15 Bay Area Finance Internships for High School Students

If you're interested in a future in finance, the Bay Area offers a wide range of paid internships and work experience programs, even if most aren't labeled as pure finance roles. 

What do Bay Area finance internships for high schoolers involve?

Programs range from city government departments to major healthcare systems to national research labs, with your exact responsibilities depending heavily on where you're placed. Since few programs are purely finance-focused, it helps to ask directly whether a given cycle includes business administration, budgeting, or financial literacy work.

Why pursue a finance internship in the Bay Area?

These placements can help you build practical skills like workplace communication, resource management, and professional follow-through. They also give you real material to discuss in college essays and interviews, since you can point to specific projects rather than just coursework.

Below are 15 Bay Area finance internships for high school students. For related opportunities, check out our guides on finance workshops for high school students and business internships for high school students in California.

Quick Look

• 11 paid, local internships: Genesys Works Bay Area, San José Works, SF YouthWorks, Enterprise for Youth, Kaiser Permanente SYEP, Project Pull, and others.

• 1 fully virtual, entrepreneurship-focused option: Young Founders Lab, useful if you want to think through pricing and revenue by building a real startup rather than interning at an existing organization, with need-based financial aid available.

• 1 program with no finance guarantee but a financial literacy component: Oakland Career Tryout/Summer Rising, which includes financial literacy training alongside paid work experience.

• 1 largely unpaid option: the Marin County School to Career Internship Program, though some paid placements may be available depending on the employer.

• Most programs require you to specifically ask about finance, budgeting, or business administration placements, since few roles are labeled as finance-specific from the start.

15 Bay Area Finance Internships for High School Students

1. Genesys Works Bay Area

Location: Bay Area, CA; internship placements with partner companies

Cost/Stipend: No cost; paid year-long internship after training

Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; Bay Area page lists 103 high school internships and 22 corporate partners

Program Dates: Eight weeks of summer skills training followed by a paid year-long internship

Application Deadline: Not specified

Eligibility: High school students in participating communities and school networks; exact grade and school requirements may vary

Genesys Works Bay Area combines business technology training with a paid internship at a partner company. You begin with eight weeks of training in business operations, information technology, and professional skills before being matched to a worksite. During the internship, you work in an entry-level role for about 20 hours per week while continuing to receive college and career coaching. The Bay Area partner list includes employers such as Patelco Credit Union, making this one of the Bay Area finance internships for high school students that may connect you to financial services or business operations depending on placement. You can build skills in workplace communication, project follow-through, data handling, and professional etiquette. Because placements vary, you should ask the program directly whether finance, accounting, or operations roles are available in the current cycle.

2. Young Founders Lab

Location: 100% virtual, with live interactive workshops

Cost/Stipend: $2,900; need-based financial aid available

Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective

Program Dates: Four-week program starting tentatively June 5

Application Deadline: Early Decision: March; Regular Admission 1: April; Regular Admission 2: May

Eligibility: Open to all high school students

The Young Founders Lab is a real-world startup bootcamp founded and run by Harvard entrepreneurs. You will work towards building a revenue-generating startup that addresses a real-world problem, mentored by established entrepreneurs and professionals from Google, Microsoft, and X. Alongside building your startup, you'll participate in interactive classes on business fundamentals and ideation, workshops, skill-building sessions, case studies, and panel discussions. The program gives you a structured space to explore both theoretical and practical frameworks for building a successful business. You can check out the brochure here and access the application here.

3. San José Works

Location: San José, CA

Cost/Stipend: Free; paid work experience

Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; program has served more than 5,000 youth since launch

Program Dates: Not specified; summer paid work experience is commonly offered

Application Deadline: Not specified

Eligibility: Youth ages 14–18 for the Paid Work Experience Program; San José residency and additional program criteria may apply

San José Works connects youth with paid work experience in high-growth sectors, including Finance, information technology, advanced manufacturing, health care, and construction. You may receive job readiness training, financial literacy instruction, leadership development, mentoring, and supportive services such as transportation or work clothing. Your exact duties depend on your placement, but the program is designed to help you gain workplace experience and explore career pathways. If you are interested in finance, you should ask about placements involving business administration, financial services, operations, or data-related work. The city’s FAQ states that the broader job assistance program is free and that internships are offered for 14–18-year-old high school students. 

4. Ladder Internship Program

Location: Remote; you can work from anywhere

Cost/Stipend: Starting at $2,490; financial aid available

Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective

Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year

Application Deadline: Spring: January; Summer: May; Fall: September; Winter: November

Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can work 10–20 hours per week for 8–12 weeks

Ladder Internships is a selective startup internship program for ambitious students. You'll work with a high-growth startup on real projects across industries including tech, AI/ML, health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. Ladder's startups are high-growth companies on average raising over a million dollars — past founders include YCombinator alums and former employees of Microsoft, Google, and Facebook. You'll work closely with your manager and a Ladder Coach and present your work to the company at the end of the internship. You can apply here.

5. SF YouthWorks

Location: San Francisco, CA

Cost/Stipend: Free; paid at $19.18 per hour

Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective

Program Dates: Summer and school-year opportunities; school-year internships usually begin in late October and end in early May

Application Deadline: Summer application currently closed; school-year applications usually open in late August and are typically due in mid-September

Eligibility: 11th–12th graders who live in or attend school in San Francisco; work permit required

SF YouthWorks is a paid internship program that places you in San Francisco city departments. Past and listed placement areas include public agencies such as the Public Utilities Commission, Public Library, San Francisco International Airport, Assessor-Recorder, Board of Supervisors, and other local government offices. You receive professional training, mentorship from a city department employee, field trips, site tours, and support with future planning. If you are interested in finance, this program can be useful when placements involve city administration, public budgeting, assessment, operations, or finance-adjacent departments. You should confirm current department options before applying, since your exact role may not be finance-specific. This is one of the Bay Area finance internships for high school students that can help you understand how public-sector organizations manage resources and deliver services.

6. Enterprise for Youth Paid Internships

Location: San Francisco, CA

Cost/Stipend: Free; paid internship, with recent pay listed at $29.31 per hour for the summer internship program

Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective

Program Dates: June 8 – July 31, with optional extension from September–November for some opportunities

Application Deadline: April 15; late applications may be reviewed on an ongoing basis when allowed

Eligibility: Current high school juniors enrolled in a public high school for the listed summer internship cycle; requirements may vary by internship type

Enterprise for Youth Paid Internships helps you explore careers while building workplace skills through paid placements. The program lists sectors such as small business, nonprofit, retail, tech, health care, arts, climate, culinary, and other local industries. Your week may be split between your internship site and Enterprise for Youth programming, so you are not only working but also receiving structured support. For finance-focused students, the most relevant placements may be small business, nonprofit administration, retail operations, or tech-related business roles where you can observe budgeting, customer transactions, operations, and resource management. Because placements vary, you should ask whether current employers offer finance, bookkeeping, operations, or business administration projects.

7. Sandia National Laboratories Student Internships

Location: Livermore, CA, and other Sandia sites

Cost/Stipend: Free to apply; paid internships

Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; high school openings are limited

Program Dates: Summer internships generally run May through late August; year-round internships may also be available

Application Deadline: Rolling by position; Sandia recommends applying at least three months before your desired start date

Eligibility: At least 16 years old; full-time enrollment at an accredited high school; GPA requirements vary by role; U.S. citizenship may be required for some positions

Sandia National Laboratories Student Internships are open to students from high school through graduate school, with a major site in Livermore. While Sandia is best known for science and engineering, its internship information also notes business, clerical, technical, and R&D opportunities. If you are interested in finance, you should search current postings for business, operations, budgeting, procurement, data, or administrative roles rather than assuming every opening is finance-related. You may work on real projects, learn how a large research organization operates, and build skills in documentation, analysis, communication, and workplace systems. The FAQ confirms that high school students who are at least 16 may participate, though openings are limited. This is a more competitive option among Bay Area finance internships for high school students because availability depends on specific posted roles.

8. Kaiser Permanente Summer Youth Employment Program

Location: Kaiser Permanente service areas; local availability varies by medical center and region

Cost/Stipend: Free; paid part-time internship

Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; recruited through schools and community partners

Program Dates: 6–8 weeks between June and August

Application Deadline: Not specified; recruitment typically depends on local partners and medical centers

Eligibility: High school students age 16 or older; priority may go to 11th and 12th graders; must live near the medical center, be eligible to work in the U.S., and not be a dependent of a Kaiser Permanente employee or physician

The Kaiser Permanente Summer Youth Employment Program gives you paid experience in administrative, clerical, and health care support roles. Although it is health-care focused, it can be relevant if you want to understand the business side of a large organization, including operations, scheduling, support services, and administrative workflows. Kaiser Permanente’s broader internship materials also list non-clinical focus areas such as finance, marketing, consulting, actuarial services, underwriting, human resources, and internal audit. However, high school placement availability may vary. You participate in weekly educational sessions that build confidence, career readiness, and exposure to health care careers. You also gain mentorship and networking experience with professionals across departments. If you are specifically searching for Bay Area finance internships for high school students, ask your local recruiter whether any administrative or finance-related placements are available before applying.

9. Norman Mineta Bay Area Summer Academy

Location: Mostly virtual, with optional final session at the Bay Area Metro Center in San Francisco

Cost/Stipend: Free; stipend provided upon completion

Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Limited spots; selective

Program Dates: Thursdays in July, beginning July 2; optional final session July 31

Application Deadline: April 27

Eligibility: Must live in the Bay Area, attend a local high school, be at least 15, and have completed ninth grade; GPA is not considered

The Norman Mineta Bay Area Summer Academy introduces you to public-sector careers and regional leadership. You attend online sessions, complete short quizzes, and prepare a brief presentation on a local challenge involving transportation, housing, environmental justice, or a related issue. Participating agencies include the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, Association of Bay Area Governments, Bay Area Air District, and Bay Conservation and Development Commission. This is not a corporate finance internship, but it can help you understand how regional agencies make planning and funding decisions that affect communities. You can build skills in research, policy analysis, public speaking, and civic decision-making. It belongs on a list of Bay Area finance internships for high school students only if you are open to public finance, infrastructure planning, and government resource allocation rather than private-sector finance.

10. Project Pull

Location: San Francisco city and county departments

Cost/Stipend: Free; paid internship, with recent high school intern pay listed at $23 per hour

Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective

Program Dates: June 8 – July 31

Application Deadline: February 13

Eligibility: Entering junior or senior year of high school or incoming college freshman; must live in or attend school in San Francisco; GPA and work-hour requirements apply

Project Pull is a paid summer internship through San Francisco city government. The program places high school interns in city departments and introduces them to public-sector careers in areas such as architecture, business, engineering, science, and administration. You are typically paired with city employees who serve as mentors and help you complete department-based tasks or projects. If you are interested in finance, you should ask whether placements are available in business, administration, budgeting, or operations-focused offices. The experience can help you understand how city departments plan projects, track resources, and serve residents. Among Bay Area finance internships for high school students, this option is strongest if you want paid public-service experience with exposure to business operations rather than a private finance firm.

11. SSIP CityWorks – San Francisco Public Utilities Commission

Location: San Francisco, CA; SFPUC and partner firms

Cost/Stipend: Free; paid summer internship

Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective

Program Dates: Summer; exact dates not specified

Application Deadline: Not specified

Eligibility: High school students from San Francisco’s southeast neighborhoods, starting after junior year

SSIP CityWorks is a paid summer internship for high school students from San Francisco’s southeast neighborhoods. The program provides internship opportunities at the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission or with private engineering firms working on sewer system projects. SFPUC’s youth employment page notes that paid youth opportunities can span fields including finance, communications, human resources, information technology, engineering, and water and wastewater management. You may work with mentors, supervisors, and professionals who help you understand public utilities and large infrastructure systems. If you are interested in finance, you should ask whether current placements include finance, procurement, administration, or project support. This is one of the Bay Area finance internships for high school students that may connect financial decision-making to infrastructure, public service, and environmental systems.

12. Mayor’s Youth Employment and Education Program

Location: San Francisco, CA

Cost/Stipend: Free; paid internships at $19.18 per hour for listed summer participant roles

Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective

Program Dates: Summer and school-year opportunities; exact dates vary by role

Application Deadline: Summer application currently closed; school-year applications usually open in late August

Eligibility: Incoming 9th–10th graders for the participant role; San Francisco residency and work permit required; leadership roles have separate grade rules

The Mayor’s Youth Employment and Education Program gives you paid work experience with local organizations and businesses. You receive pre-employment training, workshops, academic support, mentorship, field trips, site tours, and leadership opportunities. The program is not finance-specific, but you may build practical business skills through customer service, workplace communication, scheduling, operations, and organization-based projects. If you want finance exposure, ask about placements with small businesses, nonprofits, retail employers, or administrative teams where you can observe transactions, budgeting, or resource planning. MYEEP can be useful early in high school because it serves 9th and 10th graders, while many internships are limited to upperclassmen. It is a good fit if you want to start building work experience before applying to more specialized Bay Area finance internships for high school students later.

13. Oakland Career Tryout/Summer Rising

Location: Oakland, CA

Cost/Stipend: Free; paid summer work experience

Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; delivered through partner organizations

Program Dates: June 1 – September 30, with 100 hours of work experience

Application Deadline: Not specified

Eligibility: Oakland youth ages 14–18 from high-priority neighborhoods; partner-specific requirements may apply

Oakland Career Tryout/Summer Rising is a paid summer jobs program listed under the City of Oakland’s youth employment resources. You complete job readiness and financial literacy training, career exploration, and 100 hours of paid work experience. The program is intended to help youth gain income, workplace exposure, and a stronger transition into the next school year. Your placement may not be finance-specific, so you should ask the partner organization whether any roles involve business administration, nonprofit operations, customer service, budgeting, or financial literacy projects. The financial literacy component makes it relevant if you want to connect work experience with money management skills. For Oakland residents, it can be a practical starting point before pursuing more specialized Bay Area finance internships for high school students.

14. Richmond YouthWORKS Work Experience Program

Location: Richmond, CA

Cost/Stipend: Free; paid internship

Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; participants must meet requirements such as workshops and training

Program Dates: Up to 100 hours; summer and annual application cycles may vary

Application Deadline: Not specified; current application cycles are posted online

Eligibility: Richmond youth ages 16–21

The Richmond YouthWORKS Work Experience Program connects you with paid internships at local businesses, government agencies, community-based organizations, and nonprofits. You may work up to 100 hours while building responsibility, communication, and basic workplace skills. The program requires participants to complete workshops and training, so you should expect preparation before placement. If you are interested in finance, ask about roles involving office administration, small business operations, nonprofit budgeting, customer service, or data entry. The program can help you understand how local organizations manage day-to-day work and serve community needs. It is best viewed as a broad work-experience pathway rather than a guaranteed finance placement.

15. Marin County School to Career Internship Program

Location: Marin County, CA

Cost/Stipend: Free; most internships are unpaid, though some paid opportunities may be available

Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Placement-based; availability depends on employer needs and student interests

Program Dates: Fall, spring, and summer sessions; fall begins in early October, spring begins in early February, and summer begins in mid-June

Application Deadline: Not specified

Eligibility: Public high school students in Marin County; recommended for juniors and seniors

The Marin County School to Career Internship Program helps you test academic knowledge in a real workplace. Internships run in fall, spring, and summer and usually require at least 54 hours, with 6–9 hours per week at a worksite over eight weeks. You work with a mentor, and the program tries to match you with one of your top three career choices when possible. While most internships are unpaid, some paid opportunities may be available depending on the employer. If you want finance or business exposure, you should list finance, accounting, business operations, nonprofit administration, or data-related placements among your preferred choices. This can be a useful Bay Area option if you want academic credit and structured career exploration, though finance placement is not guaranteed.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are there paid finance-adjacent internships for high school students in the Bay Area?

Yes. Genesys Works Bay Area, San José Works, SF YouthWorks, and Enterprise for Youth all offer paid positions, though you'll often need to specifically ask about business, budgeting, or finance-related placements.

2. Is there an option to build financial skills through a real venture instead of interning at an organization?

Young Founders Lab lets you do exactly that, guiding you through pricing, revenue, and business strategy as you build a real, revenue-generating startup, fully virtually with need-based financial aid available.

3. Which program includes financial literacy training as part of the experience?

Oakland Career Tryout/Summer Rising includes financial literacy training alongside its paid work experience, connecting money management skills directly to the internship itself.