Top 15 Business Internships for High School Students Online 2026

Business Internships for High School Students Online — Summer 2026 Guide

Online business internships are an excellent way for high school students to build real-world skills in entrepreneurship, finance, marketing, and management — without the cost or logistics of travel. This guide lists 15 trusted virtual business internship programs and pathways for 2026, with official links, concise descriptions, eligibility notes, payment information, and timing guidance. Use this as a starting point to shortlist programs that match your interests (startup work, corporate business simulations, entrepreneurship, or nonprofit business experience).

How to use this guide

Read each program entry, click the official link for the most up-to-date eligibility and deadlines, and select 3 programs to apply for. If you are under 18, check minimum age rules — some paid micro-internship platforms require participants to be 18+.

Top 15 online business internships & programs for high school students — 2026

1. 1. Forage (Business Virtual Work Experiences)

   Official link: theforage.com

   Description: Free employer-designed business simulations from top companies (Citi, BCG, JP Morgan, Bloomberg). Job simulations cover consulting, investment banking, corporate finance, and product management and produce certificates you can add to applications.

   Requirements: Open to high school students; self-paced.

   Paid/Unpaid: Unpaid simulations, but great resume/portfolio value.

   Location: Fully online.

   Timeline: Year-round availability — enroll anytime. (Recommended for early prep.)

2. 2. Wharton Global Youth (Online Business & Finance Programs)

   Official link: globalyouth.wharton.upenn.edu

   Description: Wharton’s pre-college online courses introduce high school students to business fundamentals, finance, entrepreneurship, and analytics with Wharton faculty and instructors.

   Requirements: Grades 9–12; program-specific prerequisites vary.

   Paid/Unpaid: Tuition-based; financial aid occasionally available.

   Location: Virtual.

   Timeline: Applications open in winter for summer sessions.

3. 3. Virtual Internships (Placement & Remote Business Internships)

   Official link: virtualinternships.com

   Description: A placement service that connects students with remote business internships (marketing, HR, operations, finance). They guarantee placement and offer options with different weekly time commitments.

   Requirements: Varies by placement; check age/eligibility (some programs target university students but offer youth-friendly options).

   Paid/Unpaid: Mixed — some placements are paid by hosts, others are fee-based placement models; confirm on the host listing.

   Location: Remote.

   Timeline: Rolling start dates — apply 1–3 months ahead.

4. 4. The Intern Group — High School Business Internships (Virtual Options)

   Official link: theinterngroup.com/internships-for-high-school-students

   Description: The Intern Group runs curated internship placements for high school students in business, marketing, and entrepreneurship. They offer virtual internships and hybrid placements with support and mentoring.

   Requirements: High-school students and gap-year participants; application and interview required.

   Paid/Unpaid: Mixed — some host companies pay stipends; many programs are fee-based. Check each placement for payment details.

   Location: Online or hybrid.

   Timeline: Summer cohorts open in fall/winter.

5. 5. Ladder Internships — Remote Startup & Business Projects

   Official link: ladderinternships.com

   Description: Cohort-based remote internships where high schoolers join startup teams on real business problems (growth, analytics, market research) and present to company partners at the end.

   Requirements: High school students or gap-year participants; portfolio or demo recommended.

   Paid/Unpaid: Some cohorts are paid or include stipends; others are fee-based. Confirm per cohort.

   Location: Remote.

   Timeline: Multiple cohorts year-round; summer cohorts available (apply early).

6. 6. Junior Achievement (JA) — Company Program & Virtual Entrepreneurship Tracks

   Official link: jausa.ja.org

   Description: JA’s Company Program lets teams of high school students build, launch and run a company with volunteer mentors; many JA modules are available virtually and provide business planning, finance, and pitching experience.

   Requirements: Grades 9–12; offered through school or JA local offices.

   Paid/Unpaid: Unpaid educational program; excellent for entrepreneurship credentials and mentor letters.

   Location: Virtual (via local JA chapter) or hybrid.

   Timeline: School-year cycles and summer sessions — check local JA chapter.

7. 7. Babson College — Summer Entrepreneurship & Online Programs

   Official link: babson.edu/high-school-programs

   Description: Babson’s pre-college programs emphasize entrepreneurship, startups, and business planning; online tracks include mentorship and startup project work suitable for high school students.

   Requirements: Rising juniors/seniors; selective application.

   Paid/Unpaid: Tuition-based; scholarships available in some cycles.

   Location: Virtual and on-campus options.

   Timeline: Apply in winter for summer sessions.

8. 8. Intern Abroad HQ — Online Business Internships for Teens

   Official link: internhq.com

   Description: Intern Abroad HQ lists online business internships for students aged 16–18, covering marketing, business development, social enterprise, and nonprofit management, with mentor support and possible college credit.

   Requirements: Age 16–18 for high-school programs; application and conversational English recommended.

   Paid/Unpaid: Mixed — some host organizations provide stipends; many placements are program-fee based.

   Location: Online.

   Timeline: Rolling; apply several weeks before intended start.

9. 9. Virtual Business Micro-projects — Parker Dewey & Micro-internships (18+)

   Official link: parkerdewey.com

   Description: Parker Dewey offers short, paid micro-internships in business research, market analysis, and communications. Note: the platform requires interns to be 18+ (check local age laws).

   Requirements: Minimum age 18; ability to receive payment (SSN/ITIN may be required for U.S. placements).

   Paid/Unpaid: Paid (per project compensation).

   Location: Remote.

   Timeline: Rolling project postings year-round.

10. 10. Columbia University — Pre-College Business & Entrepreneurship Tracks (Virtual)

    Official link: sps.columbia.edu/precollege

    Description: Columbia School of Professional Studies and business departments sometimes offer short, mentored virtual internships or courses in entrepreneurship, finance, and analytics for high-achieving high school students.

    Requirements: Selective; strong academics and project readiness recommended.

    Paid/Unpaid: Fee-based; scholarships sometimes offered.

    Location: Online.

    Timeline: Application windows in winter/spring for summer cohorts.

11. 11. Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) — Virtual Startup Incubator for Teens

    Official link: yeausa.org

    Description: YEA! is an entrepreneurial program that guides teens from idea to launch over months; virtual versions include mentorship, business-plan development, and investor pitches.

    Requirements: Ages vary by chapter; often grades 6–12 for youth tracks.

    Paid/Unpaid: Educational program (fee-based in many chapters); strong portfolio value.

    Location: Virtual/hybrid via local chapters.

    Timeline: Annual cycles and rolling enrollment depending on chapter.

12. 12. Genesys Works — Paid Business Internships (U.S. local chapters)

    Official link: genesysworks.org

    Description: Genesys Works places high-school students from underserved communities in paid internships (IT, business operations, analytics) with corporate partners. Many placements include remote or hybrid options.

    Requirements: High school juniors/seniors meeting regional eligibility and selection; program availability depends on local chapters.

    Paid/Unpaid: Paid; wages vary by placement and location.

    Location: U.S. (local chapters) — remote possibilities depend on partner employers.

    Timeline: Regional recruitment cycles; apply via local chapter in winter/spring.

13. 13. Oxford Scholastica & University-Linked Online Business Research Internships

    Official link: oxfordscholastica.com

    Description: Short, mentored research internships in business, economics, and entrepreneurship for ambitious high schoolers; produce a final research paper or business plan with faculty feedback.

    Requirements: Ages 15–18; strong academic record and research interest.

    Paid/Unpaid: Fee-based; scholarships sometimes available.

    Location: Virtual.

    Timeline: Summer sessions with spring application deadlines.

14. 14. Micro-Internships via Local NGOs and Startup Platforms

    Where to look: Local nonprofit portals, startup community listings, and university incubator pages often list short paid online projects in fundraising, market research, and social-enterprise operations.

    Description: Short, paid projects (2–8 weeks) that teach grant-writing, donor research, marketing analytics, or business-plan support. Great for high-school students seeking paid, practical tasks.

    Requirements: Varies by posting; many roles accept motivated teens and younger applicants with parental consent.

    Paid/Unpaid: Often paid small stipends; confirm in each posting.

    Location: Remote.

    Timeline: Rolling; monitor local NGO newsletters and startup slack channels.

15. 15. Self-Directed Remote Internships & Freelance Business Projects

    Approach: Create a structured remote internship by contacting small businesses, startups, and nonprofits with a clear project proposal (market research, competitor analysis, social media strategy). Offer a short pilot (2–4 weeks) and request a small stipend or a testimonial in exchange.

    Requirements: Initiative, clear deliverables, and professional communication.

    Paid/Unpaid: Negotiable — many small businesses will offer modest pay for defined deliverables.

    Location: Remote.

    Timeline: Fast to set up — 2–6 weeks for outreach, agreement, and kickoff.

How to choose the right online business internship

Prioritize programs that give you demonstrable outcomes (a business plan, marketing report, analytics dashboard, or pitch deck). Also look for regular mentor check-ins and clear deliverables that can be displayed in portfolios or college applications. If you need paid options, focus on micro-internships, Genesys Works (if eligible), and targeted startup cohorts that offer stipends.

Application checklist — business internships (sample)

• 1-page resume: Emphasize leadership (clubs, competitions), relevant coursework (economics, accounting), and sample projects (mini-business plans, social media campaigns).
• Cover note / personal statement (200–400 words): State your learning goals, a short project idea, and what you’ll deliver by the end of the internship.
• Portfolio links: Google Drive project documents, a one-page business plan, slide deck, or a short video pitch.
• Recommendation: A teacher, coach, or mentor who can speak to your reliability and analytical thinking.
• Availability: Weekly hours you can commit (e.g., 8–12 hours/week over 6–8 weeks).

Sample outreach email (for Self-Directed internships)

Subject: Proposal — Short Market Research Project (Remote) — [Your Name]

Hello [Name],

My name is [Your Name], a high school [year] student interested in market research and growth strategy. I admire [Company]'s work in [area] and would like to propose a short, remote project to support your team: a 3-week competitor analysis and customer persona report focused on [topic]. I will deliver a 6-page report with actionable recommendations and a 10-slide summary deck.

I can begin on [date] and commit [x] hours/week. I’m happy to complete a short paid pilot and provide references.

Would you be open to a 10-minute introductory call?

Thank you,
[Your Name] | [email] | [phone]

Costs, scholarships & reducing program fees

Many university-run programs (Wharton, Columbia, Babson) are tuition-based. If cost is a barrier, look for scholarship or need-based aid on the program page, or prioritize no-fee options like Forage, Ladder (some cohorts free), or self-directed paid micro-projects. Local nonprofit or municipal youth programs sometimes provide stipends for business internships; check with your school counselor or local youth employment office.

Safety & verification

When applying to paid remote placements, verify the host organization’s identity (official website, LinkedIn, public contact), request a written scope of work, and avoid offers that request upfront payment from you. For self-directed internships, confirm payment terms in writing and request a small initial milestone payment if possible.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can high school students get paid online business internships?

Yes — paid business opportunities exist (micro-internships, regional paid programs like Genesys Works, some startup cohorts). Platforms like Parker Dewey pay per project but generally require interns to be 18+. For younger students, self-directed paid projects or stipended local nonprofit roles are viable alternatives.

2. Are business simulations like Forage valuable?

Yes. Employer-designed simulations from the Forage platform are widely respected by university admissions and recruiters as proof of applied business thinking — especially when coupled with a project portfolio.

3. How many hours should I expect to commit?

Most online internships expect 6–15 hours/week across several weeks. Intensive bootcamps may require 20–30 hours for short durations. Confirm expected weekly hours before accepting an offer.

4. Should I prioritize paid internships over unpaid ones?

Not necessarily. Prioritize mentorship and deliverables. A well-mentored unpaid internship with a strong deliverable and a letter of recommendation can be more valuable than a paid role that lacks substantive learning.

5. How do I verify a placement agency or aggregator?

Check for transparent host lists, reviews from past participants, clear payment policies, and physical contact details. For placement services (Virtual Internships, Intern Group), read recent reviews and ask for references from past high-school participants.

Related resources

Interested in parallel tracks? See our posts on Paid Remote Internships for High School Students 2026, Virtual STEM Internships, and Online Paid Internships for High School Students 2026 for more options and application templates.