15 Business Internships for College Students
For college students planning to pursue a career in business, internships offer more than just insight into the industry—they provide hands-on experience that builds essential skills and a competitive edge. Business internships aren’t just about learning the basics of organization, teamwork, and problem-solving; they enable students to explore specific areas like finance, marketing, operations, and data analytics, helping them discover what resonates with their career goals. These programs also allow students to take on real responsibilities, gain a nuanced understanding of workplace dynamics, and refine their professional skills, bridging the gap between academic knowledge and industry demands.
Beyond skill-building, a business internship opens doors to valuable professional networks and connections. Interns often work closely with experienced mentors and industry experts, creating relationships that can pave the way for future job opportunities. For employers, a resume that includes internship experience signals a proactive approach to career-building and a commitment to understanding the field.
Below, we’ve compiled a list of 15 business internships for college students to help lay the groundwork for a successful business career. Read on!
1. Ladder University Internships
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,490
Application Deadline: Varies based on the cohort; multiple deadlines throughout the year
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer, fall, winter, and spring.
Eligibility: All college students
The Ladder University Internship Program is a world-class program for ambitious college students and young professionals. In the program, students work with top start-ups and corporate businesses to develop real-world projects. The program runs for 8 weeks and involves weekly meetings with a supervisor from the start-up. The program is selective.
As part of their internship, each student will work on real-world ongoing projects. In addition to working closely with their manager from the business, each intern will also work with a Ladder Coach throughout their internship
2. HBS Summer Intern - Global - Harvard Business School
Location: Various locations
Cost: No cost, stipend depending on the country, and whether the internship is in-person or virtual
Application Deadline: TBD, kindly keep updated by visiting this website
Dates: TBD
Eligibility: Harvard Business School College Students with a preference for knowledge of the local language, as per the location, for example, preference for Arabic or Turkish speakers, for an internship in Istanbul
The HBS Global Initiative offers fully funded summer internships for Harvard College students to engage in research and non-research activities supporting HBS's global strategy. Based in Boston and key regions, the 70+ member team provides interns with hands-on exposure to international business practices and innovation. Interns will contribute to regional business research and organizational tasks, gaining insight into HBS's global work.
There are opportunities for these Harvard Business graduates to pursue virtual and in-person internships in places like Istanbul, Mumbai, Johannesburg, Sao Paulo, Paris, Shanghai, and more. Preparation is minimal, though familiarity with basic business concepts can be advantageous. While highly beneficial, these internships may have drawbacks such as varying stipends depending on location and format (in-person or virtual).
3. Center for Financial Services Intern - Summer 2025 Deloitte
Location: New York City, New York
Cost: No cost. A reasonable estimate for the stipend is $31/hour
Application Deadline: Applications open now! Apply here
Dates: 8 weeks starting early June 2025
Eligibility: Candidates must be pursuing a bachelor's in Economics, Finance, Real Estate, Business Administration, or a related field, with an expected 2026 graduation, be at least 18 by employment, and available for an
The Deloitte Center for Financial Services (DCFS) offers an 8-week summer internship in New York City for college students eager to gain hands-on experience in financial services research. Interns work with research, operations, and marketing teams to develop skills, manage timelines, and assist in creating thought leadership for the financial marketplace.
Expect to attend professional training sessions, network with peers and industry professionals, and collaborate on projects in areas like banking, insurance, and investment management. Minimal preparation is needed, though strong organizational skills are beneficial. A potential drawback is balancing a varied workload across research and operational functions, but extensive mentorship and support are provided to maximize the experience.
4. 2025 Software Engineer Program, Industrial Placement, JP Morgan Chase
Location: Glasgow, Scotland, UK
Cost: This information is not available right now.
Application Deadline: December 1
Dates: 12-month program on a rolling basis
Eligibility: Candidates should be pursuing a Bachelor's or Master's degree with a 2027 graduation, available for full-time employment in September 2027, with strong foundational programming skills (e.g., Python, JavaScript), and awareness of industry trends
The 12-Month Industrial Placement Program at JPMorgan Chase offers students a hands-on role in software engineering, focusing on building and optimizing digital applications for global customers and clients in a Corporate and Investment Bank setting.
Starting with an induction on tech strategies, products, and systems, interns work in agile teams alongside seasoned engineers, fostering skills and innovation within a global tech community. Participants gain insights into the company through networking events, senior speaker sessions, and mentorship, with top performers potentially securing a full-time position post-graduation. Prior experience in programming is beneficial, though extensive support is provided; the program's intensity may be challenging for those balancing academic commitments.
5. Entrepreneurial Summer Internship Program | Stanford Graduate School of Business
Location: Various Locations
Cost: Not mentioned
Application Deadline: May 24, 2024
Internship Dates: 8-10 weeks over the Summer (June-July)
Eligibility: Graduate Students currently enrolled in MBA Courses at GSB Stanford
The Entrepreneurial Summer Internship Program (ESIP) at Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB) places students in 8-10 week internships with early-stage companies (5-50 employees, pre-Series B funding) or recently acquired search fund-backed firms, offering practical exposure to entrepreneurial ventures. Students work closely with experienced mentors (10-15 years in the industry) who provide weekly guidance, although not necessarily daily supervision. ESIP encourages host companies to contribute to student wages, and if needed, provides stipends up to a set maximum. Preparation is minimal, though students must forgo any form of equity in their host companies. Note, ESIP excludes incubators, accelerators, and certain other financial entities.
6. College of Business – Internships – COB, University of Rhode Island
Location: Various locations based on the Companies
Cost: Not mentioned, information regarding stipend will vary according to companies
Application Deadline: Not mentioned. Check here
Internship Dates: Program dates coincide with the URI academic calendar (uri.edu/enrollment/academic-calendars) for fall, spring, and summer semester
Eligibility: University of Rhode Island College of Business Undergraduates
The University of Rhode Island (URI), in partnership with Handshake, provides free access to career opportunities for students, alumni, and employers, allowing employers to post full-time, part-time, permanent, temporary, and internship positions, and to register for URI career events. URI’s College of Business offers a range of summer internship programs, such as the Sophomore Summer Business Analyst at McKinsey & Company, Supply Chain internships at Sensata Technologies and Force Factor, a Business Strategy & Development internship at AVANGRID, Finance internships with Hanover Insurance Group and Citizens, a Corporate Finance & Restructuring role at FTI, a Risk Management internship at FDIC, and Financial Analyst programs at TJX. Students are required to secure their own internship. Students should be prepared to engage actively in professional settings, while some advance knowledge of business fundamentals may be helpful; the broad selection may involve competitive application processes.
7. American Express Student Internships and Undergraduate Opportunities
Location: Hybrid, UK
Cost: No cost, but the internships offer competitive base salaries + bonuses
Application Deadline: August - September
Internship Dates: June - August
Eligibility: Students currently enrolled in a full-time undergraduate degree programme and in penultimate year of study with a graduation date of 2026.
The 2025 Undergraduate Business Development Internship in the UK at American Express offers students hands-on experience in customer acquisition, strategy, and relationship building. Interns will develop entrepreneurial and analytical skills by working on projects that align with Amex’s strategic, operational, and financial goals, helping to expand customer acceptance of Amex payments and enhancing customer experiences. Key tasks include prospecting new clients, conducting market research, analyzing data to drive growth, collaborating across teams, and tracking performance using key metrics. Preparation may involve a basic understanding of market analysis and sales strategies; however, support and resources are provided, with a possible drawback being the high level of responsibility involved in managing impactful projects.
8. D'Aniello Internships - Syracuse University Whitman School of Management
Location: Various Locations depending on the host companies
Cost: No Cost
Application Deadline: Rolling applications
Internship Dates: Rolling dates, per Semester
Eligibility: Students must be junior, senior or graduate student in good academic standing enrolled at Syracuse University
The D'Aniello Entrepreneurial Internship Program at Syracuse University’s Martin J. Whitman School of Management offers select undergraduate and graduate students hands-on experience working with startups and small businesses. Interns, acting as high-level student consultants, support business development and growth projects tailored to each host company’s needs, which vary each semester. Applicants must submit a resume, complete an application, and go through an interview process. Ideal candidates are entrepreneurial-minded, prepared to take on diverse responsibilities, and ready to work closely with company supervisors. While challenging, this program provides invaluable startup experience, with a possible drawback being the unique demands of each host site.
9. eLab Summer Associate Internship, Office of Undergraduate Research, Princeton
Location: Princeton University
Cost: No cost, $5000 stipend for each team member
Application Deadline: December 15, 2024 at 11:59 pm EST
Internship Dates: 9-10 weeks, from early June to July 31 2025
Eligibility: Princeton undergrads who are either Sophomores or Juniors
The eLab Summer Accelerator is an intensive nine-week program designed for students to develop their startups through hands-on experience, networking, and targeted mentorship. Participants attend a three-day kickoff, set milestones with faculty advisors, and follow a structured entrepreneurship curriculum with workshops and lectures exclusively for eLab members. Each team receives mentorship from Keller Center faculty and field-specific experts, and they present their projects to potential investors and industry professionals on Demo Day. Prior to joining, students should be prepared to commit fully to building their ventures, though the program’s rigorous demands may be challenging for some. Apply here
10. Global Operations Development Summer Associate Program - 2025, Bank of America
Location: Various locations including - Charlotte, NC, USA; Dallas Metro, TX, USA; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Phoenix Metro, AZ, USA
Cost: No cost, stipend/salary not mentioned
Application Deadline: December 13, 2024, apply here
Internship Dates: 10 week internship in the Summer of 2025, likely between June and July
Eligibility: Must be pursuing an MBA degree from an accredited college or university with a graduation date between 2025 - 2026
Note: Bank of America is unable to consider candidates that will require visa sponsorship
The Bank of America Global Operations Development Program offers a 10-week internship designed for MBA students to gain hands-on experience across various tracks, including Business Controls, Operations Management, and Project/Change Management. Interns participate in training, professional development, and networking events, while working on real projects that align with Bank of America’s vision of Responsible Growth. They build skills through team collaboration, receive mentorship, and connect with senior leaders, preparing for a potential full-time role. Prospective interns should be prepared to engage in a rigorous schedule that demands adaptability and commitment.
11. Summer Research Internship, Columbia Business School
Location: Columbia University Campus
Cost: No cost, $4,000 stipend
Application Deadline: Applications are currently open on a rolling basis. Submissions are reviewed on a rolling basis until all positions are filled
Internship Dates: September 9, 2024 to May 16, 2025
Eligibility: Applicants must undergraduate students in their sophomore or junior year.
Columbia Business School’s selective internship program offers undergraduates the chance to work with faculty on research in fields like finance, economics, marketing, management, and data analytics. Interns may perform tasks such as literature reviews, data collection, cleaning, web scraping, and statistical analysis, with some projects requiring skills in machine learning, NLP, and AI. Behavioral interns may work across multiple projects, conducting experiments and data coding in the Behavioral Research Lab. Weekly research seminars with faculty enrich the experience, culminating in a presentation to the CBS research community. This part-time, $4,000 internship runs from early June to July end, and is ideal for sophomores or juniors with skills in statistics, econometrics, and coding (e.g., Python, R).
Columbia Business School students can also check out the CUBS Program which is designed to introduce select current Columbia and Barnard undergraduates to a career in business research by pairing them with faculty for whom they work for as research assistants. The program exposes the CUBS to research challenges tackled in a business school setting, teaches them basic research and data-analytics skills, and provides insight into careers in academia.
Location: Boston
Cost: No cost, payment of $30.00 and $40.00 per hour
Application Deadline: Resumes will be reviewed on a rolling basis starting November 5, 2024 and continuing through November 22nd, or until the role is filled, whichever comes first.
Internship Dates: Not mentioned
Eligibility: Ideal candidates have a Bachelor's Degree and interests in investing, financial markets, economics, and international affairs and can commit to a full-time six-month internship.
The 2025 Investment Management Spring Co-Op Program in Fixed Income Emerging Markets Corporate Debt at Morgan Stanley offers undergraduates a six-month, immersive experience within the Investment Management division in Boston, focusing on hands-on learning and development rather than guaranteed full-time placement. Co-ops work with the Emerging Markets Debt team, which manages around $20 billion, blending bottom-up credit analysis with macroeconomic insights to craft diverse investment strategies. Key responsibilities include conducting investment research, financial modeling, tracking market news, and preparing reports, with potential travel for research around Boston. Ideal candidates should be prepared to analyze financial statements and industry reports and to present their findings to senior team members.
13. 2025 Internal Audit – Business Audit Summer Analyst Master’s Program (New York), Morgan Stanley
Location: New York
Cost: No cost, payment of $36.06 per hour
Application Deadline: Applicants are considered on a rolling basis. The application will be open until February 14, 2025, or until all roles are filled.
Internship Dates: 10-week internship in June
Eligibility: Applicants must be graduate students with graduating dates between December 2025 and June 2026 and has less than one year of full-time professional experience, must be authorised to work in the US.
Morgan Stanley's 10-week Summer Analyst Program in Internal Audit offers students hands-on exposure to various functions across the firm, training on internal audit fundamentals, and opportunities for mentorship, networking, and community service, with a potential path to full-time employment after graduation. Summer Analysts develop a working knowledge of business principles, execute assurance activities, conduct control testing, and contribute to risk messaging, while collaborating closely with their team and presenting a group project to a broader audience.
14. 2025 Operations Summer Analyst Program, Morgan Stanley (London)
Location: London
Cost: No cost, but Salary is competitive with excellent benefits
Application Deadline: Not mentioned, apply here
Internship Dates: 10 week summer program commencing in June 2024
Eligibility: This program is aimed at students in their penultimate year of university (bachelor’s degree)
Morgan Stanley's Operations Summer Analyst Program offers penultimate-year students a 10-week internship in which they help safeguard the firm’s financial and operational health by supporting transactions, developing client relationships, and collaborating with Sales & Trading, Finance, Legal, and Technology. The program begins in June 2024 with a Firmwide Induction Day and classroom training on product knowledge, industry insights, and teambuilding, followed by hands-on learning and networking. Interns will support trade processes, analyze data for business decisions, engage in systems testing, collaborate on team tasks, and build client relationships.
15. 2025 Summer Associate Program - Global Banking, UBS (Union Bank of Switzerland)
Location: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco
Cost: No cost, base rate of pay offered for this role is $175,000
Application Deadline: Not mentioned
Internship Dates: 10-week summer program commencing in June
Eligibility: Program is aimed at students who will graduate from a Master of Business Administration (MBA) program in May/June 2026
The UBS 2025 Global Banking Summer Associate Program offers ambitious students a 10-week immersive experience in finance, where they join either a product or coverage group within the Global Banking team, contributing to transaction origination and execution for a range of clients. Interns will develop pitch books to illustrate industry trends and client strategies, generate innovative ideas, and gain hands-on exposure to advisory services and financing solutions. The program includes comprehensive training, networking opportunities, and a pathway to a full-time role for successful participants. Prior knowledge of finance and banking is beneficial, and the program’s global focus provides an enriching, high-impact learning environment.
Looking for an immersive internship experience ?
Check out Ladder Internships!
Ladder Internships is a selective, virtual internship program that connects students with startups and nonprofits from industries around the world! As part of the internship, you will work on real-world projects that are important to the startup and present your work at the end of the internship. You will also be mentored by their manager from the startup as well as a Ladder Coach. Apply now!
Stephen is one of the founders of Ladder Internships and a Harvard College graduate.