15 Business Internships for High School Students in Phoenix
If you’re a high school student interested in business, it’s a good time to start exploring what the field is like in the real world. Internships let you step into offices, nonprofits, or startups for a few weeks and learn how they operate. Internships help you develop good habits, like meeting deadlines, organizing your work, and communicating with a team. They also give you material for your college applications and a clearer sense of what careers you might want to explore further.
Phoenix has a wide mix of organizations that work with student interns. Some are large companies with many departments, while others are small teams that let you take on a variety of duties. The work you do may range from budget support to event planning or research. Each experience gives you a better idea of how a workplace runs and where your interests fit.
To make your search easier, we’ve put together a list of 15 business internships for high school students in Phoenix!
15 Business Internships for High School Students in Phoenix
1. Ladder Internship Program
Cost: Varies based on program, financial aid available
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort
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 remote program that connects high school students with startups in fields like technology, AI/ML, health tech, marketing, journalism, and consulting. The startups are usually well-funded, with many having raised over $1 million, and some are led by Y Combinator alumni or former employees of Microsoft, Google, or Facebook. As an intern, you work on business projects under the supervision of startup managers and a Ladder Coach. Projects can include financial analysis, market research, strategy development, or product design. At the end of the program, you present your work to the company. Apply here.
2. Young Founders Lab
Cost: Varies according to program. There is need-based financial aid.
Location: This program is 100% virtual, with live, interactive workshops
Dates: Dates vary based on cohort and span over 4 weeks.
Application Deadline: There are 3 application deadlines that you can choose between: Early Decision Deadline: March | Regular Admission Deadline 1: April | Regular Admission Deadline 2: May.
Eligibility: The program is currently open to all high school students
The Young Founder’s Lab is a real-world start-up boot camp founded and run by Harvard entrepreneurs. In this program, you will work towards building a revenue-generating start-up that addresses a real-world problem. You will also have the opportunity to be mentored by established entrepreneurs and professionals from Google, Microsoft, and X. Apart from building the start-up itself, you will also participate in interactive classes on business fundamentals and business ideations, workshops and skill-building sessions, case studies, panel discussions, and more. You can check out the brochure for the program here.
3. CLA High School Internship Program
Cost: Free to participate; paid internship with hourly compensation (stipend varies by location)
Location: CLA, Phoenix, AZ
Dates: Typically start in June
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students between the ages of 16 and 18
The CLA High School Internship Program at CliftonLarsonAllen LLP is a paid summer internship for students aged 16–18 who want to explore business, finance, accounting, and professional services. You work in select CLA offices across the country, taking part in client projects, case studies, and shadowing professionals in areas like tax, audit, and wealth advisory. During the program, you join team projects, connect with mentors, and build workplace skills in a structured, in-person setting. You’re given a laptop and are expected to attend Monday–Thursday in business casual attire.
4. Youth To Work (Y2W) Internship
Location: Phoenix Indian Center, Phoenix, AZ; internship placements vary across Maricopa County and may be in-person, virtual, or hybrid
Cost: Free to participate; paid internship at $13.85/hour
Acceptance Rate / Cohort Size: Selective; cohort size varies by session and placement availability
Program Dates: Varies by cohort
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Indigenous high school students
The Phoenix Indian Center Youth to Work (Y2W) Internship Program is a paid internship and career readiness program for Indigenous high school students in the Phoenix area. You start with the required Job Readiness Training, where you work on resumes, practice interviews, and build workplace skills. Once training is done, you may be matched with an internship based on your interests. Opportunities are available in business, healthcare, education, and public service. Alongside your internship, you also join college workshops, meet guest speakers, and take part in leadership development activities.
5. Bank of America Student Leaders
Location: Multiple cities across the U.S., including Worcester, MA; includes a fully funded week-long summit in Washington, D.C.
Cost: Free to participate; paid internship with a stipend provided. All travel, lodging, and meals for the D.C. summit are fully covered.
Program Dates: June – July (8-week commitment, including the summit from July 21–26)
Application Deadline: January 15
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors residing in eligible locations; eligible to work in the U.S.
The Bank of America Student Leaders Program is an eight-week paid summer internship where you work with a local nonprofit to see how businesses and nonprofits operate. You support community programs, help with daily operations, and take part in engagement activities. On the business side, you might analyze data, research grants, or assist with financial planning. As part of the program, you also attend the National Student Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C., where you expand your network and strengthen your leadership skills through workshops and activities.
6. SRP High School Internships
Cost: Free to participate; paid internship with competitive hourly wages
Location: Tempe, AZ (20-minute drive from Phoenix)
Dates: Applications open year-round based on the requirement
Application Deadline: Applications processed on a rolling basis
Eligibility: High school (enrolled in a COE/ICE program), college, and graduate students
The Salt River Project (SRP) High School Internship Program gives you a paid, yearlong work experience during your senior year if you live in the Phoenix area. You can be placed in departments like business operations, administration, marketing, or customer service, where you contribute to real projects and learn how a large company works. You work part-time during the school year, get mentorship and training, and use professional development resources to strengthen your skills and prepare for future careers.
7. Phoenix Sky Harbor Teen Navigator Program
Cost: Free
Location: Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Phoenix, AZ
Program Dates: 6-week summer program beginning in June (exact start and end dates vary annually)
Application Deadline: Opens January 1; applications are processed on a rolling basis until spots are filled
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 14 years old
The Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport Teen Navigator Program is a six-week summer volunteer opportunity for high school students aged 14 and older. You help travelers by giving directions, guiding them through terminals, and answering questions. The role helps you build communication, problem-solving, and customer service skills in a busy airport setting. You work four-hour shifts each week and receive training in hospitality and airport operations. The program is part of the airport’s customer service division, so you also contribute to keeping visitors’ travel experience smooth.
8. Aliento Internships
Stipend: Paid at $18/hour
Location: Maricopa County, AZ (for in-person; 40-minute drive from Phoenix) (Virtual opportunities also available)
Dates: Dates vary according to the cohort (typically align with academic semesters-Spring, Summer, and Fall)
Application Deadline: Applications processed on a rolling basis
Eligibility: High school, college, and university students
The Aliento Internship Program gives high school and college students experience in nonprofit work, communications, and community engagement. You might work on digital marketing campaigns, analyze outreach data, create visual or written content, help with events, or draft reports and blog posts that support Aliento’s mission. You can join during spring, summer, fall, or year-round. Most internships are in person in Maricopa County, AZ, with some limited virtual options. You receive mentorship, work across different teams, and may also be able to earn school credit.
9. OCA Intern
Cost: Free
Location: OCA Greater Phoenix Chapter, Scottsdale, AZ (20 minutes away from Phoenix)
Dates: Not specified
Application Deadline: Applications processed on a rolling basis
Eligibility: Greater Phoenix high school and college students
OCA Asian Pacific American Advocates offers unpaid high school internships focused on business-related nonprofit operations. You work on tasks like grant proposals, social media strategy, content analysis, and partnership support. You gain experience in organizational communications, project management, and strategic outreach while contributing to OCA’s national initiatives. Internships are available in the fall, spring, and summer.
10. Textron Aviation High School Internship
Stipend: Paid
Location: Textron Aviation, Mesa, AZ (approx. 25-minute drive from Phoenix)
Dates: Applications are year-round based on requirement; summer internships take place over 6 weeks
Application Deadline: Applications vary by cohort and are processed on a rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students who are 16 or older
The Textron Aviation High School Internship Program gives students aged 16 and older paid, part-time experience in the aviation industry. You can join year-round, with seasonal cohorts in spring, summer, and fall. You work in departments like finance, sales, business management, communications, human resources, customer experience, or events. You receive training, take on real business tasks, and gain professional skills by seeing how a company operates. Internships are in person at Textron Aviation’s Wichita, Kansas, campus.
11. ATF Pathways Internship
Cost: Free
Location: ATF, Phoenix, AZ
Dates: Dates vary based on cohort
Application Deadline: Applications processed on a rolling basis
Eligibility: High school, trade school, undergraduate, or graduate student; at least 16 years old, minimum 2.0 on a 4.0 scale; eligible to work in the U.S.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) offers unpaid internships for high school students to gain experience in a federal work environment. You work with professionals in areas such as forensic science, law, and administrative operations, building skills in business writing, analysis, and problem-solving. The program shows you federal career paths through real-world projects and prepares you for entry-level roles in civil service. Internships are available year-round and may offer academic credit depending on your school.
12. National Park Service Youth & Young Adult Program
Stipend: Paid
Location: Nationwide at NPS facilities, including in Phoenix, AZ
Dates: Year-round and summer (exact dates not specified)
Application Deadline: Application processed on a rolling basis
Eligibility: High school, vocational, associate, bachelor’s, or graduate students and recent graduates.
The National Park Service offers high school internships in Arizona through programs like the Youth Conservation Corps and Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps. You can gain experience in business-related areas such as communications, digital content, and public outreach. You might manage social media, support museum operations, or help with public engagement initiatives. You work under federal supervision and may qualify for future federal hiring programs like the Public Lands Corps or Pathways Program.
13. CBP Pathway Programs
Cost: Free
Location: U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Phoenix Service Port, Phoenix, AZ
Dates: Year-round, based on availability
Application Deadline: Processed on a rolling basis
Eligibility: Veterans, high school and college students, and recent graduates
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) offers paid internships for high school students through its Pathways Programs. You gain administrative experience in areas like trade operations, human resources, program support, and data analysis, while building skills in project management and operational strategy. You work under CBP professionals and may be placed in roles that match your interests and academic background. After completing the internship, you could be eligible for a permanent position within CBP.
14. JA Inspire
Cost: Free
Location: Available across Arizona; students can also access the program virtually
Dates: Not specified
Application Deadline: Applications processed on a rolling basis
Eligibility: Middle school, high school, and college students (up to the age of 25)
Junior Achievement (JA) Inspire is a free Arizona program for students aged 12 to 25 that helps you explore careers and build business skills. You complete simulated work tasks across departments of a fictional company, gaining experience in operations, communications, and workplace dynamics. You also join virtual career booths, watch webinars on resumes, interviewing, and career paths, and connect with over 100 Arizona employers. The program gives you access to job shadowing, internship leads, and industry resources.
15. FBLA NLC Internship Program
Cost: Free
Location: Arizona FBLA, Phoenix, AZ (Location may vary according to NLC)
Dates: Includes 10 hours of virtual prep and on-site work during conference dates (June 29-July 1)
Application Deadline: April 2
Eligibility: High school students
The FBLA National Leadership Conference (NLC) High School Internship Program offers unpaid, short-term internships for students in grades 9–12. You help run the annual conference by supporting operations, communications, data tracking, and event logistics. Your tasks may include greeting attendees, managing workshops, and assisting with competitive events. You also receive perks such as waived registration for lead interns, lunch during shifts, certificates of appreciation, and the option for recommendation letters from FBLA staff.