15 Internships for College Students in Iowa

If you are a college student looking for professional experience, internships can help you understand how a specific field operates while also strengthening your future career prospects. By working on specific assignments or projects, you’ll build a record of experience that you can include on your resume and discuss in interviews. You will also get to interact with professionals in your field, which can lead to mentorship and long-term professional connections. In many cases, completing an internship can improve your chances of securing a full-time role, either within the same organization or in similar positions elsewhere.

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?

An internship can help improve your employability by giving you experience that employers often expect from entry-level candidates. You will get the opportunity to work in professional environments, understand workplace expectations, and develop skills like communication, deadline and task management, and more. Internships also allow you to explore different roles within your field, making it easier to decide what type of work you want to pursue after graduation. Several organizations in Iowa offer internships to college students across a range of fields and industries. 

To make your search more manageable, here’s a list of 15 internships for college students in Iowa.

Quick Look

• 15 internships total spanning state government, energy and utilities, agriculture research, bioinformatics, aerospace, and insurance, hosted by organizations including the State of Iowa, MidAmerican Energy, John Deere, and Iowa State University

• The strongest disclosed stipends are Iowa State's George Washington Carver Internship Program ($8,000), the Iowa Space Grant Consortium ($6,560), and the Iowa Institute of Human Genetics' Bioinformatics Internship ($5,768)

• Several government internships are unpaid, including the Iowa Attorney General's Office, though most other state-run programs, including the Governor's Office and State of Iowa Internship Program, vary in pay by specific role

• Energy and utility companies make up a notable share of this list, with MidAmerican Energy, Alliant Energy, and John Deere all offering paid, multi-department internships across engineering, IT, and business functions

• The Insure Your Future Internship is uniquely positioned for freshmen and sophomores specifically, while most other programs on this list target juniors and seniors

1. Undergraduate Internships at The Office of the Attorney General

Location: State of Iowa Office of the Attorney General, Des Moines, IA
Stipend: Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: Summer, spring, and fall internships available
Application Deadline: Varies based on internship
Eligibility: Students who are in an associated undergraduate program or graduate-level program of study

The Iowa Attorney General's Office Undergraduate Internship offers you direct exposure to law, public policy, consumer protection, and criminal justice work within a state government legal office. There are three tracks available. As part of the Consumer Protection Division, you will handle consumer complaints, assist with investigations, support litigation, and draft case summaries under attorney supervision. As part of the Communications track, you will work with the Press Secretary on press releases, social media content, video and photography, and internal and external office communications. During the internship, you may assist staff with organizing case materials, responding to inquiries, and completing research tied to legal or policy matters. Your responsibilities can vary depending on the division you are placed in, with some roles focusing more on administrative coordination and others on research-based work.

2. Ladder University Internship Program

Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies (financial aid available); Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 25%; Around 100 students per cohort
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the cohort
Eligibility: Undergraduate students who can work for 8-12 weeks, devoting 10-20 hours/week

A Ladder University Internship Program is a virtual internship program that places you with startups and organizations to work on defined projects under the guidance of a company mentor. As part of the program, you will be matched with a host company based on your interests, and the program spans multiple fields, such as software engineering, finance, consulting, and media. The internship typically runs for 8 weeks, with a structured timeline where you define, develop, and present project deliverables in stages. You will work on assigned tasks each week while meeting with a company coach or manager to review progress and refine your output.

3. Iowa State University: George Washington Carver Internship Program

Location: Iowa State University, Ames, IA
Stipend: $8,000 
Acceptance rate: Competitive 
Dates: January 19 – May 15
Application Deadline: November 2
Eligibility: Undergraduate students (except Iowa State University students)

The George Washington Carver Internship Program is a semester-long research internship that involves faculty-led projects within the fields of agriculture, food systems, and related sciences. As an intern, you will work closely with a faculty mentor, contributing to ongoing research across different disciplines while following a defined academic schedule. During the program, you will conduct research tasks such as collecting and analyzing data, supporting lab or fieldwork, and contributing to project outputs under supervision. You will be assigned to a research area based on your background, with projects spanning topics like food systems, agricultural processes, and environmental studies. The internship also includes components such as workshops and guidance sessions, where you’ll engage with professional development content and receive feedback on your work.

4. Bank of America Student Leaders

Location: Multiple locations across the U.S.
Cost/Stipend: Paid; All expenses for Summit in Washington, D.C. are also covered
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; Roughly 300 students nationwide
Dates: 6 weeks 
Application Deadline: February 9 – March 16
Eligibility: Undergraduates (18+) who achieved their high school diploma or equivalent within the last 2 years 

The Bank of America Student Leaders program is a leadership-focused internship program that combines a short-term nonprofit placement with structured learning components. If selected, you will be placed in a nonprofit organization, where you’ll work on assigned tasks that support ongoing programs, operations, or community initiatives. The internship follows a full-time schedule over a fixed duration, with responsibilities varying based on the organization you are matched with. During this time, you’ll contribute to activities such as outreach coordination, administrative support, or program-related work. The program also includes a leadership summit, where you’ll participate in sessions that examine how public, private, and nonprofit sectors function.

5. The Iowa Institute of Human Genetics (IIHG) Summer Internship in Bioinformatics

Location: University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
Stipend: $5,768
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: June 1 – July 24
Application Deadline: March 21 (tentative)
Eligibility: Undergraduate students interested in informatics with computer science experience

The Summer Internship in Bioinformatics at the Iowa Institute of Human Genetics is a full-time research internship that focuses on computational analysis in genetics and genomic medicine. As an intern, you will work under the supervision of a faculty mentor, contributing to ongoing research projects that use biological data to answer scientific questions. You will be assigned a project within the bioinformatics division, where work can range from standard data analysis to more exploratory computational research. The program also includes seminars and workshops that focus on research topics, graduate study, and related career paths.

6. State of Iowa Internship Program

Location: Multiple locations across Iowa
Stipend: Varies based on specific internship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: Varies based on specific internship
Application Deadline: Varies based on specific internship
Eligibility: Undergraduate students; exact requirements vary based on specific internship

The State of Iowa Internship program places you within state agencies to support administrative, technical, and public service functions. You can explore roles across departments such as information technology, finance, engineering, and communications, depending on available openings. These internships are offered across different terms, including summer and academic-year placements, with schedules varying by role. During the program, you will work on assigned tasks such as assisting with projects, preparing reports, analyzing data, or supporting departmental operations. The scope of work depends on the specific agency and position, with each role outlining its own responsibilities.

7. Iowa Governor's Office Internship

Location: Office of the Governor, Des Moines, IA
Stipend: Varies based on specific internship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: Varies based on specific internship
Application Deadline: Varies based on specific internship
Eligibility: Undergraduate, graduate, and law students

The Governor’s Office Internship Program (Iowa) is a government internship that involves supporting administrative, communications, and policy-related work within a state executive office. You will be assigned to a specific team, where you’ll contribute to tasks aligned with that department’s responsibilities. During the program, you will assist with activities, such as responding to constituent correspondence, supporting communications work, and contributing to policy-related assignments. You will work alongside staff members and use internal systems to complete assigned tasks while coordinating across teams.

8. Iowa Space Grant Consortium (ISGC) Internships

Location: Multiple locations in Iowa
Stipend: $6,560 
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: Varies based on specific internship
Application Deadline: February 20
Eligibility: U.S. students enrolled at DMACC, Drake, ISU, Loras, Morningside, UI, UNI, or Simpson at the time of application; Must be graduating no earlier than spring

The Iowa Space Grant Consortium Internship Program is a collection of STEM internships focused on aerospace, space science, and related research and education fields. You can explore opportunities across research institutions, industry partners, and outreach organizations, depending on the specific internship listing. These internships are offered across different terms, with timelines and formats varying by role. During the program, you will work on assigned projects that may involve research tasks, technical development, or science communication. You can complete your work under the guidance of a mentor or supervisor while using tools relevant to your field.

9. Iowa Workforce Development- Innovative Businesses Internship Program

Location: Multiple locations in Iowa
Stipend: Paid (stipend amount varies depending on specific internship)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: Varies based on specific internship
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Undergraduate or graduate students at an Iowa community college, private college, or regent university, or graduates from an Iowa high school

The Iowa Student Internship Program is a state-funded initiative that supports employers in offering internship positions to students in targeted industries such as bioscience, advanced manufacturing, and information technology. As an intern, you will work on tasks that vary by employer and may include research, engineering, data analysis, product development, or business operations. Some roles may also involve export-related activities, where you’ll assist with international market research and business expansion efforts.

10. NASA OSTEM Internship Program

Location: Several NASA locations across the U.S., including Iowa
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: Varies based on program; Multiple cohorts in a year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort 
Eligibility: Full-time or part-time undergraduate and graduate students (16+) with a minimum 3.0 GPA 

The NASA OSTEM Internship Program places you in project-based roles across fields such as science, engineering, business, and communications. Internships are offered in multiple sessions throughout the year and take place at NASA centers or affiliated facilities. You will work under the guidance of a mentor on defined assignments that may include research, technical development, data analysis, or program support. The experience is organized around specific projects, where you will contribute to ongoing mission-related work within a team.

11. Iowa Department of Natural Resources Internship

Location: Multiple Iowa companies, healthcare facilities, academic campuses, or government agencies
Stipend: Paid 
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: May 18 – August 7 (12-week internships); May 18 – November 27 (28-week co-op projects) 
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Graduate and junior or senior undergraduate students enrolled in engineering majors

The Iowa DNR Pollution Prevention (P2) Internship Program is a project-based internship that places you in environmental and engineering roles with participating companies across Iowa. Internships follow a structured format, beginning with a short training period and continuing with on-site project work over several weeks. You will be assigned a specific project where you’ll analyze existing systems, collect and interpret data, and evaluate alternative processes or technologies. The work focuses on areas such as energy use, water conservation, waste reduction, and process efficiency within the host organization. The experience involves developing recommendations based on cost and environmental impact and presenting findings in a final report to company leadership.

12. MidAmerican Energy Internship

Location: MidAmerican Energy locations across Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska & South Dakota
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: Usually mid-May – mid-August
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Full-time college students

The MidAmerican Energy Internship Program is a summer internship initiative that offers college students roles across departments such as engineering, finance, IT, communications, and business operations. Work assignments vary by department and can include technical tasks, data review, operational support, or coordination-based work tied to ongoing projects. As an intern, you will join an existing team and contribute to department-specific functions rather than isolated assignments. The program also includes scheduled activities such as site visits, group events, and interactions with employees across different areas of the company. Some roles involve exposure to energy infrastructure, internal systems, and operational processes used within the organization.

13. Alliant Energy Internship Program

Location: Multiple Alliant Energy locations across the U.S., including Iowa 
Stipend: Paid 
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: Varies depending on specific internship
Application Deadline: Varies depending on specific internship
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students; Exact requirements will vary depending on position

The Alliant Energy Internship Program is a utility-sector internship that engages college students in operational, technical, and business functions related to energy generation and distribution. You will join an existing team working on infrastructure and energy systems, where assignments may involve supporting power generation processes, analyzing operational data, or assisting with engineering and business workflows tied to electricity and natural gas services. You can contribute to projects that intersect with areas such as renewable energy, grid operations, and utility management, depending on the team. The program includes exposure to physical assets such as generation stations, wind farms, and solar installations, alongside participation in internal meetings and cross-functional coordination.

14. John Deere Internship Program

Location: Multiple John Deere locations across the U.S., including Iowa
Stipend: Paid 
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: Varies depending on specific internship
Application Deadline: Varies depending on specific internship
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students; Exact requirements will vary depending on position

The John Deere Internship Program is available to students across disciplines, including engineering, information technology, finance, marketing, supply chain management, and human resources. If selected, you will be assigned to active projects in areas such as product design and testing, electric drive systems development, software development, data analytics, and supply chain operations. Work in engineering may involve tasks like component analysis, CAD-based design, and testing of systems including electrification and battery technology. IT interns contribute to software development, cybersecurity, and digital transformation initiatives, while supply chain roles include supplier negotiation and cross-functional resourcing activities.

15. Insure Your Future Internship Program

Location: Multiple locations across Iowa 
Stipend: Paid 
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: Varies depending on specific internship
Application Deadline: Varies depending on specific internship
Eligibility: College freshmen and sophomores

The Insure Your Future Internship is an early-stage summer program that places college freshmen and sophomores directly within participating insurance companies across Iowa. The program was developed through a partnership between the Iowa Economic Development Authority, the Iowa Insurance Division, regional educational institutions, and a coalition of financial services companies. It connects you with a host employer where you’ll work across functions and see the business from multiple angles. Alongside your company-based placement, you will attend four leadership development events hosted by various insurance companies throughout the summer. 

Questions Students Often Ask About These Programs

1. I'm only a freshman or sophomore. Are there any internships here I'd actually be eligible for?

Yes, the Insure Your Future Internship Program is specifically designed for college freshmen and sophomores, placing you directly with insurance companies across Iowa early in your college career. Most other programs on this list, including the energy and government internships, typically target juniors and seniors, so Insure Your Future is your strongest option if you want hands-on experience earlier on. It's also worth reaching out directly to programs like the State of Iowa Internship Program or MidAmerican Energy, since eligibility can vary by specific role and some may be open to underclassmen depending on the position.

2. How do the three energy company internships (MidAmerican, Alliant, John Deere) differ from each other?

While all three are utility or industrial companies offering paid internships across engineering, IT, and business functions, each has a slightly different focus. MidAmerican Energy and Alliant Energy are both regional utility companies, giving you direct exposure to power generation, grid operations, and renewable energy infrastructure like wind farms and solar installations. John Deere is a manufacturing company rather than a utility, so its internships center more on product design, electrification and battery technology, and supply chain operations tied to agricultural and industrial equipment. If you're interested in renewable energy or utility operations specifically, MidAmerican or Alliant are the better fit; if you're drawn to engineering and product development, John Deere offers a different kind of hands-on technical experience.

3. Several state government internships (Attorney General's Office, Governor's Office, State of Iowa Internship Program) seem similar. How do I know which one to apply to?

Each one centers on a different part of state government. The Attorney General's Office is focused specifically on legal and policy work, with tracks in consumer protection and communications. The Governor's Office Internship places you within the state's executive branch, supporting communications, policy, and constituent correspondence. The State of Iowa Internship Program is the broadest of the three, spanning multiple state agencies and departments like IT, finance, and engineering rather than one specific office. If you're interested in law or policy specifically, the Attorney General's Office is the most direct path; if you want broader exposure to how state government operates across departments, the State of Iowa Internship Program offers more variety.