15 Paid Economics Internships for High School Students
If you’re considering a future in economics, business, or finance, internships can be one of the most effective ways to understand what those careers actually look like beyond the classroom.
What are paid economics internships for high school students?
When you take part in an economics-focused internship, you move from theory to practice using concepts like markets, public policy, data analysis, and financial decision-making in real work environments. These experiences help you test your interests early, whether that’s macroeconomics, public finance, business operations, or financial services, before committing to a college major or long-term career path.
Why pursue paid economics internships for high school students?
Internships also give you the opportunity to build transferable skills such as research, analytical thinking, communication, and professionalism, all of which are valued across business and finance roles. Just as importantly, you gain exposure to mentors and professional networks that can guide your academic and career decisions.
You’ll find economics summer programs here, or you can have a look here for online economics programs for high school students.
Below, you’ll find a compiled list of economics internships for high school students that offer meaningful, hands-on exposure to real-world work and career pathways.
Note: Some items below are economics programs that’ll help you develop the skills for pursuing economics internships in the future.
15 Paid Economics Internships for High School Students
1. Chicago Summer Business Institute
Cost: Paid internship (stipend provided by host employers)
Location: Chicago, IL
Program Dates: June–July (6 weeks)
Application Deadline: February 1–March 31
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors who are Chicago residents; minimum 3.0 GPA; family household income below $80,000; ability to commit full-time; U.S. work authorization
In this program, you’re placed in a paid summer internship with a financial services firm, city finance department, or business organization in Chicago, where you contribute to day-to-day operations rather than observing from the sidelines. Typical work includes handling spreadsheets, supporting accounting or finance teams, organizing financial records, and assisting with administrative or analytical tasks tied to real workflows. Alongside your placement, you attend structured workshops focused on professional skills such as resume writing, workplace communication, and goal setting. You also gain exposure to economics-adjacent environments like municipal finance, capital markets, and accounting.
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. 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. 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. Federal Reserve Bank of Boston – TIP (Today’s Interns, Tomorrow’s Professionals)
Cost: Paid
Location: Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, Boston, MA
Dates: Late June – Mid August (with potential year-round extensions for up to 3 years)
Application Deadline: Typically opens in early spring
Eligibility: Students in Boston Public Schools who have completed their sophomore year
In the TIP program, you work in a professional Federal Reserve environment while gaining early exposure to how economic institutions operate at a regional level. Your summer internship combines paid work assignments with structured training in problem-solving, communication, and workplace professionalism. Depending on performance and interest, you may be selected to continue in a year-round internship that can last through high school and into post-secondary education. You gain firsthand insight into economic mobility, community development, and workforce policy by working within teams connected to the Boston Fed’s research-driven mission. The program is explicitly designed as a first professional economics-adjacent experience, making it especially valuable if you’re interested in public policy, finance, or applied economics careers.
4. Ladder Internship Program
Cost: Paid internship (varies by startup)
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. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies on average, raising over a million dollars. Past founders have included YCombinator alums, founders raising over 30 million dollars, or founders who previously worked at Microsoft, Google, and Facebook. You are offered one-on-one training in communication, time management, and other such valuable skills, and you will also have the opportunity to attend group training sessions with other interns in your cohort.
5. Bank of America Student Leaders® Program
Cost: Paid internship (stipend provided; all travel and accommodation costs are covered for the summit)
Location: Multiple U.S. cities across eligible states
Program Dates: Summer (8 weeks, includes one week in Washington, D.C.)
Application Deadline: Mid-January
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors authorized to work in the U.S.; must reside in an eligible location
The Bank of America Student Leaders® Program offers high school juniors and seniors an eight-week paid summer internship hosted at a local nonprofit organization, combined with structured leadership training and exposure to public-sector economics. During the internship, you work approximately 35 hours per week, gaining hands-on experience in community development, financial literacy initiatives, workforce programs, or housing and economic mobility efforts. The program also includes a fully funded, week-long national Student Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C., where you examine how government, business, and nonprofits collaborate to address economic and social challenges. While the internship is nonprofit-based, the program emphasizes civic leadership, economic opportunity, and real-world applications of finance and policy.
6. U.S. Department of the Treasury — Pathways Internship Program
Cost: Paid (varies by role; compensation specified in individual USAJobs postings)
Location: Washington, D.C. (and other U.S. locations depending on office); some roles may allow hybrid arrangements
Program Dates: Year-round (spring, summer, or fall appointments depending on posting)
Application Deadline: Rolling; summer roles typically posted in December
Eligibility: Current students enrolled in an accredited high school, vocational school, or degree-granting institution; U.S. citizenship required
The Treasury Pathways Internship Program is a federal internship pathway that allows high school students to work alongside professionals across Treasury’s departmental offices and bureaus. During the internship, you may support policy research, data analysis, briefing preparation, or operational initiatives related to domestic finance, economic policy, financial stability, or public administration, depending on office placement. Roles are hired through USAJobs, and responsibilities vary widely based on mission needs, making this a flexible option for students interested in economics, public policy, finance, or government operations. The program is best suited for students seeking early exposure to federal careers and large-scale economic and financial policymaking.
7. U.S. Department of State Pathways Internship Program
Cost: Paid (federal GS pay scale)
Location: U.S. Department of State offices across the United States (location varies by role)
Program Dates: Year-round; summer placements available depending on vacancy
Application Deadline: Rolling; varies by position on USAJOBS
Eligibility: U.S. citizens; minimum age 16 by application close date; enrolled in high school or higher education; minimum 2.0 GPA; able to obtain security clearance
This paid federal internship allows you to work within the U.S. Department of State while exploring how government institutions operate at the intersection of policy, diplomacy, and economics. Depending on the role, you may support teams working on economic policy analysis, trade and development initiatives, budgeting, data reporting, or program evaluation. You gain exposure to how economic considerations shape international relations and domestic policy implementation, while developing professional skills in research, analysis, and government operations. Positions are structured under the federal General Schedule (GS) pay scale, providing clear compensation and workplace standards. The program is well-suited if you’re interested in applied economics, public policy, or government careers.
8. CliftonLarsonAllen – High School Internship Program
Cost: Paid
Location: Multiple U.S. cities (select offices nationwide)
Program Dates: Summer (starts in June)
Application Deadline: Varies by location
Eligibility: High school students aged 16–18
This paid summer internship places you inside a professional services firm where economic concepts intersect with real-world business decisions. You support client-facing teams working in accounting, advisory, and financial services, gaining exposure to how firms interpret financial data, assess performance, and respond to changing market conditions. Your work may involve assisting with client projects, organizing financial information, and learning how economic trends influence business strategy across industries. The internship emphasizes professional communication, analytical thinking, and workplace readiness, making it a practical entry point for students considering economics, finance, accounting, or business majors.
9. Young Entrepreneurs Program (YEP)
Cost: Paid hourly + scholarship
Location: Kansas City, MO (primarily in-person; limited remote options)
Program Dates: Session 1: June 2 – June 27 | Session 2: July 7 – August 1
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors in high school
The Young Entrepreneurs Program (YEP) is a selective, paid summer internship that places high school students with high-growth startups across the Kansas City region, offering hands-on exposure to entrepreneurship, finance, and market-driven decision-making. You work approximately 30 hours per week with a matched company in roles that may involve analytics, finance, sales, product, or business operations, gaining firsthand insight into how companies create value and scale in real markets. In addition to company placements, the cohort visits a different startup every Friday to study business models, funding pathways, and regional entrepreneurial ecosystems. YEP is a strong applied economics internship that provides exposure to market dynamics, incentives, and financial decision-making.
10. Fidelity Investments — High School Internship Program
Cost: Paid
Location: Boston, MA; Merrimack, NH
Program Dates: Summer (5 weeks)
Application Deadline: Applications open in February
Eligibility: Female high school students; typically juniors and seniors
This paid high school internship at Fidelity offers structured exposure to the financial services industry, making it a strong applied economics option if you’re interested in markets, investing, and business operations. During the five-week summer program, you work alongside Fidelity teams to understand how large financial institutions operate, gaining insight into areas such as financial services, client support, and internal business functions. The internship is designed to build foundational professional skills while introducing you to real financial systems and decision-making environments. You also benefit from mentorship by Fidelity professionals and structured learning sessions that highlight career paths within finance and related fields. The program provides practical experience with financial markets and institutions that shape economic activity at scale.
11. On the Money Magazine – Paid Spring Internship
Cost: Paid
Location: Chicago, IL (hybrid; City of Chicago residents only)
Program Dates: January–May
Application Deadline: Typically early January
Eligibility: Chicago high school students (all grade levels considered)
This paid spring internship places you on the editorial team of On the Money Magazine, a by-teens, for-teens publication focused on finance and entrepreneurship. During the program, you research and write an original article on financial or entrepreneurial topics while working alongside mentors through DePaul University’s Writing Center. In addition to publication experience, you build practical skills in financial literacy, interviewing, public speaking, and professional writing. The internship runs part-time with a mix of in-person and virtual sessions, making it well-suited if you’re interested in applied economics, financial education, or business communication.
12. Miami-Dade County Summer Youth Internship Program (SYIP)
Cost: Paid internship
Location: Miami-Dade County, FL
Program Dates: July–August (5 weeks)
Application Deadline: Varies by school; coordinated through Miami-Dade County Public Schools
Eligibility: Rising 10th–12th grade students (ages 15–18) enrolled in Miami-Dade County Public Schools
The Miami-Dade County Summer Youth Internship Program (SYIP) is a paid, five-week summer internship designed for high school students interested in gaining early exposure to professional work environments within local government. As a SYIP intern, you are placed in one of more than 50 county departments, where you support day-to-day operations, assist with administrative or project-based tasks, and learn how public institutions function at scale. While placements vary, many roles introduce you to areas such as public finance, economic development, workforce programs, housing services, and community planning. The program is offered in partnership with Miami-Dade County Public Schools and several workforce and economic development organizations, giving it strong institutional backing.
13. JPMorgan Chase — School Programs & Apprenticeships (Finance & Business Pathways)
Cost: Paid (apprenticeships and select work-experience programs include compensation or funded training)
Location: Primarily the United Kingdom (select global locations depending on program)
Program Dates: Varies by program (summer and year-round options available)
Application Deadline: Rolling; varies by program
Eligibility: High school students in their final year of school or equivalent (program-specific requirements apply)
JPMorgan Chase offers a range of school-level programs, apprenticeships, and structured work-experience opportunities designed for students interested in finance, business management, and financial services. Through select pathways such as finance and business management, you gain early exposure to how a global financial institution operates across areas like banking operations, client services, and business strategy. These programs provide strong applied exposure to financial systems, markets, and business decision-making.
14. Junior Economic Club Global – Economics & Investment Internships
Cost: Paid (stipends or funded placements vary by partner organization)
Location: Primarily remote; placements with U.S.-based startups, investment firms, and research organizations
Program Dates: Varies by placement; typically during the academic year or summer
Application Deadline: Rolling or cohort-based deadlines (varies by internship partner)
Eligibility: High-performing high school students with a strong interest in economics, finance, or business analysis
In this internship program, you are placed with startups, investment firms, or economics-focused organizations to work on real-world economic and financial problems. You may conduct industry and company research, support investment underwriting, assist with portfolio analysis, or contribute to policy and economic writing, depending on your placement. Past interns have worked with private equity and capital firms on market analysis and valuation, and with research institutions on economic and policy-oriented publications. You gain hands-on exposure to applied economics through capital allocation, financial decision-making, and market research rather than classroom simulations. The program is particularly valuable if you’re interested in economics, finance, or investment careers.
15. Buckhead Coalition Summer Internship Program
Cost: Paid (stipend provided; transportation support included)
Location: Metro Atlanta (partner companies across Atlanta, GA)
Program Dates: Two weeks in the Summer
Application Deadline: Typically in the spring
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors from North Atlanta High School (CTAE Business & Technology pathway)
In this paid summer internship, you work with professional firms across metro Atlanta, gaining hands-on exposure to how businesses, financial institutions, and real estate organizations operate in practice. Your placement may involve roles at banks, investment partners, real estate firms, or corporate offices, where you assist with day-to-day business operations and develop workplace-ready analytical and communication skills. The program emphasizes applied learning, helping you understand how economic decisions play out at the organizational and community level. The internship offers a practical entry point into business, finance, and applied economics pathways, especially if you’re exploring careers tied to economic development or financial services.
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