10 Prestigious Economics Internships for High School Students
Doing an economics internship offers valuable real-world experience in the field. You will gain insight into economic principles, data analysis, and decision-making processes within various industries. Additionally, internships foster crucial skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication, which employers seek.Â
Early exposure to professional environments in economics can significantly enhance your college applications, demonstrating a proactive approach to academic and career pursuits. Admissions committees value candidates who explore their field of interest beyond the classroom, indicating interest and commitment. Internships provide concrete examples of applying theoretical knowledge in practical settings, showcasing readiness for college.Â
In this blog, we have curated a list of 10 of the best economics internships for high school students. Note that the following information is based on the most recent program, with dates subject to change but generally similar from year to year.
Cost: Starting at $2,490 (financial aid available)
Location:Â Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Application Deadline:Â Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).Â
Program Dates:Â Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students! In the program, you work with a high-growth start-up on an internship. Start-ups that offer internships range across a variety of industries, from tech/deep tech and AI/ML to health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. You can explore all the options here on their application form. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies on average raising over a million dollars. In the program, interns work closely with their managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects and present their work to the company. The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long.
Location: Washington, D.C.
Stipend: Hourly stipend provided
Program Dates: 8 weeks (June — August)
Application Deadline: The application process for the program will open in the fall.
Eligibility:Â Current high school juniors and seniors
The Bank of America Student Leaders Program presents an exceptional opportunity for students interested in accounting, business, and finance. From budgeting to financial analysis and planning, you will receive a well-rounded education by working on projects. What sets this program apart is its emphasis on community involvement and networking. You will be placed with a local nonprofit for a paid internship and attend a leadership summit in Washington, D.C. This program allows you to contribute to your community while exploring the business and economic aspects of nonprofits. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.
Location: You can intern at a Kaiser Permanente Medical Center or business office closest to where you are. Find a location near you.
Stipend: Students are paid $15.50 — $18 per hour (the exact amount varies by city).
Program Dates: June 17 — August 2 (7 weeks)
Application Deadline: Check the program page for updates.
Eligibility: Current high school students aged 16–19 with U.S. work eligibility and permanent residence in a Northern California Kaiser Permanente designated service area. Students should be available to commute to the site and work full-time.
Kaiser Permanente, a global leader in healthcare and insurance, offers summer internship opportunities for high school students. The program has diverse tracks, including administration, business, accounting, sales and marketing, communications, and product development. Interns benefit from weekly workshops focusing on personal and professional skill development alongside collaboration with mentors, supervisors, and peers. Social events, work activities, and community service projects will introduce you to the healthcare industry. Explore various internship and career areas here. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.
Location: Chicago, IL
Stipend: Paid (amount not specified)
Program Dates: June-August (6 weeks)
Application Deadline: Applications will open in spring
Eligibility: High school sophomores or juniors residing in Chicago with a B or 3.0 average and family income below $80,000/year
The Chicago Summer Business Institute provides paid internships to high school students in the financial services sector. This internship program offers practical experiences and classroom learning, comprising workshops, seminars, projects, discussions, career development, and networking events. Alumni have interned with organizations such as Siebert Brandford Shank and Co., CSBI, the City of Chicago Department of Finance, and Cabrera Capital Markets. Many have pursued further education in economics, business, and finance, including MBAs. Emphasizing inclusivity, the program caters to students from low-income backgrounds.
Location:Â New York City
Stipend:Â You get a paid four-year internship and a full-tuition scholarship
Program Dates:Â Throughout high school!
Application Deadline: They are expected to open in January based on the previous year’s schedules
Eligibility:Â High-achieving graduating seniors in New York City
JP Morgan’s Smart Start program presents an opportunity for graduating seniors who want to pursue careers in finance. This program offers a long-term internship coupled with a full four-year scholarship to an approved college or university. You will engage in part-time work during the school year and transition to full-time roles during the summer, gaining valuable experience across various J.P. Morgan businesses or corporate functions. The internship provides a solid foundation for your career. With a rotational structure, the program offers experience in a different department each year. Over 300 alumni of this program continue to work for the company.
Location: New York City
Stipend:Â $25 an hour
Program Dates:Â 3 weeks in July
Application Deadline: Unspecified
Eligibility: Rising junior or senior in high school who lives in commutable proximity to the KPMG local office and can participate in person during normal business hours
The KPMG U.S. Empower High School Experience provides an introduction to accounting and professional services. You will learn about fundamental accounting principles, auditing procedures, tax concepts, and advisory services, moving beyond theoretical learning through interactive workshops and case studies. You will hone your problem-solving skills and critical thinking abilities. You will also connect with KPMG professionals, gaining valuable insights to make informed career decisions. Additionally, access to guest lectures and workshops by industry experts will enrich your understanding.
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Program Dates: August-May (during the school year)
Application Deadline: Applications open in early February. Deadlines vary for different positions.
Eligibility: High school students
The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is a US Department of Energy national laboratory overseen by the Department of Energy’s Office of Science. Students participating in this program attend half-day school classes and dedicate up to four hours daily, five days a week, to working with the laboratory. During this internship, you will participate in a range of educational and leadership development activities, including laboratory demonstrations, field trips, communications, and career awareness workshops. Career areas within economics include Finance and Business Services, Facilities and Operations, and Communications!
Location: Kansas City, MO / Columbus, OH
Stipend: $10 per hour + $1,250 scholarship per session!
Program Dates: Typically 2 sessions from June to August. Students can attend either or both.
Application Deadline: TBA
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors who reside in Kansas City or Columbus
The Young Entrepreneurs Program (YEP) collaborates with regional Midwest companies to provide internship opportunities for high school students. Selected interns benefit from hands-on experience and mentorship from industry professionals. You will engage with professionals across fields spanning analytical finance, marketing, and engineering. Alumni pursue higher education programs, launch their own ventures, participate in economic forums, and work in financial investment. You can learn more about alumni experiences here!
Location: Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend:Â Paid
Program Dates: 5 weeks from July — August
Application Deadline: TBA
Eligibility:Â High school students can apply!
The Fidelity Investments Asset Management High School Summer Internship offers an exploration of accounting and finance, focusing on asset management. You will gain practical experience in investment strategies, financial analysis, risk management, and portfolio management. By working on projects, you will apply economic theories to practical situations, developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills essential in the field of economics. Upon completion, you will gain a deeper understanding of asset management and receive a certificate.Â
Location: Seattle, WA
Stipend: Paid (amount not specified)
Program Dates: June-August for summer internships (length varies)
Application Deadline: Applications for the summer internship will open in May!
Eligibility: High school students (recent graduates included) who are at least 16 years old and have U.S. work authorization
The Port of Seattle internships allow high school students to collaborate with a respected public organization, engaging in projects that impact the local economy and communities. You may work at locations including SEA airport or organizations along the Seattle waterfront. The program offers various career focus areas, including green jobs, community engagement, governance, maritime operations, and aviation operations. Throughout the internship, you will develop skills crucial for corporate environments, such as process improvement, project management, communications, and networking. Mentorship meetings, facility tours, and workshops enrich the program.
Another option — the Lumiere Research Scholar Program!
If you are looking to start your research journey with 1–1 mentorship from a top Ph.D. scholar in economics, check out the Lumiere Research Scholar Program, a selective online high school program for students founded by researchers at Harvard and Oxford. You can find the application form here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
Trisha Malhotra, an Ashoka University alumna, has 5 years of experience being a freelance writer and currently writes for Lumiere Education. She is passionate about music, reading, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, as well as a devoted cat parent.
Image Source: Ladder logo