10 Business Internships for High School Students
Aside from giving college applications a boost, business internships offer high school students valuable opportunities to gain real-world experience, develop professional skills, and explore potential career paths. With an internship, students will get to apply classroom knowledge to practical situations, develop essential skills such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and time management, gain a deeper understanding of various fields, and build credibility.
Internships also allow students to network with professionals, improving their future job prospects. Additionally, the hands-on experience and mentorship received during internships can help students make informed decisions about their college majors and careers, ensuring they are well-prepared for the professional world. Here are 10 business internships for high school students that you can consider!
Cost: $1990 (Financial Aid Available)
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Application deadline: Rolling application dates.
Program dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year. The Fall Cohort deadline is on August 25, 2024.
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 that offer internships range across a variety of industries from tech/deep tech, 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 a million dollars. Past founders have included YCombinator alums, founders raising over 30 million dollars, or founders who previously worked at Microsoft, Google, and Facebook. In the program, interns work closely with their managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects and present their work to the company. Here is the application form.
Interns are offered one-on-one training in communication, time management, and other valuable skills, and they will also have the opportunity to attend group training sessions with other interns in their cohort. The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long.
2. Kaiser Permanente (KP) Launch High School Program
Stipend: $15.50-$18/hour
Location: Kaiser centers near you
Application Deadline: Applications are closed for this summer. Check the website for updates.
Internship Dates: June 17 - August 2, 2024
Eligibility: Open to high school students aged 16 - 19 by June 1. Priority is given to junior and senior students. Graduating students are also able to apply. Must be a permanent resident in a Northern California Kaiser Permanente designated service area
The KP Launch High School Program is an excellent opportunity for students to explore the business and administrative aspects of healthcare settings. In this internship, participants engage in weekly workshops to develop their skills, receive guidance from supervisors and mentors, and collaborate with peers on community service projects.
Each year, the program rotates its departments and projects, exposing students to various fields such as internal medicine, patient care, nursing, and administration. This ensures that interns receive a broad understanding of different roles within healthcare facilities.
3. Bank of America Student Leaders Program
Stipend: A stipend is offered, details of which are open to discussion. Do note that the trip to DC is completely covered.
Location: Country-wide, the program will assign you to a local non-profit
Application Deadline: Applications open in October and typically close in January
Internship Dates: 8 weeks throughout the summer, but start dates vary based on an internship
Eligibility: Open to high school juniors and seniors
The Bank of America Student Leaders Program selects around 300 dedicated high school students each year who are passionate about community service. These motivated individuals participate in an eight-week paid internship, gaining hands-on experience by working with nonprofit organizations such as Habitat for Humanity and Boys and Girls Clubs of America.
A standout feature of this prestigious program is the Student Leadership Summit held in Washington, DC. The bank covers all travel, accommodation, and meal expenses for the week-long event. During the summit, participants learn how nonprofits, government entities, and businesses collaborate to meet community needs. They are inspired by powerful stories of dedication and equipped with the tools and insights needed to drive positive change and make a significant impact in their own communities.
This unique experience not only provides interns with a deep understanding of nonprofit operations but also highlights the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing local issues effectively. The program's combination of practical work experience and leadership development makes it a valuable opportunity for aspiring community leaders.
Stipend: A stipend is provided
Location: Menlo Park, CA
Application Deadline: March
Internship Dates: 6 weeks from June through July
Eligibility: Open to sophomores in high school who reside in East Palo Alto, Belle Haven, or Redwood City
Meta, formerly Facebook, runs an exclusive summer program for high school students known as the Meta Summer Academy. This competitive six-week internship takes place in California from June to July, offering students an immersive experience in the daily operations and diverse practices at Meta.
Interns dedicate 30 hours per week to gaining first hand exposure to the tech business environment. Each participant is paired with a mentor, a Meta employee who provides guidance and ensures that the interns thoroughly understand Meta's operations.
To make the program accessible to students throughout California, Meta covers all transportation expenses for the externs. This prestigious internship accepts only 150 high school students annually, highlighting its highly selective and competitive nature.
5. Warner Bros Reach Honorship Program - Business Track
Stipend: Students receive a $5,000 stipend towards college tuition
Location: Burbank, CA
Application Deadline: February
Internship Dates: During college (dates vary)
Eligibility: Open to students who are high school seniors in Burbank, have a minimum GPA of 3.0 upon graduation, plan to attend accredited college or university, are passionate about a career in the business of media and entertainment, have effective verbal and written communication skills
The Reach Honorship Program immerses students in the creative and business aspects of the entertainment industry, offering a comprehensive experience that covers various facets of film and television. Interns engage in a wide range of activities, providing a broad perspective on the operations of a major studio.
Participants work alongside industry professionals, gaining practical insights and hands-on experience in areas such as production, marketing, and post-production. Depending on their interests and the program’s focus, students may assist with creative development, contribute to multimedia production, or get involved in marketing initiatives and campaigns.
A key component of the program is mentorship, which allows participants to learn from seasoned professionals and build valuable industry connections. By the end of the Reach Honorship Program, students will have gained significant experience within the entertainment industry and established professional relationships and knowledge that can guide their future career paths.
6. KPMG U.S. Empower High School Experience
Stipend: $25/hour
Location: New York City
Application Deadline: They will continue to update the program’s information through the summer. Pay attention to any new updates or posts.
Internship Dates: 3 weeks through the span of July
Eligibility: Open to students who are rising juniors or seniors in high school and live in commutable proximity to a KPMG local office
The KPMG U.S. Empower High School Experience is a prime opportunity for students with an interest in accounting, finance, and professional services. This program offers a detailed and practical introduction to fundamental areas, including accounting principles, tax concepts, auditing processes, and advisory services.
Students engage in interactive workshops and real-world case studies, allowing them to apply their knowledge practically and move beyond theoretical learning. Moreover, the program also includes guest lectures and workshops conducted by industry experts, providing perspectives that can influence students' career decisions!
7. SPARK Summer Internship Program
Stipend: Some internships are unpaid, but some offer a maximum stipend of $500.
Location: Various locations across the country with the internship. Some are remote.
Application Deadline: May
Program Dates: June to August (6-8 weeks)
Eligibility: Open to all students who can work for 40 hours/week, for 6-8 weeks
The Spark SIP is highly competitive, boasting an acceptance rate of under 5%.
This prestigious program offers internships in diverse fields, including computer science, software engineering, market research, engineering sales and marketing, competitive analysis, and social media content creation.
Interns engage in full-time summer positions, gaining hands-on research experience, interacting with industry leaders, and learning from distinguished scholars. Participants choose 5-6 projects that align with their interests, each with dedicated sponsors, allowing for a personalized experience tailored to their career goals.
While the list of 2024 internship opportunities has yet to be published, students are advised to regularly check the Spark SIP website for updates. This program provides a unique opportunity to gain practical experience and insights into various industries, serving as a valuable step in your career development.
8. CLA High School Internship Program
Stipend: A paid opportunity
Location: Multiple locations around the U.S.
Application Dates: January
Internship Dates: mid-June to August (8 weeks)
Eligibility: Open to high school students aged 16-18
The CLA High School Internship Program is designed for students interested in accounting and finance. This program offers a comprehensive, hands-on understanding of accounting, covering areas such as financial analysis, tax preparation, and auditing.
Interns engage in real-world projects, applying their theoretical knowledge in practical contexts. Working closely with experienced professionals, they enhance their analytical skills and problem-solving abilities. The internship focuses on networking and professional development, allowing students to build connections with mentors, industry experts, and peers. These relationships provide valuable insights and can be advantageous for future career paths while offering direct exposure to the accounting and finance industry.
9. Thomas G. Labrecque Smart Start Program at JP Morgan & Chase
Stipend: A stipend and scholarship are available
Location: New York City
Application Deadline: Subject availability, best to inquire to check!
Internship Dates: Students work part-time in the school year and full-time in the summer
Eligibility: Open to high school students in NYC
This internship is tailored for high school students in NYC who are eager to start a career in finance. Participants gain practical experience within JPMC’s premier business divisions and are also in the running for a full four-year university scholarship.
During the program, students develop crucial skills relevant to financial services careers. Interns rotate through various areas of the firm each year, which helps them expand their industry knowledge and explore different roles. They work within JPMC’s business units or corporate functions, handling significant projects, attending meetings, and engaging with managers.
This hands-on experience provides deep insights into the finance sector while enhancing both technical and interpersonal skills. Impressively, more than 300 alumni of the program have advanced their careers at JPMC, demonstrating its effectiveness in supporting long-term professional development.
10. Microsoft Discovery Program
Stipend: $20/hour
Location: Redmond, Washington OR Atlanta, Georgia
Application Deadline: Interviewing on a rolling basis come March
Internship Dates: July 8 - August 2, 2024
Eligibility: Open to graduating high seniors who have completed pre-calculus or an equivalent by the start of the program. Must live and attend high school within 50 miles of either of the towns
The Microsoft High School Internship Program offers a summer experience for high school students to work on real-world projects at Microsoft. Participants, referred to as "Discoverers" in the Discovery Program, gain hands-on business skills and receive mentorship from Microsoft experts.
The program is designed to introduce graduating high school seniors to the tech industry, focusing on foundational programming and essential career readiness skills. Through this opportunity, students get a valuable glimpse into industry practices and develop practical skills that are crucial for their future careers.
If you’re looking to build unique projects in the field of AI/ML, consider applying to Veritas AI!
Veritas AI was founded by Harvard graduate students, and through the programs, you get a chance to learn the fundamentals of AI and computer science while collaborating on real-world projects. You can also work 1-1 with mentors from universities like Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and more to create unique, personalized projects. In the past year, we had over 1000 students learn data science and AI with us. You can apply here!
If you’re looking to build unique projects in the field of AI/ML, consider applying to Veritas AI!
Veritas AI was founded by Harvard graduate students, and through the programs, you get a chance to learn the fundamentals of AI and computer science while collaborating on real-world projects. You can also work 1-1 with mentors from universities like Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and more to create unique, personalized projects. In the past year, we had over 1000 students learn data science and AI with us. You can apply here!
You can find the application link here.