14 Economics Internships for High School Students in Illinois
If you’re a high school student in Illinois and want to explore economics beyond the classroom, an internship can give you a more practical view of the subject. These opportunities let you work on projects, see how economic concepts are applied in business or policy, and build skills that go beyond what you cover in school.
Illinois has a mix of options for students interested in economics. Some internships are offered by universities and research institutes, while others are run by non-profits, local businesses, or government offices. Choosing one close to home can make it easier to manage travel and costs while still giving you valuable experience in the field.
To help you choose the right option, we’ve put together 14 economics internships in Illinois that are open to high school students!
14 Economics Internships for High School Students in Illinois
1. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Application deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort
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 remote internship program for high school students. You will work with a high-growth startup on a real-world project over 8 to 12 weeks. Startups span fields like artificial intelligence, health tech, finance, journalism, and consulting. Past interns have built machine learning models, developed patient monitoring systems, and created research reports on medical topics.
You will be matched with a startup based on your interests and work directly with a company manager. A Ladder Coach will guide you through the internship and help you prepare a final presentation. Founders of host startups have backgrounds at Y Combinator, Google, Microsoft, and McKinsey. Many companies have raised over one million dollars in funding. Apply here.
2. Chicago Summer Business Institute
Location: Chicago, IL (in-person placement at financial and business institutions)
Cost: Free; paid internship (stipend provided)
Application deadline: March 31 (portal opens February 1)
Dates: Six-week summer internship, typically June through August
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors residing in the City of Chicago; must maintain a B (3.0) average, have a family household income below $80,000/year, and be able to commit to the full daily program
Chicago Summer Business Institute (CSBI) is a paid, six-week internship program for high school students in Chicago. You work 24 hours per week at banks, law firms, accounting firms, and engineering firms across the city. Each week includes a half-day seminar focused on financial markets, business operations, and economic principles. You learn about supply and demand, market structures, and workplace systems through direct experience and classroom instruction.
3. Young Founders Lab
Location: 100% virtual with live, interactive workshops
Cost: Varies by the program type
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Dates: Multiple cohorts offered year-round - Summer, Fall, Winter, Spring
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
The Young Founders Lab is a virtual program that guides you through the process of starting your own business over four weeks. Through live sessions, case studies, and hands-on workshops, you’ll learn how to identify a problem, conduct market research, develop a product, and bring it to market. You’ll also receive guidance from experienced startup founders and professionals from companies such as Google and Microsoft. At the end of the program, you’ll present your business to a group of mentors and investors, and you’ll retain full ownership of what you’ve created.
4. Junior Economic Club of Chicago - Careers in Business Internship Program
Location: Chicago, IL (in-person and citywide business sites)
Cost: Free
Application deadline: Multiple sessions per year; rolling application until filled
Dates: School year and summer (session dates announced on their site)
Eligibility: High school students in Chicago
Junior Economic Club’s Careers in Business (CIB) Program is a selective internship for high school students in Chicago. You work with startups and established firms in finance, economics, and business operations, and assist with market research, investment analysis, product development, and business strategy. Partners include the Zell Fellows Program at Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management, Dekos Capital, and FinLit. Interns gain exposure to both private and nonprofit sectors and receive training in resume writing, interviewing, and professional communication.
5. On the Money Internship - Economic Awareness Council
Location: Chicago, IL (primarily in-person, occasionally with online components)
Cost: Free; paid stipend of $16.60 per hour for 7 weeks for all interns.
Application deadline: Applications typically open late winter and close early spring
Dates: Summer internship typically runs from June to August; spring and fall sessions are also held .
Eligibility: High school students who are residents of the City of Chicago
On the Money (OTM) is a paid internship where you earn $16.60 per hour as a high school student in Chicago. You get trained in economics, finance, and entrepreneurship, and earn a financial literacy certification. You write articles for On the Money Magazine, lead financial education sessions, and work on team projects with other local students. You also attend weekly meetings, present your work, and get direct mentoring from professionals in business and finance. Your writing and presentations are published and shared across the city.
6. UChicago Youth Internship Program
Location: University of Chicago campus and partners; Chicago, IL
Cost: Paid summer employment
Application deadline: Varies by year; typically early spring
Dates: Not specified
Eligibility: Chicago Public Schools high school students age 16+
UChicago Youth Internship Program places you in a paid summer role where you work on real projects in economics, finance, and research. You might analyze data, build budgets, evaluate programs, or contribute to policy work. Your placement could be in a university department or with a local partner focused on public policy, business analytics, or community economics. You get mentorship from professionals, attend career workshops, and tap into UChicago’s career network.
7. Kendall County Economic Development Alliance (KEDA) Summer Internship Program
Location: Kendall County, IL (suburban/exurban Chicago); in-person placement with local businesses and government agencies.
Cost: Free
Application deadline: Typically late spring (April/May)
Dates: Summer (dates vary by employer, usually June–August)
Eligibility: Illinois high-school juniors and seniors can apply
KEDA Career Summer Internship Program gives you the chance to work with local employers in Kendall County, Illinois, on real-world projects in economics, business, finance, or operations. You’ll choose your preferred placement from a list of participating organizations and spend at least five weeks (between May and September) gaining hands-on experience. You’ll get paid for your work, receive job skills training, attend career workshops, and may be matched with a mentor. Your internship could involve supporting public administration, analyzing workforce trends, or contributing to local economic development initiatives.
8. Bank of America Student Leaders Program
Location: Chicago, IL (placements with nonprofits; national summit in Washington, D.C.)
Cost: Free; paid internship with stipend and fully funded leadership summit trip.
Application deadline: Applications open in the fall; close in the winter (check website annually)
Dates: Eight weeks in summer (typically June–August)
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors in Chicago with US work authorization.
The Bank of America Student Leaders Program gives you a paid eight-week summer internship at a local nonprofit. You’ll work on projects that support community development, economic mobility, and social impact. You’ll gain hands-on experience in nonprofit operations and learn how organizations address local needs. As part of the program, you’ll also attend the Student Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C., a week-long leadership conference focused on civic engagement, public policy, and economic empowerment. Bank of America covers all travel and lodging costs for the summit.
9. Genesys Works Chicago
Location: Chicago, IL (in-person with local corporations and organizations)
Cost: Free; paid internship (minimum wage or above)
Application deadline: Typically closes in early spring (March)
Dates: One-year program (summer bootcamp followed by school-year internship)
Eligibility: Chicago high school students entering senior year
Genesys Works Chicago prepares you for an economics-related career through paid summer training and a yearlong internship during senior year. You start with eight weeks of instruction in business technology, professional communication, and workplace skills. After training, you work 20 hours per week at a partner company in roles that may include finance, operations, or data support. The program includes weekly workshops on workplace success and economic mobility, plus mentorship from professionals in business and tech. You also receive support with college planning and career readiness.
10. Internship Opportunities - City Colleges of Chicago
Location: Various campuses and partner sites across Chicago, IL (in-person and virtual opportunities)
Cost: Free; internships may be paid or unpaid, depending on placement
Application deadline: Varies by internship and campus; students are encouraged to apply early and regularly check opportunities
Dates: Year-round; internships typically align with academic semesters and summer periods.
Eligibility: City Colleges of Chicago students; high school students enrolled in dual-enrollment programs or college readiness pathways may also access opportunities.
City Colleges of Chicago (CCC) Internship Program gives you practical experience in economics, business, finance, and data analysis. You work on projects with professionals, applying classroom knowledge in settings that build career-specific skills. Positions vary by campus and employer, and most last between three and twelve months and may involve economic research, financial operations, or data reporting. The program helps you explore career paths, strengthen your resume, and prepare for college or full-time work.
11. After School Matters - Business & Economics Internships
Location: Chicago, IL (in-person at various neighborhood sites; some hybrid/remote formats may be available)
Cost: Free; all participants receive a financial stipend or hourly wage.
Application deadline: Applications accepted on a rolling basis; interviews begin the week of April 28 and continue as programs fill.
Dates: Summer programs typically run June 23 — August 1; school-year programs are also available in the fall and spring
Eligibility: Chicago high school students ages 14–18; Apprenticeship programs for ages 14–15; Internship programs for ages 16+ (must be 16 by the program start date)
After School Matters (ASM) offers paid internships and apprenticeships in economics-related fields like business analytics, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship. You can apply to up to six programs per session, choosing from sites across Chicago. You’ll interview for most placements and should be ready to discuss your interests and goals. All Chicago high school students are eligible, including those without a Social Security number. If you meet stipend requirements and complete the program, you receive pay.
12. Be Your Own Boss Virtual Internship - Future Founders
Location: Virtual (online, primarily for Chicago-area high school students; occasional national cohorts available)
Cost: Free; stipend provided for successful completion (recent cycles: $250 stipend)
Application deadline: Applications open before each cycle and remain available until all spots are filled; summer sessions may have deadlines in late spring, and school-year sessions in fall/winter.
Dates: Cohorts typically run in two to four-week sessions during summer or school year; past examples include June–August and February–April cycles with after-school or evening sessions.
Eligibility: High school students, ages 14–19, enrolled in Chicago Public Schools or Chicago Charter Schools; national cohorts sometimes open to all U.S. high school students.
Be Your Own Boss Virtual Internship is a paid program for Chicago high school students that focuses on entrepreneurship, economics, and business innovation. You participate in workshops led by real entrepreneurs, work in teams to develop and pitch business ideas, and learn startup fundamentals, including financial literacy and economic decision-making. The internship includes guest speakers, team-based challenges, and a final showcase presentation evaluated by professionals. You receive a cash stipend based on attendance and participation.
13. CLA High School Internship Program
Location: Multiple locations across the U.S., including Chicago, with some virtual options
Cost: Free. Stipend Paid (amount not specified)
Application Deadline: January
Dates: Starting in June
Eligibility: High school students who are 16 years or older
CLA High School Internship Program is a four-week paid summer opportunity for students aged 16 to 18 to explore accounting, finance, and professional services. You work on real projects in financial analysis, tax, and auditing, and participate in client simulations and team-based case studies. You will gain exposure to multiple industries and observe professionals through job shadowing. The program includes mentorship, presentations, and hands-on experience with CLA’s business operations.
14. Economics for Leaders - Foundation for Teaching Economics
Location: Various U.S. universities or virtual
Cost: $2,300 for residential and $800 for virtual (Scholarship assistance typically ranges from $100 to $1500 for residential programs and from $100 to $400 for virtual programs)
Application Deadline: Application details will be announced in mid-December
Dates: Multiple sessions will be available during the summer
Eligibility: Open to high school sophomores and juniors
Economics for Leaders (EFL) is a selective pre-college summer program that teaches you how to apply economic reasoning to public policy decisions. You study core economic concepts like opportunity cost, marginal analysis, and market dynamics, while also developing leadership skills through group activities and case studies. Sessions are held at college campuses across the U.S., and some sites offer college credit through the University of Colorado.
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.