10 Business Internships for High School Students in Chicago
- Estelle Reardon
- 20 hours ago
- 7 min read
What We Cover:
An interest in business can lead to a wide range of rewarding careers, from financial analyst to founder. Regardless of your long-term professional goals, a business internship for high school students in Chicago, or internships in general, can provide valuable experience and set you on a path to success.
Why Do Internships in High School?
Business internships for high school students in Chicago offer numerous benefits for teens interested in making an impact in the corporate and entrepreneurial worlds. One advantage is that they increase the odds of admission to a top college. The consultancy Prism found that 70% of students at U.S. News Top 50 universities engaged in at least one internship during high school.
High schoolers who complete an internship stand out in the crowded field of college applicants; when nearly every applicant demonstrates academic excellence, an internship is a powerful way to set yourself apart. A high school internship shows that you’ve explored your interests outside of the classroom and have begun building the requisite experience and skills needed to pursue a degree, and ultimately, a career in the field.
Completing a high school internship also makes it easier to join professional groups like entrepreneurship clubs, investing groups, and DECA chapters. They also make it easier to land an internship while in college.
How to Find Business Internships for High School Students in Chicago
Online lists and search tools are great tools for discovering opportunities like business internships for high school students in Chicago. StandOutSearch is one such tool. StandOutSearch is the largest free online database of high school internships and is easily searchable using filters like location, area of interest, and season.
One challenge of official internship programs is that they’re often hyper-competitive—there are more high school students interested in internships than open positions. Students serious about landing an internship will also want to develop a cold outreach strategy—that is, a plan for contacting professionals and businesses about potential internship opportunities.
Many people find the prospect of cold outreach daunting, but the guide and templates included further below streamline the process and should help ease any anxiety.
10 Business Internships for High School Students in Chicago
Most of the business internships for high school students in Chicago below have an acceptance rate of 20% or lower, given that there are many more high school students looking for internships relative to official programs that provide them. We recommend choosing at least five opportunities to apply to. If you see an opportunity that excites you, take a moment to write the deadline on your calendar!
Ages: 15-19
Location: Virtual
Timeline: Summer, Spring, Fall, or Winter
Deadline: Various Deadlines
StandOut Connect opens doors for high-achieving high school students by matching them with virtual internships tailored to their interests—whether in business, the arts, STEM, or beyond.
Powered by StandOutSearch, the nation’s largest free internship database for high schoolers, StandOut Connect has been featured in Forbes and was launched with support from the University of Chicago’s Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
Ages: Juniors and Seniors
Location: Chicago, IL
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: March 15
Job1 is an eight-week paid summer internship providing high school juniors and seniors with career-readiness and real-world experience working with local businesses and nonprofits in the Chicago area. In addition to an internship, participants also attend job training programs, a career fair, and work on a volunteer service project.
Ages: Sophomores and Juniors
Location: Chicago, IL
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: March 31
This program introduces Chicago high schoolers to careers in the financial service sector, and has run since 1991—more than 30 years! Participants engage in a paid summer internship while building valuable skills like leadership and gaining real-world work experience.
Ages: Juniors and Seniors
Location: Various locations, including Chicago
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: TBD
This highly regarded program places high schoolers in paid eight-week summer internships with local nonprofits. The program culminates with participants from around the country gathering (all-expenses paid) at the Student Leader Summit in Washington, D.C. Interns learn firsthand how government, business, and nonprofits work together to address community needs while building leadership and gaining work experience.
Ages: Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors
Location: Chicago, IL
Timeline: Academic Year
Deadline: TBD
The Urban Alliance High School Internship Program is a nine-month program providing intensive workforce readiness training and paid internships. Ultimately, participants leave the program with the skills, experience, and support needed to succeed in their chosen careers.
Ages: Juniors
Location: Varies
Timeline: Year-round
Deadline: TBD
The National Security Agency (NSA) High School Work Study Program offers paid internships to high school juniors. Participants assist with tasks including assisting with office administration, computers and technology, and logistics.
Ages: 15-18
Location: Chicago, IL
Timeline: Varies
Deadline: January 12
Participants in this three-week paid internship program gain firsthand startup experience, working with professional entrepreneurs and peers to create and pitch a business idea. Students also learn about career paths, build STEM skills, and grow their network of entrepreneurs, tech leaders, and like-minded peers in a fun and supportive environment.
Ages: Seniors
Location: Chicago, IL
Timeline: Year-round
Deadline: TBD
Participants in this exciting program spend eight weeks training in the summer and engage in a paid internship during the academic year—working 20 hours a week in an entry-level role with a top company. In addition to earning between $10,000 and $13,000, participants build professional skills, gain experience, grow their network, and expand their resume.
Students also receive college and career coaching, plus get assistance completing college applications and applying for financial aid.
Ages: Seniors
Location: Across the U.S.
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: Early January
The Emma Bowen Foundation (EBF) prepares future business and media leaders through hands-on paid internships with top companies in media, entertainment, and technology. Participants have the opportunity for one-on-one mentorship and coaching, connect with top executives, and engage in professional development workshops and conferences.
Ages: 16-18
Location: Across the U.S.
Timeline: Year-round
Deadline: Varies
This internship program, offered by the U.S. Department of State, provides high school students with a unique opportunity to explore careers in federal government, gain hands-on professional experience, and earn a paycheck while building skills that can jumpstart their future in public service.
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Cold Outreach Strategy for High School Business InternshipsÂ
The internships above are great opportunities, but if they’re not right for you, you’ll want to launch a cold outreach strategy to find a business internship for high schoolers in Chicago. Cold outreach can feel overwhelming, but the guide and templates below simplify the process.
How to Find Companies to Reach Out to for a High School Internship
Search for small companies where you can assist with tasks like data entry, maintaining spreadsheets, administration, and social media using LinkedIn. Small companies often find themselves understaffed, making them more likely to take on a high school student as an intern.
When reaching out to professionals, try to make personal connections. For example, bonding over a favorite finance-focused podcast, subscribing to a popular publication like The Wall Street Journal, or something simpler, such as rooting for the same sports team.
Keep safety in mind when connecting with professionals you don’t know—virtual interviews and meetings are the most risk-free options.
How to Find Professors to Reach Out to for a High School Research Position
University faculty directories are a useful starting point when searching for professors to contact about research opportunities. Keep in mind, however, that remote positions for high school students are relatively rare. In most cases, professors rely on high school interns to provide hands-on lab support.
One notable exception is computational research, where projects often involve analyzing large datasets. For this type of work, a foundational understanding of programming languages such as Python or R is essential. Luckily, you can learn both languages on your own for no cost within a few months through platforms like Coursera’s R Programming or Python for Everybody.
How to Structure and Send Outreach Emails
The more doors you knock on, the better chances of one opening—aim to send at least 50 emails with a Google link to your resume—it’s less likely to interfere with delivery than a PDF or Doc—to potential internship providers. Be sure to:
Make sure the link’s setting allows anyone with it to view its contents
Include any relevant work experience, such as customer service, data entry, or logistical support
Share any pertinent projects, such as social media campaigns you’ve run, websites you created, or promotional materials you’ve created
You’ll need a resume, and if you don’t have one, now is the perfect time to create it. Our resume template and tips are a great place to get started—it offers everything you need to know to wow potential internship providers. The University of Chicago also provides a handy resume toolkit.
Email Template for Finding a High School InternshipÂ
If you are unsure how to structure your outreach emails to potential internship providers, here are some basic templates you can customize to your needs.Â
Template for Finding an Internship
Subject: Student Reaching Out
Dear Mr./Ms.____,
I hope you are having a great day! My name is [your name], and I am a rising [grade] at [your school]. I read about your company on LinkedIn and found the concept quite interesting. For context, [briefly state how the company relates to your interests or experience].Â
I was wondering if you might be looking for interns. I know I would have a great deal to learn from working with you, and I would love to contribute in any way I can. I have included my resume here. Thanks so much!
Sincerely,Â
[Your name]
Template for Finding a Research Position
Subject: Student Reaching Out
Dear Professor/Dr. ____,
I hope you are having a great day! My name is [your name], and I am a rising [grade] at [your school]. I recently read your paper on [restate the abstract] in [name of publication] and was quite intrigued by [part you found interesting]. I was wondering if I might be able to intern for you over this summer. [Elaborate on your relevant skills and experience and why you are passionate about the field].Â
I have included my resume here. Thanks so much!Â
Sincerely,
[Your name]
Conclusion
Whether you’re applying to formal internship programs or reaching out directly to professionals, persistence is key to landing a high school internship. These opportunities can be competitive, but the rewards are significant: exposure to career paths and hands-on experience that sets you apart.
If you found this guide helpful, be sure to bookmark it or share it with someone else searching for opportunities. Wishing you success as you take the first steps toward an internship!