15 Business Internships for Undergraduates in Washington
Internships are an effective way for you to bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world experience. By participating in internships, you can strengthen your resume, develop industry-relevant skills, and significantly improve your employability after graduation. Employers increasingly look for candidates who have hands-on experience, making internships a crucial step toward building a competitive profile.
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 provides a strong foundation for long-term career success. You’ll gain practical exposure to workplace dynamics, including communication, teamwork, and problem-solving in professional settings. Additionally, internships allow you to apply classroom knowledge to real-world challenges, enhancing both confidence and competence. Many programs also include structured mentorship, workshops, and performance feedback, which can accelerate personal and professional growth. Most importantly, business internships for undergraduates in Washington can significantly boost your employability, as recruiters value candidates with relevant, hands-on experience.
To help you navigate opportunities, we’ve curated a list of the best business internships for undergraduates in Washington, focusing on active and reputable programs.
1. BroadFutures Internship Program
Location: Washington, D.C. (in-person)
Stipend: Participation fee (scholarships available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Small cohorts; placement guaranteed upon acceptance
Dates: June 8-August 7
Application Deadline: March 6
Eligibility: Ages 18-26
This program matches you with internships across sectors like marketing, hospitality, and nonprofit management. You’ll receive pre-internship training, ongoing coaching, and structured feedback. You will work in real business environments while developing workplace readiness skills. The program emphasizes mentorship and personalized placement based on interests and strengths. You’ll gain exposure to professional communication, project coordination, and client-facing roles. It is especially suitable for those seeking guided entry into the workforce.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Cost/Stipend: Starting at $2,490 (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size:
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students! In the program, you work with a high-growth start-up on an internship. Start-ups that offer internships range across a variety of industries, from tech/deep tech and AI/ML to health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. You can explore all the options here on their application form. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies on average raising over a million dollars. In the program, interns work closely with their managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects and present their work to the company. Here is the application form.
The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long.
3. Center for American Progress Internship
Location: American Progress, Washington, D.C.
Stipend: Paid ($17.95/hour)
Acceptance rate/cohort size:
Dates: June 8-August 13
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Undergraduates and recent graduates
This internship offers experience in policy research, communications, and organizational strategy. You’ll work with teams across areas like climate, economics, and social policy, and your responsibilities include research, data analysis, and assisting with reports and publications. You’ll collaborate with professionals and may attend policy discussions and events. The program provides insight into how research influences business and policy decisions, and is ideal for those interested in think tanks and consulting-related roles.
4. World Bank Treasury Summer Internship
Location: World Bank, Washington, D.C.
Stipend: Paid ($21-$26/hour)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive
Dates: Summer (approx. June-August)
Application Deadline: Early spring (varies)
Eligibility: Undergraduates in finance/economics-related fields
This internship focuses on finance, investment strategy, and global markets. You’ll assist with financial modeling, research, and data analysis, as well as gain exposure to international financial systems and institutional operations. The program includes mentorship from finance professionals and opportunities to contribute to real projects. You may also attend internal seminars and presentations. It is well-suited for finance and economics majors.
5. Bank of America Student Leaders Program
Location: Local nonprofit organizations across Washington, DC
Stipend: Paid internship
Cohort Size: Selective
Program Dates: June – August (8 weeks, tentative)
Application Deadline: January (tentative)
Eligibility: Undergraduate students legally authorized to work in the United States
The Bank of America Student Leaders program places you in a full-time, eight-week internship with a nonprofit organization in your local Washington, DC community. During the internship, you’ll work on day-to-day operations, which may include program coordination, outreach, administrative support, or assisting with community initiatives. Alongside the internship, you’ll participate in leadership development sessions that focus on communication, teamwork, and professional skills. A key component of the program is the week-long Student Leaders Summit held in Washington, DC, where you’ll engage in workshops, hear from business and policy leaders, and connect with peers from across the country.
6. Partnership for Public Service Internship
Location: Partnership for Public Service, Washington, D.C.
Stipend: Paid ($21-$26/hour)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Small, selective cohort
Dates: June-August (approx.)
Application Deadline: March (rolling/varies)
Eligibility: Undergraduate students interested in public service, policy, or business strategy
This internship focuses on nonprofit management, leadership development, and public-sector consulting. Interns typically support research, communications, and program strategy initiatives. You’ll collaborate with professionals on workforce development and policy-related projects. The program includes mentorship, networking events, and exposure to organizational leadership, and you may contribute to reports, outreach campaigns, or operational improvements. It is well-suited for students interested in the intersection of business and public service.
7. Capital Placement Remote Business Internship
Location: Virtual
Stipend: Paid + fee-based options
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Guaranteed placement model
Dates: Multiple dates
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Undergraduate students and recent graduates
This internship focuses on business development, strategy, and operations across industries. You will work on real company projects such as sales strategy, market expansion, and operations improvement. The program offers guaranteed placement and flexible durations ranging from 6 weeks to 6 months. You’ll also receive career coaching, CV support, and interview preparation. You’ll collaborate with international teams and present deliverables to stakeholders.
8. StuIntern Virtual Business Internship
Location: Virtual
Stipend: Paid & Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Flexible
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Undergraduate students globally
This platform connects you with companies offering remote internships in business, marketing, and operations. Interns work on real projects while receiving mentorship and certification. The program is designed to help you build practical skills and industry exposure. You can choose flexible schedules and gain experience without relocating. It also offers both paid and unpaid opportunities.
9. Parker Dewey Micro-Internships (Business Projects)
Location: Virtual
Stipend: Paid per project
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Year-round
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Undergraduate students globally
This platform offers short-term, paid micro-internships with companies. Projects typically involve business tasks such as market research, data analysis, and competitive benchmarking. You’ll work remotely and complete assignments within a few days or weeks. The format allows you to gain multiple experiences quickly. It is ideal for building a portfolio and exploring different business roles.
10. TFAS Business & Government Relations Academic Internship Program
Location: The Fund for American Studies (TFAS), Washington, D.C.
Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive (part of nearly 300 TFAS participants)
Dates: May 30-July 25
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Undergraduates interested in business, law, government, or public policy
The program places students in government relations offices at major corporations, trade associations, or firms. You’ll learn how businesses advocate on legislative and policy issues while gaining insight into regulation and industry representation. You will participate in site briefings at the White House, Capitol Hill, and other institutions, along with guest lectures from business and policy experts. You will be matched with D.C. professionals, and the experience includes professional development seminars on networking and public speaking.
11. The Washington Center Academic Internship Program
Location: The Washington Center, Washington, D.C.
Stipend: $7,500 program fee + $4,990 housing
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: June 1-July 31
Application Deadline: March 18
Eligibility: Undergraduates interested in business, law, government, or public policy
The program combines a full-time internship with career coaching and academic coursework. Placements include private-sector partners such as AT&T, Ford, Prudential, and Verizon, with options in business, tech, and emerging digital roles. You will develop professional skills through workshops, networking events, and speaker series while working on meaningful projects. A Digital and Emerging Technology Pathway cohort offers targeted connections in AI and cybersecurity. There will be site supervisors who will provide feedback.
12. Bipartisan Policy Center Internship Program
Location: Bipartisan Policy Center, Washington, D.C.
Stipend: $6,000 summer stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Summer (10 weeks)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Juniors, seniors, or recent graduates
You will perform research, writing, and event support on economics and related policy issues. Students develop analytical skills through real-world projects. The program includes seminars and networking. Full-time summer placements emphasize substantive contributions. You’ll perform research, writing, and event support on economics and related policy issues. Students develop analytical skills through real-world projects.
13. Cvent Business & Client Services Internship
Location: Tysons Corner (Washington, D.C. metro area)
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: June – August (approx.)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Undergraduate business or marketing students
Cvent offers internships in client services, event technology, and business operations. You will support customer engagement, product solutions, and marketing initiatives. You’ll work on real business projects and collaborate with teams. The program provides exposure to SaaS business models and client-facing roles. Interns also receive training and mentorship. It is ideal for students interested in operations and event management.
14. Markham Business Operations Internship
Location: Washington DC
Stipend: Paid ($18 per hour)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June-April (approx.)
Application Deadline: March 27
Eligibility: Undergraduate students in business/finance
This internship focuses on finance, business development, and operations within an event management company. You’ll assist with financial analysis, reporting, and organizational tasks. You gain exposure to client-facing business operations and project management. The role emphasizes analytical and communication skills. You will work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. It is suitable for students interested in business operations and finance.
15. Qorvis Communications & Business Strategy Internship
Location: Washington DC
Stipend: Paid (varies)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Fall cycle
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Undergraduate students in business/finance
This internship focuses on strategic communications, public affairs, and business strategy. You will work with senior professionals on real client projects across industries like finance, healthcare, and energy. Your responsibilities include research, media analysis, and content development. You’ll gain exposure to global business strategy and stakeholder engagement. The program emphasizes collaboration and hands-on learning. Interns may also contribute to high-level campaigns and reports.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which of these internships are paid, and which require a program fee instead?
Most of the internships on this list are paid, including the World Bank Treasury internship ($21 to $26 per hour), Center for American Progress ($17.95 per hour), Bipartisan Policy Center ($6,000 stipend), and Markham Business Operations ($18 per hour). A few programs operate on a fee-based model rather than paying a wage, most notably BroadFutures (participation fee with scholarships available) and The Washington Center ($7,500 program fee plus $4,990 for housing), which function more like structured academic internship placements than traditional paid roles. Ladder Internships also starts at $2,490 with financial aid available, positioning it closer to the fee-based programs but with a fully remote format.
2. I am not based in Washington, D.C. Can I still do one of these internships?
Yes, several options are fully remote. Ladder Internships, Capital Placement, StuIntern, and Parker Dewey Micro-Internships are all virtual and open to students regardless of location. The remaining programs on this list require in-person attendance in the Washington, D.C. area, and a few, like The Washington Center, include housing as part of the program cost specifically because relocation is expected.
3. How do short micro-internships like Parker Dewey compare to longer programs like The Washington Center for building a resume?
They serve different purposes. Parker Dewey's micro-internships are designed to be completed in days or weeks, which means you can complete several of them to build a varied portfolio of business experience quickly, though each individual project carries less depth. The Washington Center, BroadFutures, and TFAS are multi-month, immersive programs that combine a single placement with structured coursework, mentorship, and networking, giving you a deeper, more singular experience to speak to in interviews. Many students benefit from combining both approaches across their undergraduate years, using micro-internships to explore interests early and a longer immersive program once they have a clearer sense of direction.
Key Takeaways
This list covers 15 business internships for undergraduates in Washington, spanning policy research, finance, communications, and operations roles at organizations including the World Bank, Bank of America, Cvent, and the Bipartisan Policy Center, with most positions offering paid hourly wages or a structured stipend. The most generously compensated options are the World Bank Treasury internship ($21 to $26 per hour), Center for American Progress ($17.95 per hour), and Bipartisan Policy Center ($6,000 for a 10 week placement), while The Washington Center and BroadFutures operate on a program fee model that bundles housing, coursework, and mentorship into the cost. For students who want flexibility without relocating to D.C., Ladder Internships, Capital Placement, StuIntern, and Parker Dewey are the four fully remote options on this list, with Parker Dewey in particular suited to students who want to complete several short projects rather than commit to a single full summer placement.