Business Internships for High School Students
Updated: Oct 7
TL;DR
Business internships can give you hands-on experience in finance, entrepreneurship, marketing, operations, administration, and project management. This list includes 10 opportunities across the U.S., from remote entrepreneurship programs to paid internships with startups, businesses, government agencies, and healthcare organizations. Some are free and paid, while others provide stipends or other financial support. If you are also interested in developing an independent research project with 1:1 PhD mentorship, you can explore the Lumiere Research Scholar Program.
If you are a high school student interested in business, an internship can help you see how companies and organizations actually work. You can explore areas such as finance, entrepreneurship, marketing, operations, accounting, and business administration while building professional skills. The programs below vary by location, age, schedule, and type of work, so check the eligibility requirements carefully before applying.
What can you learn from a business internship?
A business internship can give you experience with tasks and environments that are difficult to replicate in a classroom. Depending on the program, you might work for a startup, help with business operations, learn about financial analysis, develop an entrepreneurial idea, or work on a project for a local employer.
The internships on this list also offer different types of experience. Some are designed around a specific career area, while others let you explore several business-related fields.
Which business areas can you explore through an internship?
Business is a broad field, and these programs reflect that. You can find opportunities related to finance and accounting, entrepreneurship, marketing, operations, business administration, project management, communications, and professional services.
Business area | Examples from the list | Type of experience |
Finance and accounting | Financial analysis, accounting, business decisions | |
Entrepreneurship and startups | Startup experience, developing business ideas, pitching, entrepreneurship | |
Marketing and communications | Marketing, communications, workplace projects | |
Business operations and administration | Administration, operations, project management, professional skills | |
Professional and workplace experience | Paid work experience, mentorship, career development, networking |
If entrepreneurship is your main interest, see our list of 15 Entrepreneurship Summer Internships for High School Students for more opportunities!
How do these internships differ by location, pay, and schedule?
The opportunities vary considerably. Some are remote, while others are tied to a specific city or region. Several are paid, including programs offering hourly wages, stipends, or other financial support, while others are free programs that do not charge participants.
Before applying, check whether you meet the location, age, school, and work authorization requirements. Some opportunities are open only to students in a particular city or school district.
Business internships for high school students
These opportunities cover different business fields and locations. They are presented as options to explore, rather than ranked from best to worst.
Cost: Starting at $2,490; financial aid is available
Location: Remote
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary by cohort. Spring, summer, fall, and winter cohorts are offered.
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can commit 10–20 hours per week for 8–12 weeks
Ladder Internships connects high school students with startup internships across areas such as technology, AI/ML, health tech, marketing, journalism, and consulting. You work on real-world projects with a company manager and a Ladder Coach, then present your work to the company. The virtual internship is usually eight weeks long.
Who is it right for? You may want to consider this if you want a remote startup internship and are interested in exploring different industries.
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Cost: Free; paid summer internship
Program Dates: Summer; six weeks
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Chicago high school students; additional academic and income requirements apply
The Chicago Summer Business Institute introduces high school students to the financial services sector and the wider business world. You take part in a paid summer internship while developing professional skills and learning how businesses operate. The program also includes career and leadership development activities to help you prepare for college and future careers in business.
Who is it right for? This could be a good fit if you are a Chicago high school student interested in finance, business, or professional careers.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free; paid internship with a cash stipend
Program Dates: February
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students in public and charter schools in Chicago and nationwide
The Be Your Own Boss Internship gives you hands-on experience with entrepreneurship and starting a business. You explore the startup ecosystem, connect with professional entrepreneurs, develop your own business ideas, and pitch those ideas as part of the program. The internship is designed to help you build business skills while earning a cash stipend.
Who is it right for? This could suit you if you want to explore entrepreneurship and learn how to turn a business idea into a real pitch.
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Cost: Free; paid internships, with participants able to earn up to $1,500
Program Dates: 6–8 weeks; summer, fall/winter, and winter/spring opportunities
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Primarily rising 9th–12th grade students ages 14–18 in Philadelphia
The Philadelphia Youth Network's PYNtern Program connects high school students with paid internships at local employers. If you are interested in business, you can choose career fields such as business and administration, finance, entrepreneurship, real estate, retail, or communications, PR, and marketing. The program also includes professional development, mentoring, career coaching, and financial literacy training.
Who is it right for? Students who want a paid internship and want to explore different areas of business in a real workplace.
Location: Seattle, Washington
Cost: Free; paid $21.30 per hour
Program Dates: July 7–30
Application Deadline: March 20; rolling acceptances may continue until positions are filled
Eligibility: Seattle Public Schools high school students; must be at least 16 and authorized to work in the U.S.
Career Quest pairs high school students with local businesses and Seattle Public Schools departments for paid summer internships. Business-focused pathways include business, project management, marketing, operations, and finance, giving you the chance to gain workplace experience while developing practical professional skills. The program also includes a CTE course component and can provide academic credit.
Who is it right for? Seattle students interested in business, finance, marketing, or project management.
Location: Washington, D.C.
Cost: Free; paid $10 per hour
Program Dates: October–May
Application Deadline: August 1
Eligibility: District of Columbia high school students in grades 9–12, ages 14–21
The D.C. High School Internship Program gives you hands-on work experience while developing professional and leadership skills. You are placed with an employer and gain experience through project-based work, workplace training, and career-readiness activities. Depending on the available placement, you can explore fields connected to business, administration, communications, finance, and other professional careers.
Who is it right for? This could be a fit if you live in Washington, D.C. and want to gain real workplace experience while still in high school.
Location: Kansas City, Missouri
Cost: Free; paid internship
Program Dates: Summer
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors in Kansas City
The Young Entrepreneurs Program KC places high school juniors and seniors in paid internships with local startups. You get hands-on experience inside a growing company while taking part in weekly company visits and mentorship. The program allows you to see how startups operate and learn about entrepreneurship, business, and the workplace.
Who is it right for? This could be a good fit if you are a Kansas City high school junior or senior interested in startups and entrepreneurship.
Location: New York City, New York
Cost: Free; paid internship
Program Dates: Summer
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: NYC students ages 16–24 with prior work or volunteer experience
NYC Ladders for Leaders connects you with paid summer internships at corporations, nonprofits, and government agencies. Business-related placements can include financial operations, management, office administration, and sales, giving you hands-on experience in a professional workplace.
Who is it right for? NYC students with some prior work or volunteer experience who want to explore business, finance, or management.
Location: Seattle, Washington
Cost: Free; $400 gift card and 0.25 CTE credit
Program Dates: July 13–24
Application Deadline: March 20
Eligibility: Rising juniors who are current 10th-grade students; 30 students accepted
Amazon Periscope is a two-week summer program focused on finance and accounting careers. You work with Microsoft Excel, learn what financial analysts do, explore personal finance, and complete a business case study and capstone project.
Who is it right for? This is an option if you are interested in finance, accounting, Excel, and understanding how businesses make decisions.
Location: Kaiser Permanente medical centers and business offices across Northern California, generally closest to your home
Cost: Free; paid $25 per hour
Program Dates: June 14–July 30
Application Deadline: January 8
Eligibility: High school students ages 16–19 by June 1 who permanently reside in a Northern California Kaiser Permanente service area
KP LAUNCH is a paid summer internship focused on non-clinical careers in healthcare. You can work in areas such as administration, accounting, finance, project management, and IT, while also taking part in professional development workshops, mentorship, networking, and work-based activities. The internship is full-time, Monday through Friday, with interns paid a minimum of $25 per hour.
Who is it right for? This could suit you if you live in an eligible Northern California area and want to explore the business and administrative side of healthcare.
What should you look for in a high school business internship?
What to compare | Why it matters | Questions to ask |
Type of work | Different internships can expose you to very different parts of business. | Will I work on finance, marketing, operations, entrepreneurship, or another area? |
Hands-on experience | A project-based role can give you something concrete to work on during the internship. | Will I complete a project, case study, pitch, or other work product? |
Mentorship | Guidance from professionals can help you understand the field and workplace expectations. | Will I have a mentor, supervisor, or career coach? |
Time commitment | Internship schedules range from short programs to multi-week work experiences. | How many weeks does the program last, and how many hours per week are required? |
Compensation and cost | Some programs are free and paid, while others charge a fee or provide a stipend. | Is the internship free? Is it paid? Are there stipends, scholarships, or financial aid? |
Eligibility | Many opportunities are restricted by location, age, grade, or school district. | Do I meet the age, grade, location, and work authorization requirements? |
Career exposure | Some internships are broad, while others focus on a particular industry or career path. | Will I get to meet professionals or learn about different business careers? |
If you are still figuring out how to find and compare internships, this Guide on How to Find Internships for High School Students covers the process in more detail.
One other option: the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you want to complement your business experience with independent research, the Lumiere Research Scholar Program gives high school students the opportunity to develop an independent research project with 1:1 PhD mentorship. You can find the application form here.
What high schoolers ask about business internships
1. Do I need to already know a lot about business before applying?
Not necessarily. Several programs are designed to introduce high school students to business, entrepreneurship, finance, or professional workplaces while helping you develop relevant skills.
2. Can I apply if I am more interested in entrepreneurship than traditional business?
Yes. Some of these opportunities have a specific focus on entrepreneurship or startups, including programs where you develop and pitch your own business ideas or work directly with growing companies.
3. Are business internships available outside major corporate companies?
Yes. The list includes opportunities with startups, nonprofits, government organizations, school districts, healthcare organizations, and local employers. This can give you exposure to different types of workplaces and business environments.
4. Can I pursue research alongside my business interests?
Yes. Business and research can be explored separately or combined depending on the question you want to investigate. If you want 1:1 guidance from a PhD-level researcher while developing an independent project, you can explore the Lumiere Research Scholar Program.