. By the end of the program, you will earn a financial literacy certificate.
9. KP Launch High School Program
Location: Kaiser Permanente medical centers and business offices across Northern California
Cost/Stipend: Stipend of $23 per hour
Application Deadline: January 6
Program Dates: June 16 – August 1
Eligibility: Current high school students aged 16 – 19 by June 1, who have U.S. work eligibility, and are permanent residents in a Northern California Kaiser Permanente designated service area.
The KP Launch High School Program introduces students to the administrative aspects of the healthcare industry. The sites and departments you intern with may include nursing, internal medicine, administration, and patient care services. You can attend weekly workshops for academic and professional skill development. Supervisors and mentors, who will guide you during the program, provide insights into a career in healthcare-related services.
This internship does not include medical treatment or procedures, so you will be involved in administrative and business tasks. Social and work-based activities and community service projects provide the opportunity to network with peers and senior leaders.
10. High School Internship (Venture Analyst) at 1435 Capital Management LLC
Location: Hybrid (remote with periodic in-person meetings in Princeton, NJ)
Cost/Stipend: A stipend is available.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 3 – 4
Application Deadline: First week of April
Program Dates: 10 weeks in the summer
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors or rising seniors over the age of 16 who are authorized to work in the US without sponsorship
This internship with a venture capital firm is meant for students who wish to pursue business, finance, and entrepreneurship. The tasks for an intern are investment analysis, portfolio monitoring, deal sourcing, market research, and administrative support.
You will conduct research, analyze data, keep up with contemporary industry events, prepare presentations, and more. You will also have the opportunity to meet and network with entrepreneurs and investors, thereby gaining exposure to the venture capital industry.