Written by Christopher Parsons, M.A. in English, Founder of The College Planning Center. With over 25 years in education, Christopher has guided thousands of families through the admissions journey.
Why High School Business Internships Matter
High school internships aren’t just a résumé booster — they’re a powerful way to explore whether business is really the field for you. According to career-readiness research, internships help students:
- Explore different career paths before committing to a college major.
- Build important professional skills: communication, teamwork, problem-solving.
- Establish a network early by working with real business professionals.
- Gain clarity on what they enjoy and don’t enjoy in a business environment.
This kind of exposure can make your college application stand out — showing admissions officers that you’re proactive, curious, and career-oriented.
When Choosing a Business Internship, Consider These Factors
Format
Do you prefer virtual or in-person internships?
Cost vs. Stipend
Some internships are paid; others may be unpaid or charge a program fee.
Time Commitment
Is the program a few weeks, several months, or part of the school year?
Mentorship & Learning Opportunities
Will you work closely with mentors?
Will the program include structured workshops or training?
Outcomes
- Are you looking for:
Hands-on experience? - Certificates?
- College credit?
Eligibility & Financial Aid
Check whether:
- You meet the age/grade/location requirements
- The program offers financial aid or scholarships
How a Business Internship Helps You Get Into College
Shows Initiative
Interning in high school shows that you care about your future and are taking early steps to explore your career.
Demonstrates Career Focus
Colleges see that you’re genuinely interested in business and already developing skills in the field.
Builds Soft Skills
Internships help you improve:
- Communication
- Teamwork
- Problem-solving
- Professionalism
Helps You Build Real Connections
Supervisors and mentors can become excellent recommendation letter writers.
Clarifies Your Career Path
By trying out different business roles early, you can better decide what college major or career to pursue later.
Tips for Getting Started & Applying
Use Your Network
Ask teachers, counselors, family friends, or local business owners about opportunities.
Use Internship Platforms
Search internship databases or work with College Planning Centers to find high school–friendly programs.
Build a Strong Résumé
Highlight school involvement, volunteer work, leadership roles, and achievements.
Write a Thoughtful Cover Letter
Explain:
- Why you’re interested in business
- What you want to learn
- How you can contribute to the team
Prepare for Interviews
Practice common questions such as:
- “Why are you interested in business?
- “What do you hope to learn from this internship?”
🧠 FAQs - Your Guide to Business Internships for High School Students
Yes. Many internships, such as Building-U, are designed for beginners and don’t require work experience.
Some offer pay or stipends. Others are unpaid or may charge program fees.
Most summer programs open applications in the fall or winter — so start researching early.
Remote internships offer more flexibility, while in-person ones provide a deeper office or workplace experience.
Yes — mentors and supervisors often write strong college recommendations.
You can gain:
- Communication skills
- Time management
- Leadership
- Critical thinking
Understanding of real-world business operations
Some programs offer credit — for example, Babson Summer Study.
Be cautious. Some “internships” are just expensive programs with limited hands-on work.
Reach out directly to:
- Local shops
- Startups
- Family friends
- Community business owners
- Many small businesses are happy to take motivated interns.
Absolutely. Internships help you build skills, connections, and experience that may open doors to future opportunities.
✅ Key Takeaways
- Most summer programs need you to apply between December and March.
- Check out other fields of engineering, like mechanical, biomedical, aerospace, and AI.
- The College Planning Center has tools to help you identify and prepare for certified internships.
- Make each application different; this shows that you are sincerely interested.
- Internships, whether paid or not, give you skills that will help you get into college and beyond.
Special thanks to Christopher Parsons for writing this blog post.
Christopher has a strong educational background, including Doctoral studies in English Literature and Creative Writing, a Master’s Degree in English, and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and History. He also has a background in Mass Communications and Public Relations/Marketing.
He has successfully won scholarship offers from prestigious schools and over $250,000 in grants and scholarships. His real-world personal experience resonates well with today’s students.
