12 Business Internships for High School Students in South Carolina
Internships are one of the most effective ways for high school students to explore careers in business. Whether you’re considering paths in entrepreneurship, finance, marketing, or consulting, internships allow you to apply classroom knowledge to practical projects. Participating in an internship in college is also a great way to gain professional skills that can stand out on college applications.
In South Carolina, you have access to a mix of local opportunities with companies, nonprofits, and universities, as well as virtual programs that connect you with startups across the globe. These experiences can help you develop leadership, teamwork, and communication skills while building a valuable professional network.
Below, we’ve put together 12 of the best business internships for high school students in South Carolina, including both in-state and virtual options:
1. Ladder Internship Program
Cost: Varies as per program. Financial aid available
Location: Remote; accessible statewide
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year (8–12 weeks)
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students; requires 10–20 hours per week
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 (YFL)
Cost: Varies by program; need-based financial aid available
Location: Virtual, open to students statewide
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 designed for high school students who want to gain hands-on entrepreneurial experience. You’ll work in teams to create and launch a revenue-generating business while being mentored by entrepreneurs and professionals from leading companies such as Google and Microsoft. The program includes 30 hours of interactive workshops covering business strategy, product development, and leadership. Along the way, you’ll analyze case studies, participate in panel discussions, and collaborate on projects that reflect real challenges. The program concludes with a Demo Day where you present your startup to industry experts.
3. Red Hat High School Internship Program
Cost/Stipend: Paid; $18/hour
Location: Raleigh, NC
Dates: Session 1: July 7 – July 18, Session 2: July 21 – August 1
Application Deadline: March 28
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors (must be at least 16 years old, minimum GPA 2.0, Raleigh-area residents preferred)
Red Hat, the global leader in open-source enterprise software, offers a two-week internship program designed for high school students interested in exploring both technical and non-technical business careers. Over 70 hours of hands-on experience, you’ll work on projects, gain exposure to business operations, and participate in professional development workshops. You will rotate through different functions, from product and marketing to operations and project support, all while receiving guidance from Red Hat professionals. The program also emphasizes teamwork, networking, and career exploration in a corporate setting.
4. Greenville-Spartanburg (GSP) Airport District Internship & Job Shadow Program
Cost/Stipend: Paid; $15/hour (internships)
Location: Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport, Greer, SC
Dates: Vary; offered year-round based on availability
Application Deadline: Rolling; positions posted on the GSP job board
Eligibility: Open to high school students, trade school students, college students, and recent graduates
GSP Airport District offers South Carolina high school students the opportunity to gain firsthand experience in business and operations through its internship and job shadowing programs. You will work across multiple departments, including finance, human resources, marketing communications, and operations, while earning $15 per hour. Job shadowing placements provide additional exposure, allowing students to observe professionals in specialized areas like air cargo, IT, or commercial fuel services. These programs are designed to help you explore career pathways, develop professional skills, and build connections within a large-scale business environment.
5. EnergyMag Research Internship
Cost: Free
Location: Virtual
Dates: Flexible; internships can be extended to fit 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 provides a virtual research internship for students interested in combining business and sustainability. During the program, you’ll research renewable energy companies, analyze emerging technologies, and conduct market studies to identify business trends in the clean energy sector. With guidance from a mentor, you’ll develop your findings into a professional analysis report, and your selected work will be published on the EnergyMag website. This competitive internship allows you to practice data analysis, communication, and business research, while building a portfolio for college and future careers.
6. The Citadel - Tommy & Victoria Baker School of Business Internship Program
Cost/Stipend: Varies by placement; some internships are paid
Location: Charleston, SC
Dates: Semester-based; Fall, Spring, and Summer terms
Application Deadline: Varies by semester; students must register prior to course enrollment
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors at The Citadel with a minimum 2.5 GPA; completion of COMM 216 required
The Citadel’s Baker School of Business partners with companies across Charleston and South Carolina to provide hands-on internships for students in accounting, economics, finance, management, marketing, and supply chain. Internships are structured as academic courses, requiring a minimum of 120 hours over the semester, typically 8–10 hours per week. You’ll apply your classroom knowledge to real business challenges while receiving mentorship from both a faculty advisor and a workplace supervisor. This program emphasizes both academic and professional readiness, helping students build resumes that stand out in competitive business fields.
7. SC Johnson Summer Internship Program
Cost/Stipend: Paid; benefits may include subsidized housing and flexible schedules
Location: Remote application access; U.S. roles offered across business hubs
Dates: Summer, 10–12 weeks
Application Deadline: Rolling; recruitment typically in fall and spring
Eligibility: Open to high school seniors entering college and undergraduate students; most roles focus on rising college students, but select high schoolers with strong experience may apply
SC Johnson, a global leader in consumer goods, offers a summer internship program designed to expose students to business operations in areas such as finance, marketing, human resources, sales, and supply chain. As an intern, you’ll work on strategic projects, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and gain mentorship from experienced professionals. The program emphasizes professional development through training workshops, company events, and networking opportunities with industry leaders. Some internships also include housing support, making them accessible to students outside of SCJ’s headquarters.
8. Charleston County Summer Youth Internship Program (SYIP)
Cost/Stipend: Paid; $15/hour
Location: Charleston County
Dates: June 16 – July 24
Application Deadline: May 2
Eligibility: High school or college students ages 16–21; must be Charleston County residents
The Charleston County Summer Youth Internship Program provides local high school students with valuable workplace experience in government, libraries, and nonprofit organizations. You will be matched with a department such as public works, human resources, or the public library system, where you gain practical skills while earning $15/hour. The program also includes professional development workshops on communication, career planning, and time management. With an average of 4-hour shifts per day, you’ll complete 120 hours of work experience by the end of the summer, culminating in a graduation ceremony recognizing your accomplishments.
9. MUSC Health Teen Science Ambassador Program
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Location in South Carolina: Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), Charleston, SC
Dates: August – October
Application Deadline: March
Eligibility: Rising 11th-grade students in Charleston County; must be at least 16 years old and from an underrepresented group in STEM
MUSC Health’s Teen Science Ambassador Program is designed for high school students from underrepresented backgrounds who are passionate about pursuing careers in science, healthcare, or business connected to STEM fields. As an ambassador, you’ll work in an academic medical university environment, conducting research projects while learning how science translates into real health and business applications. You’ll also receive mentorship from MUSC professionals, engage in critical thinking exercises, and gain exposure to the professional STEM community. The program provides early preparation for college-level work and equips you with both technical and professional skills.
10. Make-A-Wish South Carolina – Mission Advancement Internship
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid; academic credit may be available
Location: Greenville, SC & Charleston, SC
Dates: Offered each semester (Fall, Spring, Summer)
Application Deadline: Rolling; applications reviewed prior to each semester start
Eligibility: Juniors and seniors; strong communication and organizational skills required
Make-A-Wish South Carolina offers a Mission Advancement Internship for students interested in nonprofit fundraising, business development, and event management. As an intern, you’ll support the advancement team with projects ranging from donor cultivation and research to auction solicitation and corporate campaign planning. You’ll also help organize fundraising events, write ambassador stories for external communications, and coordinate wish kid-related activities. This internship provides a comprehensive introduction to nonprofit operations, fundraising best practices, and donor engagement while building professional skills in communication, project management, and event planning.
11. OneSpartanburg, Inc. – Work-Based Learning & Internship Program
Cost/Stipend: Varies; many internships are paid, though project-based and credit-bearing options are also available
Location in South Carolina: Spartanburg, SC, with opportunities across College Town partner schools: Converse, USC Upstate, Wofford, Spartanburg Community College, and Spartanburg Methodist College
Dates: Fall, Spring, and Summer sessions; year-round opportunities
Application Deadline: Varies by employer and semester; students encouraged to apply at least one semester in advance
Eligibility: Open to high school, trade school, and college students; must apply through Handshake or OneSpartanburg partners
OneSpartanburg, Inc. connects students with a range of internships, apprenticeships, and co-ops designed to build business and professional skills. Opportunities are offered in partnership with local employers and colleges, covering fields like marketing, finance, event planning, human resources, and project management. You can choose from short-term micro-internships, semester-long credit-bearing roles, or full summer internships. In addition to hands-on work, interns benefit from networking events, professional development workshops, and mentorship from Spartanburg’s business leaders. The program is a key bridge between the classroom and workplace, preparing students to succeed in South Carolina’s growing economy.
12. Clemson University Summer Scholars Program
Cost: $200–$1,300
Location: Clemson University, Clemson, SC
Dates: Multiple one-week sessions in June and July
Application Deadline: April
Eligibility: Rising high school students up to age 17 with a strong academic record
Clemson University’s Summer Scholars Program allows high school students to explore academic and professional pathways in a college environment. You’ll choose from week-long courses in areas such as business, engineering, and science, while working closely with Clemson faculty on hands-on projects, labs, and experiments. The program also includes tours of university facilities, field trips, and interactive sessions with admissions representatives to help you prepare for future college applications. Whether you attend as a commuter or stay on campus as a residential student, you’ll experience what it’s like to live and learn at a major research university.