15 Business Internships for High School Students in New Jersey
If you're in high school and interested in fields like marketing, finance, entrepreneurship, or public service, internships can give you the first real look. If you are unsure which path within business suits you, internships give you a real glimpse into different roles and industries, helping you refine career goals early.
What business internships are available for high school students in New Jersey?
New Jersey offers a diverse range of internship opportunities, including short-term immersive programs, multi-week internships with companies, and long-term initiatives that provide continued mentorship and career development. Some programs focus on entrepreneurship and innovation, guiding you through the process of building and pitching ideas, while others place you in professional settings such as corporate offices or government institutions.
Why pursue a business internship in New Jersey?
You will take on small but meaningful responsibilities like supporting research, handling basic communication, or contributing to projects, writing emails, and presenting ideas. Many programs also include final presentations or deliverables, allowing you to showcase what you have learned, along with mentorship from industry professionals.
Here are 15 business internships for high school students in New Jersey. For related opportunities, check out our guides on 15 business internships for high school students in California and 11 startups offering internships for high school students.
Quick Look
8 paid or stipended programs: 1435 Capital Management, Be Your Own Boss (up to $250), Mercer County ($17/hr), CLA, StandOut Connect, and others provide compensation or a structured stipend
2 fully virtual or remote programs: Young Founders Lab (100% virtual, financial aid available) and Ladder Internship (remote, multiple cohorts year-round)
3 government or public-service focused programs: Mercer County Student Internship Program, the Summer High School Accelerated Session (Senator Cory Booker's office), and Senator Cory Booker Office Internships
1 program requiring a TCNJ enrollment: The Community Bridge Internship Program (must have completed at least three course units at TCNJ)
2 programs open to international students: StandOut Connect (explicitly mentions international students with English fluency) and Young Founders Lab
Earliest deadlines: Emma Bowen Foundation (early January), StandOut Connect (early deadline February 22), and Mercer County (March 27)
15 Business Internships for High School Students in New Jersey
1. 1435 Capital Management Internship
Location: Hybrid - remote and in person at 1435 Capital, Princeton, NJ
Cost/Stipend: None; Paid
Dates: 10-week summer internship between June and August
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors or seniors between the ages of 16 and 18
The 1435 Capital Management Internship is designed for students who want direct exposure to investing through structured, hands-on work. As part of this experience, you will research companies, analyze financial data, and contribute to real investment discussions. Unlike many business internships for high school students in New Jersey, this program emphasizes active participation and consistent engagement. You will work closely with professionals, receive mentorship, and take part in discussion-led sessions to build your understanding step by step. You may also present your insights or support internal reports.
2. Young Founders Lab
Location: 100% virtual, with live interactive workshops
Cost: Varies as per program (need-based financial aid available)
Dates: 4-week program starting June 5th, tentatively
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. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote — work from anywhere in the world
Cost: Varies as per program (financial aid available)
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), Winter (November)
Eligibility: Students who can work 10–20 hours/week for 8–12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
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.
4. Be Your Own Boss Internship - National Component
Location: Fully virtual
Cost/Stipend: None; Paid up to $250
Dates: Not specified yet. Check their website for more information
Application Deadline: None
Eligibility: Open to high school students
The Future Founders Be Your Own Boss Internship gives you the chance to build and run your own business from the ground up. You will develop an idea, test it in the market, and manage real sales. Unlike other business internships for high school students in New Jersey, you will take full ownership of your work rather than supporting someone else’s project. You will also work with mentors, attend workshops, and receive regular feedback as you grow your business.
5. The Emma Bowen Foundation Summer Internship Application
Location: Various US states, including New Jersey
Cost/Stipend: None; Based on your parent company
Dates: Starts in May or June. The start and end dates are determined by the parent company
Application Deadline: Early January
Eligibility: Open to high school seniors or undergraduate students with a minimum 3.0 GPA; are currently authorized to work in the United States for any employer without current or future sponsorship, and must be at least 18 years of age before the start of the internship.
The Emma Bowen Foundation Summer Internship is designed as a multi-year program that continues through college. You will be placed with partner companies and return each summer to work on real projects in areas like marketing, production, or operations. Through this business internship for high school students in New Jersey, you will be offered repeat placements, structured guidance, and a clear pathway into media and technology careers. Over time, you will gain consistent, hands-on experience and also receive ongoing mentorship, attend training sessions, and build long-term industry connections.
6. Mercer County Student Internship Program
Location: Mercer County Administration Building, Trenton, NJ
Cost/Stipend: None; $17 per hour
Dates: July 6 to August 28
Application Deadline: March 27
Eligibility: Open to students enrolled in or residing in Mercer County (exceptions may apply), and must be at least 15 years old. Applicants under 18 need valid working papers; those 18+ must pass a background check. You should be able to commit up to 25 hours per week.
The Mercer County Student Internship Program is a structured business internship for high school students in New Jersey that places you within county departments to gain hands-on experience. You will assist with administrative tasks, research, and community-focused projects across public offices. In this internship, you will work with county staff, observe day-to-day operations, and build workplace skills such as communication and organization. You may also engage in departmental projects to support local services. The program gives you direct exposure to public sector work while helping you understand how government roles function in a professional setting.
7. CLA High School Internship Program
Location: Several locations across the US, including New Jersey
Cost/Stipend: None; Paid
Dates: June 15 — July 16
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students aged 16–18 who are authorized to work in the U.S. without needing a work visa
The CLA High School Internship Program is a summer program for students interested in accounting, consulting, and professional services. Through this structured business internship for high school students in New Jersey, you will be placed in real office settings where you will work on case studies, team projects, and client-based simulations. You will learn through shadowing professionals, participating in presentations, and collaborating with peers. The program includes mentorship, community-focused activities, and exposure to different business functions. As you progress, you will build practical skills in communication, analysis, and teamwork while gaining early insight into professional work environments.
8. Morgan Stanley JumpStart Scholars in Finance
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free
Dates: November – April
Application Deadline: Applications open in early fall
Eligibility: High school seniors
The Morgan Stanley JumpStart Scholars program is a competitive, immersive experience that introduces high school students to the world of finance through hands-on projects, mentorship from industry professionals, and real corporate exposure at Morgan Stanley. Designed to build leadership, communication, and financial literacy skills, the program places you in collaborative learning environments where you will engage in case-based activities and entrepreneurial thinking. With a strong focus on career readiness and professional development, it helps you gain early insight into business pathways while connecting you to a national network of motivated peers and mentors in the finance industry.
9. Summer High School Accelerated Session
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: None; Not specified
Dates: August 11 to August 28
Application Deadline: April 10 for the summer session
Eligibility: Open to high school students. Preference will be given to New Jersey residents.
The Summer High School Accelerated Session is a 14-day internship hosted by Senator Cory Booker’s office for New Jersey high school students interested in public service. The program introduces you to legislative work, constituent services, and administrative processes inside a Senate office, giving structured exposure to communication, research, and professional office workflows. You will assist with correspondence, track community concerns, and support staff during outreach activities. You may also observe public events and local engagement sessions. The program builds skills in organization, writing, and civic communication.
10. Building-U High School Internships
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: None; Unpaid
Dates: Year-round internship with a duration of between 1 and 3 months
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Open to high school students in grades 9-12
The Building-U High School Internships focus on early career exposure through structured, supported placements. You are matched with employers where you contribute to day-to-day tasks and learn how professional environments function. Alongside this, you will take part in guided sessions to build workplace skills such as communication, time management, and collaboration. This business internship for high school students in New Jersey places strong emphasis on mentorship and ongoing support throughout your experience and stands out for combining real work with consistent guidance and career readiness training.
11. The Community Bridge Internship Program
Location: Ewing, New Jersey
Cost/Stipend: None; Students participating in unpaid internships may apply for the Unpaid Internship Support Stipend (UISS). Stipends are awarded through a selective application process.
Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Vary by internship placement
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Must be in good academic standing, have completed at least three course units at TCNJ, and be a sophomore or higher
Through this business internship for high school students in New Jersey, you will work with local nonprofit and public-sector organizations while building practical business skills. The program connects classroom learning with real community needs through service-learning placements. You will contribute to projects involving nonprofit management, social impact strategy, cross-sector collaboration, and problem-solving. Partner organizations include community service groups, youth programs, family resource centers, and small business support agencies. Along the way, you will gain hands-on experience, strengthen professional readiness, and learn how business skills can support community impact. The program also encourages civic responsibility and ethical leadership while giving you meaningful exposure to mission-driven work.
12. Senator Cory Booker Office Internships
Location: Newark, New Jersey, and Camden, New Jersey offices
Cost/Stipend: None; Not specified
Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: August 11 to August 28
Application Deadline: April 10
Eligibility: High school students, current undergraduate students, and recent college graduates
As an intern in Senator Cory Booker’s office, you will see how public service and government operations work in practice. Throughout this business internship, you will answer phones, process mail and emails, conduct research, draft memos, and track constituent opinions on public issues. In Newark and Camden, you will accompany staff to community events and support constituent-focused projects. In New Jersey, you will help provide Capitol tours for visitors. The experience helps you build communication, research, writing, and professional skills while working alongside congressional staff in a fast-paced environment.
13. Interns 4-Good
Location: Virtual internships with nonprofit organizations
Cost/Stipend: None; Stipend varies by internship opportunity
Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Vary by placement and organization
Application Deadline: Rolling applications; specific deadlines vary by opportunity
Eligibility: High school students
With Interns 4-Good, you will work on skill-based projects for nonprofit organizations while gaining practical experience in a virtual setting. The program connects you with mission-driven organizations that need support across different areas of their work. As you contribute to real projects, you will build professional skills that will strengthen future academic and career opportunities. The experience combines service and workplace learning, allowing you to support causes that matter while developing responsibility and communication skills. A key feature of the program is its focus on meaningful nonprofit work, giving you a chance to contribute to community-focused organizations from anywhere with an internet connection. This is their last functioning year.
14. StandOut Connect
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: $2,950 (early applicants) & $3,950 (regular); Scholarships are applicable for low-income students; None
Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Professional training (May 31 - June 28); Internships (June 29 - August 28)
Application Deadline: Early deadline on February 22 & regular deadline on April 26
Eligibility: Any high school student who will be 15 or older by June can apply. International students must have demonstrated English fluency and be willing to adapt to the US time zone
At StandOut Connect, you will prepare for and complete a real internship with an innovative company. The program begins with interactive workshops led by alumni from top universities who teach resume writing, networking, interviewing, and workplace tools such as Excel and artificial intelligence. You will then interview with partner companies and complete a two-month remote internship in your area of interest. During your placement, you will work on meaningful projects and contribute to a small team. You will also learn alongside a cohort of peers and receive guidance from professionals. Many students finish the program having led a project and earned opportunities to continue their internships.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are there paid business internships for high school students in New Jersey?
Yes, several programs on this list are paid. 1435 Capital Management and CLA both offer paid internships in investing and accounting, respectively. Mercer County Student Internship Program pays $17 per hour for placements within county departments. Be Your Own Boss provides a stipend of up to $250 for full participation. Young Founders Lab and Ladder Internship both offer need-based financial aid for students who want a flexible, remote alternative instead.
2. Which New Jersey business internships are fully remote?
Two programs on this list are entirely virtual. Young Founders Lab is a 100% virtual startup bootcamp where you build a real venture with mentorship from professionals at Google, Microsoft, and X, with multiple cohorts throughout the year. Ladder Internship places you remotely with a high-growth startup across fields like finance, marketing, and consulting. Both are accessible regardless of where in New Jersey you live, unlike the location-specific programs tied to Trenton, Newark, Camden, or Princeton.
3. Which programs are best for students interested in public service or government work?
Three programs on this list focus specifically on government and public-sector experience. Mercer County's Student Internship Program places you within county departments to assist with administrative tasks and community projects. The Summer High School Accelerated Session and Senator Cory Booker Office Internships both place you inside a US Senate office, where you'll handle constituent communication, research, and administrative support across Newark, Camden, and New Jersey offices. All three give you exposure to how legislative and county-level government actually functions day to day.