15 Internships for College Students in Connecticut

If you are an undergraduate student, internships can be one of the most valuable experiences you pursue during college. While your coursework builds the theoretical foundation of your field, internships allow you to apply that knowledge in real-world settings. They help you strengthen your resume, build a stronger professional profile, and gain practical experience in the industry you may want to enter after graduation. Employers often value candidates who have internship experience because it shows initiative, adaptability, and an understanding of workplace expectations. Connecticut is home to numerous top-tier universities, Fortune 500 headquarters, and industry leaders in healthcare, finance, and aerospace, providing a diverse and highly accessible market for valuable internship placements.

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 I do an internship in college?

Internships can significantly improve your employability by giving you real-world experience that employers value. They help you develop important professional skills such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and time management while working on real projects. Many internships also provide mentorship and networking opportunities that can help you build connections and learn from professionals in your field. Another important benefit of internships is the chance to explore careers before committing to one after graduation. By experiencing the day-to-day responsibilities of a particular role or industry, you can better understand what fits your interests and strengths. 

To make it easier for you to find a better fit, we have compiled a list of 15 internships in Connecticut for college students that offer valuable learning experiences and career exposure.

Quick Look

• 15 internships total spanning aerospace engineering, corporate tax, behavioral health, marine biology, biomedical research, science education, and nonprofit work, hosted by organizations including Lockheed Martin, Yale, UConn Health, and the Connecticut Science Center

• Several programs offer meaningful research funding: Yale SURF ($4,000 plus a $1,000 food allowance and travel reimbursement), CT Science Center ($7,000), and UConn Health ($4,000)

• Four internships are specifically behavioral health or clinical placements (Village for Families, Shoreline Wellness, NAFI Connecticut, Autism Lab), making this one of the most mental health-focused lists in this series

• Several programs are unpaid but are structured to be completed for academic credit, including Mystic Aquarium, Shoreline Wellness, NAFI Connecticut, and the Autism Lab

• Most programs are based in Hartford, New Haven, or Stamford, with a few spread across other Connecticut cities including Mystic, West Haven, and Stratford

1. Hexcel Corporation – Summer Corporate Tax Intern – University of Connecticut

Location: Stamford, Connecticut
Stipend: Not specified
Dates: 10–12 weeks during Summer
Application Deadline: June 20
Eligibility: Junior, senior, or graduate student pursuing a degree in accounting, tax, or a related program; minimum 3.0 GPA; proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook along with willingness to work onsite for 10–12 weeks; U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents, and certain protected immigration statuses

In this program, you join Hexcel's corporate tax department in Stamford as a part-time summer intern, working onsite three to four days a week on real federal, state, and local income tax compliance. You prepare corporate income tax returns and workpapers in OneSource RS, assist with tax depreciation calculations, and upload data into compliance and provision software supporting the domestic and foreign tax provision process. You also manage the department's tax filing calendar, compile documentation for tax audits, and organize digital and hard-copy tax files. You build hands-on skills in corporate tax preparation, technical research, and recordkeeping.

2. Ladder University Internship Program

Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world
Cost/Stipend: Cost varies depending on the program type; financial aid is available / No stipend
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: 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 remote program where you work directly with high-growth startups. You will explore topics across artificial intelligence, software engineering, finance, healthcare, biotech, media, and environmental science. During your internship, you will attend weekly mentorship meetings, analyze data, code prototypes, and present final project deliverables. Its unique features include a flexible, fully virtual format and direct matching with elite founders from organizations like Y Combinator and Google. Ultimately, you will learn practical technical abilities, effective communication, and project management skills. By applying these skills to real-world scenarios, you build a portfolio to showcase to future employers.

3. The Village for Families & Children – Undergraduate & Graduate Internships

Location: Hartford, Connecticut
Stipend: Paid, amount not disclosed
Dates: September – May, with some in summer
Application Deadline: June 1
Eligibility: Matriculated undergraduate (BSW, BA, BS, AA, AS) or graduate (MSW, MA/MS, MFT) student in social work, counseling, or administrative fields; work or volunteer experience with children, adults, or families

In this program, you take up the role of a field-placement intern supporting its behavioral health, early childhood, youth development, and family-strengthening services across the Greater Hartford region. You gain exposure to trauma-informed care while working within individual, family, and group settings, community-based programs, and multidisciplinary, multicultural teams. You may also contribute to research or program evaluation, and graduate interns can engage in short- and long-term therapy, home-based programs, and work spanning early childhood through adult and couples care. You receive individual and group supervision from MSW, LCSW, or MA-level licensed staff and access to agency-sponsored training. You build practical clinical, case-management, and professional skills grounded in supervised, hands-on human-services practice.

4. Lockheed Martin – College Internships

Location: Stratford and Trumbull, Connecticut
Stipend: Paid hourly, rate not disclosed
Dates: Summer cohorts run from late May to August, while Fall/Spring co-ops align with the academic semesters
Application Deadline: Summer: January; Fall/Spring: rolling applications
Eligibility: Undergraduate students pursuing degrees in role-specific fields; U.S. citizenship required

The Lockheed Martin internship gives students the chance to apply engineering knowledge in a real-world aerospace and defense setting. You work across areas like mechanical, hydraulic, avionics, and pneumatic systems, supporting aircraft projects from design through production. Responsibilities may include preparing work instructions, contributing to producibility reviews, and tracking program tasks to completion. You’ll gain hands-on experience in manufacturing and engineering operations, collaborating directly with engineers and aircraft assemblers to solve technical challenges. The program also provides exposure to industry-standard tools, including CAD software and measurement equipment, while helping you strengthen teamwork, communication, and professional skills.

5. Yale Child Study Center – Undergraduate Developmental Science Summer Internship

Location: Yale University, New Haven, CT (in person)
Stipend: Up to $4,000 may be available for eligible students who cannot secure outside funding
Dates: June 1 – July 24
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors who are U.S. citizens or international students enrolled at U.S. undergraduate institutions

The Yale Child Study Center (YCSC), in collaboration with the Department of Pediatrics, offers a competitive, research-focused eight-week summer internship dedicated to child health across physical and behavioral domains. You work full-time (40 hours per week) within active research teams in areas such as neuroscience, developmental science, clinical psychology, pediatrics, and community-based research. During the program, you’ll engage in a variety of research activities, including analyzing archival datasets, performing wet-lab experiments, and conducting clinical observations. You’ll also participate in lectures, journal clubs, and career development seminars. The internship culminates with a conference-style poster presentation, allowing you to share your research findings with faculty, researchers, and fellow trainees.

6. Mystic Aquarium Internship Program

Location: Mystic, Connecticut
Stipend: None
Dates: Approximately 16 weeks; Spring: January – May; Summer: May – August; Fall: September – December
Application Deadline: Spring: September 30; Summer: January 31; Fall: May 31
Eligibility: Current college students; many placements require a valid driver's license, proficiency in Microsoft Office, and progress toward a career in marine biology, biology, veterinary science, or a related field; strong communication, organization, and teamwork skills, plus a passable swim test for several animal-husbandry roles

In this internship, you join a department of your choice and work directly under an Aquarium supervisor while contributing to real conservation, education, and research operations. Depending on placement, you might prepare animal diets and assist husbandry teams, conduct water-quality testing in a state-certified environmental laboratory, support sea turtle and marine mammal rehabilitation, or run behavioral observations and biological assays. You build practical technical skills through data entry and database management, the Tracks animal recordkeeping system, chemical analyses such as pH, salinity, ammonia, and nitrate testing, and report writing on independent projects. Research interns also attend weekly educational seminars and receive ongoing supervisor feedback.

7. Shoreline Wellness Behavioral Health Clinic & Learning Center – Practicums & Internships

Location: West Haven, CT
Stipend: None
Dates: Varies by academic program; graduate placements typically 9–12 months
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Undergraduate volunteers/interns and graduate students in mental health-related programs

At Shoreline Wellness Behavioral Health Clinic & Learning Center, you will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in mental health through practicum and internship programs. You’ll work alongside administrative staff, supporting clinic operations and assisting with client services, all within a community-based setting serving West Haven and surrounding areas. While you will not be involved in direct clinical care, you will gain a clear understanding of how a behavioral health clinic operates and participate in community outreach initiatives. This experience is ideal if you are exploring careers in psychology, social work, or counseling and want practical, entry-level exposure to a clinical environment.

8. NAFI Connecticut – Undergraduate & Graduate Internship Program

Location: Multiple sites in Connecticut (Litchfield, Willimantic, Waterbury, Thomaston, North Haven)
Stipend: None
Dates: Academic year placements, including Fall and Spring
Application Deadline: Rolling until filled
Eligibility: Undergraduate BSW or graduate students (MSW, MFT, or psychology with behavioral focus, depending on site); depending on the specific program placement, additional requirements such as bilingual fluency (Spanish-English), vaccination verification, and a federal background check may be required 

In the NAFI Connecticut Undergraduate Internship Program, you will gain hands-on experience in behavioral health, connecting what you’ve learned in the classroom with real-world clinical practice. You’ll explore key areas such as trauma-informed care, developmental services, and community-based interventions. As an intern, you will conduct clinical assessments under supervision, co-facilitate group therapy sessions, attend multidisciplinary team meetings, and collaborate with community health providers. You’ll also receive personalized mentorship, working closely with licensed clinicians who guide your fieldwork through weekly individual and group supervision.

9. Yale University – Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program

Location: New Haven, Connecticut (Yale University)
Stipend: $4,000 + $1,000 food allowance, and travel reimbursement up to $400
Dates: Eight weeks during June and July
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Current undergraduates who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents

In this program, you join the Yale Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program for eight weeks of full-time, PhD-level research alongside a faculty mentor, postdoctoral associate, or advanced graduate student. You design and pursue an individual research project, whether learning advanced laboratory methods in the natural sciences or drawing on Yale's library and archival resources in the humanities and social sciences. You develop a formal research proposal, attend program workshops and panel discussions, deliver a final presentation to your peers, and submit a written final paper. You also present your findings at the Leadership Alliance National Symposium, building skills in scholarly communication, academic networking, and professional research practice.

10. Research Internship – Autism & Functional Mapping Laboratory

Location: Hartford, CT (Olin Neuropsychiatry Research Center)
Stipend: None
Dates: Flexible (Arranged individually for academic semesters like Fall and Spring, or specific summer blocks)
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Undergraduate students pursuing a degree in psychology, neuroscience, or a related field (A strong GPA, ability to commit 10-15 hours/week, and relevant coursework are generally expected)

The Autism and Functional Mapping Laboratory Internship lets you gain hands-on experience in clinical neuroscience research under the supervision of Dr. Michal Assaf. You will work with the lab team on projects using fMRI, DTI, and EEG to study how people recognize emotions, show empathy, and understand others’ thoughts in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder, schizophrenia, and neurotypical patients. Moreover, you will help organize and manage data, assist with behavioral and EEG experiments, conduct literature reviews, and take part in study discussions. This internship will help you instill practical research skills, insight into psychiatric and neurodevelopmental conditions, and experience working in a collaborative lab environment.

11. Connecticut Science Center / NASA Connecticut Space Grant Consortium – CT Science Center Programs Intern

Location: CT Science Center, 250 Columbus Boulevard, Hartford, CT 06103
Stipend: $7,000
Dates: June 1 – August 7
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Currently enrolled full-time student at a CTSGC academic affiliate college or university; pursuing a degree in a STEM field or education with an interest in working with children; minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA; U.S. citizens

In this program, you work alongside Connecticut Science Center staff to create and deliver engaging public programming for families that inspires young people to pursue STEM careers. Across the 10 -week placement, you help plan and execute events, shadow Science Center operations, collaborate with external partners, and interview STEM professionals to map real-world career pathways. The role centers on informal science education, so you strengthen science communication, teamwork, and leadership while translating technical ideas for general audiences. You gain firsthand insight into how a major science center designs programs and builds STEM awareness in the local community. Expect occasional evening or weekend work to support live family programming and events.

12. Bank of America Student Leaders Program

Location: Local nonprofits in eligible Connecticut markets (e.g., Hartford, Fairfield, New Haven), plus a 3-day U.S. Leadership Summit
Stipend: $17/hour or local minimum wage, whichever is higher
Dates: 6-week internship between June and July; Leadership Summit: June 16–18 
Application Deadline: March 16
Eligibility: Must be an 18+ year-old college freshman with 12–18 credits, have graduated high school within 24 months, live in an eligible market, and have legal U.S. work authorization

In the Bank of America Student Leaders Program, you’ll get hands-on experience supporting non-profits in your community and see the impact they make every day. You’ll take part in real projects, learn how these organizations operate, and discover ways technology can help them reach more people. If technology excites you, you can choose a role focused on digital tools and innovation. The program also includes a week-long Student Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C., where you’ll attend interactive sessions, meet fellow student leaders, and explore how different sectors such as business, government, and non-profits work together to solve important civic challenges. Along the way, you’ll sharpen your leadership, teamwork, and professional skills while contributing meaningfully to your community.

13. Save the Children Internship Program (USA)

Location: Roles can be remote or based in offices such as Fairfield, CT, Washington, D.C., or Lexington, KY. 
Stipend: Paid, amount not disclosed
Dates: Spring: January–April, Summer: June–August, Fall: September–December
Application Deadline: Spring: December, Summer: March, Fall: July 
Eligibility: Undergraduate students eligible to work in the U.S.

The Save the Children Internship Program gives students and recent graduates a unique opportunity to gain real-world experience in a major non-profit focused on improving the lives of children globally. You work on meaningful projects across areas like education, health, child protection, emergency response, and advocacy, directly contributing to initiatives that make a tangible impact. The program offers mentorship from experienced professionals, structured learning opportunities, and exposure to how large-scale non-profits operate and collaborate with partners worldwide.You will develop practical skills in project management, research, communication, and teamwork while also gaining a deeper understanding of global social challenges.

14. Community Renewal Team (CRT) Internship Program

Location: Community Renewal Team (CRT) are based at their offices and program sites in Connecticut, USA
Stipend: None; Low-income students up to age 24 may qualify for paid summer placements through CRT's partnership with the Summer Youth Employment and Learning Program
Dates: Flexible / Year-round
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions 
Eligibility: Internships are aimed at students who want to gain career experience in fields like health and human services, research, marketing, communications, or finance

As an intern in the Community Renewal Team (CRT) Program, you will explore vital fields including health and human services, research, marketing, and finance. During your term, you will shadow an assigned mentor, assist with daily non-profit operations, and support direct community services like housing or meal programs. A truly unique feature of this opportunity is its setting within Connecticut's largest human services non-profit, giving you a direct pipeline to future employment. Through these activities, you will master practical career skills, learn effective professional networking, and gain deep operational knowledge. Ultimately, you will earn applicable academic credit while experiencing the profound fulfillment of positively impacting your community.

15. UConn Health / University of Connecticut Graduate School – Undergraduate Summer Research Internship Program in Biological and Biomedical Sciences

Location: UConn Health, 263 Farmington Avenue, Farmington, Connecticut
Stipend: $4,000
Dates: May 26 – July 31
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Currently enrolled undergraduates at a U.S. college or university; U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or international students holding an F-1 visa who can obtain curricular practical training; students graduating before the program begins and past participants are not eligible

In this program, you join a UConn Health laboratory in Farmington and work directly under a faculty mentor on an active biological or biomedical research project, either independently or alongside the lab's graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. After meeting your faculty sponsor, you develop a research protocol and become a working member of the lab over the 10-week term. You attend weekly seminars led by faculty, gain hands-on exposure to experimental design and ongoing research programs, and build practical bench and scientific-communication skills. During the final week, you present your findings to fellow participants and faculty advisors.

Questions Students Often Ask About These Programs

1. I'm not studying STEM, engineering, or clinical fields. Are there options here for me?

1. Yes, several programs welcome students from a wider range of backgrounds. Bank of America's Student Leaders Program places you with a local nonprofit and is open to college freshmen of any major. Save the Children's internship spans education, child protection, and advocacy work and is open to any undergraduate eligible to work in the U.S. Community Renewal Team welcomes students in marketing, communications, finance, and human services. The Village for Families internship also accepts students from social work and counseling programs, not just clinical fields.

2. There are four behavioral health and clinical internships on this list. How do I know which one is right for me?

Each targets a slightly different stage of training and clinical setting. Shoreline Wellness is the most accessible entry point, welcoming undergraduate volunteers alongside graduate students in a community clinic, without direct client care responsibilities. The Village for Families and NAFI Connecticut are both more structured field placements, with NAFI specifically requiring either BSW-level or graduate enrollment depending on the site. The Autism and Functional Mapping Laboratory is the most research-focused of the four, centered on neuroscience methods like fMRI and EEG rather than direct clinical service. If you want hands-on human services exposure, Village for Families or NAFI are the stronger fits; if you're drawn to the research side of psychology and neuroscience, the Autism Lab is the more specialized option.

3. Yale appears twice on this list, with the Child Study Center internship and the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship. What's the difference?

The Yale Child Study Center internship is specifically focused on child health, spanning neuroscience, clinical psychology, and community-based pediatric research, and is designed for rising juniors and seniors. Yale's Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) is broader, open to undergraduates across any discipline including humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences, with students designing their own research project alongside a faculty mentor. If your interests are specifically in child development or pediatric research, the Child Study Center internship is more targeted; if you want flexibility to pursue your own research question in any field at Yale, SURF offers more room to choose your direction.