10 Business Extracurriculars for High School Students
If you’re looking to build your profile for a business degree at the undergraduate level, here’s one thing you need to do as a high school student - work on a business extracurricular.
Getting involved in business-related extracurriculars in high school is a practical way to build useful skills and strengthen your college applications. Whether you’re starting a small venture, running a club, or entering a business competition, these experiences help you develop leadership, financial literacy, teamwork, and problem-solving. They also show colleges that you’re serious about your interests and willing to take initiative outside the classroom.
Why should high school students work on business extracurriculars?
Business-focused extracurricular activities demonstrate initiative, problem-solving skills, and a strong interest in fields such as economics, finance, entrepreneurship, or management.
Admissions officers look beyond participation; they evaluate the depth of your involvement, leadership roles, and the tangible impact you create.
A thoughtful business project or leadership in a business organization often leaves a stronger impression than joining a list of clubs.
Whether you're planning to pursue a business major or simply want to build versatile skills, investing your time in a meaningful business extracurricular is a decision that can pay dividends far beyond high school.
In this blog, we’ll explore some of the most effective business extracurriculars you can pursue as a high school student—and how each one can help you build a standout profile.
1. Join an Established Business Club
If you’re serious about exploring business, one of the best first steps you can take is joining a business club at your school. Being part of a club allows you to learn about various areas, such as entrepreneurship, finance, and marketing, while helping you develop leadership skills.
Clubs such as DECA, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), Business Professionals of America (BPA), and Junior Achievement’s Company Program provide students with a structured environment for growth. These organizations are known for offering realistic business challenges, industry-specific workshops, and competitions where you can showcase your skills. For example, DECA organizes simulations in fields like hospitality and management, while FBLA focuses on developing leadership through public speaking, business case studies, and strategy sessions.
If your school offers specialized clubs like the Young Entrepreneurs Club or even a Women in Business network, these can give you a platform to pursue specific interests, whether that’s investing, launching startups, or promoting diversity in business. (Note: These types of clubs are usually school-specific, so they don't always have a national website.)
You might also qualify for the National Business Honor Society (NBHS), which honors high-achieving students in business coursework. To join, you typically need to be a junior or senior with at least three completed business courses and a strong GPA (normally 3.0 overall and 3.5 in business classes).
Tip: Even if your school doesn’t have an official business club, you can still gain valuable experience by taking on business-related roles in other organizations, like handling budgets, fundraising, or marketing for different clubs.
Difficulty level: Moderate—basic membership is manageable, but excelling in leadership roles, projects, or competitions requires extra initiative.
Location: Available in many high schools across the U.S.; some clubs also offer virtual or independent chapters.
Resources/experience required: No prior experience needed—clubs typically provide all the necessary training, resources, and mentorship to get started.
2. Launch Your Own Mini Business Venture
If you’re eager to dive into the realities of entrepreneurship, starting a mini business is one of the most rewarding moves you can make in high school. Rather than just reading about business principles, you’ll get experience with everything from idea development to daily operations.
Your venture doesn’t have to be large or complex to have an impact. You could set up a pop-up stall at a school event, start a simple e-commerce website selling handmade products, or offer local services like tutoring, photography, or event planning. The key is to take full ownership of the business cycle—from planning and budgeting to marketing and customer relations.
Through this experience, you will naturally encounter core business lessons, including balancing costs against revenue, adjusting to customer feedback, marketing your product or service creatively, and dealing with unexpected challenges. These lessons are something that no textbook or class project can fully replicate.
If you’re looking for structured support, programs like the Young Founders Lab offer mentorship and community specifically for high school students who want to bring their entrepreneurial ideas to life.
Difficulty level: High, requires dedication, resilience, and resourcefulness to manage independently.
Location: Flexible - your school, community events, or online platforms.
Resources/experience required: Some initial funding (self-raised, crowdfunded, or small investments), as well as guidance from mentors such as teachers, local entrepreneurs, or online incubator programs.
3. Create a Business-Focused Club at Your School
If you notice a gap in your school’s extracurricular offerings, creating your own business-focused club is an excellent way to take initiative and showcase leadership.
Founding a club demonstrates your entrepreneurial spirit and important business qualities, such as communication, strategic planning, and team management—all highly valued by colleges and future employers.
Rather than keeping the club broad, you can narrow your focus to a specific sector within business that aligns with your interests. Some niche ideas include:
Investment and Stock Market Analysis
Cryptocurrency and Digital Finance
Global Business and Trade
Supply Chain and Operations Management
Entrepreneurship and Startups
Business Law and Ethics
Marketing, Advertising, and Branding
Once you have chosen a theme, the next steps involve identifying a faculty advisor, obtaining official recognition for the club, establishing a budget, recruiting members, and creating a yearly plan of activities. Your club could host speaker events, organize mini-business competitions, launch a school-wide fundraising initiative, or even conduct workshops for younger students interested in business. Starting and sustaining a club requires persistence, but it’s a powerful way to build a leadership portfolio that stands out on college applications.
Difficulty level: High; it requires commitment to not only start but also maintain a club successfully.
Location: Your school, with potential for community engagement as well.
Resources/experience required: Organizational skills, willingness to work with school administrators, and finding at least one mentor or faculty advisor.
4. Participate in a Business Summer Program
One of the best ways to explore business beyond the classroom is by attending a focused summer program. Whether you’re looking to strengthen your college applications, sharpen specific business skills, or just explore different fields like entrepreneurship or finance, a summer program offers experience and networking opportunities.
Programs come in different formats - some are highly competitive and free, while others are paid pre-college courses hosted by top universities. Choosing the right program depends on your goals, interests, and resources.
Here’s a few competitive business programs you can consider!
Bank of America Student Leaders Program: Pairs students with paid internships and a leadership summit.
Olin Fleischer Scholars Program at Washington University: Designed for first-generation and low-income students interested in business and entrepreneurship.
Caminos al Futuro at George Washington University: A leadership and service program for Hispanic/Latino students passionate about business, community engagement, and advocacy.
Research programs that let you conduct rigorous research in business and business-related fields, like the Lumiere Research Scholar Program and Horizon Academic Research Program!
Tip: These programs typically have early application deadlines and require essays, letters of recommendation, or proof of leadership involvement.
Leadership Programs with a Business Focus
Leadership development is a vital component of any successful business career. If you're interested in developing your leadership skills along with business acumen, consider:
Young Women’s Leadership Institute at Barnard College: Leadership training for young women interested in global issues, business, and advocacy.
University of Notre Dame Leadership Seminars: Highly selective academic seminars that explore topics like economics, global issues, and ethics.
Difficulty level: Medium to high—varies depending on program selectivity and course load.
Location: University campuses, online platforms, or hybrid options.
Resources/experience required: Some programs require applications, essays, or letters of recommendation; competitive programs fill up early.
5. Gain Experience Through Internships
Landing an internship is one of the most effective ways to apply your business knowledge in a professional setting. Whether paid or volunteer, an internship exposes you to everyday business operations, team dynamics, financial decision-making, and client interactions in a way that no classroom can replicate.
Here’s how you can approach finding the right opportunity:
Look Locally and Think Creatively
You don’t need a Fortune 500 company to gain valuable business experience. Small businesses, nonprofits, startups, and even local franchises are often open to hiring student interns, even if they don’t publicly advertise positions.
Tip: When reaching out, be ready to pitch what you can offer.
Think about how you can:
Help optimize their costs or budgets
Propose marketing strategies to attract more customers
Introduce basic digital tools for efficiency
Assist with social media or event organization
Make it easy for them to see how you add value.
Explore Virtual Internship Opportunities
If local options are limited, consider virtual internships, which have become much more common. Programs like Ladder Internships offer rigorous remote experiences for students interested in business, marketing, consulting, and entrepreneurship.
These internships are flexible, allowing you to work around your school schedule while still gaining business exposure.
Tap into Your Network
Don’t underestimate the power of your connections. Let friends, family, neighbors, and teachers know that you’re looking for business-related internships. You might find opportunities to intern or even job-shadow at a family-owned business, a startup run by a family friend, or through your school’s alumni network.
Difficulty level: Moderate—finding an opportunity requires proactive effort and pitching yourself confidently.
Location: Local businesses, startups, nonprofits, or online platforms offering remote internships.
Resources/experience required: A proactive attitude, willingness to reach out directly, and basic communication skills; no formal experience is necessary for entry-level internships.
6. Challenge Yourself Through Business Competitions
Participating in business competitions can be a significant turning point in your journey as an aspiring entrepreneur or business leader. These events challenge you to move beyond theory, pushing you to develop business ideas, work in teams, solve problems, and present your solutions to industry professionals.
However, it is essential to select opportunities strategically, based on your goals and interests. Here's how you can approach it:
How to Choose the Right Competition
Skill Level: Some competitions, like DECA’s Entrepreneurship Events, are designed for beginners looking to practice case studies and pitching, while others, like the Wharton Global High School Investment Competition, require substantial research and analysis skills.
Topic Focus: If you're interested in social entrepreneurship, platforms like the Hult Prize or SAGE Global are ideal.
Format: Consider whether you prefer in-person networking opportunities (e.g., New York Tech High School Students Business Competition) or flexible online formats (e.g., Blue Ocean Student Entrepreneur Competition).
Time Commitment: Some competitions span just a day or weekend, such as the Global Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge (GYEC), while others extend across weeks or even months. Ensure that it aligns with your academic and extracurricular schedule.
Cost: Many top competitions, such as NFTE's World Series of Innovation, are free to participate in, while others may involve travel or registration fees.
Tip: Many competitions open applications several months before the actual event. Start researching and preparing early, especially if recommendations, business plans, or team registrations are required.
Difficulty level: Medium to High—depending on complexity and competitiveness.
Location: Local, national, and international competitions—both online and in-person.
Resources/experience required: Basic business knowledge; teamwork; pitching and presentation skills; mentorship support is an advantage, but not mandatory.
7. Learn Investment Strategies Through Stock Market Simulations
If you're interested in finance, economics, or strategic decision-making, participating in stock market simulation games is an engaging way to build your skills.
These simulations provide a risk-free environment where you can experiment with trading strategies, manage portfolios, and observe firsthand how market forces influence stock prices using virtual currency.
Through stock market games, you'll learn to:
Analyze real-time market data
Make buying and selling decisions based on trends and company performance
Understand how diversification reduces risk
Develop long-term and short-term investment strategies
Programs like The Stock Market Game and HowTheMarketWorks offer user-friendly platforms designed for students. Some even run seasonal competitions where top-performing portfolios earn certificates, scholarships, or recognition.
Tip: Many simulations offer free tutorials and resources, so you don't need to be an expert to get started. It's also a great extracurricular to mention in college essays if you’re interested in fields like business, economics, or finance.
Difficulty level: Moderate to High—depending on how deep you go into strategy and market research.
Location: Online—accessible globally with just a computer or smartphone.
Resources/experience required: No prior knowledge required; having a basic understanding of economic principles helps, but isn’t necessary, thanks to built-in learning modules.
8. Take Online Business Courses and Certifications
If you want to build a strong academic foundation in business, taking online courses or earning certifications can be a powerful addition to your extracurricular profile. Self-paced online learning demonstrates to colleges and future employers that you are proactive, disciplined, and serious about developing professional skills.
Several leading platforms offer high-quality business education accessible to high school students:
Coursera: Offers beginner to advanced business courses from top universities like Wharton, Stanford, and Yale. Popular topics include entrepreneurship, financial accounting, marketing strategy, and business analytics.
edX: Provides business courses from institutions like Harvard and MIT, often with options to earn verified certificates. Many courses are free to audit.
Google Career Certificates: Practical programs focusing on skills like digital marketing, project management, and data analytics—valuable for students aiming for early career experience.
Courses typically cover topics such as:
Fundamentals of entrepreneurship
Financial markets and investment basics
Business strategy and operations
Marketing principles and consumer behavior
Data-driven decision making
Completing even a short certification program helps you gain industry knowledge, sharpen your analytical skills, and showcase your dedication to your field of interest. It also gives you strong material to discuss in your college essays, resumes, and scholarship applications, especially if you pursue multiple certifications aligned with your career goals.
Tip: Focus on courses that offer a certificate of completion or a final project. This way, you have a tangible achievement to showcase.
Difficulty level: Moderate—depends on the depth and format of the course; beginner-level courses are very accessible.
Location: Fully online—accessible globally at your own pace.
Resources/experience required: A computer or mobile device, stable internet access, and basic English comprehension. Many platforms offer free versions; certificates often require a small fee.
9. Volunteer for Fundraising or Business Roles in Nonprofits
Volunteering with a nonprofit organization is an excellent way to apply business skills while making a positive impact in your community. By taking on fundraising, budgeting, event planning, or marketing roles, you gain experience managing finances, promoting initiatives, and solving operational challenges, all while building a meaningful extracurricular record.
There are many ways you can get involved:
Fundraising: Assist in organizing charity drives, outreach for sponsorships, or online donation campaigns.
Budgeting and Financial Management: Assist with event budgets, operational costs, or grant proposals.
Marketing and Communications: Manage a nonprofit's social media accounts, design posters, or run awareness campaigns.
Most small nonprofits are grateful for support, especially if you bring creative ideas and energy. If local in-person volunteering isn't possible, virtual volunteering platforms like VolunteerMatch or Catchafire offer remote business-related projects you can apply for.
Tip: When reaching out to a nonprofit, pitch yourself as a professional: explain the skills you bring (such as social media marketing, fundraising ideas, or financial tracking) and how you can support their goals.
Difficulty level: Moderate—varies depending on project complexity.
Location: Local nonprofits, charities, or fully online volunteering platforms.
Resources/experience required: Communication skills, basic organizational ability; no formal prior experience required.
10. Start a Financial Literacy Club or Workshop Series (and Build a Business Blog Alongside!)
Founding a financial literacy club or workshop series is a powerful way to combine leadership, education, and business skills into one impactful extracurricular. Personal finance is a critical life skill that many high school students never formally learn, and you can fill that gap.
Here’s how you could structure it:
Start a Financial Literacy Club: Apply through your school to get official recognition. Recruit members through posters, announcements, or social media.
Host Workshops or Events: Teach basic topics like budgeting, saving, credit management, investing for beginners, and understanding student loans. Use free, ready-to-go curricula from platforms like Next Gen Personal Finance (NGPF).
Invite Guest Speakers: Bring in local bankers, entrepreneurs, or financial advisors to speak about money management.
Run Challenges: Organize a mock investing contest or a budgeting challenge to make the sessions interactive and fun.
Bonus:
You can also create a Financial Literacy Blog or Newsletter as part of your initiative. Summarize the lessons from your workshops, share financial tips for teens, post interviews with guest speakers, and provide free resources for your peers. Blogging adds a leadership and communication dimension to your project, providing you with tangible material to showcase in college applications.
Tip: Start small and grow steadily—even one workshop can have a significant impact. Colleges love seeing students identify a need and build something sustainable around it.
Difficulty level: High—founding and running a club or series requires sustained effort and initiative.
Location: Your school, local library, community centers, or online.
Resources/experience required: Organizational skills, public speaking comfort, willingness to learn and teach others. Ready-made materials from platforms like NGPF make it easier to get started.