Classroom learning is important, but nothing compares to the hands-on experience you gain through an internship. For students in 2026, internships provide career-building opportunities that employers value : real projects, professional mentorship, and networking. Whether you’re searching for a paid internship, summer internship, or remote internship, this list of the best internships for students highlights top programs for high school, college, and graduate students.
Best Internships for Students in 2026
Home Depot Summer Internship – Paid Internship for Students
Deadline: 10/31/25 The Home Depot Summer Internship is available to undergraduate and graduate students. This 11-week student internship provides hands-on corporate experience in merchandising, supply chain, finance, human resources, operations, and more. Interns gain leadership development, professional training, and networking opportunities. Locations are primarily in Atlanta, GA, with some remote internships offered.Daily Show Internship – Media Internship for College Students
Deadline: 11/10/25 The Daily Show Internship is perfect for students interested in TV production and media. College interns learn directly from departments like Audience, Talent, Post-Production, and Field to gain experience in how a national show is produced daily.Dow Jones Internship – Paid Internship for College Juniors and Graduates
Deadline: 11/14/25PGA TOUR Internship Program – Paid Internship for Students
Deadline: 1/9/26 The PGA TOUR Internship Program is open to junior-level undergraduate and graduate students. Internships are offered in event operations, broadcasting, communications, finance, digital content, HR, and technology. Interns gain a behind-the-scenes look at professional sports while developing real-world business and leadership skills.NASA Internship – Paid Internship for High School and College Students
Deadline: 2/27/26 The NASA Internship is available to high school, college, and graduate students who are U.S. citizens. Students must be enrolled full-time with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Opportunities include science, engineering, business, and administrative roles. Interns gain hands-on research and project experience while supporting NASA’s mission.Lettuce Entertain You Summer Internship Program – Hospitality Internship for Students
Deadline: 4/10/26 This summer internship is available to students with at least one year of customer service or hospitality experience. Interns work in Lettuce Entertain You restaurants in Illinois, D.C., Texas, California, and other states. The program includes weekly virtual learning sessions, restaurant industry projects, and a final presentation at a Chicago expo.Nike Internship – Paid Internship for College Students
Deadline: Varies The Nike Internship is available to undergraduate and graduate students. Internships for students are offered in design, engineering, finance, marketing, supply chain, and more. Interns gain resume-building skills, participate in workshops and speaker events, and enjoy campus perks like fitness centers and discounts. Most internships are in Beaverton, OR; Converse internships are in Boston, MA.San Diego Zoo Summer Internship – Paid Internship for Students
Deadline: Varies The San Diego Zoo Internship is open to undergraduate students passionate about wildlife conservation. Internships are offered in social media, wildlife care, horticulture, and IT. Interns gain field experience and tailored education from zoo experts.GE Aerospace Internship – Paid Internship for College Students
Deadline: Varies The GE Aerospace Internship is available to undergraduate and graduate students. Internships are offered in engineering, IT, healthcare, aviation, business, marketing, and more. Interns gain 10–12 weeks of hands-on experience, working with leaders in the aerospace industry.BMW Group Internship – Paid Internship for Students
Deadline: Varies The BMW Group Internship is open to sophomores and above, as well as graduate students, with a 3.0 GPA. Internships cover engineering, communications, finance, marketing, IT, logistics, and more. Interns gain financial support, professional experience, and networking opportunities at BMW U.S. locations.Adobe Internship – Paid Internship for College Students
Deadline: Varies The Adobe Internship is available to undergraduate and graduate students. Technical internships are offered in software engineering, UI design, and computer science. Non-technical internships are available in HR, finance, marketing, and legal. Interns gain real-world project experience and professional mentorship.Disney Internship – Paid Internship for Students
Deadline: Varies The Disney Internship is open to students 18 and older. Opportunities include journalism, production, entertainment, costuming, engineering, and marketing. Interns receive professional training, exclusive perks like complimentary park admission, and wellness resources.NVIDIA Internship – Paid Internship for College Students
Deadline: Varies The NVIDIA Internship is available to undergraduate and graduate students in engineering, marketing, research, and finance. Interns contribute to innovative projects, connect with top industry professionals, and gain skills for future employment.Bank of America Summer Internship – Paid Internship for Students
Deadline: Varies The Bank of America Summer Internship is available to undergraduate and graduate students, with preference for those with a 3.2 GPA. Internships in banking, markets, finance, and technology provide hands-on training, networking events, and professional development.Sony Internship – Paid Internship for College Students
Deadline: Varies The Sony Internship is available to juniors, seniors, and graduate students with a 3.0 GPA. Opportunities are offered across Sony Music, Pictures, PlayStation, and more. Interns work on real projects and learn from mentors in entertainment and technology.TikTok Internship – Paid Internship for Students
Deadline: Varies The TikTok Internship is open to students in marketing, business, design, computer science, or related fields. Interns support digital media projects, reporting, and content optimization while developing professional skills.Mayo Clinic Internship – Paid Internship for College Students
Deadline: Varies The Mayo Clinic Internship is available to undergraduate and graduate students interested in healthcare and research. Internships cover nursing, lab sciences, IT, administration, and more. Interns gain clinical and research skills in a supportive learning environment.Royal Caribbean Cruise Line Internship – Paid Internship for Students
Deadline: Varies The Royal Caribbean Internship is available to undergraduate and graduate students with a 3.5 GPA. Internships include finance, IT, business, and project management. Interns benefit from mentorship, philanthropy days, and exclusive networking events in Miami, FL.Schneider Electric Internship – Paid Internship for College Students
Deadline: Varies The Schneider Electric Internship is available to undergraduate and graduate students in logistics, sales, HR, IT, marketing, and technical fields. Interns contribute to innovative energy management projects and gain global industry experience.SpaceX Internship – Paid Internship for Students
Deadline: Varies The SpaceX Internship is available to undergraduates and recent graduates with a 3.5 GPA. Opportunities are offered year-round in engineering, business, and operations. Interns gain hands-on experience at one of the most innovative companies in the aerospace industry.Amazon Internship – Paid Internship for College Students
Deadline: Varies The Amazon Internship is available to undergraduates and MBA students. Interns lead impactful projects in business, operations, marketing, and technology. This internship offers high visibility within Amazon’s global business.Salesforce Internship – Paid Internship for Students
Deadline: Varies The Salesforce Internship is open to juniors, seniors, and graduate students. Internships cover software engineering, sales, UX, marketing, and corporate roles. Interns participate in global projects, mentorships, and professional training.Oracle Internship – Paid Internship for College Students
Deadline: Varies The Oracle Internship is available to upper-level undergraduates and graduate students. Internships are offered in engineering, finance, marketing, data science, and legal. Interns tackle real-world business challenges while gaining professional mentorship.Apple Internship – Paid Internship for Students
Deadline: Varies The Apple Internship is open to undergraduate and graduate students in computer science, business, marketing, music, environmental studies, and more. Interns gain 12 weeks of professional training while working on cutting-edge projects in Santa Clara Valley, CA.United Airlines Internship – Paid Internship for College Students
Deadline: Varies The United Airlines Internship is available to undergraduate and graduate students. Internships are offered in business, technology, finance, and airport operations. Interns gain real-world aviation experience and enjoy travel benefits.JP Morgan Chase Internship – Paid Internship for Students
Deadline: Varies The JP Morgan Chase Internship is available to upper-level undergraduates and graduate students with a 3.2 GPA. Opportunities include banking, wealth management, commercial finance, and technology. Interns gain high-level business experience and mentorship.ACLU Internship – Paid Internship for College Students
Deadline: Varies The ACLU Internship is available to undergraduate and graduate students passionate about civil rights. Internships include legal, advocacy, development, and communications roles. Interns contribute to meaningful work advancing civil liberties.Live Nation Internship – Paid Internship for Students
Deadline: Varies The Live Nation Internship is open to students interested in the live entertainment industry. Internships are offered in marketing, finance, ticketing, operations, artist services, HR, and technology. Interns gain real-world music and entertainment experience while working on high-profile events.Internships for High School Students (2026)
High school internships help students explore career paths, build a resume early, and earn experience before college. While paid internships for high school students are competitive, opportunities exist in STEM, healthcare, government, and community organizations. Many programs also offer summer internships, remote internships, or for-credit service learning.
Where to Find High School Internships
- School resources: Ask your counselor, CTE coordinator, or a favorite teacher about local student internship and job-shadow programs.
- Local employers and nonprofits: Hospitals, labs, libraries, museums, city offices, animal shelters, and small businesses often host high school interns.
- University and government programs: Look for pre-college research, youth apprenticeships, and summer institutes run by colleges, state agencies, and national labs.
- Virtual options: Many organizations now offer remote internships for high school students with flexible schedules.
Popular Internship Areas for Teens
- STEM and research (biology, engineering, coding)
- Healthcare support (clinical exposure, public health, community care)
- Civic and legal (city hall, courts, policy, community advocacy)
- Media and marketing (social content, graphic design, events)
- Business and entrepreneurship (retail operations, small-business projects)
How to Apply (and Stand Out)
- Timeline: Start your search in winter; many summer internships for students open applications between January–March.
- Materials: A one-page resume, short cover letter, and a teacher recommendation are typical; portfolios help for design/CS.
- Eligibility: Age minimums and GPA benchmarks vary; some programs are paid, others offer college credit or community-service hours.
- Goals: Use each experience to test majors, build skills, and collect references for future college internships.
Quick FAQ: High School Internships
Are high school internships paid? Some are; many offer stipends, credit, or travel support. Check each listing’s details.
Can freshmen or sophomores apply? Yes—some programs accept younger students; others target juniors/seniors.
Do virtual internships count? Absolutely. Remote student internships still build skills, references, and portfolio projects.
Internships for College Students (2026)
Internships for college students are a proven path to full-time offers, professional networks, and industry-ready skills. The most competitive paid internships and summer internships recruit early, so plan ahead for 2026.
Types of College Internships
- Summer internships (paid): 8–12 weeks, full-time, ideal for resume building and post-graduate conversion.
- Semester internships: Part-time during fall/spring with the option to earn college credit.
- Remote internships: Flexible roles in software, data, design, marketing, writing, and customer research.
- Co-ops: Longer, full-time rotations that alternate with academic terms for deep experience.
When to Apply (2026 Timeline)
- August–October 2025: Tech, finance, consulting, and Fortune 500 summer 2026 internships open first.
- November–February: Rolling deadlines across healthcare, media, nonprofit, government, and startups.
- March–April: Late-cycle roles and remote internships for college students continue to post.
How to Be a Competitive Candidate
- Resume and keywords: Mirror the job description (skills, tools, majors); quantify results and projects.
- Portfolio and GitHub: Showcase class projects, research, code samples, designs, writing, or analytics work.
- Career center and faculty: Use Handshake, mock interviews, resume reviews, and department referrals.
- Networking: Alumni outreach and informational interviews speed up internship referrals.
- Credit and eligibility: Confirm GPA minimums, work authorization, CPT/OPT (if applicable), and credit options.
By Major: Examples of Internship Focus
- Computer Science and Data: Software engineering, product, data analytics, ML/AI, security.
- Business, Finance and Accounting: Corporate finance, FP&A, audit, consulting, banking, operations.
- Marketing and Communications: Brand strategy, growth marketing, PR, social media, content.
- Health and Life Sciences: Research labs, public health, hospital admin, biotech operations.
- Engineering (Mech/EE/CE): manufacturing, quality, supply chain, hardware, aerospace.
- Humanities and Social Sciences: Policy, legal, education, research, publishing, nonprofit.
Conversion Tips: Turn Your Internship into a Job
- Create impact: Contribute to a project that makes a measurable difference and strengthens your resume.
- Document wins: Keep a weekly log of metrics, skills learned, and feedback.
- Ask for feedback: Mid-internship check-ins help you course-correct and exceed expectations.
- Request references: Leave with at least one manager or mentor willing to be a reference.
Quick FAQ: College Internships
Are most college internships paid? Many are, especially in tech, finance, and engineering; others offer credit or stipends.
Can I get college credit? Sometimes. Coordinate with your academic advisor and follow your department’s internship-for-credit policy.
Do remote internships help? Yes! Employers value real project outcomes and professional communication, regardless of location.
Your Internship Can Launch Your Future
Don’t be afraid to test a variety of internship opportunities. Intern at large companies, small businesses, and within the public service sector (city, state and federal levels). Use your internship experience to find out what fits you best, and to make connections for future employment opportunities.You Might Also Like
Shawna Newman
Managing Editor, Contributing Writer
Shawna Newman covers various topics related to post-secondary education, including trade schools, the military, and college. She details strategies for paying for school, such as scholarships, financial ai...
