Top 12 Business Internships for High School Students in the Bay Area (San Francisco++)
If you are a high school student in the Bay Area looking for opportunities to get some hands-on exposure to the field of business, an internship can be a great way to get started.
Internships can help you explore careers, develop practical skills, and build valuable connections, without the high costs of regular summer programs! In the field of business, especially, such hands-on experience can offer you a real edge. Many top colleges, nonprofits, and companies offer internships that can help you get solid insights into business fields like management, marketing, entrepreneurship, and finance.
In the Bay Area, the opportunities are even stronger. With access to Silicon Valley and a thriving startup scene, you can find opportunities to directly learn from business professionals and innovators.
In this blog, we have listed the top 12 business internships in the Bay Area for high school students.
Location: Kaiser Permanente facilities across Northern California, including the Bay Area
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 180 high school interns are selected annually
Dates: June 17 – August 2
Application deadline: January 6
Eligibility: High school students who are 16 to 19 years old, reside in a Northern California Kaiser Permanente service area, and have a minimum GPA of 2.5
Cost/Stipend: Stipends of $23/hour; no cost to participate
The KP LAUNCH program offers high school students seven-week full-time paid internships. Here, you can get hands-on experience in non-clinical departments such as finance, accounting, communications, and project management. You will be matched with a department that is aligned with your interests and will get to engage in projects that contribute to Kaiser Permanente’s operations. The program also offers weekly professional development workshops, mentorship from experienced professionals, and networking opportunities. This experience can help you work on your leadership skills and get some insights into the business aspects of healthcare.
2. Veritas AI’s Deep Dive: AI + Finance
Location: Virtual
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small cohort sizes
Dates: Rolling sessions; each session runs 3 to 4 weeks
Application deadline: Varies depending on the cohort; the upcoming cohort’s applications close on June 22
Eligibility: High school students with basic Python knowledge
Cost/Stipend: $2,290; financial aid available
Veritas AI’s Deep Dive in AI & Finance is a project-based virtual program that introduces high school students to the intersection of artificial intelligence and financial systems. During the program, you will explore how AI is used in risk modeling, algorithmic trading, and fraud detection through hands-on coding and real-world datasets. You will work in a small team under the guidance of mentors from top institutions like Harvard and MIT, developing your own end-to-end AI projects in finance. The program emphasizes collaboration, industry relevance, and practical skill-building. At the end of the session, you get to present your work to peers and professionals and get feedback.
3. Norman Mineta High School Summer Academy
Location: Hybrid—online sessions + in-person kickoff and capstone events in San Francisco, CA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 200 students participated in 2024
Dates: July 3 – August 1
Application deadline: April 27
Eligibility: High school students residing in the Bay Area who are at least 15 years old and have completed the 9th grade
Cost/Stipend: Stipend paid upon program completion; no cost to participate
The Norman Mineta Bay Area Summer Academy is a five-week paid program designed to introduce high school students to regional public sector careers. Here, you will engage in interactive sessions with agencies such as the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, the Bay Conservation and Development Commission, the Association of Bay Area Governments, and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District. You will also attend weekly online seminars covering topics like transportation planning, housing, environmental justice, and air quality management. The program includes a kickoff and capstone session held in person in San Francisco. Through this experience, you will get insights into how regional agencies operate and the skills needed for careers in the public sector.
Location: Virtual
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small cohorts for personalized mentorship
Dates: Multiple cohorts run each year; exact dates vary based on the program cohort and format
Application deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year based on cohort; the upcoming cohort’s applications are due on June 23
Eligibility: High school students
Cost/Stipend: $2,490; financial aid available
Ladder Internships connects high school students with startups for eight-week remote internships that offer real-world business experience. You will be matched with an organization based on your interests, so you can choose areas like finance, marketing, product development, and entrepreneurship while applying. Guided by expert mentors and startup founders, you will work on projects that involve key business concepts like market research, business strategy, or user outreach. The program also offers regular mentorship sessions, professional development workshops, and opportunities to present your work. The experience can offer useful insights if you are interested in understanding the startup ecosystem and building business-relevant skills in a hands-on, structured environment.
5. Project Pull by City and County of San Francisco
Location: City and County of San Francisco department offices
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified; admissions are competitive
Dates: June 9 – August 1
Application deadline: February 17
Eligibility: High school students entering junior or senior year, or incoming college freshmen; must reside or attend school in San Francisco; minimum GPA of 2.75
Cost/Stipend: Stipend of $19.25/hour offered; no cost to participate
Project Pull is an eight-week summer internship program sponsored by the City and County of San Francisco. It offers high school juniors, seniors, and incoming college freshmen from diverse communities the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in various city departments, including business-related fields such as finance, communications, and project management. During the internship, you will be paired with city employees who will serve as mentors, guiding you through real-world projects and tasks that contribute to the functioning of the city. The program emphasizes professional development, leadership, teamwork, and community service. This experience can also help you get insights into careers in the public sector.
6. Junior Achievement of Northern California’s JA Career Success
Location: Junior Achievement of Northern California, Walnut Creek, CA; available in classroom-based, after-school, or virtual formats
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Program duration is flexible; it consists of seven 45-minute sessions with optional additional activities
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; deadlines vary by program
Eligibility: High school students
Cost/Stipend: None.
The JA Career Success® program immerses high school students in realistic workplace scenarios by assigning them roles within various departments of a fictional company, Orbit Boom. Through seven core sessions and optional advanced projects, you will develop essential soft skills like goal setting, research, prioritization, conflict resolution, and creative problem-solving. The curriculum is designed to build work readiness, financial literacy, and entrepreneurial thinking. During the program, you will participate in activities that simulate real-world business challenges, fostering collaboration and critical thinking. The program is adaptable to classroom-based, after-school, or virtual settings, providing flexibility to accommodate different learning environments.
7. Bank of America Student Leaders Program
Location: Local nonprofits in eligible communities, including the Bay Area; Summit held in Washington, D.C.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 300 students selected annually
Dates: June 15 – August 9
Application deadline: January 15
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors in good academic standing | Applicants must reside in eligible locations and be legally authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship through the end of September
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship; all expenses for the summit covered by the program
The Bank of America Student Leaders Program is a paid opportunity for high school juniors and seniors to engage in meaningful community service and develop essential leadership and business skills. You will participate in an eight-week paid internship at a local nonprofit organization and gain firsthand experience in addressing community needs and understanding the operational aspects of nonprofit management. The program ends with a week-long Student Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C., where you explore the intersection of government, business, and nonprofit sectors, enhancing your civic and business acumen. The experience can also help you get insights into the daily operations of a nonprofit organization.
Location: Meta Headquarters, Menlo Park, CA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; specific cohort size not disclosed
Dates: June 16 – July 25
Application deadline: February 14
Eligibility: High school sophomores who are residents of North Fair Oaks, East Palo Alto, Belle Haven, or Redwood City and have a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA
Cost/Stipend: A stipend is paid
The Meta Summer Academy is a six-week paid internship program designed for high school sophomores. Here, you will engage in immersive experiences at Meta and get insights into the business practices, technology, and professional development of a leading tech company. The program focuses on mentorship, pairing each student with a Meta employee to guide their professional development. As an intern, you will also get to participate in hands-on projects, develop technical skills such as coding, and explore career paths in the technology sector. Additionally, the academy offers workshops to enhance soft skills, helping prepare you for future academic and career endeavors.
9. SLAC Summer Internship Program
Location: SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Up to 12 weeks between May and September
Application deadline: Varies based on department needs
Eligibility: High school students aged 18 or older who are authorized to work in the U.S.
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
The SLAC Summer Internship Program provides high school students with opportunities to engage in real-world work experiences across various departments, including business administration. You may engage in tasks ranging from entry-level administrative duties to more advanced projects, depending on departmental needs and your educational background. The program emphasizes mentorship and professional development, allowing you to collaborate with professionals in your fields of interest. Additionally, the internship offers insights into the daily work of a national laboratory, enhancing your understanding of business processes within a scientific research environment.
Location: San Francisco city departments
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Varies by session (e.g., school year or summer)
Application deadline: Varies; typically announced prior to each session
Eligibility: 11th and 12th grade students who reside or attend school in San Francisco
Cost/Stipend: Stipends of 19.18/hour are offered
SF YouthWorks places high school juniors and seniors in paid internships within various San Francisco city departments, such as the Controller’s Office, Department of Technology, and General Services Administration. Interns gain hands-on experience in public service, developing skills in administration, communication, and project management. The program offers job readiness workshops, mentorship from city employees, and opportunities for leadership development through the Youth Leadership Team (YLT). You will also engage in field trips and site tours to explore different career paths. This comprehensive approach can help you get practical experience and build professional skills relevant to business and public administration. You will also get insights into public service and civic engagement through the program.
11. All Stars Project’s Development School for Youth
Location: San Francisco Bay Area (in-person)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Weekly workshops: February – May; 6-week summer internship: June 15 – July 31
Application deadline: March 25
Eligibility: Students aged 16 to 21
Cost/Stipend: No cost; internships are paid
The Development School for Youth (DSY) is a leadership and professional development program. In the program, you will engage in high-level workshops led by senior executives from leading corporations, focusing on aspects such as resume writing, networking, public speaking, and professional attire. These workshops also offer an introduction to various industries, including finance, culture, and communications. Upon completing the program, you will be placed in six-week paid summer internships with sponsoring companies, allowing you to use your newly acquired skills in real-world business environments.
12. SFUSD’s Summer Internships
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Six-week summer internships; specific dates vary
Application deadline: The Interest form is typically available starting in February; exact dates may vary
Eligibility: SFUSD high school students, primarily rising seniors (current juniors) | Sophomores may also apply
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship
The San Francisco Unified School District's Summer Internships provide high school students with paid, hands-on experiences across various career sectors. With this program, you can get some work experience in fields like finance, marketing, media arts, social media, and project management. You will work alongside industry mentors, developing skills essential for college and future careers. The program emphasizes real-world learning, networking with professionals and peers, and includes a weekly Work-Based Learning seminar with an SFUSD Supervisor/Mentor.