10 Finance Internships for High School Students
- Estelle Reardon
- a few seconds ago
- 8 min read
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A finance internship for high school students can be the first step on an exciting career path in fields such as investment banking, wealth management, or financial planning. These internships offer real-world experience, valuable skills, and the chance for students to explore a field before making a full commitment.
Why Do Internships in High School?
Finance internships for high school students—and high school internships in general—provide a significant boost in a student’s odds of admission at a top college. The University of Chicago’s student-run consultancy, PRISM, found that 70% of students attending U.S. News Top 50 universities completed at least one internship while in high school.
Engaging in a high school internship demonstrates to colleges a student’s ambition to explore areas of interest outside the classroom and a commitment to confirm their interests with real-world experience. A high school resume is a great way for students to stand out among competitive fields of college applicants.
A high school internship can also open the door to future activities. For example, securing a high school finance internship can make it easier to land an internship in college. It can also make it easier to gain admission to pre-professional groups such as the Future Business Leaders of America, DECA, investment clubs, and affinity groups like Women in Finance.
How to Find Finance Internships for High School Students
Online search tools and lists are a proven method for discovering high school internships. StandOutSearch is one notable tool—it’s the largest free online database of internships for high school age students. MIT Admissions also provides a helpful collection of prestigious summer internships and programs for high schoolers.
Official internship programs are often extremely competitive, making cold outreach—reaching out directly to potential internship providers to inquire about opportunities—one of the best strategies for securing an internship. In the world of finance, networking is key, especially for high school students.
Cold outreach can be intimidating; however, the guide and templates located at the end of this article help simplify the process and make the process of securing an internship straightforward.
10 Finance Internships for High School Students
Most of the finance internships for high school students below have an acceptance rate of 20% or lower, given that there are many more high school students looking for finance 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!
In general, the finance internships for high school students below have acceptance rates below 20%; consequently, we recommend applying to at least five opportunities. If an internship catches your eye, add its deadline to your calendar, so you don’t miss out on an exciting opportunity.
Ages: 15-19
Location: Virtual
Timeline: Summer, Spring, Fall, or Winter
Deadline: Various Deadlines
StandOut Connect pairs high‑achieving high school students with virtual internship opportunities tailored to their career interests in fields ranging from finance to healthcare, law, the arts, and beyond. The program is supported by StandOutSearch—the nation’s largest free high school internship database—and has earned recognition in publications such as Forbes.
StandOut Connect was created with support from the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the University of Chicago.
Ages: Juniors and Seniors
Location: Princeton, New Jersey
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: April 5
This 10-week, paid summer internship is a fantastic chance for students interested in finance to gain firsthand experience working with venture capitalists and entrepreneurs. Interns will assist with tasks such as:
Investment analysis
Portfolio monitoring
Deal sourcing
Market research
Administrative superior
Competition is intense for this internship, with hundreds of high schoolers vying for just three or four positions.
Ages: Sophomores and Juniors
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: March 31
The Chicago Summer Business Institute (CSBI) puts talented high school students on the path to successful business careers by connecting them with summer internships. Participants gain real-world experience, develop valuable skills, and begin building a strong network of business connections.
Ages: 16-19
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Timeline: Year-round
Deadline: Rolling
High schoolers can build hands-on nonprofit experience through this sports-oriented intnerhsip. Interns assist in a number of fields, including:
Event managementÂ
MarketingÂ
Public relationsÂ
Youth programs
Interns must commit to working a minimum of 15 hours a week and be available to work San Antonio sports events, many of which occur in the evening and on weekends.
Ages: 15-19
Location: New York, New York; other global locations
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: Varies
JP Morgan Chase offers two paths for high school students to learn about and work in the financial sector: school programs or an apprenticeship. These programs allow high schoolers to work in one of their businesses or corporate functions. Interns are assigned projects, attend meetings, and interact with managers—all while gaining industry insight and developing technical and soft skills.
Ages: 16-19
Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: Contact for deadline
Today’s Interns, Tomorrow’s Professionals (TIP) gives Greater Boston high school students the opportunity to gain work experience and build skills through a summer job, coaching, and workshops. Participants leave the program with a strong foundation for long-term career success and financial stability.
Ages: 14-17
Location: Houston, Texas
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: TBD
This business-focused summer program from the University of Houston teaches students how to control their finances and plan for their future. Participants explore topics like personal financial planning, money management, budgeting, and goal setting. The institute is led by finance professors, professionals, and students.
Ages: 16-17
Location: Des Moines, Iowa
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: Varies
Iowa Jobs for America’s Graduates (iJAG) Associates engage in career development programming, leadership training, and career exploration. Students participate in work- and project-based learning, gain on-site experience, connect with mentors, and ultimately build the skills, knowledge, and experience that form the foundation of a successful professional life.
Ages: Rising Juniors
Location: Knoxville, Tennessee
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: April 10
This six-day summer program introduces high schoolers to the fields of accounting and information management, along with other business focused careers. Participants explore topics like accounting, entrepreneurship, and finance while engaging in workshops focused on everything from college readiness to financial literacy.
Ages: Juniors and Seniors
Location: Various Locations
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: TBD
This prestigious program pairs high schoolers with eight-week internships at nonprofits. Interns gain direct experience with how nonprofits work with governments and businesses to meet the needs of the community while gaining real-world experience and developing transferable skills.
The program culminates with an all-expenses-paid trip to the Student Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C.
Cold Outreach Strategy for High School InternshipsÂ
If none of the finance internships for high school students listed above are a good fit for you, consider forming a cold outreach plan. Many students find cold outreach intimidating, but the guide below should lessen any anxiety—plus, the ability to build connections and create opportunities are two skills that are extremely valuable to careers in finance.
How to Find Companies to Reach Out to for a High School InternshipÂ
LinkedIn is a powerful tool for high schoolers searching for internship opportunities. Use it to discover small companies or startups where you can assist with jobs like entering data, organizing documents, and assisting with presentations. Smaller companies and startups typically need more hands on deck and are more likely to hire high school students.
When reaching out to professionals, be sure to express your interest in and understanding of the finance world, and clearly share what specifically interests you—such as investment banking, consulting, private equity, marketing, or real estate. This is especially true when your interests align with the work of the person you’re reaching out to. Also, look to make connections on a more personal level, such as coming from the same hometown, sharing a hobby, or a passion for a particular sports team.
When reaching out to professionals you don’t know, be sure to exercise caution. Virtual meetings and interviews provide a safe alternative to meeting in person.
How to Find Professors to Reach Out to for a High School Research PositionÂ
University faculty directories online are a great place for finding professors who might be open to having a high school student assist with their research. Remote roles are relatively uncommon, as most professors rely on high school interns to help with hands‑on tasks.
One exception is computational research. Projects that involve data analysis or coding sometimes allow for remote participation. The caveat is that they typically expect you to have at least a beginner’s grasp of coding languages like Python or R. The good news is that you can build those skills independently, at no cost, and within a few months through resources like Coursera’s Python for Everybody and R Programming.
How to Structure and Send Outreach EmailsÂ
Aim to send at least 50 emails to potential internship providers as part of your cold outreach strategy. Limit your resume to one page and include it as a Google Drive link to your email (ensure the link’s settings allow anyone with it to view its contents). Links are preferable to PDFs and Docs, which can negatively impact email deliverability.
Also, make sure to include any relevant work experience—for example, expertise with Excel, familiarity with customer management systems, or the results of a competition, like a stock market simulation you participated in.
If you don’t have a resume yet, now is the perfect time to create one—you’ll use it throughout your academic and professional career. Our resume guide and template will help you get started crafting a resume that can land you internships and, eventually, jobs. 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 pursuing well‑known programs or sending cold outreach emails, sticking with the search is ultimately what often makes or breaks landing a finance internship in high school. These positions are competitive and sometimes discouraging to chase, but many students discover that the early exposure and experience are well worth the effort.
If this guide was useful, bookmark it or pass it along to someone else who might benefit. Wishing you success in your internship hunt!