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How can a 15-year-old high school student find an in-person finance or investment banking internship for summer 2026?
Hi everyone,
I’m a 15-year-old student at Shiv Nadar School in Gurugram with a strong interest in finance, day trading, and the stock market. I’ve completed a simulated trading project where I earned $19 in two hours through calculated trades, and I’m currently learning about diversification and sector rotation.
I’m looking for a short, in-person (4–6 week) finance or investment banking internship for summer 2026, ideally in New York City or another major financial hub. I’ve already built my resume and portfolio, but most internships I find are for college students.
Can anyone please suggest:
Platforms or organizations that offer in-person internships for high school students in finance or business?
Smaller boutique firms or nonprofits that might accept a motivated high school intern?
Tips on how to reach out to firms directly for a short internship or shadowing opportunity?
Any advice or leads would mean a lot — I’m eager to learn hands-on skills and gain real-world exposure.
Thank you!
— Riaan
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Sean’s Answer
Hi Riaan. Congratulations on your enthusiasm and energy and that you are already thinking ahead on how best to build your career. As for working in the US as an intern, in all likelihood you will have to first be physically in the US and have the legal right to work in the US. It is unlikely a bank will support funding for your travel or work privileges. I imagine you will also need some form of visa or approved immigration status, but I am not well studied in that area. In general, employment before the age of 18 years old in the US requires filing for and receiving what are called "working papers" or "employment certificates". These are typically issued by a local authority and require filling out a form, providing proof of age and ability to work in the US, and be signed by a parent or guardian. Specifically for financial institutions, most internship programs that have open enrollment are for college/university students who are 18 years old or older. You can learn more about these programs by researching internship programs for the major banks: Citi, JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs, Bank of America, etc. There may be some work/study programs open to high school aged students (14 to 17 years old usually) but these are limited and are usually offered through partnerships with local school districts or municipal boards of education. Alternatives to a formal internship with a major bank in the US might be to consider summer jobs or local internships closer to where you currently live and with smaller finance related organizations. Some options could include a local accounting firm, a smaller regional bank, or a law practice. You can gain a lot of foundational learning by helping with basic accounting, bookkeeping, reporting, audit exercises, banking operations, bank teller tasks, etc. You will also have experiences that you can add to your CV/resume. If working for a company doesn't work out, you can also consider volunteer opportunities supporting a local charity, social organization, or library where you can assist with record keeping, bill paying, account management, business operations, etc. All of these things are foundational and good to have on your resume as you gradually build your experiences and qualifications for advanced internship programs. If your goal is to enter an analyst program at a major bank in New York, you should definitely thoroughly research requirements for these programs across multiple banks and begin building networking relationships. Keys to getting accepted to these programs are applying to multiple programs and doing so early, having very good grades, demonstrating good communications skills, building a solid resume of activities that show leadership and intellect qualities, and it definitely helps to have people who can make recommendations for you. Good luck in your career.
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Godfred’s Answer
Hi Riaan,
Great initiative reaching out! Here's a strategy that could give you a real edge while you're still in high school:
Start Building Your Network NOW Through Virtual Channels. Since in-person internships are tough to secure at 15, consider these high-impact alternatives:
LinkedIn Power Moves: Create a professional LinkedIn profile highlighting your trading project and learning journey. Start following and engaging with content from finance professionals, especially those who started young or work at firms you admire. Thoughtful comments on posts can get you noticed.
Virtual Insight Programs: Many major banks (Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, JP Morgan) offer virtual insight days or summer programs specifically for high school students. These are usually 1-3 days, free, and give you insider knowledge plus networking opportunities. Apply to ALL of them for summer 2026. Check out the Wharton Global Youth Program.
The Cold Email That Works: Since you're in Gurugram, reach out to boutique investment firms or wealth management offices in Delhi/Gurugram first. Your email should be concise: who you are, your specific trading project results, and ask for a 2-week unpaid internship or even just job shadowing for a few days. Many smaller firms are more flexible than big banks.
Create Content: Start a finance blog or LinkedIn newsletter documenting your learning journey, market observations, or analysis of Indian stocks. This demonstrates initiative and gives you something concrete to show when you do apply for internships next year.
Competitive Edge: Look into competitions like the Wharton Investment Competition or KWHS (Knowledge@Wharton High School) Investment Competition. Winning or even participating looks exceptional on applications.
The truth is, the relationships and knowledge you build now will matter more than a single internship. By the time you're applying to college analyst programs, you'll have a compelling story of sustained interest and self-driven learning.
Keep that momentum going!
Great initiative reaching out! Here's a strategy that could give you a real edge while you're still in high school:
Start Building Your Network NOW Through Virtual Channels. Since in-person internships are tough to secure at 15, consider these high-impact alternatives:
LinkedIn Power Moves: Create a professional LinkedIn profile highlighting your trading project and learning journey. Start following and engaging with content from finance professionals, especially those who started young or work at firms you admire. Thoughtful comments on posts can get you noticed.
Virtual Insight Programs: Many major banks (Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, JP Morgan) offer virtual insight days or summer programs specifically for high school students. These are usually 1-3 days, free, and give you insider knowledge plus networking opportunities. Apply to ALL of them for summer 2026. Check out the Wharton Global Youth Program.
The Cold Email That Works: Since you're in Gurugram, reach out to boutique investment firms or wealth management offices in Delhi/Gurugram first. Your email should be concise: who you are, your specific trading project results, and ask for a 2-week unpaid internship or even just job shadowing for a few days. Many smaller firms are more flexible than big banks.
Create Content: Start a finance blog or LinkedIn newsletter documenting your learning journey, market observations, or analysis of Indian stocks. This demonstrates initiative and gives you something concrete to show when you do apply for internships next year.
Competitive Edge: Look into competitions like the Wharton Investment Competition or KWHS (Knowledge@Wharton High School) Investment Competition. Winning or even participating looks exceptional on applications.
The truth is, the relationships and knowledge you build now will matter more than a single internship. By the time you're applying to college analyst programs, you'll have a compelling story of sustained interest and self-driven learning.
Keep that momentum going!