11 Online Business Internships for High School Students

Internships are one of the best ways to test out a career before committing to it. A business internship gives you an opportunity to see how companies run from the inside—whether it’s helping with marketing campaigns, sitting in on team meetings, or researching competitors. You’ll get a better sense of what roles exist, what skills matter, and whether this is something you want to keep exploring.

The best part? You don’t need to wait until you’re in college. There are online internships built for high school students that let you gain experience from home. They can also help you build skills like communication, time management, and problem-solving—stuff that looks good on college apps and is useful no matter what field you choose.

How did we shortlist the best online business internships for high school students? 

We focused on internships that are open to high school students, especially those that offer flexibility (like remote or part-time options), are free or low-cost, and provide meaningful work experience. We prioritized opportunities that allow you to contribute to projects, work under professional mentors, and build tangible skills. 

To help you find a good fit, here are 11 of the best online business internships for high school students.

Ladder Internship Program

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, and 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  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 such valuable skills and will also have the opportunity to attend group training sessions with other interns in their cohort. The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long.

Cost: $2490 (Financial Aid Available)

Location:  Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.

Application deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort 

Program dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year

Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!

Young Founders Lab 

At Young Founders Lab, you’ll participate in a fully online startup bootcamp where you’ll collaborate with peers or work individually to build a real, revenue-generating business. Through 30 hours of live team workshops or 12 hours of one-on-one mentorship, you’ll create an MVP, pitch your idea, and receive targeted feedback from entrepreneurs with experience at firms like Google, Microsoft, and McKinsey. The program focuses on practical business development, financial literacy, and scaling strategies that can extend beyond the incubator experience. While the Young Founders Lab is not a traditional internship, it functions as a structured work-learn program. Instead of shadowing professionals at a company, you'll actively build your own startup under the guidance of experienced mentors. The focus is on hands-on entrepreneurship, giving you the chance to develop and test real business ideas while learning core skills in a team-based, results-driven environment.

Cost: The total cost to attend the 4-week program is $2900. There is need-based financial aid. 

Dates: Vary according to cohort.

Application Deadline: Varies according to cohort. You can access the application link here!

Eligibility: The program is currently open to all high school students

PHC Group – Mary Miller Summer Program

At the PHC Group’s Mary Miller Summer Program, you’ll work virtually as part of a global team, supporting social media marketing, online community engagement, and social marketing research. Guided by the Public Health Director, you will attend planning meetings, craft creative social media posts, conduct trending analyses, and contribute to real-time client discussions. You will also be responsible for monitoring online interactions, implementing client feedback, and preparing performance reports to strengthen PHC Group’s digital initiatives. Interns collaborate directly with senior leadership and contribute to mission-driven projects that impact PHC Group’s global operations.  This internship emphasizes leadership, strategic thinking, and technical skills, offering a valuable foundation for business and marketing roles.

Cost: No cost; Stipend provided, exact amount not specified

Dates: June – August (tentative based on last year’s timeline)

Application Deadline: To be announced. You can reach out via email at info@thephcgroup.com or by phone at (888) 320-3370 for more information.

Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors are eligible to apply; must have work authorization in the U.S.

Babson Summer Study for High School Students

The Babson Summer Study is a 3+-week experiential learning program where rising high school juniors and seniors can develop an entrepreneurial mindset and gain hands-on business skills. Participants complete the college course EPS 1110 Introduction to the Entrepreneurial Experience, earning 4 college credits while working on social impact projects aligned with the U.N. Global Goals. Through virtual classes, teamwork assignments, and mentorship from Babson faculty and graduate mentors, you’ll strengthen your abilities in entrepreneurship, leadership, marketing, finance, and business communication. The program emphasizes  business challenges and collaborative project development.

Cost: $6,295 + $95 application fee for the online format; financial aid available for online students with significant demonstrated need.

Dates: July 7–28

Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; students are encouraged to apply early.

Eligibility: Open to rising high school juniors and seniors (graduating in 2026 or 2027); students must be at least 16 years old by July 7, 2025.

SPARK Mentorship Program

The SPARK Mentorship Program connects high school students with experienced mentors from startups, businesses, and academia for virtual, project-based learning experiences. You’ll work on  projects in fields like business strategy, software development, AI/ML, databases, and data science, gaining hands-on exposure to emerging industries. Through structured mentorship and defined project scopes, you’ll develop technical, business, and professional communication skills critical for future internships or entrepreneurial pursuits. 

Students are directly matched with mentors based on project needs and their skills, and work one-on-one or in small teams to deliver tangible project outcomes, building a resume-worthy portfolio of business and technical work. Some high-performing students have been offered opportunities to continue as paid hourly contractors after completing the program.

Cost/Stipend: No cost; some select projects offer stipends.

Dates: Vary based on the opportunity but typically span 8 to 12 weeks between May and August.

Application Deadline: April 22 

Eligibility: High school students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents living in the United States.

EnergyMag Virtual Internship

The EnergyMag Virtual Internship offers high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors the opportunity to research and analyze companies, markets, and technologies in the renewable energy sector. Interns work remotely to produce professional research reports, learning critical business skills such as market analysis, professional communication, and strategic research. Completed reports, after editing, are published on the EnergyMag site with the intern’s name credited. You will work independently under a mentor’s guidance, engage with industry professionals, and publish real analysis work online, gaining a significant boost to your professional profile and writing portfolio.

Cost: Free to participate; unpaid internship

Dates:
Half-time option: 2–8 weeks in summer (~20 hrs/week)
Quarter-time option: 1–9 months, year-round (~8 hrs/week)

Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; no information is available on the application closing date. Check the website for updated information.

Eligibility: Open to high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors with GPA above 3.25; at least one honors. Science or English class recommended

BSD Education High School Internship Program

The BSD Education High School Internship Program gives you the opportunity to work remotely on projects for startups and companies around the globe. Interns complete online preparatory courses and are matched to projects based on their chosen career interests in fields such as business, finance, technology, healthcare, and the arts. You’ll work alongside experienced professionals, develop essential skills like teamwork, communication, and problem-solving, and present a final project showcasing your work. With a flexible time commitment of just 4 hours a week over 4–6 weeks, this program allows you to gain early career exposure while balancing your academic schedules. Interns graduate with valuable  experience, a strengthened resume, and a professional network to support future academic and career goals.

Cost: The program fee is US$770. Scholarships for reduced tuition or free participation are available through application.​

Dates: Rolling cohorts throughout the year, spanning 4-6 weeks with a minimum commitment of 4 hours per week.

Application Deadline: No fixed deadline; apply early for the best placement options

Eligibility: Open to high school students (grades 9–12); no prior experience required

The Intern Group Remote Internship Program

The Intern Group offers a flexible virtual internship experience where students are matched with leading companies in fields like business, engineering, marketing, finance, and nonprofits. You’ll work on projects, gain access to professional career coaching, and attend virtual networking and cultural events alongside a global community of peers. You can customize your experience by choosing to work between 10 to 40 hours a week, for 4 to 24 weeks, with new start dates offered every two weeks throughout the year. While the program is advanced and attracts college students and recent graduates, strong high school juniors and seniors are encouraged to apply if they demonstrate maturity and readiness for professional work. Interns also benefit from career development resources, CV building tools, alumni success coaching, and a Talkspace subscription for mental health support. 

Cost: $1,990–$2,490 depending on season and duration

Dates: Start dates every two weeks throughout the year

Application Deadline: Rolling admissions

Eligibility: University students; motivated high school juniors and seniors may apply with strong qualifications

Wharton Global Youth Online Programs

Offered by the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, the Wharton Global Youth Online Programs allow high school students to explore business fundamentals in an interactive, university-style setting. You will participate in live lectures, business simulations, team projects, and case discussions on topics like leadership, entrepreneurship, finance, sports business, and more, all taught by Wharton faculty. You’ll also have access to the Wharton Global Youth Meetup (GYM), an online community where you can network with peers worldwide and join co-curricular activities throughout the summer. Completing a program deepen your subject knowledge and strengthen your college applications with a certificate and valuable university-level academic experience.

Cost: Paid; varies by program; most two-week programs are approximately $2,875

Dates: Sessions run from June to August depending on the program

Application Deadline: Rolling admissions until seats fill; early applications recommended

Eligibility: High school students currently in Grades 9–12 (open internationally)

The Virtual Intern powered by MobilizeGreen

Through the Virtual Intern powered by MobilizeGreen, you can gain hands-on professional experience while working remotely with nonprofit organizations focused on sustainability, community development, and social impact. Interns are matched with  projects where they take ownership of meaningful deliverables such as sustainability reports, outreach initiatives, environmental research, or community service programs. You will work closely with nonprofit mentors, build career-relevant skills, and contribute directly to missions that strengthen communities and protect the planet. The experience also provides exposure to project management, teamwork, professional communication, and the nonprofit sector. Internships are paid, remote, and project-based and emphasizes career development, capacity building, and social responsibility.

Cost: Free for selected participants; paid internships available

Dates: Vary by project; rolling opportunities throughout the year

Application Deadline: Rolling applications

Eligibility: High school seniors and college students; must be able to commit to the full project duration and have access to necessary technology (computer and internet connection)

ThinkNEXT Technologies Online Internship Program

ThinkNEXT Technologies offers a free online internship program designed to help students gain practical, hands-on experience in various fields such as IT & Software Development, Management, Engineering, and more. This virtual internship is perfect for high school students looking to build their career skills, gain industry exposure, and enhance their resume. The program covers areas like Web Development, Digital Marketing, Python, Java, Cybersecurity, and Data Science. Throughout the internship, students will work on  projects, guided by industry professionals. At the end of the program, students receive a certificate of completion.

Cost: Free

Duration:

• 1 Month Internship: Flexible, based on the student’s availability.

• 6 Weeks Internship: Typically runs during summer, with exact dates varying.

• 3 Months Internship: Available throughout the year with flexible start dates.

Application Deadline: Rolling admissions.

Eligibility: Open to high school students, college students, and recent graduates.