15 Business Internships for High School Students in Boston
Explore 15 top business internships in Boston for high school students. Enhance your skills and build your resume with hands-on experience in a vibrant city.
If you are a high school student in Boston aspiring to build a business career, internships are a great (and accessible) stepping stone. Internship opportunities in business for high school students provide hands-on experience that bridges the gap between classroom learning and practical applications of business. Boston is an especially valuable place to explore business internships. The city is home to world-class universities like Harvard, MIT, and Boston University, which often partner with local companies and startups to provide opportunities for students. Its thriving economy includes industries ranging from finance and consulting to biotech and tech startups, giving you exposure to both established firms and innovative ventures.
Below, we have compiled a list of 15 business internships for high school students in Boston:
1. Ladder Internship Program
Cost: Varies depending on program type
Location: Remote (work from anywhere)
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, typically 8 weeks long
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students able to commit 10–20 hours per week for 8–12 weeks
As a Ladder intern, you will work closely with high-growth startups across a range of industries such as tech, AI/ML, health tech, marketing, and consulting. Your role includes contributing to real-world projects assigned by your manager and developing professional skills like communication, time management, and problem-solving. You will also collaborate with a Ladder Coach and present your completed work to the company team, gaining valuable experience in project ownership and workplace dynamics. The program offers one-on-one skill training and group sessions with fellow interns. You will have opportunities to network with startup founders and professionals from companies backed by YCombinator and other top investors.
2. Young Founders Lab (YFL)
Cost: Varies by program; need-based financial aid available
Location: 100% virtual with live, interactive sessions
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year (summer, fall, winter, spring)
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
In this program, you will work towards building a revenue-generating startup that solves a real-world problem. You’ll engage in hands-on entrepreneurial work while participating in interactive workshops on business fundamentals, ideation, and skill development. The program also includes case studies, panel discussions, and mentorship from established entrepreneurs and professionals from companies like Google, Microsoft, and X, helping you develop business strategy, leadership, and problem-solving skills. YFL is founded and run by Harvard entrepreneurs and offers live, interactive virtual workshops. You will receive mentorship from industry professionals and have opportunities to network with startup founders. The program’s work-learn model combines practical startup experience with structured learning.
3. Freedom House Summer Learning Institute (SLI)
Cost: Free program
Location: Boston, MA
Dates: July 7 – August 22; Orientation on July 1
Application Deadline: May 13 (application); May 30 (all documents submitted)
Eligibility: Students aged 14–18 enrolled in Boston Public Schools or residents of Boston
The Summer Learning Institute offers a comprehensive summer program for students aged 14–18 who are enrolled in Boston Public Schools or reside in Boston. Through this program, you will participate in community-based job placements in partnership with local organizations, gaining valuable work-based learning experience. You will also have the opportunity to earn college credits through dual enrollment courses with the Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology and Roxbury Community College. The program integrates academic learning with real-world applications, helping you connect your education to future college and career success. Additionally, workshops and civic engagement projects support the development of leadership, advocacy, and life skills. SLI provides dual enrollment college credit opportunities and partners with community colleges in Boston.
4. National Security Agency (NSA) School-Sponsored Work Experience Program
Cost: Paid part-time employment
Location: Various sites in Boston, MA
Dates: Part-time, September through August of senior year
Application Deadline: Varies by site
Eligibility: High school juniors, minimum age 16, planning school-sponsored work experience in senior year
This program offers part-time employment for high school juniors aged 16 or older who plan to participate in a school-sponsored work experience during their senior year. Depending on your major or field of interest, you can choose topics like business, computer sciences, applied arts, engineering, graphic arts, manufacturing, or languages. Based on your choice, you will be placed in roles that develop technical and administrative skills. You will gain hands-on experience with equipment, software, and workplace tasks tailored to your chosen field. The program emphasizes skill development relevant to specific majors and offers practical knowledge in professional settings. Language students receive instructor recommendations and perform daily duties in Chinese or Russian.
5. Emma Bowen Foundation Internship Program
Cost: Paid internship
Location: Various locations, throughout USA including Boston; some virtual options
Dates: May - June
Application Deadline: September – April
Eligibility: High school senior or an undergraduate college student planning to attend or currently enrolled at a four-year accredited U.S. college.
The Emma Bowen Foundation provides internships focused on media, technology, and communications, aimed at cultivating diverse talent for careers in these fields. As an intern, you will gain hands-on experience working with partner companies in roles such as marketing, content creation, technology support, and business operations. The program emphasizes professional development, mentorship, and networking opportunities to prepare you for long-term success in competitive industries. You will benefit from one-on-one mentorship, skill-building workshops, and networking events with industry leaders. The foundation partners with leading companies like Comcast NBCUniversal, Disney, and more, offering unique exposure to high-profile business environments.
6. Vertex Pharmaceuticals High School Summer Internship
Cost: Paid internship
Location: Boston, MA
Dates: Six weeks during the summer (exact dates vary annually)
Application Deadline: Typically early spring; check Vertex website for updates
Eligibility: Boston Public Schools students; usually juniors and seniors
Vertex Pharmaceuticals offers a six-week paid summer internship exclusively for Boston Public Schools (BPS) students. In this program, you will gain real-world lab and business experience while working alongside scientists and professionals. You will engage in hands-on experiments, learn business operations related to STEM, and receive mentorship that enriches your understanding of STEAM education. This internship is designed to inspire and equip you with the skills and passion needed to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM).
7. futureBOS: Find Youth Jobs in Boston
Cost: Paid employment opportunities
Location: Boston, MA
Dates: Year-round, with summer and school year job cycles
Application Deadline: Summer applications currently closed; school year applications open in September
Eligibility: Youth ages 14–18 and young adults 19–24 living in Boston
futureBOS is a city-wide initiative offering thousands of work opportunities for youth ages 14 to 18 and young adults ages 19 to 24 living in Boston. The platform connects you to paid employment across a variety of sectors, helping you gain valuable work experience, develop workplace skills, and explore career interests. futureBOS collaborates with multiple youth employment programs across Boston, providing access to a wide range of job placements. The initiative offers onboarding workshops, multilingual resources, and ongoing support through the Office of Youth Employment and Opportunity. You can also report concerns or seek assistance directly through their contact channels.
8. Bank of America Student Leaders® Program
Cost: Paid internship with all summit expenses covered
Location: Local nonprofits in Boston (or other eligible cities) and Washington, DC, for the summit
Dates: 8-week internship, including July 21–26, for the Student Leaders Summit
Application Deadline: January 15
Eligibility: Current high school junior or senior who is legally authorized to work in the U.S.
The Bank of America Student Leaders® program is an eight-week paid internship designed for high school juniors and seniors passionate about community service and leadership. As a Student Leader, you will work full-time at a local nonprofit organization, gaining hands-on experience that builds professional and leadership skills. The program also includes a fully funded week-long national Student Leaders Summit in Washington, DC, where you will connect with other youth leaders, participate in workshops, and develop your civic engagement skills. This unique blend of work experience and leadership development prepares you to make a lasting impact in your community and beyond.
9. CLA High School Internship Program
Cost: Paid internship
Location: Boston, MA (in person)
Dates: June 17 – July 19, Tentatively
Application Deadline: Spring
Eligibility: Must be at least 16 years old at program start and authorized to work in the U.S. without a visa sponsorship
The CLA High School Internship is a four-week paid summer program designed to immerse you in the professional services and accounting industry. During the internship, you will engage in an interactive case study involving diverse clients and industries, shadow professionals at various levels, and collaborate on team projects that showcase CLA’s culture and community impact. This hands-on experience offers insight into careers in accounting, consulting, and wealth advisory, helping you build skills and professional connections. The program fosters teamwork, professional development, and a practical understanding of the accounting and consulting fields.
9. Today’s Interns, Tomorrow’s Professionals (TIP) Internship Program – Federal Reserve Bank of Boston
Cost: Paid internship
Location: Boston, MA (various host sites including the Boston Fed)
Dates: Summer program with potential year-round extension (up to 3 years)
Application Deadline: Varies based on position
Eligibility: Boston Public Schools students who have completed sophomore year; commitment to summer and potentially extended internship
TIP is a paid summer internship program designed for Boston Public Schools students who have completed their sophomore year. The program offers a developmentally rich work experience that combines job coaching, skill-building workshops, and real-world employment exposure. Following the summer session, top-performing interns may be selected for a year-round internship lasting up to three years, supporting their transition from high school through post-secondary education. TIP focuses on preparing you with essential interpersonal and technical skills like complex problem-solving and financial literacy, helping you build a foundation for long-term career success. You will also participate in enrichment activities and receive ongoing support throughout the program.
10. BSD Education High School Internship Program
Cost: Free (student internships sponsored by organizations)
Location: Remote/Virtual (work with global companies)
Dates: Flexible; 4 to 6 weeks with minimum 4 hours/week
Application Deadline: Rolling applications; apply anytime
Eligibility: High school students interested in gaining internship experience across diverse career paths
BSD Education’s high school internship program, in partnership with Young Founders School, offers students the chance to gain real-world work experience by collaborating with startups and companies globally. With a minimum commitment of 4 hours per week for 4 to 6 weeks, you will work on meaningful projects, develop essential skills like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving, and receive mentorship from experienced professionals. The program includes preparatory online courses, real project work, and a final presentation, equipping you with practical experience and a competitive edge for your future career. The program allows you to choose from seven popular career groups, including business, technology, healthcare, and the arts.
11. Building-U High School Internship
Cost: Free
Location: Fully online, global participation
Dates: Year-round, flexible commitment; typically 3+ months
Application Deadline: Rolling; contact via email for application
Eligibility: High school students (grades 9–12) interested in business, coding, marketing, multimedia, or social impact
Building-U offers a year-round virtual internship program for high school students across grades 9–12. As an intern, you will join one of several specialized teams that tackle real business challenges while developing valuable skills. Teams include Resource R&D, Student Ambassadors, Multi-media, Marketing, Blog Squad, Coding, Business and Development, Social Media Content and Analytics, and Data Privacy. Through collaboration and hands-on projects, you’ll contribute to creating resources, marketing campaigns, video content, software development, and more. You will work remotely with peers from the US, Canada, and beyond, gaining experience in areas like coding languages (Laravel, PHP, React, etc.), digital marketing analytics, video production, and data privacy.
12. Get Girls Going Summer Incubator (Entrepreneurship Program for Black Teen Girls)
Cost/Stipend: Free to attend; mentorship and year-round support included
Location: Boston, MA
Dates: July 9 – August 16, 2024 (Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM)
Application Deadline: Typically late spring (check for exact date)
Eligibility: Black female high school students in Boston entering grades 10–12 in Fall 2024; must be able to commit to full program attendance and year-round participation.
Get Girls Going is a six-week summer incubator explicitly designed for Black high school girls in Boston who are interested in entrepreneurship and social enterprise. During the program, you will work closely with a dedicated mentor and advisor to develop and grow your business idea, focusing on innovation that addresses racial and gender inequities. The incubator emphasizes leadership and changemaking skills through workshops, real-world project development, and hands-on business experience. While it is not a traditional internship, the program offers valuable entrepreneurial skills and continued mentorship throughout the school year.
13. Boston Private Industry Council (PIC) – Summer Internship Program
Cost/Stipend: Paid; wages vary by placement
Location: Boston, MA (placements at local businesses, public agencies, and nonprofits)
Dates: Typically early July to mid-August
Application Deadline: Usually in spring; varies by employer and organization
Eligibility: Boston Public Schools students; some positions may require a minimum age or grade level
The PIC Summer Internship Program connects Boston Public Schools students to paid internships and employment opportunities across the city. Partnering with over 200 private-sector companies, including firms in business, finance, tech, healthcare, life sciences, law, and architecture, along with more than 60 community organizations and city agencies. You will gain practical skills, earn income, and explore different career paths in a supportive environment. The collaboration between the City of Boston, Boston Public Schools, and PIC ensures comprehensive support and resources throughout the internship.
14. Mary Miller Summer Program
Cost: Paid internship
Location: Virtual/Remote
Dates: Program runs throughout the summer
Application Deadline: Spring
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors or seniors; unrestricted work authorization required; must demonstrate strong work ethic, communication skills, and technical aptitude.
The Mary Miller Summer Program honors the legacy of Mary Miller, a dedicated community leader and youth advocate. This paid internship offers rising high school juniors and seniors a chance to develop leadership skills and gain meaningful experience through collaboration with senior leadership at PHC Group. You will work on social media projects, online community engagement, and technical support, contributing creatively to virtual teamwork that supports PHC Group’s mission. You will participate in planning meetings, conduct social marketing research, and engage in social media strategy development. You will learn to monitor and analyze online interactions, contribute to performance reporting, and collaborate closely with clients and team members.