15 Internships for College Students in Idaho
If you are a college student looking to strengthen your resume and gain practical experience, internships can help you build a clearer sense of your interests and the kind of roles you may want to pursue after graduation. Idaho has a mix of industries that offer internships to college students, including agriculture, technology, healthcare, and public policy. The state is home to several universities and colleges whose career centers maintain listings of local and regional internship opportunities. Some programs include mentorship components, where a supervisor or senior staff member provides guidance on your assigned projects.
If you’re interested in summer internships in specific subjects, check out a list of psychology summer internships here & law internships here.
Why should I do an internship in college?
Internships can improve your employability by adding practical experience that employers often look for when evaluating candidates. They allow you to develop familiarity with workplace processes, timelines, and expectations. You also gain exposure to how tasks are assigned, completed, and reviewed in a professional setting. This experience can make it easier to transition into full-time roles after graduation. If you are a college student in Idaho, you can find placements through federal agencies, state government offices, and organizations based in cities like Boise, Pocatello, Idaho Falls, and more.
To make the search process easier, we’ve narrowed down a list of 15 Internships for College Students in Idaho.
Quick Look
15 internships total spanning semiconductor manufacturing, agricultural operations, blockchain research, healthcare IT, electric utilities, congressional offices, and public health, hosted by organizations including Micron, Idaho National Laboratory, HP, and Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories
Idaho National Laboratory appears twice with two distinct programs: the Undergraduate Research Assistant Internship focused on STEM and science projects, and the Operations and Strategy Management Internship ($26.94 to $32.41 per hour) focused on business functions like finance, HR, and analytics
The Blockchain REU at Boise State is the most comprehensively funded research program on this list, combining a $6,300 stipend with a meal allowance, travel funding, and fully funded housing for non-local students
Two Congressional internship programs appear on this list (Senator Risch and Representative Simpson), both with clear term-based application deadlines well ahead of each session
Eastern Idaho Public Health and the Museum of Idaho are the only unpaid options on this list, both of which can typically be completed for academic credit
1. J.R. Simplot Company – Internship Program
Location: Boise, Idaho (J.R. Simplot Company headquarters), with additional internship roles based at plants and facilities across Idaho
Stipend: Paid hourly, rate not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size varies
Dates: Summer and year-round opportunities are available
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Currently enrolled in a college or university pursuing a bachelor's or master's degree; strong academic record (typically, a minimum 3.0 GPA)
In this program, you join Simplot as a paid intern within one of its business groups, which span food processing and brands, agriculture, fertilizer manufacturing, phosphate mining, livestock, and life sciences, giving you an end-to-end view of a vertically integrated agribusiness. You are assigned specific tasks and contribute to real projects tied to your group, applying classroom knowledge to workplace problems. Depending on placement, you might analyze data, support manufacturing and continuous-improvement teams, assist laboratory or agronomy work, or contribute to sales and commercial operations. Many interns work at the Boise headquarters or at plants and sites across the region, and the program serves as a pipeline into full-time positions.
2. Ladder University Internship Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Cost varies depending on the program type; financial aid is available / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 25%; around 100 students per cohort
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the cohort – spring (January), summer (May), fall (September), and winter (November)
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can work for 8 - 12 weeks, devoting 10 - 20 hours/week
The Ladder University Internship Program is an eight-week remote internship that places you with an early-stage startup across fields including software engineering, machine learning and AI, finance, health tech, media, environmental science, and non-profit work. As part of the program, you will work around ten to fifteen hours per week on a defined project assigned in coordination with your host company. During the first week, you will meet with your coach to define the project scope, then work toward a first deliverable by week four and a final presentation by week eight. Projects vary by company and have included tasks such as pricing strategy development, content creation, coding email and SMS processing systems, and market research. Apply now!
3. Blockchain REU (BREU): Embracing Blockchain for a Secure and Trustworthy Tomorrow
Location: Boise State University, Boise, ID
Stipend: $6,300 plus a $900 meal allowance, up to $770 in travel funding, and fully-funded housing (for non-local students)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 10 students per year
Dates: May 26 – July 24
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Undergraduate students majoring in computer science or a related STEM field; expected graduation date no earlier than the end of summer; who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The Blockchain REU (BREU) Site is an in-person summer research program at Boise State University that focuses on blockchain technology and its applications in cybersecurity, data privacy, and the protection of critical information systems. As a participant, you will work alongside a cohort of ten undergraduate students on research projects covering areas such as electronic voting integrity, financial data exchange, and health information security. The program is mentored by faculty whose research spans cybersecurity, applied cryptography, deep learning, and trustworthy AI systems. You will engage in both individual and collaborative research environments and receive guidance on the design, development, and implementation of blockchain technologies.
4. Idaho National Laboratory Undergraduate Research Assistant Internship - Science and Technology
Location: Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, ID
Stipend: Competitive national hourly wage + travel reimbursements and a housing stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; 10 students per year
Dates: 10–16 weeks; varies by research assignment
Application Deadline: Varies by research assignment; typically close in March/April
Eligibility: Undergraduate students t an accredited U.S. college or university; a minimum 3.0 GPA; authorized to work in the U.S.
The Idaho National Laboratory (INL) Internship Program is a paid, in-person internship offered by the U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory. Positions are available across STEM fields, including nuclear engineering, chemistry, computer science, and physics, as well as non-technical areas such as business, communications, and logistics. During the first week, you will work with an assigned mentor to define your project scope and secure the resources needed for your assignment. Throughout the internship, you will get to contribute to ongoing research or operational work under direct mentor guidance. You are also encouraged to attend weekly seminars, facility tours, and networking events.
5. Micron Summer Internship Program
Location: Multiple Micron offices, including Boise, Idaho
Stipend: Competitive hourly rate plus housing and relocation for non-local interns, monthly transportation stipend, and medical benefits
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely selective; typically 1 intern selected per specific job posting
Dates: Typically 12 weeks in Summer, between May and August
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines
Eligibility: Current undergraduate students enrolled at an accredited university
The Micron Internship Program is a paid, in-person summer internship at Micron Technology, a semiconductor company that designs and manufactures memory and storage products. As part of the internship, you will work within a specific team on assigned projects across disciplines, including engineering, computer science, IT, business, and logistics. The program places you alongside full-time employees and experienced mentors who provide direct guidance on your assigned work. You will also attend networking events and seminars designed to familiarize you with the company's operations and the broader semiconductor industry. At the end of the program, you will be required to complete a final deliverable that documents the work you contributed to during your assignment.
6. Office of U.S. Senator Jim Risch – Internship Program
Location: Washington, D.C. office of U.S. Senator Jim Risch; preference given to Idaho residents
Stipend: Stipend paid, amount not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; small cohort
Dates: Three sessions offered annually — Spring (January–May), Summer (May–August), and Fall (September–December)
Application Deadline: Spring: October 18; Summer: February 18; Fall: June 18
Eligibility: Undergraduate students of all majors
As an intern in Senator Jim Risch's Washington, D.C. office, you gain first-hand exposure to public service and the federal legislative process. You assist with legislative research and constituent services while supporting the daily operations of a U.S. Senate office. You learn how a bill is researched, drafted, and moved through the Senate, observing policymaking at the national level. Working across these tasks, you build research, written communication, and constituent-relations skills relevant to law, government, and policy careers. Because internships are open to all majors with a preference for Idaho residents, you join a small, selective team representing the Gem State in Washington.
7. St. Luke's Health System – Cybersecurity Intern
Location: Boise, Idaho, with some placements at other St. Luke's sites across central and southern Idaho
Stipend: Varies by role
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not specified
Dates: Summer, year-round academic terms, and individual roles are posted periodically as needs arise
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Enrolled college student, with some roles specifying junior or senior standing; field of study aligned with the internship area such as cybersecurity, IT, data, finance, law, or a clinical discipline; clinical and academic rotations require an affiliation agreement between St. Luke's and your school
As a St. Luke's Health System intern, you join Idaho's largest employer and explore health care inside a locally owned, not-for-profit system. Depending on the role, you might work in technology areas such as cybersecurity, emerging technologies, or AI and automation; in corporate functions such as finance, data analysis, or legal; or in clinical and academic rotations arranged through Student Services. You contribute to real projects, support assessments and analyses, map healthcare workflows to practical solutions, and learn directly from professional teams and mentors. You build technical and professional skills while testing which part of health care fits you best. Many corporate and technology internships are paid, and St. Luke pairs interns with experienced staff.
8. Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) Internships
Location: Moscow and Lewiston, ID
Stipend: Paid hourly, rate not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size varies by department and business need
Dates: Year-round
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Undergraduates pursuing a degree in an engineering, mathematics, analytics, or related field at an accredited institution; must pass both a background check and a drug test
The SEL Internship Program is a paid, role-based internship at Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, a company that designs and manufactures protection and automation products for electric power systems. You can apply to a specific position rather than to a general intern pool, with openings across areas such as software engineering, firmware, electrical engineering, manufacturing, computer science, and business. You will work on defined projects within your assigned team and are expected to contribute work that directly supports company operations rather than performing administrative tasks. Tasks are typically centered around software, automations, firmware, and cybersecurity tools.
9. Agri Beef Co. – Internship Program
Location: Idaho; options include feedyards in American Falls and Parma, the PerforMix nutrition team near Nampa, the True West Beef processing facility in Jerome, and corporate headquarters in Boise
Stipend: Paid hourly, rate not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; exact cohort size not publicly stated
Dates: Summer term; roughly May through August
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Enrolled college students
In this internship, you work at a feedyard in American Falls or Parma, with the PerforMix nutrition team, at the True West Beef processing plant in Jerome, or in a corporate function such as HR, IT, or the ABtoC e-commerce team. Day to day, you may support animal nutrition and feeding, cattle processing and health monitoring, yard operations, and the systems used to manage cattle and prevent disease. You build practical skills in livestock handling, data recordkeeping, and cross-functional teamwork. You also connect with interns from across the country in a mentorship-driven setting.
10. Idaho National Laboratory – Operations and Strategy Management Internship
Location: Idaho Falls, Idaho
Stipend: $26.94–$32.41 per hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; ~700 undergraduate and graduate students each year
Dates: 10–16 weeks with flexible start and end dates primarily during the summer
Application Deadline: June 30
Eligibility: Enrolled full-time as an undergraduate at an accredited college or university; minimum overall GPA of 3.0; authorization to work in the U.S. including Curricular Practical Training and Optional Practical Training, though some projects require the ability to obtain a Department of Energy "L" or "Q" clearance limited to U.S. citizens and no H1-B sponsorship is offered
In this program, you join Idaho National Laboratory's operations and strategy team, applying classroom knowledge to real organizational challenges in efficiency, performance management, and strategic alignment. Working under an assigned mentor, you support scoped projects across business areas such as finance, supply chain, human resources, communications, project management, analytics, and emergency preparedness. You conduct data collection and analysis, drive process and workflow improvements, build performance metrics, and help develop recommendations that inform strategic decision-making. You sharpen skills in data analysis, project coordination, and strategic problem-solving while attending weekly seminars, facility tours, and networking events crafted for career development. You complete a required final project, delivered as a traditional poster, electronic presentation, or video.
11. Idaho Power Engineering Internship
Location: Primarily in Boise, ID
Stipend: Paid hourly, rate not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; cohort size not disclosed
Dates: Typically May – August/September
Application Deadline: October
Eligibility: Students currently enrolled in accredited engineering programs as juniors or non-graduating seniors
Idaho Power's Engineering Internship Program is a paid, summer internship at one of Idaho's largest electric utilities, where students get to work on projects relevant to the company's power generation and distribution operations alongside an engineering mentor. Project areas vary by placement and have included distribution feeder modeling using Synergi Electric software, load forecasting and electric system planning using PowerWorld, and water resources work alongside hydrology and river engineering teams. You will work on assigned short-term projects while also assisting full-time engineers with ongoing tasks. The program includes job shadowing and field trips to sites across Idaho Power's service area.
12. Eastern Idaho Public Health Internships
Location: Idaho Falls, ID
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not publicly disclosed
Dates: January – April; April – July; September – December
Application Deadline: January – April: October 15; April – July: February 15; September – December: May 31
Eligibility: Minimum college Junior, currently enrolled in a related major (e.g., Public Health, Social Work), valid driver's license, clear background check, and up-to-date immunizations
Eastern Idaho Public Health (EIPH) offers several internship tracks across its departments, each relevant to a specific area of public health practice. The Community Health internship places you with Health Education Specialists working on tobacco prevention and cessation, physical activity, and nutrition programs. The tasks usually include conducting community assessments, presenting health information to school staff and students, and supporting coalitions and outreach campaigns. A separate Parents as Teachers track focuses on early childhood home visiting, where you shadow certified Parent Educators in the field, assist with developmental screening tools, support family workshops and community events, and handle data entry and program documentation.
13. HP Tech Internships
Location: Multiple HP locations, including Boise, ID
Stipend: Paid hourly, rate not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 5–15 interns
Dates: 10–12 weeks over the summer (typically June–August)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Undergraduate students pursuing a degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related technical disciplines
HP offers internships in areas such as engineering, software, sales, and business operations. These internships are typically offered as summer or project-based roles and vary based on the specific team and function. During the program, you will work on assigned projects, which may include supporting product development, analyzing data, assisting with sales processes, or contributing to internal systems. You will be placed within a team and complete tasks using company tools and workflows while coordinating with other team members. Some roles involve working on cloud technologies, hardware systems, or business operations depending on the department. The structure and responsibilities differ by position, with each role outlining its own scope of work and expectations.
14. Museum of Idaho Internships
Location: Idaho Falls, Idaho
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; 3 interns per semester
Dates: Spring: January – April; Summer: May – August; Fall: September – December
Application Deadline: Spring: December 31; Summer/Fall: March 31
Eligibility: All undergraduate students
Museum of Idaho internships are museum-based opportunities that involve supporting programs, collections, and day-to-day operations at a regional history and science museum in Idaho Falls. You can engage with different areas of the museum, including education, curatorial work, exhibitions, and community outreach. These internships are often tied to academic credit and may be coordinated alongside volunteer roles within the museum. During the program, you will assist with tasks such as cataloging artifacts, supporting educational activities, helping with exhibit setup, or contributing to marketing and outreach efforts. Your responsibilities may vary depending on the department you are placed in, with some roles focused on working with collections and others centered on visitor-facing programs.
15. Internships in the Office of Idaho's Congressman Mike Simpson
Location: Washington, D.C. and Idaho
Stipend: Paid, amount not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; typically 2–4 interns per term
Dates: Spring: January – May; Summer: May – August; Fall: August – December
Application Deadline: Spring: December 1; Summer: March 1; Fall: June 1
Eligibility: All undergraduate students
A Congressional internship with the office of U.S. Representative Mike Simpson is a legislative office internship focused on supporting constituent services, administrative processes, and policy-related tasks within a congressional office. You will be placed as part of the office staff and will contribute to the day-to-day operations of a legislative office. Internships are typically offered during spring, summer, and fall terms, with full-time schedules aligned to standard work hours. As part of the program, you will complete administrative and research-based tasks such as answering phones, sorting and responding to constituent mail, and assisting with information requests. You may also conduct research for ongoing projects and help staff prepare responses to constituent concerns.
Questions Students Often Ask About These Programs
1. Idaho National Laboratory appears twice on this list. What's the difference between the two programs?
The Undergraduate Research Assistant Internship is research-focused, placing you directly with a scientist or engineer mentor on a technical project in areas like nuclear engineering, computer science, or chemistry. The Operations and Strategy Management Internship is entirely different in focus, designed for students interested in business functions like finance, supply chain, HR, or analytics, and includes a structured final project presented as a poster or presentation. If your background is in STEM and you want hands-on lab or technical work, the Research Assistant track is the better fit; if you're studying business, data analytics, or a related field and want exposure to how a major national laboratory runs operationally, the Operations and Strategy track is the stronger match.
2. I'm interested in government or policy work. Which programs on this list are most relevant?
Both congressional internship programs, Senator Risch's D.C. office and Representative Simpson's office, give you direct exposure to the federal legislative process, including constituent services, policy research, and day-to-day congressional operations. Both are open to all majors with a preference for Idaho residents or connections, and both offer three terms per year, giving you flexibility on timing.
3. I'm not studying engineering or computer science. Are there strong options for me here?
Yes, several programs are explicitly open to all majors or non-technical fields. Agri Beef's internship spans corporate functions like HR, IT, and e-commerce alongside its agricultural operations, making it relevant for business or communications students. Eastern Idaho Public Health has tracks specifically for public health and social work majors. The Museum of Idaho welcomes all undergraduates across education, curatorial, and outreach roles. Ladder Internships is the most flexible option, fully remote and matching you to a startup based on your interests regardless of major.