15 Internships for College Students in Ohio
Internships are one of the most direct ways for college students to translate academic learning into practical experience. They give you the chance to apply concepts from your coursework in real work environments, whether that involves analyzing data, supporting operations, or contributing to ongoing projects. This immersive learning environment not only allows you to develop and refine industry-specific skills, but it also significantly enhances your professional profile and resume. Ultimately, the combination of a work history, a growing network of professional contacts, and a demonstrated ability to succeed in a workplace setting dramatically improves your overall employability odds.
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 Ohio?
For college students in Ohio, the opportunities are particularly robust due to the diverse economic landscape. Internships in Ohio span a wide range of industries, from healthcare systems and manufacturing to finance, research, and public sector work. Many roles are tied to regional industries such as logistics, energy, and healthcare, which can provide insight into sectors that play a significant role in the state’s economy.
To help you find the right fit, we have listed below 15 internships for college students in Ohio.
Quick Look
15 internships total spanning healthcare administration, municipal government, aerospace, finance, conservation, and appellate law, hosted by organizations including Cleveland Clinic, NASA Glenn, JPMorgan Chase, and the Ohio First District Court of Appeals
Several programs are geographically restricted to Northeast Ohio or Greater Cleveland specifically, including Cleveland Clinic's CYCE program (requires residency in one of six Northeast Ohio counties) and the Cleveland Foundation's internship (Cuyahoga, Lake, or Geauga county residents only)
NASA Glenn stands out for placing you directly on Moon-to-Mars and Artemis mission support teams, with paid federal civil servant trainee status and a multi-semester structure that can lead to a full-time NASA role
The Columbus Zoo RISE Scholarship offers a $5,000 scholarship rather than an hourly wage, targeted specifically at students from underserved and underrepresented backgrounds in the zoo industry
JPMorgan Chase's October application deadline is among the earliest on this list, opening well before the summer term begins
1. City of Cleveland Student Internship Program
Location: Cleveland City Council, Cleveland, OH
Stipend: Paid and unpaid option available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; cohort size varies by semester based on departmental needs
Dates: Summer, fall, and spring cohorts
Application Deadline: 2-3 months prior to the start of each semester
Eligibility: Students enrolled in an accredited post-secondary program; specific internships may have additional requirements
In this internship, you can gain exposure to how a municipal government operates across different departments. Your work is typically aligned with your academic focus, allowing you to apply what you’ve learned in a practical setting. Since internships are offered on a semester basis, the experience reflects real workplace timelines and planning cycles. You may contribute to administrative tasks, research, or department-specific projects depending on the role. Overall, this program introduces college students in Ohio to public sector workflows and decision-making processes.
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: 10–25%; 70–100 students
Dates: Several cohorts year-round, including summer, winter, fall, and spring
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: College students able to commit 10–20 hours/week for 8–12 weeks
Ladder Internships University Internship is structured around an eight-week project cycle where you work closely with a company mentor. You begin by defining a project scope, then move through stages of drafting, refining, and presenting deliverables. Regular check-ins with a company coach guide your progress and help you iterate on your work. By the end of the internship, you’ll have produced a completed project that reflects your contributions to a startup environment. The experience provides a clear view of how project-based work is managed in early-stage companies. Apply now!
3. Cleveland Clinic CYCE College Summer Internship Program
Location: Several locations across Northeast Ohio
Stipend: $15+/hour (based on experience)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; cohort size not specified
Dates: May 18 – August 7
Application Deadline: December 15
Eligibility: Undergraduate students enrolled in an accredited college or university residing in one of these Northeast Ohio counties: Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, or Summit
This 12-week internship is designed to bridge the gap between academic study and professional practice by providing college students with hands-on, non-clinical experience in fields such as healthcare administration, finance, education, and project management. You explore non-clinical roles within a large healthcare system, such as administration, finance, or project management. The program focuses on helping you apply academic knowledge to operational and organizational contexts. Alongside your day-to-day responsibilities, you participate in professional development sessions and workshops. These activities introduce you to workplace expectations, communication practices, and career pathways in healthcare settings. The full-time structure mirrors a standard work schedule, giving you consistent exposure to team dynamics and ongoing projects.
4. Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission – Local Government Summer Internship Program
Location: Central Ohio; intern host sites located throughout MORPC's 15-county region
Stipend: Minimum $15 per hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; exact cohort size not officially published
Dates: May 12 – August 14
Application Deadline: April 30 or until all positions are filled
Eligibility: 30 hours of completed college coursework; attend a Central Ohio college or attend another college with access to local housing; legally eligible to work in the U.S.
In this internship, you join a regional council that connects college students with real local government work across Central Ohio's counties, cities, villages, and townships. Depending on your host placement, you apply practical skills using government technology and data systems, with past interns gaining experience in tools such as ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Field Maps, Cityworks, and Microsoft 365 across departments like parks and recreation, human resources, and statistics. You take on assignments such as building GIS data layers, conducting field data collection, organizing public outreach materials, and supporting departmental records and workflows. You can also attend commission meetings, program work groups, and special MORPC-sponsored events.
5. Cincinnati Museum Center Internships
Location: Cincinnati Museum Center, Cincinnati, OH
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size dependent on departmental availability and needs
Dates: Summer, fall, and spring terms
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Current undergraduate or graduate students
Cincinnati Museum Center Internships provide college students in Ohio with hands-on experience across different areas such as museum education, collections, and visitor engagement. Depending on your placement, you might assist with organizing artifacts, supporting educational programs, or working with live animal resources. The variety of roles allows you to explore different aspects of museum operations and public-facing work. You also gain exposure to how exhibits are maintained and how institutions interact with the community. Internships are structured over a defined period, helping you understand project timelines and responsibilities.
6. People In Need (PIN) Internships
Location: People In Need, Inc., Delaware, Ohio
Stipend: Paid hourly, rate not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; 3 positions
Dates: 10-week assignments during the summer (June – September)
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Undergraduate students enrolled at any institution of higher education
People In Need (PIN) internships are practical professional training opportunities that provide students and recent graduates with hands-on experience in humanitarian aid, international development, or local social services by actively supporting the nonprofit organization's field missions and daily operations. You work within nonprofit operations focused on community support services. Depending on your role, you may assist with communications, program coordination, or food distribution logistics. Tasks often involve handling sensitive client or donor data, which requires attention to confidentiality and organization. You collaborate with program directors to support day-to-day operations and ensure services are delivered effectively. The work also introduces you to how nonprofits manage resources and outreach efforts.
7. Marathon Petroleum Engineering Intern/Co-op
Location: Marathon Petroleum, Findlay, OH
Stipend: Paid hourly, rate not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; cohort size varies based on business needs
Dates: Spring, summer, and fall options available
Application Deadline: Varies by internship
Eligibility: Undergraduate students pursuing relevant majors; U.S. work authorization without sponsorship required; must pass a pre-employment drug screen
Marathon Petroleum’s internships for college students place you in a large energy company where you contribute to ongoing technical and operational projects. From the start, you are assigned tasks tied to real business functions, such as refining, logistics, or environmental systems. You work alongside professionals in your field and receive guidance from mentors throughout the experience. The range of departments allows you to see how different technical and business units interact within the organization. Your responsibilities may vary depending on your focus area, but they typically involve problem-solving and applied technical work.
8. Columbus Zoo and Aquarium RISE Scholarships
Location: Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Powell, OH
Stipend: $5,000 scholarship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 5 students
Dates: 12–16 weeks in the summer or animal care internships; 240 total hours for non-animal care positions
Application Deadline: April 15
Eligibility: College students from underserved and underrepresented backgrounds in the zoo industry (including racial/ethnic groups, gender identity/expression, and low-income or socio-economically disadvantaged individuals); must be accepted into an eligible internship or seasonal position at the Columbus Zoo family of parks
Through this Ohio internship program, you explore roles connected to animal care, conservation, and visitor services. Opportunities span multiple areas, including education, ecology, and business operations, giving you a broad view of how a zoo functions. You may assist with daily care routines, support educational initiatives, or contribute to outreach and communication efforts. The experience highlights both the scientific and operational aspects of managing a large public institution. It also introduces you to mission-driven work that combines research, conservation, and public engagement.
9. Battelle Memorial Institute Internships
Location: Battelle Memorial Institute, Columbus, OH
Stipend: Paid hourly, rate not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; ~100 interns
Dates: Summer: May – August; Fall Co-op: August – mid-December
Application Deadline: March
Eligibility: College students currently enrolled undergraduate or graduate students, primarily pursuing STEM degrees (Engineering, Biology, Chemistry, Data Science, etc.); some roles require only one completed year of college
These internships for college students in Ohio place you in a research-driven environment where you contribute to projects across fields like engineering, data science, and biology. You work alongside subject-matter experts and receive ongoing feedback as you develop your skills. The program includes both summer internships and longer co-op opportunities, allowing for deeper involvement in research or technical work. Your tasks may involve analyzing data, supporting experiments, or contributing to problem-solving initiatives. The multidisciplinary setting exposes you to how different scientific and technical domains intersect.
10. JPMorgan Chase Internships
Location: Several locations, including Ohio
Stipend: Paid hourly, rate not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; large cohorts of students every year
Dates: 10–12 weeks, typically running from early June to mid-August
Application Deadline: October
Eligibility: Undergraduates (sophomores/juniors) or 5th-year Master's students, minimum preferred GPA of 3.2/4.0, expected to graduate between December and June following the internship, and authorized to work in the U.S.
This internship provides college students with paid, hands-on experience, mentorship, and potential full-time career pathways in fields ranging from software engineering and cybersecurity to finance and business operations. You work on projects that reflect real business needs, such as developing software, analyzing processes, or supporting research initiatives. Collaboration with teams and exposure to internal systems are key parts of the experience. Depending on the role, you may also engage with data, client-focused operations, or emerging technologies. The structure typically includes training components alongside project work.
11. AeroVironment Internships
Location: AeroVironment, Dayton, OH
Stipend: Paid hourly, rate not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; cohort size not disclosed
Dates: 8–12 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Rising college seniors who are U.S. citizens/permanent residents available to work full-time on a 9/80 schedule during the summer
This internship for college students in Ohio centers on engineering and design processes tied to aerospace and autonomous systems. You might contribute to projects involving uncrewed aircraft, robotics, or software systems, depending on your team. Tasks can include testing hardware, refining designs, or supporting research and development efforts. The environment combines elements of startup-style iteration with structured product development cycles. You also gain exposure to how different technical domains, such as data analytics, sensors, and communications, interact within a single product.
12. NASA Glenn Research Center – Pathways Opportunities
Location: Cleveland, Ohio (NASA Glenn Research Center)
Stipend: Paid, varies by academic level, completed credit hours, grade level, and location
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small role-specific cohorts
Dates: Fall, Spring, and Summer opportunities
Application Deadline: Spring: Late September; Summer/Fall: Late February
Eligibility: U.S. citizens; at least 16 years of age at appointment; enrolled or accepted for enrollment at an accredited institution on at least a half-time basis; completed at least 15 semester hours or 23 quarter hours; cumulative GPA of at least 2.9 on a 4.0 scale; able to complete at least 480 hours before finishing degree requirements
In this program, you join NASA Glenn Research Center's Pathways Internship Program as a paid federal civil servant trainee embedded in propulsion, testing, power, and flight-systems teams supporting Moon-to-Mars exploration and advanced aeronautics. Working under NASA engineers and scientists, you support propulsion development, including electric and advanced propulsion, contribute to wind tunnel and aeronautics testing, assist with cryogenic and thermal systems for spaceflight hardware, and help with mission modeling and systems analysis for Artemis and Gateway. You operate in world-class facilities such as supersonic wind tunnels, the Propulsion Systems Laboratory, cryogenic complexes, and power-system testbeds. The multi-semester structure prepares you for a potential conversion to a full-time NASA role.
13. Cleveland Foundation – Summer Internship Program
Location: Greater Cleveland, Ohio (host organizations located in Cuyahoga, Lake, or Geauga counties)
Stipend: $18 per hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; ~24 interns
Dates: 11 weeks in the summer; start and end dates are arranged with each host organization
Application Deadline: February 5
Eligibility: College junior or senior in fall, graduating senior in spring, or first-year graduate student in spring based on the current calendar year; attend a college or university in or be a permanent resident of Cuyahoga, Lake, or Geauga counties; not a relative of Cleveland Foundation staff or board members
In this program, you spend 11 weeks working full-time inside a Greater Cleveland nonprofit or public sector organization, taking the lead on a meaningful short-term project that advances the host's mission. Past interns have conducted market research and built audience personas, supported grant writing and donor database management, coordinated fundraising logistics, designed community outreach and marketing content, and researched advocacy agendas. You receive direct supervision and mentoring from a staff member while developing skills in program development, event coordination, strategic communications, and community engagement. Beyond your placement, you participate in and help coordinate seminars exploring local nonprofit and public sector work.
14. Avery Dennison Early Career Opportunities
Location: Avery Dennison Corporation, Mentor, OH
Stipend: Paid hourly, rate not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; cohort size varies annually based on business needs
Dates: 10-week summer internships, year-round co-ops, and 2-year full-time rotational programs
Application Deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: Current students or recent graduates in engineering, supply chain, business, or related fields with a minimum 3.0 GPA
Avery Dennison’s internships for college students in Ohio are designed to extend your academic knowledge into applied business and technical contexts. You work within a specific function, such as engineering, supply chain, or marketing, while following a structured training plan. Mentorship and guided learning sessions are integrated into the experience, supporting both technical and soft skill development. The program also introduces you to how different departments contribute to overall operations. Some roles may involve longer-term or rotational exposure, depending on the format.
15. First District Court of Appeals, Ohio – Summer Internship Program
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; ~3 undergraduate students
Dates: Summer; scheduling arranged in consultation with supervising judges
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Undergraduate students interested in how courts impact the community and advance justice
In this program, you join the Ohio First District Court of Appeals for a summer-long judicial internship centered on appellate practice and the role of law in the community. You draft judicial documents, research legal issues in pending cases, and observe court proceedings at both the appellate and trial court levels. You tour government agencies that facilitate the work of the courts, network with members of the judiciary and the local bar, and receive extensive feedback on your written work product from both judges and staff attorneys. Working alongside judges, staff attorneys, and court administrators, you contribute to legal research and writing, case-specific tasks, and the Court's community outreach and educational initiatives.
Questions Students Often Ask About These Programs
1. I'm not studying engineering or STEM. Are there strong options for me on this list?
Yes, several programs are explicitly open to non-STEM majors. The Cleveland Foundation internship welcomes juniors and seniors in any field, placing you with a nonprofit or public sector organization on a community-focused project. The City of Cleveland Student Internship Program aligns placements with your academic background across departments, so any major can find a relevant role. People In Need internships span communications and program coordination, and the Cincinnati Museum Center has positions in education and visitor engagement. JPMorgan Chase also hires across finance, business operations, and non-technical functions alongside its STEM roles.
2. Several of these internships don't disclose a pay rate even though they're listed as paid. How should I approach that?
It's common practice for large organizations like JPMorgan Chase, Marathon Petroleum, Battelle, and AeroVironment to adjust compensation based on your year in school, major, and specific role, which is why a single rate isn't published. The best approach is to apply for roles that match your interests and ask about compensation directly during the screening or interview process. For comparison, the programs that do disclose rates on this list include Cleveland Clinic ($15 per hour), Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission ($15 per hour minimum), and the Cleveland Foundation ($18 per hour), which give you a reasonable benchmark for what to expect from Ohio-based internships at this level.
3. The First District Court of Appeals and NASA Glenn are both very specialized. Who are these programs best suited for?
The First District Court of Appeals internship is best suited for students seriously considering law school, since the work centers on drafting judicial documents, observing appellate proceedings, and receiving direct feedback on legal writing from judges, which is meaningful preparation for an LSAT-focused path and law school applications. NASA Glenn's Pathways program is best suited for engineering, aerospace, or STEM students who want a multi-semester commitment that explicitly leads to a potential full-time federal civil servant role, making it more of a career pathway than a single summer experience.