Exploring summer business internships as a high school student is one of the most effective ways to move beyond classroom learning and gain practical exposure. These programs place you in professional environments, ranging from corporate offices and financial firms to entrepreneurial startups, where you can practice core skills like communication, project management, and data analysis. By working alongside mentors and contributing to actual projects, you not only build a stronger resume but also learn how business decisions are made in practice.
For those of you considering careers in finance, management, marketing, or entrepreneurship, summer business internships for high school students provide early insights into workplace systems, professional expectations, and the practical application of business concepts. This combination of skill-building and hands-on experience makes these internships a valuable stepping stone toward future academic and career success. Here’s our curated list of 15 summer business internships for high school students.
1. Ladder Internship Program
Stipend: None
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort; the Winter cohort application deadline is November 16
Cost: Varies depending on program type
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world
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! In the program, you work with a high-growth start-up on an internship. Start-ups offering internships span across a variety of 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. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies on average, raising over $1 million. Past founders have included YCombinator alums, founders who raised over $30 million, and founders who have previously worked at Microsoft, Google, and Facebook. In the program, you will work closely with your managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects and present your work to the company. You will be offered one-on-one training in communication, time management, and other valuable skills. You will also have the opportunity to attend group training sessions with other interns. This virtual internship typically lasts 8 weeks.
2. Veritas AI
Stipend: None
Program Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter
Application deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November); Winter application deadline is October 19
Cost: $2,490 for the 10-week AI Scholars program | $5,900 for the 15-week AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase | $7,900 for both. Need-based financial aid is available for AI Scholars. You can apply here
Location: Virtual
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students anywhere in the world. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python
Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers programs for high school students who are passionate about artificial intelligence. Students who are interested in getting started with AI, ML, and data science would benefit from the AI Scholars program. Through this 10-session boot camp, students are introduced to the fundamentals of AI & data science and get a chance to work on real-world projects.
Another option for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. Through this program, you will have the opportunity to work one-on-one with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. A bonus of this program is that you will have access to the in-house publication team to help you secure publications in high school research journals. You can also check out some examples of previous projects here.
3. The Intern Project (TIP) – LA Promise Fund
Stipend: Paid stipend (amount varies by placement)
Program Dates: June 17 – August 9
Application Deadline: March 15
Cost: Free
Location: Majority virtual, with placements across Los Angeles County
Eligibility: 10th–12th grade students attending an LA County high school (including DACA/undocumented and foster youth)
The Intern Project summer program places Los Angeles high school students in an eight-week internship with organizations spanning business, technology, media, and nonprofits. You’ll gain structured exposure to various workplace tools, including project management platforms, basic productivity software, and communication systems. Workshops emphasize career exploration, professional writing, and planning frameworks, while mentor guidance strengthens workplace readiness. You’ll earn college credit and may receive professional certifications in addition to your internship experience. The program also integrates informational interviews and small skills-based projects, preparing you to apply real analytical and organizational skills in professional contexts.
4. Chicago Summer Business Institute (CSBI)
Stipend: Paid (rate varies by host employer)
Program Dates: Six-week summer program (exact dates announced by CSBI/host site)
Application Deadline: February 1 – March 31 (Application portal open)
Cost: Free (program is sponsor-funded)
Location: In-person across Chicago, IL (hosted by banks, firms, and public agencies)
Eligibility: City of Chicago residents; current high-school sophomores or juniors; minimum “B”/3.0 GPA; household income below $80,000; ability to meet daily program commitments
The Chicago Summer Business Institute immerses you in the professional world through a six-week paid internship at local firms, banks, or city agencies. You’ll handle entry-level business tasks, such as data entry, financial record-keeping, and office coordination, while also practicing with tools like spreadsheets and presentation software. Weekly workshops sharpen your interviewing, resume drafting, and time-management skills, while mentors guide you through goal-setting and workplace feedback. The program’s structure is designed to help you understand how theoretical business concepts translate into day-to-day organizational work.
5. Bank of America Student Leaders® Program
Stipend: Paid 8-week internship (with local nonprofit organizations)
Program Dates: Eight weeks in the summer (includes national leadership summit in Washington, D.C.)
Application Deadline: Applications typically open in November and close in January (2025 applications are closed; students are notified in spring)
Cost: Free; includes a paid internship and all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C.
Location: Available in ~100 U.S. communities; includes one week in Washington, D.C. for the leadership summit
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors from participating communities; U.S. citizens with a demonstrated commitment to community service
The Student Leaders® program combines an eight-week paid internship at a local nonprofit with leadership development programming. You’ll gain firsthand experience in project planning, community outreach, and nonprofit management while also sharpening core business skills, such as budgeting, collaboration, and communication. The capstone is a national summit in Washington, D.C., where you’ll analyze how nonprofits, businesses, and governments intersect to address local needs. This dual structure gives you both workplace experience and exposure to policy-level problem-solving.
6. KP LAUNCH High School Internship (Kaiser Permanente)
Stipend: $23–24 per hour (full-time, 40 hours/week)
Program Dates: June 16 – August 1
Application Deadline: January 6
Cost: Free
Location: Kaiser Permanente offices and medical centers across Northern California
Eligibility: High school students aged 16–19 with permanent residence in a Northern California Kaiser Permanente service area; priority given to juniors and seniors; must be legally eligible to work in the U.S.
KP LAUNCH provides a seven-week paid internship where you’ll work in administrative and supporting roles within Kaiser Permanente. You’ll be placed in departments such as finance, internal medicine administration, patient services coordination, or business operations. Weekly workshops focus on workplace readiness, covering communication, networking, and time management, while mentors guide you through career planning and feedback cycles. You’ll gain exposure to real organizational workflows and professional office tools while being compensated at one of the most competitive hourly rates for high school programs. The experience is full-time, so you’ll learn how to manage professional responsibilities in a structured, 40-hour workweek environment.
7. Genesys Works High School Internship Program
Stipend: $10,000–$13,000 during senior year (part-time internship pay)
Program Dates: Eight weeks of summer training, followed by a year-long internship during the senior year of high school
Application Deadline: Varies by location (applications usually open in spring)
Cost: Free
Location: Multiple U.S. cities, including Houston, Chicago, the Bay Area, Twin Cities, and others (placements with top local companies)
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors (must be on track to graduate, able to legally work in the U.S., and have a modified school schedule to accommodate internship hours)
Genesys Works begins with an intensive eight-week summer training where you learn professional software skills, project management basics, and workplace communication. After completing training, you transition into a year-long, paid corporate internship working ~20 hours per week during your senior year. Placements are typically with Fortune 500 firms, giving you exposure to business operations, IT systems, and corporate workflows. Professional coaching supports you throughout, with guidance on college applications, financial aid, and career pathways. By the time you graduate, you’ll have a strong resume, a professional network, and a paid work record with a major company.
8. Warner Bros. Discovery Reach Honorship Program
Stipend: Paid internship + scholarship package (amount varies by honorship)
Program Dates: Summer internship following high school graduation; ongoing scholarship support during college
Application Deadline: Typically in spring (varies by year)
Cost: Free
Location: Burbank, CA, and Los Angeles County, CA (various Warner Bros. Discovery divisions)
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors in Los Angeles County with a strong interest in media, business, or entertainment careers
The Reach Honorship pairs a summer internship at Warner Bros. Discovery with a scholarship to support your college education. Internships are housed in corporate functions, such as finance, human resources, operations, marketing, and communications, as well as creative-adjacent areas, including content development and post-production management. You’ll work on real business projects, gaining exposure to the workflows behind a major global entertainment company. Mentorship is central to the program, helping you connect classroom learning in business and media to industry practice. The scholarship component ensures continued support as you transition to college.
9. High School Scholars Internship Program (HSSIP) – Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC)
Stipend: Paid (six-week paid summer internship)
Program Dates: Six weeks in summer (generally aligned with late June – early August via local SYEP timelines)
Application Deadline: Runs through DC MBSYEP/Prince George’s County SYEP + OCC HSSIP application; timeline varies by locality (typically spring)
Cost: Free
Location: Washington, D.C. (OCC), with eligibility limited to DC and Prince George’s County, MD residents
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors; nominated by a school counselor/administrator; resident of Washington, D.C., or Prince George’s County, MD; must complete local SYEP certification + OCC application and interview
Across six weeks, you work in small training teams to learn how a federal banking regulator operates, covering the OCC’s mission, the structure of the U.S. banking system, and how examiners assess safety, soundness, and fair treatment. You’ll build public-speaking and professional communication skills while practicing workplace fundamentals like briefing prep, spreadsheet-driven tasks, and clear business writing. The content emphasizes how policies translate into day-to-day supervisory workflows, giving you a concrete view of regulation as a business function. Because HSSIP hires through DC and Prince George’s County summer youth employment programs, you gain paid experience plus a structured pathway to federal careers exposure.
10. Junior Economic Club of Chicago – Careers in Business (CIB) Internship Program
Stipend: Varies by placement (some paid, some unpaid)
Program Dates: Summer (exact dates depend on host organization)
Application Deadline: Rolling (applications typically accepted during the academic year for summer placement)
Cost: Free (open only to JEC members)
Location: Chicago, IL (placements with local startups, investment firms, and financial literacy organizations)
Eligibility: High school students who are active members of the Junior Economic Club of Chicago; admission to JEC required
Through JEC’s Careers in Business Program, you gain direct exposure to startups, private equity firms, and financial literacy organizations in Chicago. Current placements include working with MBA-founded ventures through Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management, supporting FinLit with curriculum design and product marketing, and conducting investment research with Dekos Capital. Assignments may include business development, industry research, sales support, and underwriting evaluations, allowing you to develop skills in data analysis, market strategy, and financial modeling. The program is highly selective, building a pipeline of top-performing high school students into meaningful business internships while also connecting you to JEC’s alumni and partner network.
11. After School Matters (ASM) Programs – Chicago
Stipend: Paid stipend upon program completion (amount varies by program)
Program Dates: Sessions run seasonally; summer programs typically run June – August (6–8 weeks)
Application Deadline: Varies by session. For summer sessions, the deadlines are typically in May
Cost: Free
Location: Multiple program sites across Chicago (e.g., Gallery 37 Center for the Arts, Lutz Center, Gately Park, plus community partner locations)
Eligibility: Chicago public high school students ages 14–18
ASM offers hundreds of hands-on programs each summer, allowing you to explore business-related tracks, like entrepreneurship, financial literacy, digital marketing, and community organizing, alongside other fields. You’ll work directly with professional instructors and complete real projects, from planning campaigns to supporting small business ventures. All participants receive a stipend, turning the experience into both a training program and a paid summer opportunity. Because programs are embedded in neighborhoods across the city, ASM makes it accessible for local students to build technical, organizational, and teamwork skills while connecting with peers and mentors.
12. Meta Summer Academy (MSA)
Stipend: Paid stipend (amount varies by year; includes meals and transportation support)
Program Dates: June 16 – July 25 (six weeks, ~30 hours per week)
Application Deadline: December 1 – February 14 (application, transcripts, and recommendation due by deadline)
Cost: Free
Location: Meta offices; open to residents of East Palo Alto, Belle Haven, North Fair Oaks, and Redwood City, CA
Eligibility: High school sophomores (minimum GPA 2.0) who are full-year residents of eligible communities; no prior tech experience required
Meta Summer Academy is a six-week immersion where sophomores explore both technical and non-technical career paths at one of the world’s largest social media companies. Training modules cover coding, financial literacy, media, and professional communication, paired with guest lectures and networking sessions with Meta employees. You’ll commit to 30 hours per week in a structured schedule, gaining insight into how corporate functions, from marketing to operations, work inside a global tech giant. You will also practice reflection, networking, and presentation skills, which are emphasized as much as technical learning. By the end of the program, you will gain both workplace fluency and a clearer understanding of how business and technology intersect.
13. Stevens Institute of Technology – Organizational Leadership Virtual Summer Research Experience
Stipend: None
Program Dates: July 7 – August 11 (five weeks)
Application Deadline: March 1 (applications open December 20; notifications by April 15)
Cost: $1,500
Location: Virtual (weekly asynchronous modules + live office hours)
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors entering high school in the fall
This five-week online research program, offered by the Stevens School of Business, focuses on management and organizational leadership. You will examine frameworks in corporate culture, ethics and social responsibility, and strategic communication, using weekly modules supported by faculty mentorship. The asynchronous structure allows you to work independently while checking in during live office hours for in-depth discussions. The program emphasizes research-based exploration of how leadership theory applies to real organizational settings. By the end, you’ll have sharpened your analytical, writing, and communication skills while building a foundation for future studies in business and management.
14. NASA OSTEM High School Internships
Stipend: Paid (hourly rate varies by center and role)
Program Dates: Summer, dates vary by NASA center; generally June–August
Application Deadline: February for the Summer session
Cost: Free (paid internship with no tuition)
Location: NASA centers and facilities across the U.S. (in-person and some virtual options)
Eligibility: High school students age 16+ with a minimum 3.0 GPA; U.S. citizenship required; must be enrolled full-time in high school at the time of application
NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) offers high school students paid internships across NASA centers nationwide. Although many placements focus on science and engineering, students can also intern in business-focused areas such as finance, budgeting, procurement, project management, accounting, IT management, and program analysis. You will work side-by-side with NASA professionals, contributing to real projects while learning workplace software and analytical tools. Each internship includes structured mentorship, skill-building workshops, and exposure to large-scale organizational systems. For business-minded students, NASA internships highlight how financial, operational, and administrative teams support scientific innovation.
15. CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA) High School Internship Program
Stipend: Paid (hourly wage; varies by location)
Program Dates: Summer (beginning in June; exact dates vary by office)
Application Deadline: Varies by office (applications typically open in spring)
Cost: Free
Location: Select CLA offices nationwide (130+ locations across the U.S.)
Eligibility: High school students ages 16–18 interested in business, accounting, or professional services; must be legally eligible to work in the U.S.
CLA’s high school internship program places students directly in professional services firms, where they assist with entry-level accounting and business projects. You will gain exposure to client work, financial reporting, and organizational processes, while also engaging in teamwork and communication in a corporate environment. You will be mentored by CLA professionals and explore career paths in accounting, wealth advisory, and consulting. With paid placements in multiple cities, the program provides a practical foundation in business operations while allowing you to test-drive future career options.
For further information on summer business internships for high school students, you can also refer to other relevant posts available on Horizon’s blog.
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