13 Business Internships for High School Students in Philadelphia
If you’re a high school student thinking about a future in business, internships are one of the best ways to get started. Internships let you experience workplaces and see how companies operate day to day. You might help with projects in areas like marketing, finance, management, or customer service. Along the way, you’ll meet professionals, learn how decisions are made, and get a clearer idea of what roles in business could look like.
An internship will also strengthen your CV. Colleges and future employers notice when students have taken the initiative to gain professional experience early. It shows you’re willing to learn and take responsibility while giving you skills to draw on in the future. Even short-term internships can help you test your interests and see if business is the right path for you.
With that, here are 13 business internships for high school students in Philadelphia!
13 Business Internships for High School Students in Philadelphia
1. Ladder Internship Program
Cost: Varies according to program. Full financial aid available
Location: Remote
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year (8–12 weeks)
Application Deadline: Rolling (varies by cohort)
Eligibility: Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students; requires 10–20 hours per week
Ladder Internships is a selective, remote internship program for high school students that places you with high-growth startups across industries like technology, healthcare, marketing, and consulting. You’ll work directly with startup founders and managers on real-world projects such as market research, product development, client outreach, or social media strategy. Each intern is paired with a Ladder Coach, who provides personalized one-on-one mentorship throughout the program. You’ll also join group training sessions focused on communication, leadership, and time management. By the end, you’ll have a portfolio of completed work and firsthand experience in the startup world.
2. Young Founders Lab (YFL)
Cost: Varies by program; need-based financial aid available
Location: Virtual
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year (summer, fall, winter, spring)
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
The Young Founders Lab is a virtual startup incubator where you’ll collaborate with peers to build a real, revenue-generating business. As a participant, you’ll receive guidance from mentors with experience at leading companies like Google and Microsoft. The program includes 30 hours of interactive workshops on topics such as business strategy, product development, and leadership. You’ll also take part in case studies, panel discussions, and group projects that simulate real-world business challenges. At the end of the program, you’ll present your startup idea at Demo Day to a panel of entrepreneurs and investors.
3. CLA High School Internship Program
Cost: Paid internship
Location: CLA Philadelphia Office
Dates: Summer (starting in June)
Application Deadline: Rolling, typically spring (March–May)
Eligibility: High school students ages 16–18
The CLA High School Internship Program is a paid summer opportunity for students ages 16–18. You’ll get an inside look at careers in accounting, finance, and consulting while working on real projects that serve actual clients. Your work can include areas like tax, audit, wealth management, and digital services. During the program, you’ll connect with peers from CLA offices across the country, take part in client service simulations, and learn directly from staff mentors. You’ll also join presentations, competitions, and workshops that focus on communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. CLA also partners with Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) to give you access to extra resources if you’re interested in business and professional services.
4. Bank of America Student Leaders® Program
Cost: Paid internship; travel, lodging, and meals for the summit fully covered
Location: Local nonprofit partner organizations + one-week summit in Washington, D.C.
Dates: Summer, 8 weeks, including July 21–26, for the Student Leaders Summit
Application Deadline: January 15
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors; must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. and available for the full 8-week program
The Bank of America Student Leaders® Program offers high school juniors and seniors in Philadelphia the chance to develop leadership and business skills while working at a local nonprofit. Over the course of 8 weeks, you’ll participate in a paid internship that provides practical work experience and exposes you to the nonprofit sector’s role in economic mobility. In addition to your internship, you will attend the all-expenses-paid Student Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C., where you’ll connect with peers from across the nation and meet policymakers and community leaders.
5. Tech & Innovation Internship
Cost: Free; $500/week stipend
Location: Philadelphia-based with in-person and virtual components
Dates: June 23 – August 15
Application Deadline: Spring
Eligibility: Current 10th–12th-grade high school students in the Philadelphia area
The Tech & Innovation Internship from Coded by Kids is an eight-week paid summer program for high school students in the Philadelphia area. You’ll work in a team to design and launch a startup while building skills in product management, UI/UX design, or software development. You’ll get mentorship from industry professionals, visit local tech partners, and join workshops that focus on startup development and problem-solving. By the end, you’ll create a Minimum Viable Product (MVP), pitch your idea, and collaborate with other students from different backgrounds.
6. WorkReady Summer Internship Program
Cost: Paid
Location: Drexel University campuses
Dates: July 7 – August 15
Application Deadline: June 13
Eligibility: Rising sophomores through graduating seniors; Philadelphia-area residents
The WorkReady Summer Internship Program at Drexel University is a six-week, paid opportunity for Philadelphia high school students. You’ll work up to 20 hours per week, Monday through Thursday, in Drexel’s academic or administrative departments, gaining hands-on experience in business, professional services, and campus operations. Each Friday, you’ll attend off-campus professional development seminars focused on workplace skills, career exploration, and communication. You will be mentored by Drexel faculty and staff, giving you direct exposure to the university environment and insight into college-level expectations.
7. JKCP High School Internships
Cost: $5,990 residential tuition + $200 application fee
Location: University of Pennsylvania, with professional internship placements across the city
Dates: Session One: June 21 – July 11, Session Two: July 12 – August 1
Application Deadline: Rolling, closes May 22 (Session 1) and June 12 (Session 2)
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors; international students accepted
The JKCP High School Internship Program is a three-week residential summer program that places you in an internship within fields like finance, business, entrepreneurship, marketing, law, real estate, or event planning. You’ll work with a mentor at your placement site, learning about daily routines, industry challenges, and workplace expectations. When you’re not at your internship, you’ll stay on the University of Pennsylvania campus, take part in evening activities, and go on weekend trips. The program is built to help you explore career interests, gain professional skills, and add meaningful experience to your resume.
8. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania High School Internship Program
Cost: None
Location: Commonwealth agencies and offices across Pennsylvania, including Philadelphia
Dates: Flexible; internships may begin any time during the school calendar year (July 1 – June 30) and may continue into the following year
Application Deadline: Rolling, through the Commonwealth Employment Page
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors; at least 16 years old; requires a letter of recommendation from school
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania High School Internship Program gives paid summer placements to juniors and seniors interested in business and professional services. You’ll be matched with a supervisor in a state agency and help with real projects in finance, administration, budgeting, data analysis, or public sector operations. You’ll work on-site, observe how offices run day to day, and build skills like communication, time management, and problem-solving. Your supervisor will guide you and give feedback throughout the program.
9. Heights Philadelphia – High School Career & Workforce Programs
Cost: Varies (some free with stipends; others $4,230/course with waivers)
Location: Partner high schools across the city + university dual enrollment sites
Dates: Year-round advising; summer programs June–August
Application Deadline: Varies by program
Eligibility: Philadelphia public high school students (8th–12th grade); special financial aid and enrichment opportunities for girls via Ellis Trust
Heights Philadelphia offers free, year-round career and college readiness programs for public high school students in grades 8–12 across the city. You’ll receive one-on-one advising, take part in structured enrichment activities, and explore career paths in business, professional services, healthcare, and entrepreneurship. You can also enroll in dual enrollment college courses at partner universities like Temple, West Chester, Penn, La Salle, and Saint Joseph’s, earning college credit while still in high school.
10. EnergyMag Research Internship
Cost: Free
Location: Virtual; accessible to Philadelphia students
Dates: Flexible; internships can be extended to accommodate school schedules
Application Deadline: Rolling, open year-round
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors (minimum GPA 3.25; must have completed at least one honors science or English class)
EnergyMag offers a virtual research internship for students interested in business, sustainability, and renewable energy. As an intern, you’ll research companies, analyze new technologies, and conduct market research to understand business trends in clean energy. You’ll work under the guidance of a mentor, learning to gather, analyze, and synthesize data into a professional analysis report. Accepted reports are published on the EnergyMag website, giving you a chance to showcase your work to a global audience.
11. URBN High School Internship Program
Cost: Paid internship at a competitive hourly rate
Location: URBN Home Office, Philadelphia Navy Yard
Dates: June 1 – August 7
Application Deadline: November 3
Eligibility: High school students and college undergraduates
The URBN High School Internship Program gives you the chance to work with brands like Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, Free People, BHLDN, and Terrain at the company’s headquarters in the Philadelphia Navy Yard. You’ll get hands-on experience in areas such as marketing, merchandising, buying, design, public relations, or business operations while learning how a global retail company runs. During the program, you’ll join intern-specific events, meet senior leadership in small groups, take part in company initiatives, and go on off-site field trips.
12. Bloomberg Arts Internship (BAI) Philadelphia
Cost: Paid at $17.53/hour for Summer, plus transportation and meal benefits
Location: Various Philadelphia arts and culture organizations
Dates: June 20 – August 15 (8 weeks, up to 35 hours per week)
Application Deadline: Late February
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors from Philadelphia public or charter schools; must be at least 16 years old
The Bloomberg Arts Internship is a paid summer program for Philadelphia high school students that combines arts experience with exposure to business operations in the nonprofit and creative sectors. You’ll work alongside professional staff in areas like marketing, development, communications, and event planning, learning how cultural organizations manage budgets, reach audiences, and deliver public programs. In addition to your placement, you’ll join workshops that strengthen workplace readiness, public speaking, and self-advocacy skills, while also getting mentorship, networking opportunities, and support for college and career planning.
13. PHC Group’s Mary Miller Summer Program
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Location: PHC Group offices
Dates: Summer
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Rising or current high school seniors with U.S. work authorization
The Mary Miller Summer Program, run by PHC Group, is a paid internship for high school juniors and seniors. You’ll focus on business communication, leadership, and project management while working directly with PHC Group’s Public Health Director and senior leadership on both independent and team projects. Your work will include developing and analyzing social media campaigns, joining planning meetings, contributing to strategy discussions, creating posts and responses across platforms, researching social marketing trends, and engaging in online community outreach. You’ll also build skills in virtual collaboration, client communication, and performance tracking.