Economics Internships for High School Students 2026

Internships let high schoolers test-drive a field, build professional skills, and earn references long before college. Even a few weeks of real work experience helps clarify your interests and strengthens an application narrative. Economics and finance students gain an edge through quantitative projects, business competitions, and internships that show real-world application.

Opportunities range from NIH and NASA programs to local startups, hospitals, law offices, and research labs; many are summer-based, and a growing number are remote. Look at DECA, FBLA, the National Economics Challenge, and research or internships in finance, policy, and consulting.

Hands-on experience signals maturity and direction, and an internship often becomes the seed of an essay, a recommendation letter, or a long-term mentor relationship.

How to get started with internships

  1. Get concrete about the field and the kind of work you want — 'help a bio lab run assays' beats 'an internship somewhere.'
  2. Map your network first: teachers, family friends, alumni, and local businesses are the most reachable entry points.
  3. Apply early to structured summer programs (NIH, NASA, university labs) as your backbone while you email locally.
  4. Send a short, tailored pitch: who you are, one specific reason you want their work, and exactly how you'd help.
  5. Say yes to small, unglamorous tasks — reliability early turns a two-week trial into a real reference and mentor.

Featured programs

Browse 30+ curated programs for high school students:

  • Scripps Research High School Internship Program — Scripps Research: Gain hands-on biomedical research experience in this free high school internship for grades 11-12. Build STEM skills and boost college applications th
  • White House Internship Program — The White House: Gain hands-on leadership experience with this prestigious White House internship. Perfect for building government skills and boosting college applicat
  • Microsoft High School Internship Program — Microsoft: Paid summer internship offering hands-on computer science experience for high school juniors and seniors. Boost college applications while developing
  • Girls Who Invest Summer Intensive Program — Girls Who Invest: Highly selective free 4-week summer program placing high school girls and nonbinary students at top investment management firms for training in financ
  • Goldman Sachs Possibilities Summit — Goldman Sachs: Selective multi-day career exploration program at Goldman Sachs headquarters for high school juniors from underrepresented groups interested in financ
  • Google Computer Science Summer Institute (CSSI) — Google: Competitive free 3-week Google-hosted summer program in computer science for graduating high school seniors from underrepresented groups, including co
  • Scripps Institution of Oceanography High School Research Program — UC San Diego Scripps Institution of Oceanography: Summer research internship at premier oceanography institution. Work alongside scientists on cutting-edge marine research. Highly competitive, demonst
  • Fermilab TARGET Program — Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory: Summer research internship at premier US particle physics laboratory. Work with world-class physicists on cutting-edge experiments. Exceptional prepar
  • Science Internship Program (SIP) at UC Santa Cruz — UC Santa Cruz: 8-week summer research internship. Students work in UCSC research labs. Competitive admission.
  • NIH Summer Internship Program — National Institutes of Health: Eight-week paid research internship at National Institutes of Health. Work alongside NIH scientists on biomedical research projects.
  • Mount Sinai High School Research Program — Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai: Competitive summer research program at top NYC medical school. Students work in biomedical labs on real research projects. Strong pathway for medical/
  • AAAS Mass Media Science & Engineering Fellows — American Association for the Advancement of Science: Science communication internships at major media outlets.
  • Fred Hutch Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP) — Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center: Paid laboratory internships in cancer and biomedical research.
  • Garcia Summer Scholars Program — Stony Brook University: Residential research program at Stony Brook University.
  • American University Washington Semester for High School — American University: DC-based government and policy summer program at American University. Internships and coursework in the nation's capital.
  • NIH Summer Internship Program in Biomedical Research — National Institutes of Health: Paid 8-week research internship at NIH. Work with leading scientists.
  • BU RISE Internship Program — Boston University: Summer research internship at Boston University. STEM research with BU faculty mentors.
  • Mikva Challenge Summer Fellows — Mikva Challenge: Gain hands-on experience in government and civic leadership with this paid summer internship for grades 10-12. Build skills and strengthen your colleg
  • Dow Jones News Fund — Dow Jones News Fund: Gain hands-on journalism experience through a paid hybrid internship for high school juniors and seniors. Build writing skills and boost your college
  • Palantir Women in Technology Scholarship — Palantir Technologies: Empower your future in computer science with this free scholarship and mentorship opportunity for high school women. Boost skills, gain experience, an
  • WCS High School Internship Program — Wildlife Conservation Society: Explore a paid summer internship at the Bronx Zoo or New York Aquarium! Gain hands-on biology and conservation experience to boost skills and strength
  • Smithsonian Environmental Research Center Internships — Smithsonian Institution: Explore hands-on high school research internships in environmental science at the Smithsonian. Build skills in ecology, boost college applications, an
  • State Department Student Programs — U.S. Department of State: Explore leadership and government through free State Department internships and exchange programs. Gain hands-on diplomacy experience to boost college
  • NASA Internships - High School — NASA: Gain hands-on STEM experience through a paid NASA internship. Perfect for high school students in grades 10-12 to boost college applications and build
  • DOE Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships - HS Track — Department of Energy: Paid high school research internship offering hands-on STEM experience at DOE national labs. Boost your college applications while gaining real-world
  • NIH High School Summer Internship Program (HS-SIP) — National Institutes of Health (OITE): Explore biomedical research through a paid summer internship at NIH labs. Gain hands-on STEM experience, boost college applications, and work with top
  • CodeDay Labs Internship Program — CodeDay: Build real open-source software in this free virtual internship for high schoolers. Gain hands-on coding experience, boost college apps, and learn fro
  • AFRL Scholars Program (High School) — U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory / USRA: Explore a paid high school research internship in STEM with hands-on aerospace and defense projects. Boost college applications and gain real-world ex
  • BioBuilder Apprenticeship Challenge — BioBuilder Educational Foundation: Selective biotech internship and training for high school students in grades 10-12. Build real-world synthetic biology skills and boost college applic
  • TurnUp Pre-College Program — TurnUp: Pre-college program at TurnUp for high school students focusing on youth activism remote internship.

Frequently asked questions

Can high school students really get internships?

Yes, though many formal corporate internships have age limits. Smaller organizations, university labs, nonprofits, and structured summer programs are the most accessible entry points.

Are high school internships paid?

Some are (NIH and certain government and corporate programs), many are unpaid, and some are part of a paid summer program. Filter by cost below.

How do I find an internship with no experience?

Lead with curiosity: email local professionals, use school and family networks, and apply early to structured programs. Our internships guide walks through the process.