14 Business Summer Programs in Arizona for High School Students
If you’re considering a future in business, entrepreneurship, or management, participating in a business summer program during high school can give you a practical starting point.
What do business summer programs involve?
In a business summer program in Arizona, you might analyse case studies, design a startup concept, build a marketing strategy, or learn how to evaluate financial decisions. Through these experiences, you can start developing core business skills such as problem-solving, strategic thinking, leadership, and communication.
Why participate in Arizona’s business summer programs as a high schooler?
These programs can help you test your interest in different areas of business, from entrepreneurship and marketing to finance and management. If you’re thinking about launching your own venture in the future, the skills you build, like pitching ideas, understanding markets, and working in teams, can be directly useful. Participating in a structured summer program can also strengthen your college applications by showing initiative and a clear interest in business-related fields.
For adjacent opportunities, consider business internships in Arizona.
To help you explore your options, here is our list of 14 business summer programs in Arizona for high school students.
14 Business Summer Programs in Arizona for High School Students
1. Fleischer Scholars Program — Arizona State University
Cost: Free
Location: W. P. Carey School of Business, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
Program Dates: June 1 – June 5
Application Deadline: Priority consideration: February 15; Late consideration: March 15; Final deadline: April 15
Eligibility: Arizona high school juniors; selection considers academic performance, leadership and community involvement, financial need, and first-generation college status
During the Fleischer Scholars Program at Arizona State University’s W. P. Carey School of Business, you participate in a short but structured pre-college experience focused on strategic thinking and business leadership. You engage in workshops and guided discussions that introduce concepts related to business decision-making, adaptive learning, and leadership in professional settings. Throughout the program, you interact with ASU staff, mentors, and members of the W. P. Carey community while exploring how business education connects to real career pathways. You also gain exposure to topics such as college preparation, scholarships, and financial aid, which is useful if you plan to pursue a business degree. The program also provides early networking opportunities with university mentors and peers who are interested in business and entrepreneurship.
2. Young Founders Lab
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available.
Location: This program is 100% virtual, with live, interactive workshops
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer, fall, winter, and spring
Application Deadline: Varies according to cohort. You can access the application link here!
Eligibility: The program is currently open to all high school students
The Young Founder’s Lab is a 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 complex problem. You will also have the opportunity to be mentored by established entrepreneurs and professionals from Google, Microsoft, and X. You will learn about finance, the basics of investing, and understand the financial aspects of running a business. The program is an excellent opportunity to delve into the world of business in high school and have a space to explore multiple theoretical as well as practical frameworks that lead to a successful business. You can check out the brochure for the program here.
3. Entrepreneurship Summer Academy — University of Arizona
Cost: $500 (includes housing and meals); scholarships are available
Location: McGuire Center for Entrepreneurship, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Program Dates: June 7 – June 12
Application Deadline: Applications open until spots are filled
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12; no prior business experience required
During the Entrepreneurship Summer Academy at the University of Arizona, you work in teams to design and develop an original business concept while learning core entrepreneurship frameworks. Through structured sessions with faculty and entrepreneurship students, you explore topics such as business planning, economic freedom, and ethical decision-making in business. You also learn how to apply Intuit’s “Design for Delight” methodology to develop customer-focused products and services. The program includes mentorship from university students, guest talks from Arizona entrepreneurs and policymakers, and visits to local businesses and the Arizona State Capitol. Your experience culminates in a “Shark Tank”-style pitch competition, where you present your startup idea to judges and receive feedback on your business model.
4. Ladder Internship Program
Cost: Varies as per program
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Application deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort
Program dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
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 selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students! In the program, you work with a high-growth start-up on an internship. Start-ups that offer internships range across a variety of industries, from tech/deep tech, and AI/ML to health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. Past founders have included YCombinator alums, founders raising over 30 million dollars, or founders who previously worked at Microsoft, Google, and Facebook. In the program, you work closely with your managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects and present your work to the company. As anintern, you are offered one-on-one training in communication, time management, and other such valuable skills. The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long.
5. Barrett Summer Scholars — Arizona State University
Cost: $800 (includes housing, dining, and program materials); limited scholarships are available
Location: Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
Program Dates: May 31 – June 3 (Grades 9–10); June 7 – June 10 (Grades 11–12)
Application Deadline: March 30
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 9–12; minimum GPA of 3.0 (grades 9–10) or 3.25 (grades 11–12)
In the Barrett Summer Scholars program at Arizona State University, you take part in an immersive residential experience designed to simulate college-level academics and campus life. You attend structured classes and workshops where you explore advanced topics across disciplines, including pathways that connect to business, leadership, and career exploration. Through these sessions, you develop skills in critical thinking, communication, and independent learning while managing assignments in a college-style environment. You also engage with peers from across the state, collaborate on activities, and build habits that prepare you for academic and professional settings. The program emphasizes career exploration, helping you understand how different academic interests, including business, translate into real-world opportunities and future college majors.
6. César E. Chávez Leadership Institute — Arizona State University
Cost: Free
Location: Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
Program Dates: June 21 – June 24
Application Deadline: March 30
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 11–12; recommended GPA of 2.7 or higher
In the César E. Chávez Leadership Institute at Arizona State University, you participate in a residential program focused on developing leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills within a real-world context. Through workshops and guided activities, you explore how leadership connects to careers, community impact, and professional environments, including areas relevant to business and management. You engage in discussions around civic engagement and decision-making while working with peers and mentors to build confidence and collaboration skills. The program emphasizes practical leadership development, helping you understand how to organize ideas, communicate effectively, and work within teams. You also gain exposure to college life at ASU while building a network of peers and mentors interested in leadership and career growth.
7. Textron Aviation High School Internship Program
Cost: Paid
Location: Multiple locations, including Mesa, AZ – Able Aerospace Services facility
Program Dates: June 8 – July 31
Application Deadline: Applications open in January
Eligibility: High school students aged 16+
In Textron Aviation’s High School Internship Program, you gain hands-on experience across a range of functions, including business management, finance, communications, and customer experience, alongside technical domains like engineering and manufacturing. You work on projects within a professional aviation environment, developing practical workplace skills such as teamwork, communication, and problem-solving. The summer internship runs on structured weekday schedules, allowing you to balance work experience with your summer break. This experience is especially useful if you are interested in understanding how large organizations function across business, operations, and customer-facing roles. You also gain early exposure to corporate environments, which can strengthen both your career direction and college applications.
8. AZYouthForce Emerging Leaders Internship (Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley)
Cost: Paid
Location: Various locations across Phoenix, AZ
Program Dates: 7–8 weeks (summer)
Application Deadline: Rolling/varies by cohort
Eligibility: Students aged 14–17
In the AZYouthForce Emerging Leaders Internship, you work with the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley to support youth programs while developing leadership and communication skills in a real-world environment. You assist with daily program operations, interact with participants, and learn how nonprofit organizations manage community initiatives at scale. The internship provides structured exposure to teamwork, responsibility, and program coordination, helping you understand how organizations deliver services and engage stakeholders. Over 7–8 weeks, you build practical skills in leadership, collaboration, and problem-solving while contributing to youth development initiatives. This experience is especially valuable if you are interested in business, management, or social impact, as it offers early exposure to organizational workflows and community-focused leadership.
9. Career Ready Tempe Internship Program
Cost: Paid (varies by placement)
Location: Tempe, AZ (multiple local businesses)
Program Dates: Varies by internship (includes summer internship opportunities)
Application Deadline: Varies by internship
Eligibility: High school students in the Tempe area
Through the Career Ready Tempe program, you gain access to paid internship opportunities with local businesses across industries such as technology, media, engineering, and professional services. The program connects you with employers in Tempe, where you can work on practical tasks, develop workplace skills, and explore potential career paths in a structured environment. As part of a broader college and career readiness initiative, you also receive guidance on professional development, including communication, teamwork, and career planning. You also benefit from connections with local employers, which can help you build a professional network and strengthen future internship or college applications.
10. Pima County Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP)
Cost: Paid (minimum $16.54/hour)
Location: Pima County, Tucson, AZ
Program Dates: June 1 – June 26; July 6 – July 31
Application Deadline: February 2 – February 27
Eligibility: Ages 14–21
In the Pima County Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), you are placed in internship roles across local businesses, government offices, and community organizations, gaining hands-on experience in real workplace settings. You work on day-to-day tasks that build practical skills such as communication, time management, and teamwork while learning how different organizations operate. The program combines paid work experience with career readiness support, helping you develop a clearer understanding of potential career paths. Over the course of the program, you also receive guidance on goal setting, education planning, and professional development. Because placements vary across industries, you gain exposure to a range of fields, including business, public service, and nonprofit work.
11. Mesa Chamber of Commerce Internship
Cost: Unpaid
Location: Mesa, AZ
Program Dates: Flexible (including summer opportunities)
Application Deadline: Varies by internship
Eligibility: High school students
Through the Mesa Chamber of Commerce Internship, you gain hands-on exposure to how local business ecosystems operate, working closely with chamber staff and member organizations. You support activities such as event coordination, member engagement, and administrative operations, helping you understand how business networks are built and maintained. Depending on your interests, you may also contribute to areas like graphic design, media production, or industry-specific committees, offering insight into marketing, communications, and business development. This is a useful option if you are interested in business, entrepreneurship, or communications and want early exposure to professional environments.
12. Barrow Neurological Institute Summer High School Internship Program
Cost: Free; unpaid internship
Location: Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ
Program Dates: June 8 – July 9
Application Deadline: February 10
Eligibility: High school students aged 16+; requires one letter of recommendation and a letter of intent
This internship places you in a professional research environment where you can contribute to ongoing neuroscience projects while learning how real-world scientific work is conducted. You can work in research labs using advanced tools and techniques, or apply to support roles such as marketing, neuroscience publications, or the Barrow Neurological Foundation, which adds a strong business and communications angle to the experience. Throughout the program, you will work closely with mentors, develop analytical and communication skills, and learn how to evaluate scientific literature. The program also emphasizes presenting your work, culminating in a final symposium where you showcase your project.
13. World Scholars Academy Business Internship
Cost: $2,395
Location: Online
Program Dates: July 5 – July 26
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions until spots fill
Eligibility: Students ages 15–18
This online business internship allows you to explore topics such as finance, investing, entrepreneurship, and marketing through guided academic research. You will work in a small cohort with a mentor to investigate a specific business issue and co-author a research paper based on your findings. The program emphasizes skills such as critical analysis, academic writing, and evaluating business literature, which are useful for students interested in research-driven fields. Sessions are conducted live over weekends, making it manageable alongside school commitments. Your final work may be submitted to an academic journal, giving you exposure to publication and scholarly review processes.
14. EnergyMag Virtual Internship
Cost: Free; unpaid internship
Location: Online
Program Dates: Flexible (2–8 weeks in summer for half-time internships or 1–9 months for quarter-time internships)
Application Deadline: Rolling applications
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a GPA above 3.25 and at least one honors science or honors English class
This virtual internship allows you to work on research and analysis projects within the renewable energy and energy storage industry. You will investigate topics such as companies, technologies, or market trends, and produce a detailed report that may be published on the platform with your name credited. The experience focuses heavily on developing business-relevant skills, including research, data analysis, professional communication, and synthesizing information from multiple sources. You will also interact with industry professionals and learn how to approach stakeholders to gather insights. Throughout the internship, you receive mentorship and feedback to refine your work and improve your analytical thinking.