13 Best Business Summer Internships for High School Students
If you are in high school and want to explore business, summer internships can be a good place to start. These programs introduce you to real workplaces. You may work in finance, marketing, entrepreneurship, consulting, or other fields. This list covers different types of business internships. Some are at big companies, while others are with small teams or nonprofits. Some focus on professional development, whereas others expect you to participate in hands-on work. You can use these programs to learn how a business operates, connect with people working in the field, and decide what interests you.
Here are the 13 best business summer internships for high school students.
1. Bank of America Student Leaders Program
Bank of America provides an 8-week-long internship for high schoolers. This program can be a great way to develop skills you can use in the future and make connections. Through this program, you will be assigned a nonprofit organization to work with in your region. You will attend events, seminars, and workshops where you can meet Bank of America employees. You will also get to participate in a national Leadership Summit held in Washington, D.C.
Location: Multiple locations across the U.S., you can find the list of locations here
Cost: Fully funded
Application Deadline: January 15
Program Dates: After the end of your school year for eight weeks, including the leadership summit in D.C., July 21-26
Eligibility: You must be a junior or senior in high school and able to work in the region where the program runs.
2. Veritas AI Internship
Veritas AI offers an 8-week virtual internship where you work on business-focused projects with VC-backed startups. You will use your skills in artificial intelligence and machine learning to solve real problems. You will also work directly with startup founders and get mentorship from professionals at Google, Microsoft, McKinsey, Wharton, and Harvard.
This program is for students who already have experience in AI and ML, especially if you’ve completed a Veritas AI course. During the internship, you will build models, analyze data, and improve algorithms. You will also get feedback on your work from both startup teams and AI mentors.If you complete the internship, you will receive a letter of completion.
Cost: $2,490
Location: Virtual
Dates: Multiple 8-week cohorts throughout the year (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter)
Application Deadline: Spring: January, Summer: May, Fall: September, Winter: November
Eligibility: High school students with prior AI/ML experience or who have completed a Veritas AI program
3. K. P. Launch High School Internship Program - Sales and Marketing Track
This program provides you with experience in the healthcare industry, focusing on your professional development. The program includes tracks in various fields related to healthcare, including accounting, finance, management, sales, marketing, and more. You will participate in weekly workshops that will give you professional skills.
Location: Nearest Kaiser Permanente Medical Center or business office near you. You can find the list of areas here.
Cost: None. Interns get $24 per hour.
Application Deadline: January 6
Program Dates: June 16 - August 1
Eligibility: Should be between 16- 19 years by June 1st. Priority is given to juniors and seniors. Applicants must have the right to work in the U.S.
4. Ladder Internship Program
Through this program, you will get to work with fast-growing startups. These startups offer internships that come from many different industries, including technology, AI and machine learning, health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. To explore all the options available, click here. During the internship, you'll get to work with managers and coaches on your projects and submit your work to the company.
Location: Remote.
Cost: Starting at $2,490 (financial aid available)
Application Deadline: Deadlines depend on the cohort you apply for: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), or Winter (November).
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Eligibility: Open to high school students, college students, and those on a gap year! Applicants should be able to work 10–20 hours per week for 8–12 weeks.
5. Warner Bros Reach Honorship Program – Business Track
The Warner Bros Reach Honorship program—Business Track is for high school seniors interested in the business side of media and entertainment. If you’re interested in working in finance, marketing, communications, and other corporate and administrative roles in the entertainment industry, then this program may be for you. You will gain experience in film and television production, getting a comprehensive view of the creative and business aspects of the industry.
Location: Warner Bros. Discovery Studios in Burbank, California
Cost: Free; students are paid a $5,000 stipend towards their college tuition. The scholarship will be paid directly to the college/university in equal ($1,250) annual installments.
Application Deadline: February
Program Dates: Dates vary
Eligibility: Students should be high school seniors in Burbank or Los Angeles County, have a minimum 3.0 GPA by graduation, and plan to attend an accredited college or university.
6. Meta Summer Academy
Meta, previously known as Facebook, hosts this summer academy program. You will learn about business practices at Meta and participate in its day-to-day environment. Interns will receive guidance from Meta employees and gain valuable experience in the tech industry. This internship focuses on technology and innovation and is among the best business internships for high schoolers.
Location: Meta Headquarters, CA
Cost: Free, stipend provided
Application Deadline: February 14
Program Dates: 6 weeks (June through July)
Eligibility: High school sophomores who are full-year residents of East Palo Alto, Belle Haven, or Redwood City are encouraged to apply
7. High School Business Internship with PNNL
PNNL offers internships for high school students that run throughout the school year. Joining the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory as a business intern is a great opportunity to gain experience, develop skills, and make professional connections during the school year. During the internship period, you’ll be paired with a mentor from PNNL’s business/administration department. PNNL works with your high school to offer this internship as part of a Work-Based Learning Program, which means you can earn elective credits for your work. You will also get to participate in different leadership development activities and workshops.
Location: Richland, WA
Cost: No cost
Application Deadline: Applications are reviewed as they come in, so it's best to apply as soon as they open in early February.
Program Dates: Between August and May
Eligibility: High school students.
8. High School Internship at Port of Seattle
The Port of Seattle’s High School Internship Program helps you develop the skills needed to succeed in a corporate setting. You will learn the Port’s Code of Conduct and communications technology and business skills such as diversity and inclusion, process improvement, project management, networking, public speaking, communications, and leadership. Throughout the summer, you'll participate in various career exploration activities to enhance learning and expose you to different areas of the Port. These include mentorship sessions, facility tours, LinkedIn basics, and resume-building workshops.
Location: Seattle, WA
Cost: None, Stipend of $18 per hour
Application Deadline: Applications for the summer internship open in May, and applications for the winter internship open in November.
Program Dates: 8 weeks
Eligibility: Applicants must be 16 years old and enrolled in high school
9. Jimerson Birr High School Internship
Jimerson Birr, a firm specializing in business and commercial litigation, offers a High School Summer Internship Program. You will work with the heads of various departments. Based on your interests, you can gain experience in areas like accounting, communications, marketing, legal services, and information technology.
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Cost: No cost
Application Deadline: Click here for latest updates
Program Dates: 4-6 weeks
Eligibility: High school seniors
10. DOROT Internships
This nonprofit organization works to help the elderly overcome social isolation. They offer a four-week-long internship to high school students in New York City. You can gain up to 112 hours of community service. While this internship exposes you to non-profit management, you are expected to conduct activities with older adults. DOROT offers these internships across four sessions each year—two in Manhattan, one in Long Island, and one in Brighton Beach.
Location: New York City, NY
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: Not specified, click here for more details
Program Dates: Session 1: June 23 - July 16, Manhattan, Session 2: July 23 - August 14, Manhattan, Suffolk Y JCC Session: July 21 - August 14, Long Island
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors based in NYC can apply.
11. SPARK Summer Internship Program
SPARK connects high school students in the Greater Seattle area with mentors from various professional fields. This program gives you professional experience by connecting you with industry experts, educators, and community leaders. You will gain valuable insights, explore career paths, and develop essential skills. They partner you with mentors from different backgrounds, including startups, established companies, and academia.
Location: Seattle, Washington
Cost: Free, stipend available
Application Deadline: March
Program Dates: June-August (8-10 weeks)
Eligibility: High school students in the Seattle area who are eligible to work in the US may apply for this program.
12. Future and Options Internship Program
The Futures and Options Internship Program offers high school students the chance to gain professional experience. Based on your interests and skills, you will be placed in paid, mentored positions with business partners. You will also participate in orientations, financial literacy workshops, and career exploration field trips. The program emphasizes career preparation and personal growth, which will help you build connections with professionals while developing key workplace skills. You will complete a reflection workshop to conclude the experience.
Location: 111 Broadway, Manhattan, NY. Remote opportunities are also available
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: January 31
Program Dates: Over 6 weeks in July and August.
Eligibility: Students must be a junior or senior in a high school in New York City
13. CLA High School Internship Program
This internship program provides students with experience in accounting and finance, covering areas such as financial analysis, tax preparation, and auditing. You can apply theoretical knowledge to different projects, which will help you enhance your analytical and problem-solving skills. This program can help with networking, offering opportunities to connect with mentors and industry experts, which can benefit a future career in accounting and finance.
Location: Multiple locations across the U.S.
Cost: No cost stipend will be provided
Application Deadline: Typically in January
Program Dates: Mid-June to August (8 weeks)
Eligibility: Open to high school students aged 16-18
Image Source - SPARK Logo