15 Business Internships for High School Students in Chicago
Explore top business internships for high school students in Chicago. Enhance your skills, network, and gain practical experience to jumpstart your career!
If you’re a high school student in Chicago interested in business, landing an internship can be a good step you take toward your future career. Business internships for high school students in Chicago offer an opportunity to move beyond textbooks and see what running an organisation, managing operations, and making strategic decisions really looks like. They allow you to explore different areas of business, from marketing and entrepreneurship to finance and nonprofit management, while developing essential workplace and leadership skills.
By applying classroom concepts, you gain practical experience, build your professional network, and get a clearer picture of the career paths available to you. Whether you’re planning to study business in college or simply want to understand how companies and organisations operate, these internships can give you a head start. Here’s a list of 15 of the best business internships for high school students in Chicago to explore.
1. Ladder Internship Program
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!
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, you will work closely with your managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects and present your work to the company. Here is the application form. You will be 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.
2. Young Founders Lab
Cost: Varies depending on program type
Location: This program is 100% virtual, with live, interactive workshops
Dates: Vary according to cohort
Application Deadline: Varies according to cohort. You can access the application link here!
Eligibility: All high school students can apply
The Young Founder’s Lab is a real-world start-up boot camp founded and run by Harvard entrepreneurs. You will work towards building a revenue-generating start-up that addresses a real-world problem. You will also have the opportunity to be mentored by established entrepreneurs and professionals from Google, Microsoft, and X. Apart from building the start-up itself, you will also participate in interactive classes on business fundamentals and business ideation, workshops, skill-building sessions, case studies, panel discussions, and more. While this isn’t a traditional internship, it follows the same work-learn structure as the other programs on this list. You can check out the brochure for the program here.
3. Chicago Summer Business Institute (CSBI)
Cost: Paid internship
Location in Chicago: Various corporate and government offices across the city
Dates: 6-week summer program (June–August)
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Chicago residents, current high school sophomores and juniors, minimum 3.0 GPA, household income under $80,000
At the Chicago Summer Business Institute, you’ll gain exposure to careers in finance, accounting, and business administration through paid internships in top Chicago firms and city departments. You’ll work on projects such as preparing financial reports, assisting with client data, and shadowing professionals in the financial services industry. The program also includes weekly workshops led by industry leaders, networking luncheons, and site visits to major corporate offices downtown. The internship is designed to give you professional skills, workplace confidence, and a clear view into business career paths while earning a stipend.
4. Genesys Works Chicago
Cost: Paid internship
Location in Chicago: Partner corporate offices across the city
Dates: 8-week summer skills training + senior-year internship
Application Deadline: Varies by school partner; typically opens in early spring
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors in Chicago, on track to graduate, able to adjust school schedule to accommodate 20-hour/week internship, eligible to work in the U.S.
Genesys Works combines intensive training with a year-long paid corporate internship. You’ll begin with eight weeks of professional and technical skills training during the summer, covering business communication, project management, and workplace software. After training, you’ll be matched with a top Chicago company to work in an entry-level role 20 hours a week during your senior year, contributing to real business projects. Alongside experience, you’ll get career coaching, college application guidance, and access to a network of mentors and alumni. The program is designed to help you build a standout resume, earn substantial income, and gain exposure to both business and technology career pathways.
5. Art Institute of Chicago – Summer Internship
Cost: Paid internship
Location in Chicago: The Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S. Michigan Avenue
Dates: June–August
Application Deadline: Spring (via After School Matters)
Eligibility: Chicago high school students; must be at least 16 by program start
This paid summer internship immerses you in the day-to-day operations of a museum. You’ll support gallery tours, public festivals, and workshops, work alongside museum professionals, and engage in behind-the-scenes planning for large-scale events. The experience emphasises visitor engagement, logistics, and program management, key aspects of cultural business operations. You’ll also develop teamwork, communication, and project coordination skills while contributing to programs that serve thousands of local and international visitors. It’s ideal if you want a mix of creative work and exposure to the business of running cultural institutions.
6. Art Institute of Chicago – Teen Council
Cost: Paid program
Location in Chicago: The Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S. Michigan Avenue
Dates: September 13 – June 6
Application Deadline: June 30
Eligibility: Open to all Chicagoland high school students
The Teen Council offers a year-long opportunity to develop leadership and operational skills in a major cultural institution. You’ll collaborate with museum staff to plan, design, and execute teen-focused programs, gaining insight into program management, budgeting considerations, and audience engagement strategies. Council members work on developing resources and coordinating events that align with the museum’s broader business and outreach objectives. The program emphasises project planning, communication, and organisational decision-making, providing a practical look at how cultural organisations balance creative initiatives with strategic business goals.
7. Junior Economic Club of Chicago – Careers in Business (CIB) Internship Program
Cost: Free; unpaid internship experience (network-driven placement)
Location in Chicago: Startups and businesses across the city
Dates: Rolling internship placements (typically summer and academic year options)
Application Deadline: Varies by partner organisation; JEC membership required
Eligibility: High-performing Chicago high school students
The CIB program connects JEC members to internships with startups, investment firms, and business ventures in Chicago. You’ll work on hands-on projects ranging from market research and product marketing to financial analysis and business development, gaining a strong foundation in real-world business operations. Current partnerships include Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management Zell Fellows Program, FinLit for personal finance and marketing initiatives, and Dekos Capital for investment research and underwriting support. The program emphasises professional skill-building, networking, and exposure to entrepreneurial and corporate business environments.
8. Bank of America Student Leaders® Program
Cost: Paid (8-week paid internship; all expenses for the DC summit are covered)
Location in Washington: Various partner nonprofits across Washington state
Dates: 8 weeks in the summer, including the mandatory Student Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C. (July 21–26)
Application Deadline: January 15
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors; must be legally authorised to work in the U.S. through September; must be able to work 35 hours/week and attend the full week-long summit in DC
The Student Leaders® program places you in an eight-week paid internship with a Chicago-based nonprofit, giving you hands-on experience in organisational management, project planning, and community-focused business operations. You’ll also attend the National Student Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C., where you’ll explore how nonprofits, government, and business intersect to address local economic challenges. The program emphasises leadership, collaboration, and professional skill-building while offering a view into the business side of nonprofit work. It’s ideal if you’re interested in civic engagement, organisational management, or community-based business careers.
9. After School Matters (ASM) – Summer Internships
Cost: Paid ($16.60/hour for internships; stipends for apprenticeships)
Location in Chicago: Multiple sites citywide, including Gallery 37 Centre for the Arts, Gately Park, and community-based locations
Dates: June 23 – August 1
Application Deadline: Rolling; limited spots fill quickly via One Summer Chicago
Eligibility: Chicago teens ages 14–18 enrolled in high school; must be 16+ by June 23
ASM offers hundreds of summer opportunities for Chicago high schoolers, including paid internships in business, entrepreneurship, and communications. As an intern, you’ll gain entry-level professional experience, work on real-world projects with mentors, and develop workplace skills in team settings. Apprenticeship options are available for younger students to build foundational skills while earning a stipend. The flexible structure allows you to select tracks that align with business, community organising, or creative entrepreneurship.
10. Judicial Intern Opportunity Program (JIOP) – American Bar Association
Cost: $2,000 stipend
Location in Chicago: State and federal courts in Illinois
Dates: Summer (6–8 weeks, June–August)
Application Deadline: Applications close mid-January for the Summer; rolling until slots are filled
Eligibility: High school seniors and undergraduate students from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds; must demonstrate interest in law or judicial careers.
JIOP offers a competitive summer internship placing you in chambers with state or federal judges, where you’ll gain first-hand exposure to the judiciary and court administration. You’ll assist with legal research, observe proceedings, and gain insight into how courts manage cases and operations. The program includes orientation sessions, networking receptions, and mentorship from judges and attorneys. For students interested in law, public policy, or business administration within legal contexts, JIOP allows you to develop professional skills and build connections in the Chicago legal community.
11. Adler Planetarium – Summer Teen Internship
Cost: Paid program
Location in Chicago: Adler Planetarium, 1300 S. DuSable Lake Shore Dr.
Dates: June 23 – August 1
Application Deadline: April 11
Eligibility: Chicago high school students (grades 9–12)
This paid summer internship offers professional work experience inside one of Chicago’s top cultural institutions. You’ll gain exposure to museum operations, help with public engagement programs, and develop transferable workplace skills. You’ll work closely with museum staff on real projects and receive leadership and career development training. Beyond STEM, the internship highlights event planning, visitor engagement, and organisational logistics, key aspects of managing a nonprofit business environment. It’s ideal if you want to combine professional skill-building with a behind-the-scenes look at how a major cultural organisation functions.
12. Chicago Philharmonic Summer Internship
Cost: Paid program
Location in Chicago: Chicago Philharmonic Administrative Offices, 226 S Wabash Ave, Floor 10
Dates: Summer (typically June–August)
Application Deadline: Spring
Eligibility: Chicago high school students
This selective summer internship combines arts and business by placing you in the Chicago Philharmonic’s administrative offices. You’ll gain experience in marketing, development, operations, and community engagement while also participating in a guided musical performance element. You’ll work closely with staff and professional musicians, learning how a major cultural nonprofit manages finances, programming, and outreach. With mentorship in arts administration and exposure to event logistics, donor relations, and organisational strategy, this internship is ideal if you’re curious about the business side of performing arts.
13. University of Chicago Youth Internship Program (YIP)
Cost: Paid program
Location in Chicago: University of Chicago campus and partner units
Dates: June 23 – July 31
Application Deadline: April 24
Eligibility: Chicago public high school students, ages 16+ by June 23; authorised to work in the U.S.
YIP offers a paid “earn and learn” summer experience designed to prepare you for college and the workforce. Year 1 combines career and college prep workshops, workplace tours, leadership lessons, and guest speakers from STEM and professional fields. Year 2 places returning students in a six-week job in health sciences, computer sciences, or IT services within University departments. The program emphasises professional skill development, organisational leadership, and exposure to large-scale institutional operations, making it a strong foundation for future business and management pathways. Partnered with One Summer Chicago, it offers both paid and hands-on work experience in a university setting.
14. Rotary Club of Chicago – JOB1 Summer Internship Program
Cost: Paid program; $15.80/hour
Location in Chicago: Partner businesses and nonprofits citywide
Dates: 8-week program in the Summer (June–August)
Application Deadline: Spring
Eligibility: Chicago high school juniors and graduating seniors, age 16+; teacher or counsellor recommendation required. Students must complete job readiness training and attend the JOB1 Job Fair.
JOB1 combines job readiness training with an eight-week paid internship at Chicago businesses or nonprofit organisations. You’ll complete pre-program training sessions, attend a job fair, and then work 20–40 hours per week in a professional environment, gaining hands-on experience in business operations and workplace skills. You will also participate in service projects and can attend the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards training, making it a comprehensive introduction to professional and civic leadership. Graduating seniors are eligible for college award consideration of up to $2,500.
15. Future Founders – Be Your Own Boss Internship
Cost: Paid program (amount based on attendance and participation)
Location in Chicago: Virtual-first, with potential in-person events in downtown Chicago
Dates: April 1 – April 24 (spring cohort; additional cycles run year-round)
Application Deadline: March 21
Eligibility: Open to Chicago public and charter high school students; no prior business experience required
This paid virtual internship immerses you in the startup ecosystem, connecting you with seasoned entrepreneurs and business leaders while helping you build and pitch your own business idea. Over the program, you’ll work in teams to create a concept, develop a basic app prototype, and present it at a virtual showcase. You’ll gain VIP access to Chicago’s entrepreneurship network, build essential business skills, and earn a stipend while exploring career paths in startups and tech. The program emphasises teamwork, networking, and hands-on experience, making it a strong foundation for aspiring business leaders.