14 Marketing Internships for High School Students in California
If you’re a high school student in California interested in exploring marketing before college, there are plenty of ways to get started. One of the most effective ways is by completing a marketing-focused internship. California is home to major tech companies, creative agencies, startups, and media organizations. If you’re serious about marketing or a related field like communications or advertising, summer or semester breaks can be a great time to learn about the industry.
Internships across California give you structured opportunities to work on campaigns, contribute to brand strategies, and understand how marketing decisions are made in professional settings. Some internships are run by universities or large organizations, while others are hosted by smaller companies or nonprofits. You might help manage social media accounts, assist with market research, work on branding projects, or contribute to event promotions. These experiences also give you a competitive edge in college applications and future job opportunities.
To help you find the right fit, we’ve put together a list of 14 marketing internships for high school students in California!
1. KP Launch High School Internship Program (Sales & Marketing track)
Location: You can intern at a nearby Kaiser Permanente center or office in Northern or Southern California.
Cost: Paid (part-time stipend, details vary by region).
Application deadline: January 6
Program dates: June 16 - August 1
Eligibility: Students who will be aged 16–19 by June 1, and are current high school students and/or graduating seniors, can apply. Those applying must have the right to work in the US.
The Kaiser Permanente Launch Internship Program offers high school students the chance to explore different areas within the healthcare industry, including marketing, account management, and product development. If you’re interested in marketing, you can choose a track that focuses on projects related to healthcare outreach, communications, or brand strategy. Throughout the program, you’ll work alongside professionals and receive mentorship to better understand how marketing functions within a large healthcare organization. You’ll also participate in weekly workshops that focus on developing business and professional skills.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Cost: Varies according to program (financial aid available)
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
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 offers a remote, 8-week program where you can work with an early-stage start-up in areas such as marketing, tech, health, journalism, or consulting. As an intern, you’re matched with a company and given specific projects to complete under the guidance of a start-up mentor. You’ll also receive support from a Ladder coach who helps you stay on track throughout the program. Each week, you join group sessions that focus on practical skills like communication and time management. At the end of the program, you’ll present your work to your company team, getting direct feedback on what you contributed. Apply here.
3. Warner Bros. Discovery Reach Honorship Program
Location: California (Burbank and Los Angeles County)
Cost: Free; includes a scholarship and paid summer internship
Application Deadline: Varies by the cohort
Program Dates: Summer (exact dates vary; internship follows graduation)
Eligibility: Open to graduating high school seniors from California with an interest in business or media/entertainment; must be available to work in-person in Burbank or LA County.
Warner Bros. Discovery Reach Honorship Program is a paid internship and scholarship for high school seniors in Burbank or Los Angeles County who want to explore the business side of media and entertainment. If you’re selected, you’ll intern at Warner Bros. Discovery in departments like marketing, finance, human resources, operations, or content development.
You’ll learn how major media companies run behind the scenes and get mentorship from professionals in those fields. Internship placements are based on your chosen track, like Business, Production, or Studio Operations, and you’ll work on projects that build your skills in teamwork, communication, and corporate operations.
4. Young Founders Lab
Location: This program is 100% virtual, with live, interactive workshops
Application Deadline: Varies according to cohort. You can access the application link here!
Program Dates: Vary according to cohort
Eligibility: All high school students can apply
The Young Founders Lab is a start-up program where you work on developing a business idea that addresses a real-world issue to build a functioning, revenue-generating start-up. The program is led by student entrepreneurs from Harvard and includes mentorship from professionals with experience at companies like Google, Microsoft, and X.
Throughout the program, you’ll take part in sessions on topics such as business planning, market research, and product development. You’ll also attend workshops, case study discussions, and skill-building classes designed to support your start-up work. While this program isn’t a traditional internship, it combines hands-on project work with structured learning, offering a similar experience to other work-based opportunities. You can check out the brochure for the program here.
5. Meta Summer Academy (MSA)
Location: California (East Palo Alto, Belle Haven, North Fair Oaks, Redwood City)
Cost: Free with stipend, meals, transportation
Application Deadline: February 14
Program Dates: June 16 - July 25 (6 weeks, 30 hours/week)
Eligibility: Open to current sophomores with a minimum 2.0 GPA; applicants must be full-year residents of East Palo Alto, Belle Haven, North Fair Oaks, or Redwood City.
The Meta Summer Academy (MSA) is a six-week paid program for high school sophomores interested in fields such as business, technology, or entrepreneurship. As a participant, you’ll work on assigned projects at Meta, with possible focus areas including product development, user experience, digital marketing, and business planning. Each day involves structured activities that help you develop workplace skills and learn how teams operate within a large tech company. You’ll also take part in sessions led by Meta staff and guest speakers.
6. Emma Bowen Foundation Summer Internship
Location: Various locations in the U.S., including California (e.g., Los Angeles, San Francisco)
Cost: Free, pays a stipend (amount set by partners)
Application Deadline: Rolling review from September to April; final placements by May 1
Program Dates: May–August (minimum 8 weeks, full-time)
Eligibility: Open to high school seniors and undergraduate students (graduating spring this year or later); minimum 3.0 GPA; must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and 18+ by internship start.
The Emma Bowen Foundation Fellowship provides paid internships to high school and college students from underrepresented backgrounds. As a fellow, you’ll be placed with a partner company in industries such as media, technology, or business, and work in areas like marketing, public relations, finance, operations, or content development. The program offers practical experience in a professional setting, along with mentorship and career development resources. Each year, about 150 students are selected to take part.
7. Smithsonian Science Education Center Internships
Location: Virtual and in-person options (Washington, DC)
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Students will receive a modest stipend
Application deadline: Applications typically close March-end
Program dates: 10 weeks between May and August, with a flexible schedule for virtual internships
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old can apply.
The Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC) offers internship opportunities for students interested in education, communications, and STEM outreach. Each year, the SSEC hosts interns in roles related to marketing, communications, and public relations. You’ll assist with creating and managing content, supporting communication strategies, and helping with day-to-day tasks that keep the team running smoothly.
You’ll also gain an understanding of how a communications team operates within an education-focused organization, and how marketing materials are developed and used to support program goals. Some of these internships, including those with the SSEC, are available remotely through the Smithsonian Office of Internship Programs, allowing for flexible participation.
8. SFUSD Summer Internships with Industry Partners
Location: San Francisco, CA
Cost: Paid (interns earn for a minimum of 20 hours/week)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Dates: June–August (Exact dates not specified)
Eligibility: Open to sophomores and juniors enrolled in SFUSD (priority to rising seniors)
The SFUSD Summer Internships with Industry Partners program connects you with local organizations where you can gain experience in fields such as marketing, finance, law, and project management. You’ll be paired with a mentor and work at least 20 hours each week in a professional setting. Alongside your internship, you’ll participate in weekly seminars focused on building career skills like communication and professionalism. The program prioritizes rising high school seniors, and placements are made based on your interests and the availability of partner organizations.
9. The Mary Miller Summer Program by the PHC Group
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: No cost. This is a paid internship, but information on the exact amount is not available.
Application deadline: Not specified, but you are urged to apply as soon as possible.
Program dates: Not specified, but the program takes place in the summer.
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors can apply.
PHC Group High School Internship is a paid remote internship for rising high school juniors and seniors. You’ll support the team by working on social media projects, engaging with online communities, and helping improve virtual collaboration. You’ll also assist with social marketing research and contribute to planning meetings. You’ll build business-relevant skills in communication, digital marketing, project coordination, and client support. You’ll use tools like Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and learn how to manage multiple assignments efficiently.
10. Interns 4-Good - Marketing Internships
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: No cost, internships are unpaid.
Application deadline: Open throughout the year.
Program dates: Variable based on the internship selected.
Eligibility: High school students from grades 9–12 are eligible to apply.
Interns4Good is a remote organization that connects high school students with internship opportunities at various nonprofits. The program regularly updates its list of available positions, which includes roles in marketing and outreach, both within the organization and through its partner nonprofits. You can choose between online and in-person internships depending on the opportunity. If you work with a partner nonprofit, you’ll be responsible for submitting weekly reports that detail your hours and a summary of your activities.
11. L.A. Times High School Insider Internship
Location: Los Angeles, CA (in-person at L.A. Times headquarters)
Cost: Free; paid internship
Application Deadline: Spring (typically March/April; see site for updates)
Program Dates: 7 weeks (summer)
Eligibility: High school students from Southern California (ages 16–18, must be able to commute)
L.A. Times High School Insider Internship is a paid summer program where you’ll spend six weeks learning how to tell stories that connect with digital audiences. You’ll get direct mentorship from L.A. Times journalists and build skills in writing, video production, and branded multimedia content. You’ll learn how to pitch ideas, manage creative projects, and produce work that’s ready for publication.
Everything you create is designed to build your experience in marketing communications, public relations, and audience engagement. By the end, you’ll have published work, professional references, and a portfolio that shows you know how to communicate with impact.
12. Guide Dogs for the Blind - Marketing and Social Media Volunteer Program
Location: Various community locations and online social media platforms (volunteer-based, no specific physical location)
Cost: Free (volunteer opportunity)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Program Dates: Ongoing volunteer engagement
Eligibility: Open to all volunteers; no age or location restrictions officially listed
Guide Dogs for the Blind – Marketing and Social Media Volunteer Program is a free, ongoing opportunity where you’ll help build awareness for a national nonprofit through digital outreach and community engagement. You’ll share updates, milestones, and stories across platforms like Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, and YouTube to support GDB’s mission and recruit new volunteers. You’ll get access to branding guidelines, media coaching, and official content to help you create compelling posts. The Marketing team will support you with tools and feedback, and you may also participate in media opportunities or corporate partnership campaigns.
13. Bank of America Student Leaders Program
Location: Local nonprofits (placements throughout California)
Cost: Paid internship (students receive a stipend and an all-expenses-paid weeklong summit in Washington, DC)
Application Deadline: January (annually)
Program Dates: 8 weeks, usually June–August
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (must be able to work legally in the U.S.)
Bank of America Student Leaders Program is a paid, eight-week summer internship where you’ll work 35 hours per week at a nonprofit in your community. You’ll take on real projects in communications, marketing, and civic engagement, like planning events, running outreach campaigns, and supporting leadership initiatives.
You’ll also attend a weeklong leadership summit in Washington, D.C., where you’ll meet peers from across the country and learn how nonprofits, businesses, and government work together to drive change. You’ll build experience in project management, public speaking, and strategic communication, all while getting mentorship and professional references.
14. NorCal Public Media - Journalism & Media Internships
Location: Rohnert Park, Sonoma County, CA (in-person; note: next available cohort begins Fall due to a facility move)
Cost: Paid (stipend to all accepted high school interns)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Program Dates: Academic year, with a commitment of at least 8–10 hours per week during business hours.
Eligibility: High school students (as well as college/technical students) interested in journalism, media, or communications; must have transportation to the office.
NorCal Public Media Internship is a paid opportunity for high school students interested in journalism, digital media, and communications. You’ll choose a focus area from Audio Production, Video Production, Environmental Reporting, or News and work directly with professional journalists and producers to create content for radio, TV, and web platforms. You’ll build skills in digital storytelling, branded content, and marketing strategy. Assignments include writing PSAs, producing promos, managing social media, and pitching stories for broadcast.
Image Source - Ladder Internship logo