14 Business Internships for High School Students in Arizona
If you’re a high school student interested in business, consider doing an internship in the field. Internships are a great way to gain practical experience and insight into how businesses operate. By interning in high school, you can build valuable skills, explore potential career paths, and make meaningful connections with professionals who can guide your future. These experiences give you teamwork, problem-solving, and communication skills that can set you apart in college applications and beyond.
In Arizona, there are plenty of internship programs designed specifically for high school students. Many of these internships are flexible, fitting easily into your school schedule. Summer internships, in particular, provide focused learning without the pressure of schoolwork. Whether you’re interested in business, tech, marketing, or another field, these internships give you the chance to gain experience and explore your interests.
14 business internships for high school students in Arizona!
1. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote. You can work from anywhere in the world
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available
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 highly selective program that connects ambitious high school students with fast-growing startups across various industries, including technology, healthcare, AI/ML, marketing, and consulting. You’ll work directly with company founders and managers on meaningful projects, ranging from market research to product design, while being mentored by a dedicated Ladder Coach. The program also includes training workshops on communication, time management, and leadership, helping you strengthen both your professional and interpersonal skills. By the end of the internship, you’ll have completed practical projects and gained exposure to the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
2. Young Founders Lab
Location: Fully virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available.
Dates: 2 sessions: June 9–29 or August 4–24
Application Deadline: Fall Cohort deadline is September 5
Eligibility: High school students in the age group 9-12
Join a focused, online program and build a real startup with a team. You will pitch your ideas, create an MVP, and work with a mentor. You get 30 hours of live workshops in the team-based track, or 12 hours of one-on-one coaching in the individual track. Additionally you can meet mentors with experience from top schools and big names like Google or McKinsey. Throughout this internship, you will collaborate closely, learn to sketch business plans, and present your idea. You also gain community insight and support to push your idea forward beyond the program, with clear and practical steps.
3. Textron Business Management Internship
Location: ABLE at Textron Aviation, Mesa, AZ
Cost/Stipend: Included
Dates: Fall Semester
Application Deadline: Not Specified
Eligibility: Current high school students 16 years of age
In this business internship for high school students in Arizona, you join a paid, on-site internship and support business operations across departments. Monitor and coordinate tasks to keep things running smoothly and work 20–40 hours a week during the fall semester. You will practice organization, problem-solving, and clear communication using tools like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. You will attend “Campus to Corporate” training to learn workplace etiquette and soft skills and gain hands-on experience with real projects. You will also meet professionals across the company, build networking skills, and grow practical business skills while working in a real aviation environment.
4. AZYouthforce
Location: AZYF Academy East & West Valley location in Mesa, AZ
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Dates: Not Specified (8-week internship)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students aged 16-21
Through this business internship for high school students in Arizona, students work in person at PHX Arena and help with event operations. You must join after completing AZYF Academy, where you receive training and preparation. Staff games and events include Phoenix Suns or Mercury games, concerts, and others. You will support guest services, learn how large venues run, respond to live demands, work weekdays and weekends, around 5–6 hours daily, adapting to event schedules. In this, you will earn real pay while gaining customer service, teamwork, and time-management skills. You may qualify to interview as a lead intern and extend your experience by another four months.
5. Edge High School Internship (Admin/Business Focus Option)
Location: Edge High School, Tucson, AZ
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid
Dates: Available in summer, fall, or spring
Application Deadline: 6 weeks before each internship
Eligibility: High school students
Step into a flexible, in-person internship at Edge High School, where you get to pick the role that fits your interests. From helping with administration and student services to creating curriculum, planning events, or writing grants, you will gain hands-on experience in nonprofit business management and policy. You will work alongside college interns, shaping school culture and supporting at-risk teens. Practice writing, planning, organization skills, and join projects that matter. In this business internship for high school students in Arizona, you will learn by doing and help students and staff thrive. Leave with real insight into school operations and a chance to make a meaningful contribution.
6. Bank of America Student Leaders
Location: Various locations, including Arizona; Final summit in Washington, D.C.
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Dates: 8 weeks + the Leadership Summit week (July 21 – 26)
Application Deadline: January 15
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors who permanently reside in one of the eligible locations and have a solid academic record
In the Bank of America Student Leaders program, you will work 35 hours a week for eight weeks at a local nonprofit and earn a stipend. Serve your community while practicing communication, teamwork, leadership, connecting with professionals, and learn how nonprofits, businesses, and government solve real problems. The program will close at a summit in Washington, D.C., where travel, meals, and lodging are paid. Through this internship, you will meet peers from across the nation and present your experience. After the program, you will return with insight into civic service and nonprofit operations, gain real work experience, and build a network of mentors and future impact-makers.
7. Children’s Museum of Phoenix Internship
Location: Children’s Museum of Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Dates: Fall Semester (August-November), Spring Semester (January-April), Summer Semester (May-July)
Application Deadline: Not Specified. Varies for each semester
Eligibility: High school seniors
Join a semester-long, on-site paid fellowship in areas like finance, marketing, event planning, exhibits, or development. In this business internship for high school students in Arizona, you will train with the museum and business pros and grow real skills in nonprofit operations, planning, and promotion. You will attend behind-the-scenes tours, meet with leaders, and visit local sites for broader insight. You must also network in professional gatherings, receive a one-year Young Nonprofit Professionals Network membership, and help shape programs and events.
8. Finance Summer Internship Program
Location: City of Phoenix Government Offices
Cost/Stipend: Not Specified
Dates: 12-week program
Application Deadline: Not Specified
Eligibility: Sophomores or higher
Join a paid, 12-week summer internship with the City of Phoenix Finance Department, where you will help with real tasks like budgeting, risk tracking, procurement, audits, and bond sale support. Gain practical skills in accounting, reporting, negotiation, and operations, and work under office conditions with schedule flexibility. This program will help you sharpen your communication, analysis, and attention to detail, and see how large municipal finance systems operate. You will also connect with professionals across finance divisions and learn to collaborate across teams. Through this business internship for high school students in Arizona, you can build foundational skills while contributing to public service and learning how a city runs its finances.
9. CLA High School Internship Program
Location: Select CLA offices across the U.S., including Arizona
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Dates: Starts in June
Application Deadline: Starts in June
Eligibility: Students aged 16 to 18
Spend four weeks learning how business works inside one of the nation’s leading professional services firms. You can explore areas like accounting, wealth advisory, tax, consulting, and digital solutions. Work on real projects that connect to client service and community involvement, and join workshops and skill-building sessions. You will collaborate with professionals who guide you through day-to-day tasks, gain a mentor, and expand your network. Through the internship, you will connect with other interns across different offices, present what you learn, and build confidence in a business setting.
10. NASA Internship Programs
Location: NASA centers and facilities across the U.S., including Arizona
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Dates: Internships run in three cycles - Spring, Summer, and Fall
Application Deadline: September 12 (Spring), February 27 (Summer), May 22 (Fall)
Eligibility: High school students aged 16
Through this paid internship at NASA during spring, summer, or fall, you will work with mentors, including scientists, engineers, IT and business professionals, and help them with real NASA projects. You will learn technical skills, workplace tasks, and career readiness by working on-site or remotely. The program will help you connect with experts and peers across disciplines and build your resume while contributing to space, science, or business missions. You join a national cohort, learn how big organizations launch ideas and leave with practical experience and a clearer idea of how your interests might meet real-world goals in science, policy, or beyond.
11. Business Careers Awareness Program
Location: Eller College of Management in Tucson, AZ
Cost/Stipend: Costs covered by EY scholarships
Dates: June 1 - 6
Application Deadline: March 2
Eligibility: Current high school juniors
Spend a week on campus at UA's Eller College, where you will receive classes in business subjects, including accounting, marketing, communications, and ethics. You will get to work in teams on a business-plan case competition, visit the EY Phoenix office, meet professionals, and network in structured events and share ideas at a closing celebration. You will earn book scholarships if your team wins, stay in dorms, and get a feel for college life. The program will help you build skills in teamwork, communication, critical thinking, and presentation, and return with new confidence, direction, and college connections that help you start strong in business studies.
12. Student Programs at SRP
Location: SRP departments in the Phoenix Metro area
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Dates: Runs throughout the year
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school seniors enrolled in Cooperative Office Education (COE) or Industrial Cooperative Education (ICE) programs in their senior year
Through this business internship for high school students in Arizona, you will work alongside SRP teams while attending your CTE class in your senior year. Throughout the program, you will carry out real tasks, and depending on the role, you might assist with operations, support business teams, or learn technical skills. You will get paid, train with professionals, and gain experience in a large utility. Systemically build work habits, time management, teamwork, and connect with mentors and meet peers across departments.
13. Wharton Global Youth Program - Essentials of Leadership
Location: Online
Cost: $4,099
Dates: Session 1: June 16 – June 27, Session 2: July 7 – July 18
Application Deadline: Priority deadline - April 2, Final deadline - May 1
Eligibility: High school students currently enrolled in grades 9-12 (international students are welcome)
Join a two-week cohort online with Wharton leaders. You will complete an EQ assessment, work in teams on simulations like oil-production strategy and a mission to Saturn’s moon. You will practice self-awareness, communication, and ethical decision-making, and collaborate with peers worldwide, attend live discussions, and group projects. The program will help you reflect on your strengths and values through exercises like personal mission statements, industry SWOTs, cultural introductions, and leave with sharper leadership insight and a certificate of completion.
14. Forage Virtual Internships
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free
Dates: Always available; no fixed start or end
Application Deadline: None
Eligibility: High school students
Access Forage online and choose from scores of virtual internships designed by leading firms. You will complete world tasks like drafting strategy slides or financial analyses in 5–8 hours and practice skills in research, analysis, and presentation, mirroring what entry-level roles require. You will earn a certificate for completing simulations and share it on your resume or LinkedIn. The internship will also help you explore industries like consulting, finance, law, and tech at your own pace and run test jobs without risk or applications.