15 Marketing Internships for High School Students in Chicago
If you're a high school student fascinated by creative business campaigns, marketing could be the fit for you.
What do marketing internships involve?
Marketing encompasses many areas, including public relations, communications, outreach, social media, and public education. It is best to learn marketing through practical experience, working on projects, and analyzing the outcome of outreach campaigns. Internships are an easy way to gain this experience, strengthen your resume, and add new experiences to talk about in college applications.
Why consider marketing internships in Chicago?
Chicago is home to many institutions and organizations that offer marketing internships for high school students, including businesses, city administration, and non-profit organizations. We've narrowed down a list of 15 marketing internships for high school students in Chicago. These offer experiences across different sectors, giving you a holistic view of what marketing looks like from diverse perspectives.
For related opportunities, consider business internships in Chicago.
Quick Look
12 paid or stipended opportunities: range from a $250 participation bonus (Be Your Own Boss) to $14-18 per hour (Genesys Works) and $600 over the school year (Adler Planetarium YLC); City of Chicago positions are often unpaid but offer strong professional experience
2 virtual options open to students outside Chicago: Young Founders Lab and Ladder Internship (both fully remote, financial aid available, multiple cohorts throughout the year)
9 programs restricted to Chicago residents or CPS students: Chicago Philharmonic, Art Institute, SparkShop, Obama Youth Jobs Corps, Always Giving Back Foundation, Genesys Works, Adler Planetarium YLC, Rotary JOB1, and Chicago Youth Works
1 program for graduating seniors only: Emma Bowen Foundation (3.0 GPA minimum, media and tech focus, highly selective at around 150 fellows nationally)
Most selective: Chicago Philharmonic (4 students per year), Emma Bowen Foundation, and Genesys Works (primarily serves first-generation college students, 8-week training followed by a year-long internship)
Earliest deadlines: Adler Planetarium YLC (September 15), Rotary JOB1 (March 6), and SparkShop (April 1)
15 Marketing Internships for High School Students in Chicago
1. City of Chicago Cultural Affairs and Special Events
Location: Various City of Chicago departments, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: Varies by department; many positions are unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified; competitive
Dates: Year-round; summer positions typically June–August
Application Deadline: Rolling basis (varies by department)
Eligibility: Current high school, undergraduate, or graduate students; minimum 2.5 GPA (4.0 scale) or 3.5 GPA (5.0 scale); must maintain at least 6 credit hours during internship (except academic breaks)
The City of Chicago offers experience within the municipal government to interested high school students. You can be a part of the Mayor's Office of Press and Communications or the Cultural Affairs and Special Events. As a press and communications intern, your tasks would include handling media monitoring, transcription, and providing administrative assistance. You would need strong writing skills, an interest in urban issues, and experience working on outreach-based projects. As a cultural affairs intern, you will support cultural organizations and manage outreach and organization of cultural venues and events. This will include creating outreach material, public outreach, and marketing cultural events happening in the city.
2. Young Founders Lab
Location: 100% virtual, with live interactive workshops
Cost: Varies as per program (need-based financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: 4-week program starting June 5th, tentatively
Application Deadline: Early Decision: March | Regular Admission 1: April | Regular Admission 2: May
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
The Young Founders Lab is a real-world startup bootcamp founded and run by Harvard entrepreneurs. You will work towards building a revenue-generating startup that addresses a real-world problem, mentored by established entrepreneurs and professionals from Google, Microsoft, and X. Alongside building your startup, you'll participate in interactive classes on business fundamentals and ideation, workshops, skill-building sessions, case studies, and panel discussions. The program gives you a structured space to explore both theoretical and practical frameworks for building a successful business. Through live, interactive workshops, you learn how to conduct customer discovery, test value propositions, analyze competitors, and refine your messaging. You can check out the brochure here and access the application here.
3. Chicago Philharmonic Summer Internship
Location: Community engagement activities at various Chicago parks and schools, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship; exact stipend amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 4 students selected per summer (highly selective)
Dates: Summer; specific dates not published
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students; must be a Chicago resident
Chicago Philharmonic allows High school students to practice marketing by working on community engagement programs that help connect orchestra musicians to the Chicago public. The internship is highly selective, choosing only four students each year to work during the summer. During your internship, you will gain an understanding of arts administration in areas such as marketing, operations, development, and community engagement. You can also participate in a musical performance element guided by the Chicago Philharmonic musicians.
4. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote — work from anywhere in the world
Cost: Varies as per program (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), Winter (November)
Eligibility: Students who can work 10–20 hours/week for 8–12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
Ladder Internships is a selective startup internship program for ambitious students. You'll work with a high-growth startup on real projects across industries, including marketing, tech, AI/ML, health tech, journalism, consulting, and more. Ladder's startups are high-growth companies on average raising over a million dollars; past founders include YCombinator alums and former employees of Microsoft, Google, and Facebook. You'll work closely with your manager and a Ladder Coach and present your work to the company at the end of the internship. Depending on your placement, you may assist with market research, social media strategy, content creation, customer outreach, analytics, or growth experiments. You can apply here.
5. Art Institute Chicago Internships
Location: Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Summer; June–August (exact dates)
Application Deadline: Applications open in spring through After School Matters; specific closing date not published
Eligibility: High school students enrolled in Chicago schools; must be at least 16 years old by the start of the internship; Chicago residency
The Art Institute of Chicago offers summer internship opportunities for high school students where you can learn about marketing in the context of public education, art history, and museums. During your internship, you will support the Art Institute in conducting, marketing, and managing festivals, gallery tours, and workshops. You will engage with both museum professionals and visitors. Your area of work will include curating collections for events, meeting artists, and both planning and hosting creative programs.
6. Junior Economic Club of Chicago Careers in Business (CIB) Internship Program
Location: Partner startups, investment firms, and financial literacy organizations across Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: Paid; exact stipend varies by placement and partner organization
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Rolling placements; summer and academic year options available (exact dates vary by partner organization and session)
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort and partner; rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students; must be an accepted, active member of the Junior Economic Club of Chicago; must have an interest in business, economics, finance, or entrepreneurship; must attend all JEC forums
The Junior Economic Club of Chicago connects ambitious high school students interested in a business career with startups through their internship program. You will be placed at startups where you will experience different aspects of running a business and gain experience in areas such as marketing, finance, accounting, and operations. You will be placed at various startups and companies in finance, accounting, private equity, and investment banking. Previous interns have worked in areas such as curriculum development, product marketing, sales, business development, and finance and accounting.
7. SparkShop’s High School Summer Internship Program
Location: SparkShop offices, West Garfield Park, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship (exact stipend amount not specified)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: July (exact dates not published)
Application Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: High school students who are Chicago-based residents; must be at least 16 years old; no prior STEM or engineering experience required; must demonstrate curiosity, motivation, and commitment
SparkShop offers high school students a paid summer internship in the areas of their interest, including business and communications. During the program, you will train in workforce development skills, understand how to work independently and alongside teammates, and develop skills in teamwork, communication, and leadership. You can work in areas of engineering, business, communications, and non-profits while having the opportunity to network and learn from industry professionals. You will explore different career paths and gain experience in your areas of interest.
8. Be Your Own Boss Internship
Location: Virtual-first; in-person special events held in downtown Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: No cost; cash stipend of up to $250 for full participation
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; limited cohort sizes; requires online application and virtual interview
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: High school students enrolled in Chicago Public Schools (CPS) or Chicago charter schools; open to nationwide participants for national cohorts; no GPA requirement or prior entrepreneurship experience required
Be Your Own Boss provides a paid internship experience for high school students looking to gain business experience in a start-up setting. The experience is different from a traditional internship, where you get to work on building entrepreneurial skill sets, build your network, and connect with industry professionals. You will get to work on fun activities and projects alongside peers. You’ll also learn from the experiences of seasoned business professionals and learn what it's like to work in different areas of a startup.
9. Obama Youth Jobs Corps
Location: Partner businesses throughout Chicago's South Side, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship during senior year; junior-year weekly training sessions are also paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: 3-year program spanning sophomore through senior year; senior-year paid internship runs for 10 months (school year + following summer); junior-year paid training sessions run weekly throughout the school year
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students enrolled at current OYJC partner schools on Chicago's South Side
The Obama Youth Job Corps and Urban Alliance offer job skills training and experience opportunities to high school students through a workforce readiness program and paid internship at a business in Chicago. The programs vary by grade level and are offered for sophomores, juniors, and seniors. You will be placed at a ten-month internship experience, where you can gain work experience in the area of your interest, along with mentoring support and college-level planning. Some of the companies past interns have worked at include Bank of America, Hyatt, and KPMG.
10. Always Giving Back Foundation Summer Business Internship
Location: Partner with minority-owned businesses, nonprofits, and public organizations across Chicago's South Side, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship (exact amount varies by placement)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Summer; 6-week program (exact dates not published)
Application Deadline: April 30
Eligibility: High school and college students; must be a Chicago resident; ages 16–18 for high school applicants; interest in business and/or entrepreneurship; program specifically targets students from minority backgrounds on Chicago's South Side
The Always Giving Back Foundation offers a six-week internship program for high school students to gain business experience in a not-for-profit setting. During the program, you will be placed with minority-owned and operated businesses, public organizations, and nonprofits, where you will work on actual assignments alongside professionals. You will gain experience in a wide variety of areas, rotating every week, and gain insight into how business organizations operate. You will be paired with a mentor who will guide you during your internship, evaluate your progress, and create an individualized program plan to get the most out of this experience.
11. Genesys Works High School Internship Program
Location: Corporate partner sites across Chicago, IL; training at Genesys Works Chicago offices, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: Paid, working 20 hours/week at $14–$18/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: 8-week summer training between junior and senior year, followed by a year-long paid internship throughout senior year
Application Deadline: Fall or winter of junior year; specific deadline varies by partner school
Eligibility: Current high school juniors on track to graduate; must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.; program primarily serves first-generation college students and those who qualify for free or reduced lunch; no minimum GPA requirement listed
The Genesys Works High School International Program connects high school juniors to work experience in business, technology, and related career paths. The program includes training taking place over 8 weeks. You get to learn technical and professional skills along with Essential workplace skills that help you work alongside people and build confidence in your abilities. After the training, you will be placed at a company in an area of your interest, gain experience working alongside professionals, contribute to teamwork, and gain skills to add to your resume.
12. Adler Planetarium Youth Leadership Council (YLC)
Location: Adler Planetarium, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: $600 stipend paid in installments over the school year based on active participation; CTA passes provided for transportation
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: School year program; weekly throughout the academic year (approximately October–June)
Application Deadline: September 15
Eligibility: Currently enrolled high school students (ages 14–19); curiosity about STEAM education; desire to build leadership skills; open to Chicago-area teens
Adler Planetarium offers the Youth Leadership Council as an opportunity for teens to build leadership and communication skills. During the programme, your mission would be to make the museum experience more inclusive and reflect the contributions of younger people. The internship experience focuses on outreach, communication, and public education. You will work on programmes and projects that will connect teens to the Adler Planetarium, building skills in communication, critical thinking, collaboration, and leadership.
13. Rotary Club of Chicago JOB1
Location: Various local businesses and nonprofits across Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: Paid at Chicago's minimum wage for 20–40 hours/week over 8 weeks
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Training followed by employment term (exact dates not specified)
Application Deadline: March 6
Eligibility: High school juniors and graduating seniors; must be at least 16 years old; recommended by a teacher or guidance counselor; must complete a volunteer service project
The Rotary Club of Chicago offers high school students practical business experience through interning at a Chicago company or a non-profit organization. You will undergo training to understand how businesses operate and practice skills in interviewing, leadership, networking, and resume development. The internship takes over eight weeks, during which you will be placed at an organization in an area of your interest. Past employers include Alliance Francaise, Hudson Manufacturing, Navy Pier, Perry & Associates, the Roscoe Company, and the University of Illinois, Chicago.
14. Chicago Youth Works Internships
Location: Government offices, businesses, nonprofits, and community organizations across Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: Paid; ages 14–15 receive a $480 stipend for career exploration/apprenticeship participation
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Summer; typically late June-August (Exact dates not specified)
Application Deadline: May 29
Eligibility: Youth ages 14–24; must reside in or attend school in Chicago; ages 14–15 eligible for apprenticeship/career exploration; ages 16+ eligible for internship tracks and must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.; no GPA requirement; open to all backgrounds
The Chicago Youth Works offers internship experiences to young adults across the city, at government institutions, companies, and community-based organizations. You can intern with them during the summer or year-round, and you will be placed at city administration offices, cultural centers, and institutions such as the housing authority, park districts, public schools, city colleges, forest preserves, and park districts. Your tasks would vary according to your work placement, but could involve working in project management, outreach, administration, and operations. You get the chance to gain experience in a wide variety of areas and develop professional skill sets in teamwork, communication, and leadership.
15. The Emma Bowen Foundation Summer Internship
Location: Internship placements with media, tech, and entertainment partner companies nationwide, including in Chicago, IL
Stipend: Paid hourly, rate not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; typically 150 fellows selected annually
Dates: 8-week summer internship (exact dates vary by employer)
Application Deadline: Rolling applications
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors; plan to attend or attend a four-year accredited U.S. college/university; GPA ≥ 3.0; interest in media/tech; U.S. work authorization; must be 18 before internship start
The Emma Bowden Foundation Summit Internship offers high school seniors the chance to gain experience in media, entertainment, and technology-related career paths. During the program, you will be placed in an internship that will last a minimum of eight weeks, where you work alongside experienced professionals and explore diverse career paths such as being a journalist, business executive, PR agent, or sales representative. Selection is selective, including an application process where you need to submit a resume showcasing your work experiences in doorships, extracurriculars, and activities.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are there paid marketing internships for high school students in Chicago? Yes, 12 of the 15 opportunities on this list are paid or provide a stipend. Genesys Works pays $14-18 per hour over an 8-week training period followed by a year-long paid internship. The Rotary JOB1 program pays at Chicago's minimum wage for 20-40 hours per week over 8 weeks. The Adler Planetarium YLC provides a $600 stipend paid in installments over the school year. Chicago Youth Works provides a $480 stipend for students aged 14-15. Be Your Own Boss offers up to $250 for full participation.
2. Which Chicago marketing internships are open to freshmen or sophomores? Several programs accept students from earlier in high school. Chicago Youth Works accepts students aged 14 for its apprenticeship and career exploration track. Adler Planetarium YLC is open to Chicago-area teens ages 14-19. For students who want to build entrepreneurship and marketing skills outside of a traditional internship, Young Founders Lab and Ladder Internship are both open to all high school students regardless of grade.
3. Are there marketing internship options for students outside of Chicago? Most programs on this list require Chicago residency or enrollment at a Chicago or CPS school. The 2 options with no location requirement are Young Founders Lab (100% virtual, all high school students, financial aid available, cohorts starting in June) and Ladder Internship (fully remote, multiple cohorts throughout the year, places students with real startups across marketing, tech, and other industries).