14 Business Programs for High School Students in Chicago
If you are a high school student who is curious about how organizations operate or how to launch your own venture in the future, a business program is worth exploring. These programs teach you major business theories and concepts while helping you develop skills in leadership, marketing, finance, and entrepreneurship. As a participant, you will typically work on projects and connect with industry professionals, building a deeper understanding of the business field.
Why should you attend a program in Chicago?
Chicago is home to global companies, startups, non-profits, and top-ranked business schools, making it a great place to explore business. These programs can offer you insights into the city’s vibrant business hub and access to business experts from diverse backgrounds. Whether you live in Chicago or plan to visit, the city offers several business programs for students interested in business, entrepreneurship, economics, management, finance, and related fields.
We have narrowed down 14 business programs for high school students in Chicago to help you get started.
If you’re looking for free online programs, check out our blog here.
1. Chicago Summer Business Institute
Location: Varies based on host company
Stipend: Paid; amount varies based on the host company
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies based on host company
Dates: Six weeks in the summer; dates vary
Application deadline: March 31; applications open on February 1.
Eligibility: 10th and 11th graders who live in Chicago, hold a “B” or 3.0 average, and have household incomes less than $80,000/year
Designed for high school students, the Chicago Summer Business Institute offers paid six-week internships. Through these paid opportunities, you will gain exposure to business and financial sectors while earning a stipend. Internship responsibilities vary by placement but typically include helping with team-specific tasks, attending meetings, and collaborating with other teams. As an intern, you will also participate in workshops, group discussions, seminars, and more. The host organization will provide you with mentorship while evaluating your work performance and helping you set career goals.
2. Young Founders Lab
Location: 100% virtual, with live, interactive workshops
Cost: Varies depending on program type; full financial aid is available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Multiple cohorts every year, including summer, fall, winter, and spring sessions
Application deadline: Varies according to cohort. You can learn more and apply here!
Eligibility: High school students
The Young Founder’s Lab is a real-world startup boot camp founded and run by Harvard entrepreneurs. In this program, you will work on building a revenue-generating startup that addresses a real-world problem. You will learn through interactive classes on business fundamentals and business ideation, workshops and skill-building sessions, case studies, panel discussions, and more. Additionally, you will receive mentorship from successful entrepreneurs and professionals at companies such as Google, Microsoft, and X.
3. NABA, Inc.’s Accounting Career Awareness Program (ACAP)
Location: Various college or university campuses across the U.S., including in Chicago, IL
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: One week in the summer + year-round support; dates vary by year and site
Application deadline: April 17; applications open on January 20.
Eligibility: 9th and 10th graders with a minimum GPA of 2.0 and 11th and 12th graders with a minimum GPA of 2.5
ACAP is a program run by the non-profit NABA, Inc. for students interested in exploring careers in business, accounting, finance, and related fields. Though the program runs year-round, its primary component is the one-week summer residency. During this week, you will participate in career exploration activities, take college-level classes on a university campus, and have the opportunity to network with industry experts through company visits. You will find opportunities to build financial fluency and skills in time management, organization, and communication. You will also learn through projects, tours of accounting firms and private sector companies, and case studies. You will live on campus, getting a glimpse into college life.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program: Business Track
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; financial assistance offered
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple sessions, including summer, spring, fall, and winter cohorts, are scheduled each year
Application deadline: Varies by cohort. You can apply here.
Eligibility: High school students; accepted students typically have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4.0
This rigorous research program is designed for high school students who want to explore a topic of interest in depth. Here, you will get to work one-on-one with a Ph. D.-level mentor on an independent research project. You can choose research topics from a wide range of subjects, including business, entrepreneurship, and international relations. You will finalize a research question with support from your mentor and also work with a writing coach to present your findings. At the end of the program, you will have developed a business-focused independent research paper.
5. Emma Bowen Foundation Fellows Program
Location: Various sites across the U.S., including in Chicago, IL
Stipend: Provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 150 students/year
Dates: Eight weeks during the summer, starting in May/June; dates vary depending on the company
Application deadline: Application window: September – April; recommend submission period is January, as applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Eligibility: 12th graders who plan to attend a four-year accredited U.S. college or university, have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0, are at least 18 years old, and are authorized to work in the U.S. without requiring sponsorship.
The Emma Bowden Foundation Fellows Program gives high school students the opportunity to gain work experience across various fields, including business. If selected, you will spend your summer as an intern at a local organization. You will take up roles in sales, public relations, marketing, human resources, or other business-related areas, undergo on-the-job training in the chosen field, and connect with peers and mentors. The program also runs professional development workshops and offers one-on-one coaching. You will typically work 35–40 hours/week for 8 weeks during the internship.
6. Invest for Kids Summer Investment Challenge @ DePaul University
Location: DePaul University, Chicago, IL
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 20 students/session
Dates: Session 1: July 27 – 31 and Session 2: August 3 – 7 (tentative)
Application deadline: June 1
Eligibility: High school students
This week-long program offers high schoolers insights into what it is like to be a finance major at DePaul University. In this residential program, you will attend seminar sessions covering financial markets, assets, financial instruments, valuation principles, and financial theory. You will visit finance companies, attend guest lectures by industry experts, and participate in workshops focused on Excel, Bloomberg terminals, and data analysis. At the end of the camp, you will pitch a stock proposal to professionals and receive feedback.
7. After School Matters Programs
Location: Across multiple sites in Chicago, IL
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by program type and site
Dates: Cohorts available in spring, summer, and fall
Application deadline: Varies by the cohort
Eligibility: Students who live and attend a high school in Chicago and are typically 14 to 18 years old
After School Matters, a not-for-profit organization, offers apprenticeship and outreach assistantship programs for high school students interested in exploring their interests and boosting career readiness. You will participate in a paid work opportunity across a wide range of disciplines, including business, marketing, and media. If you apply for the apprenticeship program, you will gain hands-on experience in a specific subject. In the outreach assistantship, you will be introduced to the workplace environment and have the opportunity to contribute to group projects while receiving mentorship.
8. One Summer Chicago
Location: Various companies across Chicago
Stipend: Provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies
Dates: Typically, June 23 – August 1
Application deadline: Early June; applications open in early March.
Eligibility: Chicago residents, ages 14 to 24; students under 18 must obtain permission from parents or guardians.
One Summer Chicago places high school students in government institutions, community-based organizations, or companies for internships or jobs. You will fill out an online application, and if an employer likes your profile, you will be called for an interview. Following your placement, you will typically work 20 to 25 hours/week during the summer months, engaging in placement-specific tasks. The tasks vary by role, but this can be an opportunity to gain exposure to real workplaces, the daily operations of a local organization, and the business sector.
9. University of Illinois Chicago Business Future Business Tech and AI Leaders Conference
Location: University of Illinois East Campus, Chicago, IL
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited spots
Dates: June 23
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students entering their sophomore, junior, or senior year of high school in the fall with a minimum 3.0 GPA
The Future Business Tech and AI Leaders is a one-day conference held at the University of Illinois Chicago, designed to introduce high school students to the intersection of business and tech. Through workshops, guest talks, and networking opportunities, you will explore how business and tech fields connect and how business leaders use technology and artificial intelligence. You will attend sessions led by UIC professors and alumni to gain insights into business majors and career paths. The schedule includes a UIC campus tour.
10. JOB1 Summer Internship Program
Location: Various companies or non-profit organizations across Chicago; training location will be announced close to the session dates
Stipend: $15.80/hour; some 12th graders may receive college awards of up to $2,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: April 5 – August 8; you can find detailed training, resume submission, and job interview dates here.
Application deadline: March 14
Eligibility: 11th and 12th-graders who are at least 16 years old and enrolled in a high school in Chicago
The JOB1 Summer Internship Program is designed to help Chicago high school students secure internship placements to gain early work experience. This is a two-part program that starts with job training sessions followed by the internship that will run for at least eight weeks. In the training period, you will enhance your interview, leadership, networking, and other workplace skills while also learning about the anatomy of a business and developing a resume. If you meet the training requirements, you will be interviewed by potential employers for an internship. Placements are typically within local businesses and non-profits in Chicago, allowing you to explore the innerworkings of organizations around you.
11. Future Founders Be Your Own Boss Internship
Location: Various startups across Chicago
Cost/Stipend: Free participation; cash stipends provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly available
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application deadline: Varies by the cohort
Eligibility: High school students; Chicago cohorts are open to students attending Chicago Public Schools and Chicago Charter Schools
This internship program offers hands-on experience to help you start your own business in the future. You will join a startup and communicate with entrepreneurs and business leaders, who will share insights into their journey and work. Simultaneously, you will find opportunities to learn how to come up with a business idea and pitch it. You will work within a team to create a business idea, design and create a working app prototype, and pitch your app at a virtual showcase. In addition to gaining work experience, you also access entrepreneurial skill-building and networking opportunities.
12. Careers in Business (CIB) Internship Program
Location: Startups and businesses across Chicago
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Rolling internship placements (typically summer and academic year options)
Application deadline: Varies by partner organisation; JEC membership required
Eligibility: High-performing Chicago high school students
Run by the Junior Economic Club of Chicago, the CIB Internship Program places high schoolers in startups or business offices in the city. As an intern, you will contribute to placement-specific tasks and gain real-world experience in the business field. Your tasks may include conducting market research, contributing to project marketing, conducting financial analysis, and assisting with business development efforts and daily operations. The program partners with organizations and programs like the Zell Fellows Program at Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management, FinLit, and Dekos Capital.
13. Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) Program
Location: Downtown Chicago
Cost: $695; need-based financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: October – April (classes scheduled once a week)
Application deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: 6th to 12th-grade girls, ages 11 – 18, in the Chicago area
The YEA!, organized by the nonprofit Female Strong, is a school-year program designed to teach middle and high school girls the essential components of starting and running a successful business. Over the course of six months, you will learn all things entrepreneurial, from how to research and come up with a business idea and pitch it to starting, developing, and promoting the business. This will be a hands-on experience where you will put the things you learn into practice. You will also find opportunities to adopt key values and skills, such as communication, business etiquette, and accountability.
14. Summer at UChicago’s Career Insight: Business and Entrepreneurship
Location: The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Cost: $5,890 (residential) | $4,100 (commuter) + $75 application fee; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly available
Dates: June 15 – 25
Application deadline: Priority deadline: February 11; Regular deadline: March 12
Eligibility: 9th to 11th graders who are at least 14 years old
This two-week UChicago program allows you to explore career paths in economics, finance, consulting, or entrepreneurship. Every morning, you will participate in lectures, discussions, reading sessions, and activities that cover key concepts in business and related disciplines. UChicago professors, lecturers, and researchers lead the sessions. The afternoons are dedicated to informational interviews and presentations that connect you to professionals. The program also lets career advancement coaches take you on career treks to different offices, where you can learn about career opportunities in the business and other related fields.
If you are looking to build a project/research paper in the field of AI & ML, consider applying to Veritas AI!
With Veritas AI, which was founded by Harvard graduate students, you can work one-on-one with mentors from universities like Stanford, Harvard, MIT, and more to create unique, personalized projects. In the past year, over 1,000 students chose to learn AI & ML with us. You can apply here, and check out a past student’s experience in the program here!