13 Internships for College Students in Kansas
Internships are one of the most effective ways for college students to bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world experience. They allow you to apply classroom concepts to professional settings, build industry-relevant skills, and strengthen your resume with hands-on work. Beyond technical knowledge, internships also help you develop soft skills like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving qualities that employers consistently value. For students exploring career paths, internships provide clarity and exposure to different roles within a field.
If you’re open to for 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 are often a deciding factor in landing full-time roles after graduation. Employers frequently prioritize candidates with prior work experience, and internships demonstrate initiative and practical capability. They also help you test your career interests before committing long-term. You’ll gain insight into workplace expectations, industry tools, and professional environments. Many programs also include structured mentorship, allowing you to learn directly from experienced professionals.
In this blog, we've curated a list of 13 internships for college students in Kansas, across industries such as healthcare, engineering, government, and business.
Key takeaways
This list rounds up 13 internships for Kansas college students spanning state government, engineering firms, university research labs, and healthcare and pharmaceutical research, with standout hosts including Koch Industries, the University of Kansas, and Burns & McDonnell.
Pay varies widely, with strong stipends like $7,000 for one NSF-funded chemistry research program and $17/hour for a cancer research training program, while a couple of entries, including Koch's IT co-op and Ladder, are unpaid.
One NSF-funded chemistry research program at KU explicitly excludes KU's own chemistry majors from applying, an unusual restriction worth double-checking if you attend KU, while a couple of virtual national programs round out the list with options that don't require being based in Kansas at all.
Most opportunities cluster around Lawrence, Kansas City, and Topeka, while a handful of virtual programs, including Ladder, are open regardless of location.
A few of the earliest deadlines fall in mid-to-late February for two of the university research programs, with several more clustering into March and April, so it's worth starting applications well before spring.
1. Koch Industries Internship Program – IT Product Support Analyst Co-Op
Location: Koch, Wichita, KS
Stipend: Unpaid
Dates: Summer term
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Currently pursuing a degree or technical certificate in Information Technology, Computer Science, MIS, or a related field
This role involves hands-on ownership of real, complex technical issues across data systems, data flows, and integrations, ensuring the smooth functioning of critical business processes. You will investigate recurring problems at their root, collaborating closely with IT teams, end users, and external vendors to deliver long-term, sustainable solutions rather than quick fixes. A key part of the role includes proactively monitoring alerts and system alarms to maintain reliability and prevent disruptions. You will also create and maintain clear, user-friendly documentation to support both internal teams and end users.
2. Ladder University Internship Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies (financial aid offered); Unpaid
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the cohort
Eligibility: Undergraduates who can work for 8-12 weeks
Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program that gives you the chance to work with a high-growth start-up on an internship. These start-ups often offer internships that range across a variety of industries, from tech/deep tech and AI/ML to health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. They are also high-growth companies that, on average, raise over a million dollars. As an intern, you will work closely with your manager and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects and present your work to the company.
3. Kansas Secretary of State Internship Program
Location: Kansas Secretary of State, Topeka, KS
Stipend: Not specified; Academic credit may be offered
Dates: Spring and summer cohorts
Application Deadline: January 30 (spring); April 1 (summer)
Eligibility: Enrolled college students with a minimum 2.5 GPA
The Kansas Secretary of State Internship Program is designed to give you practical exposure to state government operations across four divisions: elections, business services, administration, and publications. As an intern, you’ll take on primarily administrative duties but will be given increasing responsibilities as you demonstrate capability. The program helps you understand the function of each division within the office and how they collectively serve Kansans.
4. KU Cancer Center C-CLEAR Summer Internship
Location: University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Dates: June 1 – July 24
Application Deadline: March 26
Eligibility: Undergraduate students
During the C-CLEAR Summer Internship, you will complete the required training modules covering Good Clinical Practice (GCP), human subjects protection, and oncology basics. Then, you will work on supervised projects that may include literature reviews, drafting educational materials, and data organization. Professional development activities include career panels, mentoring sessions, resume workshops, and skill assessments, making this one of the more well-rounded research-facing programs available. The program culminates in a capstone presentation where you will summarize your learning outcomes.
5. KUMC Jewell Summer Research Training Program (JSRTP)
Location: University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS
Stipend: $17/hour
Dates: June 1 – July 24
Application Deadline: March 2
Eligibility: College, undergraduate, and medical students
During the Jewell Summer Research Training Program, you will be matched with a faculty mentor and complete a hands-on research project, preparing and presenting a research poster at a symposium at the end of the program. The program is housed within the KU Cancer Center, the region's only NCI-designated cancer center, offering access to cutting-edge oncology research and collaboration with faculty researchers. You can browse the full list of KU Cancer Center researchers on the program's website before applying.
6. Kansas Department of Health and Environment: Legal Intern
Location: Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Shawnee County, KS
Stipend: $15.03 per hour
Dates: Flexible (10 hours a week)
Application Deadline: April 7
Eligibility: Undergraduate students with a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale who are U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents
The Legal Intern position with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment offers hands-on exposure to public health law and regulatory processes. You’ll work within the Legal Services division, supporting attorneys on research, policy review, and legal documentation related to environmental and health regulations. Your responsibilities may include reviewing statutes, assisting with case preparation, and drafting internal materials. This role provides insight into how legal frameworks shape public health initiatives and environmental compliance.
7. Burns & McDonnell Engineering Internships
Location: Burns & McDonnell, Missouri, KS
Stipend: Paid
Program Dates: Typically, summer
Application Deadline: Varies by position; Applications are submitted through open job postings
Eligibility: College students from freshmen through graduate level
Burns & McDonnell offers internships across the US in fields like engineering, architecture, construction, technology, science, and business operations. As an intern, you’ll work on ongoing projects rather than completing a separate classroom-based training program, with responsibilities depending on your discipline and assigned team. Engineering interns may contribute to areas such as infrastructure, power, water, transportation, manufacturing, or environmental projects, while other roles span technology, science, and business operations. Each intern is paired with a mentor who provides technical guidance, answers questions, and helps you navigate the workplace. The company also exposes interns to different parts of its work through offices, laboratories, construction sites, client facilities, and team activities.
8. HNTB University Internships
Location: Various HNTB locations across the U.S.
Stipend: Paid
Dates: Varies
Program dates: Primarily summer internships, with opportunities varying by location and role
Eligibility: College students
HNTB’s internship program gives you experience working on real infrastructure projects alongside engineers, architects, and other industry professionals. As an intern, you will become part of project teams and can contribute to tasks such as research, design, engineering drawings, and project documentation. The program includes formal and informal mentoring, an intern onboarding plan, technical training, Lunch & Learn sessions, and opportunities to network with HNTB professionals. You’ll stand to gain exposure to complex transportation and infrastructure projects while developing practical skills that connect your academic experience with the workplace.
9. KU Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry Undergraduate Research Program
Location: University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS
Stipend: Paid
Dates: May 26 – July 21
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Undergraduates from any U.S. university
During the Undergraduate Research Program, you’ll perform independent, full-time research under faculty supervision, applying principles from physical-organic, physical, and analytical chemistry to problems involving drugs and drug delivery. The ten-week program includes instruction in laboratory safety, scientific literature use, and specialized instrumentation, and ends with each student preparing and presenting a poster on their work. You’ll receive competitive stipends plus room and board in a university dormitory and one academic credit hour.
10. KU Chemistry Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU)
Location: University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS
Stipend: $7,000
Dates: May 26 – July 31
Application Deadline: February 22
Eligibility: Undergraduate sophomores, juniors, and well-prepared freshmen in Chemistry or closely related field majors at any U.S. university (excluding KU Chemistry majors)
During this NSF-REU internship, you will work on independent research projects in one of five designated research interest areas and rank your preferences at the time of application. The program includes professional development activities and support for presenting research results at regional or national scientific meetings. This NSF-REU program is specifically designed for students from primarily undergraduate institutions (PUIs) and is not available to KU Chemistry majors.
11. L'SPACE Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: 15 weeks (exact dates not specified)
Application Deadline: April 12
Eligibility: U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents enrolled in a U.S. college or university (undergraduate or graduate level)
The L'SPACE Program is a free, online training program for U.S. college students, funded by NASA’s Lucy Mission, which explores Trojan asteroids near Jupiter. It offers two 15-week academies: one focuses on how NASA missions are planned, and the other teaches how to write and review NASA-style proposals. You’ll attend live sessions and complete team-based projects. The program requires 6-10 hours of work per week outside class. After completing one academy, you can apply for a separate summer internship with NASA partners such as Lockheed Martin and the Southwest Research Institute.
12. Berkeley Early Learning Lab's (BELL) Summer Internship
Location: Virtual
Stipend: Unpaid
Dates: June 1 – July 31
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Undergraduate students; More info here
The BELL Summer Internship is an eight-week developmental psychology research program at UC Berkeley. You’ll study language and cognitive development in young children while working 15 to 25 hours a week. You’ll be paired with a graduate student or postdoc mentor and assist with participant recruitment, data collection, and stimulus design. You’ll also use tools like R, Datavyu, and LookIt. You’ll work with research methods such as eye tracking, looking time, and observational coding. Along the way, you’ll attend lab meetings, reading groups, and professional development workshops.
13. American Psychological Association (APA) Internships
Location: Virtual
Stipend: Paid
Dates: Varies by internship
Application Deadline: Varies by position
Eligibility: College students and recent graduates
The American Psychological Association offers internships that give you practical experience working in psychology and related areas. Depending on the position, you may contribute to research, policy initiatives, communications, publications, education programs, or other projects supporting APA’s work. You will work alongside professionals and gain exposure to how psychology is applied in research, public policy, education, and professional practice. The internships also help develop research, writing, analytical, and communication skills while building experience relevant to graduate school and careers in psychology and behavioral science.
Questions students often ask about these internships
1. Do I need prior research experience to apply to these internships?
It depends on the program. The university research fellowships tend to favor students with some relevant coursework, though not necessarily hands-on lab experience. The government and engineering internships are generally more open to students building that background for the first time.
2. Some of these internships are unpaid. Are they still worth pursuing?
Often yes, especially when they come with strong mentorship or access to a well-known research center. Unpaid programs on this list still tend to offer structured projects and real professional guidance. If pay matters to your situation, several paid options here offer competitive stipends worth comparing first.
3. Do I need to already attend a Kansas university to apply to these internships?
Not for all of them. A few, including one chemistry research program, are open to undergraduates from any U.S. university, not just Kansas schools. Others are tied more closely to a specific university or state agency, so check eligibility before assuming a listing is open broadly.