15 Business Internships for Undergraduates in South Dakota
For business students, internships are especially valuable because the field includes many different paths, such as finance, marketing, operations, and management. Gaining early experience helps students understand where their interests lie while building relevant skills. South Dakota is an excellent location for an undergraduate business internship due to its booming financial services and healthcare sectors, particularly in major corporate hubs like Sioux Falls. Furthermore, the state's highly business-friendly environment and rapid economic growth provide students with robust opportunities for hands-on experience and professional networking in a thriving market.
For those looking for business-administration specific internships, look at our blog here, and for those interested in business-research internships, check out our blog here.
Why should I do a business internship in college?
A business internship can play a key role in shaping your future career. It allows you to apply what you learn in class to real situations, making your education more practical and relevant. Internships also strengthen your resume and make you more competitive in the job market. In addition, they help you build professional connections, improve essential workplace skills like communication and problem-solving, and give you clearer direction about your career goals. All of these factors contribute to better employability and long-term success.
To help you find the perfect fit, we have listed below 15 business internships for undergraduates in South Dakota, focusing on programs that offer practical learning, professional growth, and strong career value.
1. Dacotah Bank Internship
Location: Multiple market areas across South Dakota, North Dakota, and Minnesota (including SD hubs like Aberdeen, Sioux Falls, Rapid City, and Brookings)
Stipend: Paid, amount not disclosed
Dates: Typically 10–12 weeks during the summer (Mid-May to early August)
Application Deadline: October 31
Eligibility: Undergraduate students pursuing degrees in business, finance, accounting, economics, or related fields; students should have strong communication skills and an interest in banking operations
The DacotahGrown Internship Program at Dacotah Bank offers undergraduate students a well-rounded introduction to the banking and financial services industry through a structured summer experience. You will rotate across key departments such as lending, credit, and retail banking, which allows them to understand how different parts of the organization work together. Alongside day-to-day responsibilities, you will work on real projects, interact with clients, and gain practical insight into financial decision-making and customer service. The program also emphasizes professional development through mentorship, networking opportunities, and exposure to leadership, helping students build both technical knowledge and workplace skills that support future careers in business and finance.
2. Ladder University Internships
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Cost varies depending on the program type; financial aid is available / No stipend
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer, fall, winter, and spring
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Undergraduates and gap-year students who can work for 10–20 hours/week, for 8–12 weeks
The Ladder University Internship Program is an eight-week virtual internship where you work on real projects with start-ups and corporate businesses. Founded by Harvard entrepreneurs, the program focuses on applied learning through assignments guided by start-up founders and supervisors with experience at places like Harvard Business School, McKinsey, Google, and Microsoft. You’ll develop problem-solving and project management skills, gain insight into entrepreneurial practices, and receive weekly mentorship from your manager and a Ladder Coach. The program ends with a final project presentation to strengthen your resume and professional portfolio. Apply now!
3. NorthWestern Energy Internship Program
Location: Sioux Falls (Preferred); other major office locations like Aberdeen and Huron are considered depending on the department
Stipend: Paid hourly, rate not disclosed
Dates: Summer Cohort: May – August (Full-time, 40 hrs/week); Fall/Academic Cohort: September – December (Often a part-time continuation at 20 hrs/week for eligible students)
Application Deadline: Summer; open until filled; Fall: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Undergraduate students who have completed Sophomore year or higher; enrolled in a relevant major (Engineering, CS, IT, Business, etc.); authorization to work in the U.S.
The internship program at NorthWestern Energy gives you a practical, hands-on introduction to how a large energy company operates. You get to work in different departments such as business operations, communications, technology, and legal services, where you support real projects and see how daily work is carried out in a professional setting. This role helps you understand how different teams come together to keep essential energy services running. You get an opportunity to solve real problems, present your work, and take part in professional activities that improve your confidence and communication.
4. Builder Finance Internship
Location: Sioux Falls, SD
Stipend: Paid hourly, rates not disclosed
Dates: Summer Cohort: Early June – Mid-August (Approx. 10–12 weeks)
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Open to current undergraduate students and recent graduates, especially those studying business, Finance, Accounting, Economics, Real Estate, or Construction Management or related fields
In this internship, you get to support tasks related to loan processing, financial analysis, and client services while learning how real estate financing works in practice. This helps you understand how financial decisions are made and how deals are structured in a professional setting. The program also helps you build practical business skills such as attention to detail, communication, and analytical thinking. You work closely with experienced professionals, gain exposure to real client interactions, and learn how financial operations run in a fast-paced environment. Overall, it is a useful opportunity for you to explore careers in finance and real estate while gaining real-world experience that strengthens your future job prospects.
5. Sioux Falls Canaries Internship Program
Location: Sioux Falls, SD
Stipend: Paid hourly, rates not disclosed
Dates: Mid-May – Mid-September
Application Deadline: Late January
Eligibility: Undergraduate Students (UGs) or recent graduates; must have full availability for all 50 home games (evenings/weekends)
The internship program at the Sioux Falls Canaries gives you hands-on experience working in a professional sports environment. You get to work behind the scenes in areas like game operations, marketing, ticket sales, media, and fan engagement. The role helps you understand how a sports organization runs on a daily basis, especially during the busy baseball season. You also get to take part in real game-day activities, help with events, and support different departments depending on your role. The program focuses on building practical skills like communication, teamwork, customer service, and organization while giving you exposure to sports business operations.
6. Eide Bailly – Internship Program
Location: Sioux Falls and Aberdeen, SD
Stipend: Paid hourly, rates not disclosed
Dates: Spring Cohort: January – Mid-April (Tax Season focus); Summer Cohort: May – August (Audit/Assurance focus)
Application Deadline: Spring/Summer: Late February; Spring: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Undergraduates actively pursuing a Bachelor's in Accounting; 3.0+ GPA preferred; on track for CPA licensure (150 credits); US work authorization required
The internship program at Eide Bailly gives you hands-on exposure to professional accounting and consulting work by involving you in real client projects across areas like tax, audit, and advisory services. You get to see how financial information is analyzed and used to support business decisions while learning how a large firm operates in real-world settings. With guidance from experienced professionals, you develop practical skills such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and attention to detail, while also gaining insight into different career paths within business and finance. Overall, it is a valuable experience that helps you build a strong foundation for your future career.
7. Holmes Murphy Internship Program
Location: Sioux Falls, SD
Stipend: Paid hourly, rates not disclosed
Dates: Late May to early August (standard 12-week summer duration for all undergraduate cohorts)
Application Deadline: March
Eligibility: Undergraduate students from any major, but especially those studying business, finance, marketing, economics, insurance, or related fields
The internship program at Holmes Murphy gives you hands-on experience in the insurance and risk management industry by involving you in real client-focused work. You get to explore areas like client services, sales, marketing, underwriting, and operations, which helps you understand how insurance solutions are developed and delivered in a business setting. The program is designed to give you a clear picture of how the industry works through practical exposure rather than just observation. Along with day-to-day work, you also receive training, mentorship, and guidance from experienced professionals who help you build confidence and industry knowledge. You take part in learning sessions, teamwork activities, and projects that improve your communication, problem-solving, and professional skills.
8. First National Bank Internship Program
Location: Sioux Falls, SD
Stipend: Paid hourly, rates not disclosed
Dates: Summer Cohort: Mid-May to August (Includes Summer Leadership Program orientation May 18–19
Application Deadline: Late February
Eligibility: Officially enrolled undergraduate students (sophomores, juniors, or seniors) majoring in Finance, Accounting, Marketing, IT, or Business Administration
The internship program at First National Bank in Sioux Falls gives you practical, hands-on experience in the banking and financial services industry. You get the opportunity to work on real tasks related to areas like lending, customer service, finance, and general banking operations, which helps you understand how a financial institution functions on a day-to-day basis. This experience allows you to see how banking decisions are made and how different departments work together to serve customers. The program also offers training, mentorship, and exposure to experienced professionals who guide you throughout your internship. You build important skills such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and attention to detail while gaining confidence in a professional environment.
9. Make-A-Wish South Dakota & Montana
Location: Sioux Falls, SD
Stipend: Paid hourly, rates not disclosed
Dates: Academic Year: August to May; Summer: June to August; Spring/Fall: Often consolidated into the Academic Year track, but semester-specific options (Jan–May or Sept–Dec) may be available upon request
Application Deadline: Rolling / Seasonal: Summer: Typically April 1; Academic Year / Fall: Typically July 15; Spring: Typically December 1
Eligibility: Current college student (ideally Junior/Senior) majoring in Business, Marketing, Communications, Sociology, or related fields; strong Microsoft Office skills; pass a background check
The internship program at Make-A-Wish South Dakota & Montana gives you real experience working in a nonprofit that focuses on granting wishes for children with critical illnesses. You get involved in different areas such as event planning, fundraising, communications, volunteer support, and daily operations, which helps you understand how a mission-driven organization runs behind the scenes. Along the way, you build practical skills like communication, teamwork, organization, and problem-solving while working closely with staff and community partners. You also take part in events and activities that directly support wish-granting efforts. Overall, the program helps you learn how nonprofit work functions in real life while giving you a chance to contribute to meaningful community impact.
10. Enterprise Mobility – Sales Management Trainee Internship
Location: Sioux Falls, SD
Stipend: $16 per hour
Dates: Summer: Mid-May – Early August; Fall: Early September – Early December; Spring: Early January – Late April/May
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Rising seniors; 18+ years old; 6 months–1 year in sales, customer service, or leadership; valid U.S. driver’s license and authorized to work in the U.S.
In this internship, you gain hands-on experience running a business center by tackling the same challenges as full-time professionals. It covers core business operations, including fleet logistics, localized sales strategies, and customer relationship management. During the program, your daily activities will involve directly managing a vehicle fleet, providing frontline customer service, developing marketing plans, and completing collaborative intern projects. This role immerses you into the middle of daily branch operations, allowing you to participate in friendly sales competitions for potential performance incentives. Ultimately, you will finish the summer having developed skills in strategic leadership, problem-solving, sales negotiation, and interpersonal communication.
11. Caring Professionals – Administrator Internships
Location: Dell Rapids, SD
Stipend: Paid hourly, rate not disclosed
Dates: Flexible (Year-round); minimum duration of 2 months to complete the state-required 240 hours
Application Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Undergraduate college juniors, seniors, or recent graduates with a demonstrated interest in long-term care administration
The Caring Professionals Administrator Internship is a paid, minimum two-month program designed to train you for a career as a long-term care facility administrator. Throughout the placement, you will cover essential healthcare management topics like dietary operations, social services, nursing systems, and therapy programming. To build hands-on experience, you will actively participate in facility budgeting, analyze business office systems, and monitor state and federal regulatory compliance. A unique feature of this opportunity is its high flexibility, allowing you to adjust your schedule as needed to complete the state-required 240 hours of practical training. By the end of your internship, you will have developed highly practical skills in personnel leadership, systems analysis, and financial management.
12. Epicosity – E-ternship Program
Location: Sioux Falls, SD
Stipend: Paid hourly, rates not disclosed
Dates: Early Summer through Early Fall (A 3-month program; typically running from late May/early June through August)
Application Deadline: Late February / Early March
Eligibility: Undergraduate students interested in marketing, advertising, communications, graphic design, video production, digital media, or related creative/business fields.
The E-ternship program at Epicosity gives you real exposure to how a digital marketing agency works by involving you in actual client projects. You get to explore different areas such as branding, social media, content creation, graphic design, and video production, which helps you understand how marketing ideas are developed and turned into finished campaigns. During the program, you work alongside professionals in a collaborative environment where learning happens through real tasks, feedback, and teamwork. You also build practical skills like communication, creativity, organization, and problem-solving while gaining experience in a fast-paced setting.
13. Direct Companies – Brand Experience Intern
Location: Sioux Falls, SD
Stipend: Paid hourly, rate not disclosed
Dates: Summer Cohort: Late May/Early June – August (Approx. 10–12 weeks)
Application Deadline: Rolling / Early May
Eligibility: Undergraduates (typically Juniors or Seniors) or Recent Graduates pursuing a degree in Marketing, Communications, or a related field; skills in Canva/Adobe Creative Suite, social media management, and basic photography/video creation
In this internship, you take on a role that covers both external marketing execution and internal team engagement. Throughout the program, you will regularly maintain content calendars, conduct competitor research, and track performance metrics to optimize campaigns. You also get to experience the program's unique feature of directly shaping the company's internal culture, which culminates in a detailed end-of-internship presentation. Through these specific activities, you will build highly practical skills in digital storytelling, cross-functional collaboration, and data analysis. Ultimately, this hands-on structure ensures you walk away with a real-world professional portfolio and extensive operational experience.
14. Persona Signs, LLC – Business Operations Internship
Location: Watertown, SD
Stipend: Paid hourly, rate not disclosed
Dates: Summer Cohort: 3-month term (typically late May/early June – August)
Application Deadline: Mid-to-late April
Eligibility: Undergraduate juniors seeking experience in Business, Finance, or related fields; seniors looking for a potential career path; requires analytical thinking and proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Word
This internship immerses you in the signage industry, covering essential topics like sales, project management, and financial operations. You will coordinate workflows between production and sales, analyze key financial metrics to understand profit margins, and manage project logistics by communicating directly with installers. Additionally, you will actively evaluate product pricing inputs and monitor project expense controls. Through these hands-on tasks, you will develop critical analytical thinking, cross-functional collaboration, and practical financial management skills. Ultimately, this experience equips you with the core problem-solving abilities and business acumen needed to make swift, data-driven operational decisions.
15. AFLAC - Eastern Central Regional SD – Sales Intern
Location: Brookings, SD
Stipend: Paid hourly, rate not disclosed
Dates: Summer Cohort: June – August (Primary); Fall/Spring cohorts available depending on regional needs
Application Deadline: Typically late May
Eligibility: Undergraduates: Full-time student status; Age: 18+; Requirements: US work authorization, preferred GPA of 2.5+, and willingness to obtain a Life & Health Insurance License (Aflac provides study resources)
In this internship, you gain hands-on supplemental health insurance experience by helping clients secure essential financial protection. The program covers core business topics like needs analysis, navigating buyer behaviors, and overcoming standard sales objections. During your internship, you will actively generate leads through networking, deliver sales presentations to local business owners, and provide direct enrollment and claims support to policyholders. This paid opportunity allows you to earn academic credit while supplying the comprehensive study materials required to obtain your official life and health insurance license.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why is almost everything on this list based in Sioux Falls specifically?
Sioux Falls is South Dakota's largest city and the primary hub for the state's financial services and corporate sector, which is why the majority of programs on this list, including Dacotah Bank, First National Bank, Eide Bailly, Holmes Murphy, and the Sioux Falls Canaries, are based there. A few programs branch out to other cities: Builder Finance and the Sioux Falls Canaries are Sioux Falls specific, but AFLAC is based in Brookings, Caring Professionals is in Dell Rapids, and Persona Signs is in Watertown. If you are not near Sioux Falls or unable to relocate for the summer, Ladder Internships is the only fully remote option on this list.
2. Which of these internships are best suited for someone interested in finance or accounting specifically, versus marketing or operations?
For finance and accounting, the strongest options are Eide Bailly (tax, audit, and advisory work with a clear path toward CPA licensure), Dacotah Bank, First National Bank, and Builder Finance, all of which involve direct exposure to lending, credit analysis, or financial reporting. For marketing or creative work, Epicosity's E-ternship and Direct Companies' Brand Experience Intern role are the two most clearly marketing-focused programs, covering branding, content creation, and digital campaigns. NorthWestern Energy and Persona Signs sit somewhere in between, offering exposure to both business operations and some functional rotation depending on your assigned department.
3. A few of these listings mention earning academic credit or a professional license alongside the internship. How common is that?
It varies by program. AFLAC's Sales Internship is notable for combining paid work with the opportunity to earn a Life and Health Insurance License, with study materials provided by the company, and some students may also be able to arrange academic credit through their university depending on the arrangement. Caring Professionals' Administrator Internship is structured around completing South Dakota's state-required 240 hours toward long-term care administration credentials. Most other internships on this list, including the banking and creative agency roles, function as standard paid internships without a formal credentialing or licensing component attached.
Key Takeaways
This list covers 15 business internships for undergraduates in South Dakota, concentrated heavily in Sioux Falls and spanning banking, insurance, nonprofit work, professional sports operations, and creative agency roles, with the large majority offering a paid hourly wage even though most companies do not disclose the specific rate publicly. Application deadlines vary considerably by industry, with banking and accounting roles like First National Bank and Eide Bailly opening in late February, while creative and nonprofit roles like Epicosity and Make-A-Wish open closer to the program start date, so students should track deadlines individually rather than assuming a single standard timeline. For students who want flexibility without relocating to South Dakota, Ladder Internships is the only fully remote option on this list, matching students with startups and corporate businesses on a rolling basis throughout the year.