15 Internships for College Students in Arkansas

College internships allow you to apply what you’ve learned in class to real work environments, helping you understand how different fields operate beyond coursework. They also give you the chance to gain relevant experience, strengthen your resume, and develop practical skills employers expect from entry-level candidates. If you’re looking for internships in Arkansas, in particular, you’ll find opportunities that span a wide range of fields, from government and healthcare to media, research, business, and community development, offering different ways to explore your interests.

If you’re open to considering remote/online internships, then you can check out paid programs here! And if you’re worried about having less experience, check out our blog here!

Why should you do an internship in college?

Internships will help you gain hands-on experience with tasks and responsibilities specific to your field of interest, whether that involves research, client services, data analysis, event coordination, or technical work. It also gives you exposure to professional environments, helping you understand workplace expectations and evaluate potential career paths before you graduate. Many internships include structured elements like mentorship, training sessions, or independent projects, which can help you build both technical and transferable skills.

Here’s a list of 15 internships for college students in Arkansas that offer structured, experience-based learning, including roles in public service, healthcare, nonprofit work, media, and corporate settings. 

Quick Look

• 15 internships total spanning healthcare, government, media, sports, logistics, and research, hosted by organizations including Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, J.B. Hunt, UAMS, and several state agencies

• Several government and public-sector internships are unpaid, including NARA, the Attorney General's Office, and Arkansas Rehabilitation Services, though some can be completed for academic credit

• The strongest paid stipends are UAMS's SURP ($4,320 plus a possible $2,400 housing per diem) and UADA's Experiential Scholars Program ($4,500)

• Most internships are based in central Arkansas, particularly Little Rock and Fayetteville, with J.B. Hunt and Acxiom also offering roles in other locations nationwide

• Application deadlines vary widely by organization, with UAMS closing February 15 and Bank of America's Student Leaders Program closing between February 9 and March 16

1. Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield Summer Internship Program

Location: Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield locations across the state
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: May 27 – August 1 (tentative)
Application Deadline: November – April
Eligibility: Undergraduate sophomores, juniors, and seniors studying Accounting, Actuarial Studies, Business Administration, Computer/Information Science or Systems, Data Informatics, Economics, Finance, Public Health, Statistics, and more; Must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 (3.5 for Actuarial positions) and have completed at least six hours of class work in the discipline 

You’ll spend 10 weeks working full-time in the Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield Summer Internship Program, where you’ll take on hands-on projects in departments such as business, IT, data informatics, or healthcare administration. The internship is paid and runs from late May through early August, giving you structured exposure to professional work tied to your academic discipline. Alongside your day-to-day responsibilities, you’ll participate in weekly leadership development sessions and professional coaching, focused on building workplace and communication skills. You’ll also be involved in team-based activities and a community service project, which adds a collaborative and service-oriented component to the experience.

2. Ladder University Internship Program

Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies (financial aid is available); Unpaid
Acceptance rate: Approximately 10%
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the cohort
Eligibility: Undergraduates and gap year students who can work for 8-12 weeks, dedicating 10-20 hours/week

The Ladder University Internship Program is a selective, virtual internship program that connects you with startups and nonprofit organizations around the world. The participating startups range across a variety of industries, including AI/ML, health tech, engineering, business, finance, and more. During the internship, you will work on a real-world project that addresses an actual need within the organization, and present your work at the end of the internship. As an intern, you will also get to work closely with your manager at the host startup throughout the internship. Apply now!

3. Arkansas Broadcasters Association (ABA) Station Intern Program

Location: ABA member stations across Arkansas
Stipend: $595
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; Member stations can only apply for one internship per cluster per semester
Dates: Internships are available during the spring or fall semesters
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort and station
Eligibility: High school and undergraduate students who are at least 16 years old 

You’ll complete an 8-week internship through the ABA at a member station, working up to 54 hours total across multiple departments. The program places a strong emphasis on broadcasting fundamentals and is structured as a department-by-department rotation, allowing you to experience the full workflow of a broadcast station from business operations to on-air production. You’ll get to work in areas such as programming, sales, production, and news, gaining exposure to tasks including board operations, handling on-air logs, recording commercials, and assisting with client relations. You’ll also take part in mentor-led training that combines observation, shadowing, and hands-on practice, with staff providing evaluations throughout the program. 

4. MyARInternship

Location: Various State Department offices across Arkansas
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 8 – July 31
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: U.S. undergraduate students (18+) who have completed their first year of college

This is a full-time summer internship where you’ll work in a state agency and contribute to projects tied to public services and operations. You’ll be placed in one of many fields such as public health, IT, finance, or communications, depending on your background. Alongside your day-to-day assignments, you will take part in state department tours and meet with cabinet secretaries and state officials, gaining insight into how different departments operate. Throughout the internship, you’ll gain practical experience in real government work and a firsthand look into how policies and services are implemented across the state.

5. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) Voluntary Internship Program

Location: Hybrid, with in-person sessions at NARA locations across the U.S, including Arkansas
Stipend: Unpaid
Acceptance rate: Competitive
Dates: Summer (late May or early June – August), Fall (September – late November or Early December), and Spring (late January or early February – April)
Application Deadline: Varies by session; Fall internship applications open on June 29
Eligibility: Current undergraduate students (18+); Must be U.S. citizens and complete a background check

You’ll join the NARA Voluntary Internship Program and work on projects related to archival preservation, records management, or public history, depending on your assigned department. Your work will be tied to the agency's operational needs, allowing you to gain experience in a range of tasks, such as digitizing archival materials, assisting with museum collections, supporting reference services, or contributing to communications and IT functions. The internship runs for 10-12 weeks across the academic year or summer and requires at least partial on-site participation. You’ll get to collaborate with professionals in archival and administrative roles, gaining exposure to how historical records are processed, preserved, and made accessible. The program is unpaid but can be completed for academic credit, making it more relevant if you’re looking for structured, hands-on experience in archives, museums, or government record systems.

6. University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture (UADA) Cooperative Extension Service’s Experiential Scholars Program

Location: Central Arkansas; the orientation is C.A. Vines Arkansas 4-H Center, Little Rock, AR
Stipend: $4,500
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: May 18 – July 17
Application Deadline: Rolling until filled
Eligibility: Junior or senior-level undergraduate student currently enrolled in any U.S. institution; Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident 

You’ll spend nine weeks working full-time in the UADA Cooperative Extension Service’s Experiential Scholars Program, focusing on applied projects in areas like water and soil conservation, health and nutrition, or rural community and economic development. Work is based in Extension settings across central Arkansas, where you’ll assist with ongoing programs and take part in fieldwork, education initiatives, or community-based activities tied to your focus area. You’ll be paired with mentors who are faculty or Extension agents, and combine job shadowing with hands-on tasks, including activities like environmental monitoring, food demonstrations, or supporting local development projects. A central component of the program is an independent project, where you’ll design, carry out, and evaluate an Extension initiative and produce an impact report. Alongside project work, you’ll participate in weekly leadership seminars and begin with a multi-day orientation.

7. Arkansas Attorney General’s Office Internship Program

Location: Arkansas Attorney General’s Office, Little Rock, AR
Stipend: Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Internships are available throughout the year, including spring, summer, and fall
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Undergraduate students who are at least 18 years old

The Arkansas Attorney General’s Office Internship Program offers unpaid internships where you’ll get to support day-to-day operations across different departments, gaining exposure to how a state legal office functions. Your work may include assisting with administrative tasks and helping plan and execute office events, giving you a mix of operational and event-based experience. A key component of the summer internship is contributing to the “Never Forgotten – Arkansas Takes Action” event, which focuses on raising awareness about missing persons and supporting affected families. Some students may even be able to receive academic credit, depending on their home institution’s requirements. 

8. Arkansas Razorback Athletics Internship Opportunities 

Location: University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR
Stipend: Both paid and unpaid internships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: The number of internships varies by area and needs
Dates: Internships may be available year-round; Based on the department and needs
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Undergraduate students 

This is a hands-on athletics internship with the Arkansas Razorbacks, where you’ll work in a specific department supporting the day-to-day operations behind collegiate sports programs. You’ll be placed in areas such as creative content, graphic design, marketing, ticket operations, or broadcast production, depending on team needs and your skill set. Your work can include creating social media content, designing graphics, assisting with sponsorship activations, supporting ticketing processes, or helping produce live broadcasts for ESPN networks. Many roles are tied directly to game-day operations, so you’ll work evenings and weekends while contributing to live event production and fan experience. 

9. Arkansas Rehabilitation Services (ARS) Practicum & Intern Opportunities

Location: Virtual or in-person at ARS offices across Arkansas (check here)
Stipend: Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Internships are available throughout the year
Application Deadline: Rolling; Applications must be submitted at least 30 days before your expected start date
Eligibility: Undergraduate students whose educational background aligns with vocational rehabilitation services

This is a supervised practicum or internship with ARS, where you’ll work in a state agency that provides employment-related services to individuals with disabilities. You’ll take part in day-to-day casework activities, including assisting with client intakes, vocational assessments, eligibility determination, and the development of employment plans. The experience is built around direct mentorship, with you working alongside a certified rehabilitation counselor (CRC) while participating in staff meetings, training, and service coordination tasks. You’ll also use the agency’s electronic case system to document interactions and track progress throughout the counseling process. Placements are unpaid and available in both onsite and virtual formals, offering structured exposure to rehabilitation counseling and public service workflows. 

10. City of Little Rock Mayor’s Office Internships

Location: Little Rock, AR
Stipend: Generally unpaid, but some summer internships are paid as part of the Summer Youth Employment Program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Available throughout the year, including in the summer, fall, spring, and winter terms
Application Deadline: Varies by internship; Summer: February 15 – May 15
Eligibility: Undergraduate students

This is a government-focused internship with the City of Little Rock Mayor’s Office, where you’ll work on project-based assignments that support the day-to-day operations of a city administration. You’ll collaborate with staff on tasks such as research, memo writing, attending meetings, and drafting correspondence. During the summer term, the internship will additionally include a structured lunch-and-learn speaker series that will introduce you to how different parts of the city government operate and highlight career paths in public service. Internships are offered year-round, with summer roles sometimes paid through the city’s Summer Youth Employment Program, while fall and spring placements are typically unpaid.

11. J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. Internships

Location: J.B. Hunt corporate campus in Lowell, AR (internships are also available nationwide)
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: Internships are available year-round
Application Deadline: Varies by internship
Eligibility: Undergraduate students; See here for internship-specific eligibility requirements

J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. offers paid, year-round and summer internships across areas such as operations, engineering, technology, sales, and finance, with roles available both at its Northwest Arkansas corporate campus and in field locations nationwide. You can expect to work on real projects with defined responsibilities, gaining practical experience in logistics and business operations while receiving ongoing feedback to support your development. You can also participate in structured activities like professional development workshops, leadership meet-and-greets, and networking events designed to build industry knowledge and connections. Depending on your placement, you may collaborate with office staff, drivers, and maintenance teams, giving you exposure to different aspects of the company’s operations. The program will also include volunteer and social events, allowing you to engage with the company culture beyond day-to-day work. 

12. Acxiom Internships

Location: Acxiom, Conway, AR
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Internships are available throughout the year (exact dates vary by internship)
Application Deadline: Varies by internship
Eligibility: Undergraduate students; each internship might have its own specific eligibility requirements (check here)

Acxiom offers year-round internships across a range of fields, including engineering, marketing, data, finance, consulting, and information technology, allowing you to explore roles tied to data-driven marketing and business strategy. You’ll work as part of a team on assigned projects, contributing to efforts that support how companies use data to improve marketing effectiveness and measure outcomes. As an intern, you will be integrated into existing teams where collaboration and problem-solving are central to the work, particularly in areas like data, analytics, and process improvement. The program also includes opportunities for community involvement through paid volunteer time, as well as participation in company-organized social and engagement events. 

13. University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP)

Location: UAMS, Little Rock, AR
Stipend: $4,320 (subject to tax); Students living outside of Little Rock and surrounding cities may be eligible for a per diem of $2,400 for housing and travel reimbursements
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: May 26 – July 24 (tentative)
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: College students who have completed at least one full academic year of undergraduate education (preference given to students with backgrounds in biology or chemistry); Must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and have a required minimum GPA of 2.5; Students who will have completed their degree before the start of the program are not eligible to apply

The UASM SURP is a nine-week NIH/NHLBI-funded research internship that places you in a faculty-led lab focused on cardiovascular, pulmonary, or hematologic science. You’ll work on an independent research project under the supervision of a UAMS faculty mentor, with the option to indicate preferred mentors during the placement process. The program is structured around sustained research, so most of your time is spent developing and carrying out your research project while building skills in laboratory methods, analysis, and scientific writing. In addition to lab work, you’ll attend weekly lectures, complete responsible conduct of research training, and may observe real surgical procedures to connect research with clinical practice. You’ll also be expected to document your work through a written report and present your findings at the end of the program.

14. Bank of America Student Leaders Program

Location: Local non-profit organisations across the U.S., including Arkansas
Stipend: Minimum of $17/hour or the local minimum wage (whichever is higher)
Acceptance rate: Competitive
Dates: 6 weeks in the summer, starting from mid-June; The Leadership Summit: June 16 – 18
Application Deadline: February 9 – March 16
Eligibility: Undergraduate students (18+) with good academic standing; Must have earned at least 12 hours and no more than 18 credit hours of post-secondary credit; Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.; Previous participants of the Student Leaders Program are not allowed to reapply, and Bank of America employees or immediate family members are not eligible to apply

This is a six-week summer internship program through the Bank of America that places you in a full-time role with a local nonprofit organization, where you’ll work on projects connected to community-focused initiatives. You’ll spend most of your time contributing to day-to-day operations at your assigned nonprofit, gaining practical experience while working on tasks tied to real organizational needs. In addition to your internship, you’ll attend a three-day Leadership Summit, where you’ll engage in structured sessions on career skills and how public and private sectors address community challenges. The Summit also provides you with the opportunity to connect with other Student Leaders participating in similar placements across different locations. 

15. The Emma Bowen Foundation (EBF) Summer Internship

Location: Various media companies across the U.S., including Arkansas
Stipend: Paid; Amount not publicly disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 150 interns (approximately)
Dates: Minimum of 8 weeks in May – June
Application Deadline: September – early January (exact dates vary by internship)
Eligibility: Undergraduate students (18+) enrolled in a four-year accredited U.S. college or university with a minimum GPA of 3.0; Must be authorized to work in the U.S. 

You’ll spend the summer working as an intern through the EBF Summer Internship, where you’ll be placed with a partner company in media, entertainment, or technology for a full-time role. You’ll work in one of three business tracks – business, content, or innovation – taking on day-to-day responsibilities that can include areas like marketing, journalism, software development, or public relations. The program is structured as a multi-year fellowship, meaning you can return each summer up until graduation and build experiences and professional networks over time. You’ll work alongside industry professionals, gaining practical insight into workplace expectations and workflows. 

Questions Students Often Ask About These Programs

1. A lot of these government internships, like NARA and the Attorney General's Office, are unpaid. Are they still worth applying to?

Yes, especially if you're interested in public service, law, or government work specifically, since these placements give you direct experience inside real state and federal offices that's hard to access otherwise. Several of these unpaid internships, including NARA and Arkansas Rehabilitation Services, can be completed for academic credit through your school, which helps offset the lack of pay. If you need paid work over the summer, it's worth pairing one of these unpaid government internships with a paid option from this list, like J.B. Hunt or Acxiom, across different terms.

2. How do I decide between a corporate internship like Acxiom or J.B. Hunt and a research internship like UAMS's SURP?

It depends on the kind of experience and skills you want to build. Corporate internships like Acxiom and J.B. Hunt give you exposure to how a business actually runs, with real projects in areas like data, marketing, or operations, and tend to come with structured professional development and networking events. UAMS's SURP, on the other hand, is a research-intensive program where you'll spend most of your time on an independent lab project under faculty supervision, which is better suited if you're considering a future in science, medicine, or research specifically. If you're unsure which path interests you more, a corporate internship is generally a lower-commitment way to explore business interests broadly.

3. Several of these internships are based in Little Rock or Fayetteville. What if I don't live near either city?

A few options on this list don't require you to be local. Ladder Internships is fully remote and open to students anywhere. The Bank of America Student Leaders Program and the Emma Bowen Foundation both place you with partner organizations across the country, so you may be matched with one outside of Arkansas's two main hubs depending on availability. For the rest of the programs, which are tied to a specific Arkansas location, you'd generally need to plan for housing or commuting if you don't already live nearby, though programs like UAMS's SURP do offer a housing and travel per diem for students coming from outside the Little Rock area.