13 Business Internships for High School Students in Ohio
If you’re a high school student thinking about a future business career, an internship in the field can be a great way to get started. A business internship lets you gain practical experience, collaborate with professionals, and explore different career paths within areas like marketing, finance, entrepreneurship, and management. These opportunities help you make informed decisions about college majors and your professional goals.
The skills, insights, and connections you build during your internship can strengthen your college essays and applications. Some business internships offer stipends, which you can save, invest, or put toward college expenses. Because paid internships tend to be competitive, completing one is a valuable achievement to highlight when applying to colleges.
In this blog, we have compiled 13 business internships for high school students in Ohio. These include traditional programs as well as virtual and startup-based opportunities with strong business components.
1. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students able to commit 10–20 hours/week for 8–12 weeks
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid internship
Ladder Internships is a highly selective startup internship program for ambitious high school students. You’ll work remotely with high-growth startups across industries like tech, AI/ML, health tech, marketing, journalism, and consulting. Ladder’s startups are typically well-funded, often led by founders with experience at Microsoft, Google, Facebook, or YCombinator alumni. During the 8-week virtual internship, you’ll collaborate closely with your manager and a Ladder Coach on projects, present your work to company leadership, and receive one-on-one training in communication, time management, and other professional skills. You’ll also have the opportunity to participate in group training sessions with fellow interns.
2. Young Founders Lab (YFL)
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year (summer, fall, winter, spring)
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
Cost: Varies by program; need-based financial aid available
In this 100% virtual program, you will build a revenue-generating startup that addresses a practical problem while engaging in live, interactive workshops on business fundamentals, ideation, and skill development. You’ll participate in case studies, panel discussions, and receive mentorship from established entrepreneurs and professionals from companies like Google, Microsoft, and X. Founded and run by Harvard entrepreneurs, YFL offers a unique work-learn model that blends hands-on startup experience with structured learning. The program also provides networking opportunities with startup founders, helping you develop business strategy, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
3. APPS Job Readiness Program (AJRP)
Location: Columbus, OH
Application Deadline: Opens February 1 for youth participants
Program Dates: Seasonal (spring to summer) with possible fall and winter extensions
Eligibility: Columbus residents or taxpayers, ages 14-23, who pass a drug test and a background check for 18+
Cost/Stipend: Paid at $15/hour, up to 20 hours/week
The APPS Job Readiness Program (AJRP) is an award-winning workforce development initiative designed for youth ages 14 to 23 in Columbus. This program equips you with essential skills, paid work experience, mentorship, and networking opportunities to prepare you for future career success. Internships include roles supporting summer camps, park maintenance, golf course operations, and more, tailored to your interests whenever possible. You’ll work up to 20 hours per week at $15/hour, with opportunities to continue beyond summer.
4. Ohio Hi-Point Work-Based Learning (WBL) Program
Location: Ohio Hi-Point Career Center and partner businesses
Application Deadline: Varies by program and school schedule
Program Dates: School year (various placement types and schedules)
Eligibility: High school students interested in career-related work experiences
Cost/Stipend: Free to participate
The Ohio Hi-Point Work-Based Learning Program offers high school students hands-on career experience through job shadowing, internships (paid and unpaid), apprenticeships, and specialized programs. You’ll gain training in fields like business, education, healthcare, engineering, and the arts while developing skills in resume writing and interview preparation. This program helps you build professional networks, earn potential paychecks, and earn the Ohio Means Jobs Readiness Seal, setting you up for a smoother transition to full-time employment or further education.
5. Rural Action & Building Bridges to Careers Paid Internships for High School Students
Location: Williamstown, WV, and Appalachian Ohio counties (e.g., Washington, Vinton, Tuscarawas)
Application Deadline: Varies by partner business
Program Dates: Semester, summer, or year-long internships available
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12 residing in the eligible counties
Cost/Stipend: Paid internships; compensation varies by placement
This program offers paid internships to high school students in Williamstown, WV, and Appalachian Ohio counties such as Washington, Vinton, Tuscarawas, Ross, and more. Originating as a pilot in 2019 with support from the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation, the initiative has grown significantly, providing meaningful career-building opportunities for students in grades 9–12. You’ll be matched with a local business or organization based on your career interests, gaining professional mentorship and hands-on experience. Internships vary in length, running for a semester, summer, or a full year, and aim to help you build your resume, develop workplace skills, and explore potential career paths.
6. Sandusky High School Global Internship Experience
Location: Sandusky, OH
Application Deadline: Varies by opportunity
Program Dates: Varies; typically during the school year
Eligibility: High school seniors at Sandusky High School
Cost/Stipend: Free to participate
Sandusky High School offers seniors the opportunity to intern with a diverse range of local businesses, industries, colleges, nonprofits, and the military aligned with their career interests. In partnership with a STEAM focus (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics), these internships prepare students for careers in a global society by providing hands-on experience across multiple sectors. The program partners with organizations including NASA Plum Brook Station, Great Wolf Lodge, Sandusky Police & Fire Department, Cedar Fair Company, and many others, offering opportunities in fields such as engineering, healthcare, media, business, and public safety.
7. PNNL High School Business Internship
Location: PNNL (various locations)
Application Deadline: Opens in February
Program Dates: August – May (during the school year)
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors with proficient computer skills and experience in spreadsheet and database programs, preferably Excel and Access, as well as Word and PowerPoint
Cost/Stipend: Paid
The PNNL High School Business Internship provides high school juniors and seniors with hands-on experience in a professional business environment to enhance their resumes and career prospects. During the school year, you’ll work up to four hours daily alongside experienced mentors in specialized business areas, earning elective credits through your school’s work-based learning program. The internship includes leadership development, career workshops, and field trips, offering a unique opportunity to explore business careers, build professional connections, and develop workplace skills essential for future academic and professional success.
8. Bank of America Student Leaders® Program
Location: Internships at various locations; Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C.
Application Deadline: January 15
Program Dates: 8-week internship (dates vary); Summit July 21–26
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors legally authorized to work in the U.S.; able to attend the Summit; permanent residence in eligible locations
Cost/Stipend: Paid
The Bank of America Student Leaders® Program offers high school juniors and seniors a paid eight-week internship with local nonprofit organizations, providing hands-on experience serving their communities while building leadership and civic skills. You will gain exposure to organizational operations, develop professional competencies, and enhance your resumes. The program culminates in a week-long national Student Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C., where you explore collaboration between businesses, nonprofits, and government in addressing community challenges.
9. Emma Bowen Foundation Internship
Location: Various locations across the U.S.
Application Deadline: Early January
Program Dates: 8 weeks, late May to early July
Eligibility: U.S. high school seniors; students of color with at least a 3.0 GPA
Cost/Stipend: Varies by partner organization
The Emma Bowen Foundation Summer Internship offers an 8-week paid opportunity for U.S. high school seniors and undergraduates of color interested in media and technology careers. You will gain hands-on experience working at leading companies in media, entertainment, and tech, exploring roles such as business executive, producer, journalist, web developer, and PR agent. The program includes professional development workshops, career coaching, and mentorship to build skills and expand professional networks, enhancing resumes and job prospects.
10. Interns 4 Good Virtual Internship Program
Location: Fully virtual
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Program Dates: Flexible; internships available year-round
Eligibility: High school students (grades 9–12)
Cost/Stipend: Free to apply and participate
Interns 4 Good offers fully virtual, service-oriented internships designed to fit your schedule and leverage your unique skills and passions. You can choose from opportunities in graphic design, social media management, video editing, tutoring, blog writing, and curriculum creation, all aimed at giving back to the community while building your resume. As an intern, you’ll earn certified volunteer hours and gain valuable workplace experience to prepare you for future careers.
11. Shadowbox Live Internships
Location: Local to Shadowbox Live area (check with organization)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Program Dates: Varies by internship
Eligibility: High school and college students
Cost/Stipend: Free
Shadowbox Live offers a variety of internships for high school and college students in fields including business administration, costume design, and culinary instruction. Internships are tailored to meet both your goals and the organization’s needs, providing a customized hands-on experience. You will be accepted through an application and interview process.
12. Franklin County Auditor’s Office Internship Program
Location: Franklin County Auditor’s Office, Ohio
Application Deadline: Varies by position
Program Dates: Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters
Eligibility: High school students with transportation; college students and recent graduates (within 1 year); law students (for legal internships)
Cost/Stipend: Paid ($15/hour) and unpaid options available
The Franklin County Auditor’s Office offers paid and unpaid internships to high school students, college students, and recent graduates (within one year of graduation). As an intern, you gain broad exposure by rotating through multiple departments, with opportunities to specialize based on your area of interest. You may be paid $15/hour for up to 20 hours per week, while unpaid internships are available for class credit.
13. SOCHEintern Internship Program
Location: Various locations, depending onthe internship
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Program Dates: Vary by internship
Eligibility: High school, undergraduate, master’s, and post-doctorate students
Cost: Free to apply
SOCHEintern offers a streamlined application process that connects high school, college, and graduate students to multiple internship opportunities through a single online application. If you’re a high school student, you can use the Employee Readiness Skills Evaluator instead of a transcript, while college applicants should prepare a resume and unofficial transcript. After application review, qualified candidates are matched with available internships and may be referred for interviews. SOCHEintern supports students at all academic levels, partnering with colleges, universities, and industries to foster education-to-employment pathways.
Krishnapriya, or KP, is the Head of Partnerships at the YFL and an LSE graduate. She is super passionate about the environment (especially nonhumans with 3+ limbs) and considers walking her dogs as the most important part of her day!