15 Internships for College Students in Minnesota
Classroom knowledge only takes you so far – internships are where things start to feel real. As a college student, stepping into a professional environment gives you the chance to apply what you’ve learned to actual problems, whether that’s building systems, analyzing data, supporting research, or working with clients. You begin to understand how decisions are made, how teams operate, and what your chosen field actually looks like day-to-day. It helps you figure out what you want (and don’t want) from a career. Internships also help you build credibility early, showing employers that you’ve already worked in structured, outcome-driven settings. With so many options available across industries, it can be difficult to know which ones are actually worth your time.
If you’re interested in learning about the online programs in other subjects, check out some science internships here & find economic internships here.
Why should I do an internship in college?
An internship gives you more than just experience – it gives you proof of your ability to contribute in a professional setting. You develop skills that don’t always come from coursework, such as managing timelines, collaborating across teams, and communicating ideas clearly in real-world contexts. Employers consistently prioritize candidates who can demonstrate applied experience, especially those who can point to specific projects or outcomes. Internships also expand your network, connecting you with professionals who can guide your career and potentially open doors later on. In many cases, they act as a direct pipeline to full-time roles, reducing the gap between graduation and employment. Overall, they make your profile more competitive, more credible, and far more aligned with what hiring teams are actually looking for.
That’s why we’ve narrowed down a list of the 15 best internships for college students in Minnesota, highlighting roles that combine meaningful work, strong mentorship, and real industry exposure.
Quick Look
15 internships total spanning biomedical research, software engineering, supply chain, finance, IT, consulting, energy infrastructure, and startup-based work, hosted by organizations including Mayo Clinic, Medtronic, Ameriprise Financial, RSM, and the University of Minnesota
The strongest disclosed hourly rates are RSM's Microsoft D365 Consulting Internship ($31 to $38 per hour) and Hennepin County IT ($22 per hour), while several programs including Mayo Clinic SURF and Medtronic internships are paid but do not disclose a specific figure publicly
Medtronic appears four times on this list across IT, finance, supply chain, and WISE programs, making it a strong target for students open to different functional tracks within a single major employer
Several programs have October deadlines for the following summer, including Medtronic Supply Chain and Medtronic Finance (both October 13), with Medtronic IT typically opening applications in October as well."
Most programs require U.S. work authorization, and several have explicit GPA minimums between 2.5 and 3.0; the Carlson E-ternship and SciTech programs are the most accessible options for students earlier in their undergraduate journey
1. M-ASCEND Undergraduate Summer Research Internship (University of Minnesota Medical School)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Location: University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN
Stipend: Paid
Dates: June – August
Application Deadline: February 18
Eligibility: Must have graduated from a Minnesota high school and/or be attending an accredited Minnesota college or university; must be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or permanent resident
As part of this internship for college students in Minnesota, you step into an active research setting where questions around cancer, health disparities, and population health are studied through real data. You’ll be paired with a faculty mentor, giving you the chance to contribute to a project in biomedical, behavioral, clinical, translational, or community-based research. Your work may involve organizing data, applying statistical methods, and interpreting results in relation to broader healthcare outcomes. Weekly seminars help you understand how interdisciplinary research operates and how structural factors shape disease burden and access to care. The experience also introduces you to the professional side of research through workshops on graduate study, medical pathways, and scientific communication. The program ends with a poster presentation shared with academic and community audiences.
2. Ladder University Internship Program
Acceptance rate: Selective
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies depending on program type; financial aid available
Application deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Eligibility: College, high school and gap year students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks
With Ladder internships, you take on project-based responsibilities in an early start-up. Your work might sit within technology, business strategy, sustainability, public policy, or another field tied to your interests. The internship also focuses on ownership, meaning you are expected to manage tasks, respond to feedback, and contribute to outcomes that matter to the team. A Ladder Coach and company founder/manager support you throughout the experience, adding structure through mentorship and career guidance. You also gain exposure to how founders prioritize work, test ideas, and operate under shifting constraints. The internship wraps up with a final presentation to company leadership on the work you completed.
3. Mayo Clinic Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 180 students accepted each year across 3 campus locations
Location: Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
Stipend: Paid fellowship with a stipend; housing support is available
Dates: May 25 – July 30
Application Deadline: February 3
Eligibility: Must be a current undergraduate student interested in biomedical research
For students considering research-intensive careers, SURF offers direct involvement in scientific work at a major academic medical center. You join a lab under faculty mentorship and contribute to a focused project in an area such as immunology, neuroscience, regenerative sciences, biomedical engineering, or translational research. Daily work in this internship for college students in Minnesota can include laboratory techniques, data analysis, literature review, and the use of advanced research instrumentation. Close interaction with postdocs, graduate students, and physician-scientists helps you understand how modern biomedical teams function. Beyond the lab, the fellowship includes professional development and community-building experiences. It culminates in a formal presentation of your findings.
4. MnTech/Minnesota Tech Association – SciTech Internship Program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Up to 5 interns per employer
Location: Minnesota Tech Association (MnTech), Minneapolis, MN (internships statewide across Minnesota)
Stipend: Internships are paid by the hiring employer (pay varies by role/company)
Dates: Varies by internship role and employer
Application Deadline: No single deadline
Eligibility: Must be at least 18, in good academic standing (2.5+ GPA), and at least halfway through your undergraduate studies at the start of the internship
SciTech works as a statewide platform that connects you with paid STEM roles at Minnesota companies. After building a profile with your resume, transcript, and technical background, you apply directly to openings that match your coursework and skills. Available roles can range from software and data-focused work to research support, engineering, or technical operations, depending on the employer. This setup gives you more control over the kind of experience you pursue while also requiring you to present your background clearly and strategically. Placements are employer-driven, meaning the experience reflects real hiring expectations rather than a purely academic selection process. You also gain exposure to smaller companies where interns are often brought in to support practical, ongoing work.
5. Western Digital Software Engineering Co-Op (Summer)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Location: Western Digital, Rochester, MN
Stipend: Paid co-op internship
Dates: Summer (typically aligned with academic calendar)
Application Deadline: May 6 (may close earlier if filled)
Eligibility: Must be currently pursuing a BS/MS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Computer Science, with proficiency in C/C++ and Python
At Western Digital, the focus shifts toward systems-level engineering, where software work is closely tied to storage hardware performance. You contribute to firmware and hardware-software integration tasks that affect how hard drives read, write, and process data. The role may involve debugging low-level behavior, developing validation tools, and writing scripts used in testing and continuous integration environments. Since the work is tied to enterprise storage products, there is a strong emphasis on reliability, performance tuning, and careful technical analysis. You also gain experience with collaborative engineering workflows, including Agile development and cross-team problem solving. Interaction with internal product teams and technical support groups helps you see how individual engineering decisions affect broader system behavior.
6. Intern – Pipeline Technician (Northern Natural Gas)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified; Limited availability
Location: Northern Natural Gas Company, Farmington, MN
Stipend: $20/hour
Dates: Varies by hiring cycle; part-time internship
Application Deadline: Open until filled
Eligibility: Currently enrolled in an associate or applied science technical degree program in fields such as Natural Gas Technology, Industrial Automation, Electro-Mechanical Systems, Corrosion Technology, Diesel Tech, or related disciplines; Mechanical aptitude and the ability to work outdoors are required
This internship for college students in Minnesota introduces you to the operational side of energy infrastructure through hands-on exposure to pipeline and compressor station systems. Working under an operations manager or team lead, you assist with maintenance, projects, and technical support tasks tied to active field environments. The experience covers a wide range of technical areas, including controls, corrosion, mechanical systems, LNG processes, underground storage, and environmental standards. You also build practical familiarity with industry tools and documentation, such as alignment sheets, maps, and instrumentation systems. The work takes place in functioning operational settings, so you gain a grounded view of how safety, maintenance, and compliance intersect in the pipeline industry. Please check the job board for the latest details.
7. Medtronic Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) Internship Program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Location: Mounds View, MN
Stipend: Paid
Dates: 11 weeks from June to August
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Must be a current high school senior or first-year college student pursuing a STEM degree; must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.
Designed as an early-career STEM experience, WISE gives you exposure to how medical technology projects are developed inside a major healthcare company. You work on team-based assignments that may touch areas such as AI in healthcare, product development, clinical trial analysis, research workflows, or digital health applications. The internship is designed to build both technical confidence and professional familiarity, especially for students just entering college-level STEM pathways. Workshops and networking sessions add context by introducing you to different roles within science and engineering at Medtronic. The collaborative setup also helps you develop communication and team-based problem-solving skills early on.
8. Medtronic IT Internships
Acceptance rate/cohort size:Location: Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN (Minneapolis Area)
Stipend: Paid + housing and relocation benefits provided for those relocating more than 50 miles
Dates: 10–12 weeks in the summer between June and August
Application Deadline: Typically, October
Eligibility: Rising juniors or seniors pursuing a BA/BS in Information Systems, Computer Science, Computer/Software Engineering, Business Analytics, or related fields; must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.; 3.0 out of a 4.0 cumulative GPA preferred
Here, you work on technology projects that support a healthcare company operating at a global scale, which makes the internship both technical and operationally relevant. Depending on the team, your responsibilities may fall within security, systems, analytics, user services, project management, or innovation-focused functions. Some placements lean more toward software engineering, with work related to telemedicine, robotics, cybersecurity, testing, or data tools linked to medical device development. You also gain a sense of how large organizations coordinate technical work across functions, geographies, and product lines. Interns are considered for future rotation pathways, so the experience has a strong career-development angle in addition to project execution.
9. Medtronic Supply Chain & Supply Management Internship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Location: Minneapolis
Stipend: Paid
Dates: 10–12 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: October 13
Eligibility: Rising junior or senior pursuing a BA or BS in Supply Chain, Supply Management, or a related field; Authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis
Supply chain work becomes much more concrete in this internship, where you contribute to projects involving planning, sourcing, analytics, and operational improvement. In this internship for college students in Minnesota, your work supports real processes and decision-making. Projects may center on demand planning, supplier strategy, category management, data analysis, or efforts to improve how systems run. The role sits inside a healthcare technology company, so you also get to see how sourcing and logistics affect products used in clinical care and patient treatment. Collaboration with cross-functional teams helps you understand how supply decisions connect with broader business goals. The program also includes leadership and networking elements that extend the experience beyond the immediate project.
10. Medtronic Finance Internship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Location: Minneapolis
Stipend: Paid
Dates: 10-12 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: October 13
Eligibility: Rising junior or senior pursuing bachelors’ degree in Finance, Accounting, or related finance major based on your school’s degree offerings; Authorized to work in U.S. on full-time basis; 3.0 out of 4.0 cumulative GPA (preferred)
Finance at Medtronic is framed as a decision-support function, and this internship places you in the middle of that process. You may work on assignments involving financial modeling, analysis, internal audit, market review, or broader business strategy, depending on the team you join. The role expects you to engage directly with data and help translate findings into useful business insights. Because the internship takes place inside a large healthcare technology company, you also gain a better sense of how finance supports innovation, operations, and long-term planning. Exposure to professionals across teams helps you understand the variety of career paths that sit under the finance umbrella.
11. Hennepin County Information Technology & Public Sector Tech Internships
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Location: Hennepin County, Minneapolis, MN
Stipend: $22/hour
Dates: Year-round internships; summer placements are common
Application Deadline: Varies by posting; positions open throughout the year
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in a college program (or be a recent graduate within six months) and meet position-specific requirements. International students requiring CPT/OPT may be eligible; 24-Month STEM OPT is not accepted.
At Hennepin County, you may support enterprise systems, cybersecurity efforts, infrastructure operations, application services, or data-related initiatives within one of the county’s many departments. The work affects services used by a large population, meaning the role gives you a practical view of how digital systems support government operations and public access. The internship for college students in Minnesota also introduces you to the scale and complexity of maintaining secure, functional systems in a civic context. Beyond project work, Hennepin County builds in professional support through mentoring, workshops, and one-on-one career development resources.
12. Ameriprise Financial Internships
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Location: Minneapolis
Stipend: Paid
Dates: 10 weeks from June to August
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Undergraduate college juniors / rising seniors
Within Ameriprise, interns are placed on teams that contribute to projects tied to major business functions across a large financial services firm. Your work could involve corporate finance, technology, operations, product solutions, marketing, communications, or client-facing support, depending on the role. The assignments are meant to be substantive, so you are expected to contribute analysis, coordination, and problem-solving rather than simply observing. Exposure to senior leaders and experienced professionals helps you understand how priorities are set in a highly regulated, client-centered industry. The internship also places clear emphasis on professional development, especially in communication, teamwork, and business judgment.
13. AeroVironment Electrical Engineering Intern (Summer)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Small cohort
Location: AeroVironment (AV), Minneapolis, MN
Stipend: Paid
Dates: Summer (duration varies by team)
Application Deadline: Rolling applications (may close once filled)
Eligibility: Must be currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field; U.S. person status may be required due to ITAR regulations
If your interests lean toward hardware, robotics, or unmanned systems, this internship offers direct exposure to engineering work in those areas. You support the design, testing, and troubleshooting of electrical systems used in advanced aircraft and robotics platforms. Tasks may include helping build test equipment, validating subsystems, writing support software, and assisting with system-level verification. The role is especially useful for understanding how electronic components, embedded systems, and test environments interact during product development. The small cohort model also means you tend to have closer access to teams and projects.
14. RSM Microsoft Customer Engagement (D365) Consulting Internship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Location: RSM US LLP, Minneapolis, MN
Stipend: Compensation ranges from $31–$38 per hour
Dates: 10–12 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: Varies by posting; Roles are filled on a rolling basis
Eligibility: Must be pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, MIS, Computer Science, Accounting, or a related field; Must have completed at least 90 credit hours; and be eligible to work in the U.S. without sponsorship; Minimum 3.0 GPA preferred
Consulting takes center stage in this internship for college students in Minnesota, where you help implement enterprise software solutions for clients rather than build standalone products from scratch. You may participate in requirements gathering, documentation, workflow testing, system configuration, validation, training, and support across Microsoft Dynamics 365 applications. A big part of the learning comes from seeing how business needs are translated into software design decisions and process changes. The role also teaches you how consulting teams work with clients, vendors, and internal stakeholders across iterative implementation cycles. Since the platform supports functions like sales, service, field operations, and marketing, you gain exposure to how enterprise systems are adapted for different organizational needs.
15. Carlson School of Management – Deluxe E-ternship Program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~40–50 students per semester
Location: University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, Minneapolis
Stipend: $15.25/hour
Dates: January 20 – May 4 (Spring) | September – December (Fall)
Application Deadline: Varies by semester; November 26 (Spring)
Eligibility: Current students at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus, enrolled in a minimum of 6 credits during the semester they will be participating in the program and not studying abroad
Set within an entrepreneurial environment, this program places you on a startup team working on projects tied to the venture’s immediate growth goals. Your responsibilities may include market research, customer discovery, product evaluation, competitive analysis, or business planning, depending on the company’s stage and priorities. Since startups tend to operate with lean teams, you are likely to see more than one side of the business rather than staying confined to a narrow function. The experience also benefits from support within the university’s entrepreneurship ecosystem, which provides guidance as you progress through project milestones.
Questions Students Often Ask About These Programs
1. Several of these internships are at Medtronic. How do I decide which Medtronic program to apply to, and can I apply to more than one?
The four Medtronic programs on this list are designed for different academic backgrounds, so the most practical starting point is matching your major to the right track. IT internships suit computer science, information systems, or engineering students; Finance internships target accounting or finance majors; Supply Chain is for supply chain or operations students; and WISE is specifically for high school seniors or first-year STEM students. Whether you can apply to multiple tracks simultaneously is worth confirming directly with Medtronic's recruiting team, since large companies often have policies about concurrent applications to different programs.
2. A lot of these internships say "paid" without listing a specific amount. How do I find out what I'd actually earn before accepting?
For programs that confirm pay exists without disclosing a number, like Mayo Clinic SURF, M-ASCEND, and several Medtronic tracks, the best approach is to ask directly during the interview process or check recent intern reviews on Glassdoor or LinkedIn, where past participants often share figures. If a specific number matters to you upfront, RSM ($31 to $38 per hour), Hennepin County ($22 per hour), Northern Natural Gas ($20 per hour), and the Carlson E-ternship ($15.25 per hour) are the most transparent options on this list.
3. I'm only a sophomore or early in my undergraduate program. Are any of these internships realistic for me, or is most of this list aimed at juniors and seniors?
A few programs are explicitly open to earlier-stage students. Mayo Clinic SURF, M-ASCEND, and the MnTech SciTech Program all accept students without a strict class-year requirement, and SciTech in particular is a platform rather than a single program, so roles vary and some may suit sophomores well. Medtronic WISE is specifically designed for students just entering college. The Carlson E-ternship requires enrollment at the University of Minnesota but has no class-year restriction. Most of the Medtronic corporate tracks and RSM explicitly target rising juniors or seniors, so those are worth bookmarking for later in your undergraduate career.