12 Internships for College Students in Boston
If you’re a college student in Boston looking to gain hands-on experience beyond the classroom, consider pursuing an internship.
Internships play a key role in preparing for graduation and transitioning into the professional world. They allow you to enhance your resume while gaining practical experience that goes beyond theoretical knowledge. By tackling real-world challenges, you’ll deepen your understanding of your field and get a glimpse of what your future career might entail.
Internships also help build critical skills and competencies that employers value, boosting your employability. Additionally, they offer opportunities to network with industry professionals, potentially paving the way for future job prospects.
In this blog, we’ve rounded up 12 exciting internships for college students in Boston. Let’s explore!
1. Ladder University Internship Program
Subject areas: Multidisciplinary – finance, media and journalism, consulting, mental health, fashion, health tech and more
Location: Virtual
Cost: Starting at $1,490. Financial assistance is available.
Eligibility: All students who can work for eight weeks
Application deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year. Winter cohort: November 24, 2024 | Spring Cohort: February 9, 2025 | Summer cohort (Priority Admission): March 9, 2025 | Summer cohort: April 13, 2025 (Regular Admission 1) | May 11, 2025 (Regular Admission 2) | Summer II cohort: June 23, 2025 | Fall cohort: August 25, 2025
Program dates: 8-week programs that run in fall, winter, spring, and summer
The Ladder University Internship, founded by Harvard alumni, is a selective program that connects college students with startups and nonprofits from around the world. You can choose from a wide range of fields, including tech, finance, media/journalism, engineering, consulting, fashion, health, and more.
This 8-week virtual internship pairs you with a mentor from the startup and a Ladder coach, providing dual guidance throughout the program. You’ll work on a meaningful project that directly contributes to the organization’s goals.
Some examples of past projects include:
- Developing innovative business strategies for a Series-A-backed media company.
- Creating a pitch deck to help a tech startup in wealth management secure funding.
- Building a machine learning model to predict customer churn for a Y-Combinator-backed e-commerce website.
2. MFA Pathways Internship Program
Subject areas: Various departments within the museum
Location: The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA
Stipend: Undergraduate interns - $16.80/hour | Graduate interns - $19.95/hour
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students who have completed their first year of college (including community college) and will be enrolled in a corresponding degree program/process during the internship period are eligible to apply. There may be other department-specific requirements
Application deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, and all dates are tentative, based on previous years' schedules. Spring session – Start of December | Fall session – Mid-August | Summer session – Mid-March
Program dates: These internships are offered in 3 sessions- Spring session (January 24, 2025 – April 25, 2025) | Fall session (September 13, 2024 – December 13, 2024) | Summer session (June 16, 2025 – August 22, 2025)
The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston’s Pathways Internship Program offers college and university students a chance to immerse themselves in the museum's daily operations. This paid, semester-long internship provides hands-on experience in various museum roles, opportunities to build professional networks, and access to valuable mentorship.
As part of the program, you will also participate in the Museum Pathways and Practices course. This series of 8-11 two-hour seminars includes informal networking, cohort-building activities, and presentations by museum professionals.
Subject areas: Product life-cycle management software - technology, strategy, finance, human resources, sales, marketing, and customer success.
Location: PTC Office, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: Paid. Amount not specified
Eligibility: Varies according to different programs
Application deadline: Varies according to different programs
Program dates: 12 weeks in the summer. Exact dates vary according to different programs.
PTC offers a 12-week paid summer internship program at its Boston headquarters, providing students with hands-on experience and the opportunity to work on impactful, high-visibility projects. Internships are available across various departments, including technology, strategy, finance, human resources, sales, marketing, and customer success. You can explore open positions here.
As part of the program, you will participate in a weekly lunch-and-learn series and receive guidance from a dedicated intern coach for mentorship. The internship concludes with a showcase, where you can present your work and network with employees across the organization.
4. Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) Internship Challenge
Subject areas: Life sciences
Location: Boston, MA
Stipend: $17/hour - $20/hour. It can be higher depending on the host companies.
Eligibility: Applicants must be Massachusetts residents, attend an accredited college or university located in Massachusetts, OR attend a Minority Serving Institution (MSI). Applicants need to also meet one of the following criteria:
- Currently enrolled in a 2-year college or community college or a Certificate Program working toward an Associate’s Degree or Certificate (or have completed one within the past year).
- Enrolled in a 4-year college or university and have completed at least their freshman year the semester before the internship OR have graduated within the past year.
- Graduate students must be enrolled in a Master’s Degree program or have received their Master’s Degree within the past year.
Application deadline: Applicants are accepted year-round
Program dates: Varies according to host companies
The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center’s Internship Challenge offers Boston-based students and recent graduates a valuable opportunity to explore the life sciences industry. This workforce development program connects participants with small companies across the state, providing hands-on experience and insight into Massachusetts' life sciences ecosystem.
As a paid intern, you’ll gain practical, real-world experience, build a professional network, and develop skills that can support your future career aspirations in the field.
5. NASA’s Office of Stem Engagement (OSTEM) Internships
Subject areas: Multidisciplinary—space science, engineering, aeronautics, technology, space microbiology, ecology, and more
Location: Remote or across NASA facilities
Stipend: Interns may receive a stipend based on academic level and session duration.
Eligibility: Applicants must:
- Be a U.S. citizen.
- Have a cumulative 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale).
- Be a full-time student (high school through graduate level) or a part-time college-level student enrolled in a minimum of 6 semester hours.
- Be a minimum of 16 years of age at the time of application (no exceptions).
Application deadline: Varies depending on the internship opportunity.
Program dates: These internships are offered in 3 sessions
- Fall (16-week program, from late August or early September to mid-December)
- Spring (16-week program, from mid-January to early May)
- Summer (10-week program, from late May or early June to August).
NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement offers both remote and in-person internships for high school and college students. These internships provide hands-on experience while contributing to NASA’s mission of advancing science, technology, aeronautics, and space exploration.
As an intern, you’ll have the chance to work on a variety of subjects, including space science, technology, space microbiology, aeronautics, and more. Under the guidance of mentors, you’ll help design experiments, analyze mission data, and develop innovative technologies.
To explore available opportunities for college students, use the ‘Filter’ option on NASA’s internship portal.
6. Outreachy Internship Program
Subject areas: Technology - programming, user experience, documentation, illustration, graphical design, or data science
Location: Online
Stipend: $7,000 for a 3-month internship
Eligibility: All students who are at least 18 years old at the start of the internship and have 42 consecutive days free from classes and exams
Application deadline: End of February
Program dates: May-August
Outreachy’s paid, remote internship program supports individuals from groups underrepresented in tech by helping them make their first contributions to Free and Open Source Software. As an intern, you’ll work with experienced mentors from open-source communities on projects that align with your interests. These projects span areas such as programming, user experience, documentation, illustration, graphic design, and data science.
To apply, you’ll need to contribute to a project as part of the selection process. Learn more about the program and application details here.
7. Goldman Sachs Summer Analyst Program
Subject areas: Asset and wealth management
Location: Goldman Sachs Office, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Eligibility: Students pursuing a bachelor/graduate degree. The internship is usually undertaken in the third or second-last year of the degree.
Application deadline: Applications are currently open. Apply here
Program dates: 9-10 weeks in the summer
Goldman Sachs internships offer students the chance to work on real projects and gain insights into the finance industry alongside experienced professionals. The Summer Analyst Program, a 9–10-week internship within the Asset and Wealth Management division, immerses participants in daily activities. You’ll attend orientation to understand the company’s culture, benefits, and responsibilities, followed by training and hands-on work with fellow interns and employees. This opportunity provides practical experience and a deeper understanding of the finance sector.
Subject areas: Tax, consulting, audit, strategy, and more
Location: Deloitte Office, Boston, MA
Stipend: Paid. Amount not specified
Eligibility: Varies according to different internships
Application deadline: Varies according to different internships. Check available internships here
Program dates: Internships are available in three sessions: Summer, Winter, and Fall.
Deloitte's internship programs give college students the chance to work on real-world projects, explore their interests, and enhance their skills. Each intern is supported by a mentorship team, including a coach and onboarding advisor.
The program offers three types of internships:
- Discovery Internship: Tailored for early college students, this internship provides training and hands-on projects to offer insight into Deloitte’s services and client-facing business.
- Internal Services Internship: Focuses on internal projects in areas such as finance, administration, technology, and marketing, providing practical experience behind the scenes.
- Client Service Internship: In this client-facing role, you’ll contribute directly to client projects and be responsible for delivering key outcomes.
Explore all available opportunities here, and use the ‘Filter’ option to find internships in Boston.
9. Federal Reserve Bank of Boston Summer Internships
Subject areas: Different departments within the banking industry
Location: Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, Boston, MA
Stipend: Paid. Amount not specified
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students. Specific requirements can vary depending on departments and business operations.
Application deadline: Internships typically open mid-December. Check here
Program dates: May-August
The Federal Reserve Bank of Boston offers summer internship opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students across various departments and business areas. As an intern, you’ll gain firsthand experience in daily operations and collaborate with managers to contribute to the bank’s goals. The program also includes mentoring, workshops, and networking sessions to support your professional growth. Explore available internships here.
10. The City of Boston Summer Internship Program
Subject areas: Different city departments
Location: City department offices, Boston, MA
Stipend: Paid an hourly wage. Amount not specified
Eligibility: Students currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program or have 2 - 4 years of post-secondary school work experience
Application deadline: Check here for details on the 2025 application period
Program dates: June 3, 2025 - August 30, 2025 (tentative, based on the previous year)
The City of Boston Summer Internship Program offers college students the chance to work in one of 25 city departments across six locations. As an intern, you’ll take on hands-on responsibilities, working on real projects, receiving feedback, and tackling challenging problems.
Interns may create presentations, draft reports, compile research, analyze data, design marketing materials, support administrative functions, and more. You can explore some of the past work done by interns here.
11. The Massachusetts Clean Energy Internship Program
Subject areas: Clean energy and water innovation
Location: Massachusetts
Stipend: Paid (Amount not specified)
Eligibility: Applicants should be Massachusetts residents or have attended a college, university, or training program in Massachusetts. Applicants should also meet one of the following requirements:
- Students must have completed at least their freshman year of college (24 credits) the semester before the internship or have graduated within the past year.
- Students who attend or attended a community college (or 2‐year Associate program) must have completed at least 24 credits.
- Graduate students must be currently enrolled in their program or have completed it within the last year.
- If a student has attended a training program, that program must have been completed within the last year.
Application deadline: There is no application deadline for any sessions, but students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible to increase their chances of being selected
Program dates: These internships are offered in 3 sessions- Spring session (January - May) | Summer session (June - August) | Fall session (September - December).
The Massachusetts Clean Energy Internship Program helps prepare the next generation of clean energy professionals by funding internships at clean energy and water innovation companies. Interns are matched with employers who provide valuable experience and networking opportunities within the sector. You can create a profile on their online workforce portal to access available positions.
12. Virtual Student Federal Service Program
Subject areas: Federal services
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid but eligible for course credit
Eligibility: Applicants must:
- Be a U.S. citizen
- Be a high school graduate enrolled in a degree-seeking program in an accredited college or university.
- Be an Undergraduate, Graduate, or Doctorate Student for the duration of the internship/academic year.
Application deadline: February 28, 2025
Program dates: September 2025 – March 2026
Since 2009, the Virtual Student Federal Service program has connected college students with federal agencies for remote internships. You’ll spend 10 hours per week during the school year supporting the government’s top priorities and addressing real challenges in areas like data visualization and political analysis. Participating federal agencies include the U.S. Agency for International Development, the Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, and the Federal Executive Boards, among others.
Looking for an immersive internship experience in Boston? Check out Ladder Internships.
Ladder Internships is a selective, virtual program where you’ll have the chance to work with startups and nonprofits from around the world! These startups span a variety of industries, including computer science, tech, and engineering. During your internship, you’ll work on a meaningful, real-world project that directly contributes to the startup’s needs, and you’ll present your work at the end of the program.
You’ll collaborate closely with your manager from the startup and also receive guidance from a Ladder Coach throughout your experience. Ready to take the next step? Apply now!