Business Internships for High School Students: A Complete Guide
Introduction
A 2022 study by the National Center for Education Statistics says high schoolers who do internships are 30% more likely to pick a college major they actually stick with! How cool is that? When I was in high school, I had no idea business internships for high school students were a thing—until I tried one and it totally changed my life. If you’re a high schooler who’s curious about business, this guide is for you!
I’m gonna tell you all about business internships for high school students—what they are, why they’re awesome, and how to find them in the USA. I’ll share my own stories, give you easy tips to get started, and answer questions like “Do I have to be a certain age?” Let’s jump in and find something fun for you to try!
What Are Business Internships for High School Students?
Business internships for high school students are like mini-jobs where you get to work at a real company and learn how business stuff works. It’s not like school where you just read books—you actually get to do things! You might help with marketing, answer customer questions, or even organize stuff in an office. They’re usually part-time, so you can still go to school, and lots of them happen in the summer.
• What You’ll Do: Maybe make a social media post, help with sales, or learn about business operations.
• Who Can Do It: Most are for high school juniors or seniors, ages 14-18, but some let younger kids join too.
• Paid or Not: Some give you a little money, but lots are unpaid. Sometimes you get school credit instead.
When I was 16, I got a summer internship at a tiny bakery in my town in Ohio. I helped them figure out how many cupcakes to bake each day, and I even got to decorate some—it was so much fun! I felt like a real part of the team.
Why Business Internships Are Super Cool for High Schoolers
Business internships for high school students are the best way to get a head start. Here’s why:
• Learn Stuff You Can’t in School: You’ll get better at talking to people, working in a team, and managing your time. I learned how to talk to customers without getting shy!
• See If Business Is for You: Not sure what you want to do later? An internship lets you try business stuff. I thought I’d be a vet, but I ended up loving marketing.
• Make Your College Apps Pop: Colleges love when you’ve done internships. It shows you’re ready for the real world.
• Meet New People: You’ll meet grown-ups who can help you later, like bosses or mentors. My bakery boss still sends me birthday messages!
How to Find Business Internships for High School Students
Looking for business internships for high school students can feel like a big adventure, but I’ve got some easy ways to find them:
• Ask at School: Lots of schools team up with businesses to offer internships. My school had a big bulletin board with flyers—I found my bakery internship there!
• Search Online: Use websites like Indeed or even Google. Just type “business internships for high school students” and add your city, like New York City or Chicago.
• Check Out Nonprofits: Groups like Junior Achievement have programs for high schoolers. They even have online internships if you can’t leave home.
• Talk to Local Shops: Small businesses in your town might need help. I walked into the bakery with my mom and just asked—they were so nice!
• Look for Big Programs: Companies like Bank of America or the U.S. Department of State have internships in places like New York or Washington, D.C.
If you’re in a big city like New York City, you’ll find more options, but even small towns have stuff. If you’re in a rural area, online internships might be your best bet.
Cool Business Internship Programs in the USA
Some really fun programs in the USA offer business internships for high school students. Here are a few I think you’ll like:
Bank of America Student Leaders Program:
• What It Is: A summer program where you work with charities and learn how to be a leader.
• Where: It’s in lots of U.S. cities, like New York and Texas.
• Details: It lasts 8 weeks, they pay you, and you get to go to a big leadership summit in Washington, D.C.
• Deadline: They usually stop taking applications in January, so don’t wait!
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) Business Internship:
• What It Is: A part-time internship during the school year with a business mentor.
• Where: It’s in Washington state, but some stuff can be done from home.
• Details: You work 4 hours a day, 5 days a week, and get school credit.
Forage Virtual Internships:
• What It Is: Online internships with big companies like Walmart or Red Bull.
• Where: You can do it from anywhere in the USA!
• Details: They’re super short, like 5-6 hours, free, and teach you stuff like marketing.
U.S. Department of State Student Internship Program:
• What It Is: A paid internship for high schoolers who like business and government.
• Where: Mostly in Washington, D.C., but some are in New York City.
• Details: You need a good GPA and have to be a U.S. citizen.
I did a Forage internship with Red Bull last year—it was all online, and I got to make a pretend marketing plan for a new drink. I felt like a real business person!
Table of Cool Programs
| Program Name | Location | How Long | Paid or Not |
| Bank of America Student Leaders | Many U.S. cities | 8 weeks (summer) | Paid |
| PNNL Business Internship | Washington state | School year | Unpaid |
| Forage Virtual Internships | Anywhere (online) | 5-6 hours | Free |
| U.S. Department of State | D.C., New York | Depends | Paid |
How to Get Ready and Apply for an Internship
Applying for business internships for high school students might sound scary, but it’s not that hard. Here’s what I did to get mine:
• Look for Options: Check online, ask your school, or talk to local businesses. I found my bakery internship on a school flyer.
• See If You Can Join: Some programs have rules, like being 14-18 or having good grades. The U.S. Department program needs you to be a U.S. citizen.
• Make a Resume: Write down things you’ve done, like school clubs or sports. I put that I helped with a school bake sale—it showed I could plan stuff.
• Write a Letter: This is called a cover letter—it says why you want the internship. I wrote about how I wanted to learn about business for my future.
• Apply Early: Summer internships often have deadlines in January or February. Don’t miss out!
• Check Back: After you apply, send a nice email to see if they got your application. It shows you really care.
I applied to three internships and got into one—it was so exciting to get that email saying I was in!
My Tips to Shine in Your Internship Application
Lots of high schoolers want business internships for high school students, so you need to stand out. Here are my best tips:
• Be Real: Tell them why you’re excited. I said I loved decorating cupcakes and wanted to learn more about business.
• Talk About Your Skills: You might not have a job yet, but mention school stuff. I said I was good at organizing because I planned events for my class.
• Practice for Talking: Some internships have interviews. I practiced with my best friend so I wouldn’t mess up.
• Get a Letter: Ask a teacher to write a nice letter about you. My English teacher wrote one for me—it really helped!
• Apply to Lots of Places: Don’t just try for one. I applied to a few so I had more chances.
My school counselor said, “Kids who are honest and excited always get noticed.” So, just be you and show you’re ready to learn!
Pros and Cons of Business Internships for High School Students
Pros:
• Try Real Business Stuff: You get to do real tasks, like helping with sales or making social media posts. It’s hands-on experience!
• Great for College: Colleges think internships are awesome—it shows you’re serious about your career.
• Meet Cool People: You’ll meet grown-ups who can help you later. My bakery boss still gives me advice!
• Learn New Skills: You’ll get better at teamwork, talking, and managing your time.
Cons:
• Might Not Pay: Some internships don’t give you money, which can be tough. I had to use my birthday money for bus rides.
• Takes Time: You might have to skip fun stuff with friends to work. I missed a few movie nights.
• Hard to Find Sometimes: If you live in a small town, there might not be many nearby. Online ones can help, though.
• Lots of People Want Them: Big programs like Bank of America get tons of applications, so it’s not always easy.
FAQs
Conclusion
Business internships for high school students are such a fun way to learn about business, try real work, and make your college apps stand out. Whether you join a big program like Bank of America Student Leaders or help out at a local shop like I did, you’ll learn so much and meet awesome people. My internship at the bakery showed me I could do more than I thought—and it helped me figure out what I want to do later!
