15 Internships for Sophomores in College

Aug 12

Starting an internship in your sophomore year of college can completely change the direction of your academic and professional journey. At this stage, you are still early in your degree, which means you have time to explore different fields, test your interests in real-world settings, and build a strong foundation before graduation. Beyond strengthening your resume, internships also help you grow in confidence, build professional habits, and establish valuable connections with mentors and industry professionals.

If you want to check out some summer-specific programs, here’s a list of free leadership programs & here’s a list of some STEM-specific internships!

Why should I do an internship in my sophomore year?

An internship allows you to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world application, making your education more meaningful and practical. Students who gain early exposure to professional environments often have an advantage in the eyes of employers. Through internships, you’ll naturally develop essential skills like teamwork, responsibility, and time management, which are best learned through hands-on experience rather than theory alone.

The 15 internships listed below have been carefully chosen for sophomore students, focusing on opportunities that offer real learning, strong credibility, and long-term value for your career growth.

Key takeaways

This list gathers 15 internships for college sophomores spanning finance, museums, engineering, and healthcare, with standout hosts including McKinsey, Two Sigma, Microsoft, and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
Nearly all of these are paid, with strong hourly rates like $23 to $27 at one insurance-focused internship and $24 an hour plus a housing stipend at The Met, so pay is rarely a limiting factor on this list.
This list spans a wide mix of industries, from central banking and quantitative finance to museum curation and naval engineering, giving sophomores plenty of ways to test out different career paths early.
Most opportunities cluster around New York, Connecticut, and Boston, while Ladder remains the only fully virtual, location-independent option on the list.
The earliest deadline falls on December 31 for one research-focused program at Columbia, with several more clustering into January, so it's worth starting applications well before winter break wraps up.

1. Fidelity Undergraduate Internships

Location: Multiple Fidelity sites across the U.S., commonly in Boston, MA
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: 10 weeks in the summer
Application deadline: Applications are reviewed from mid-September through mid-October
Eligibility: Current undergraduate sophomores and juniors

The Summer Associate Program at Fidelity is a rotational internship for college sophomores and juniors interested in finance, offering exposure across areas such as finance, audit, actuarial work, risk, and compliance. You will work alongside analysts and researchers, gaining hands-on experience in tasks like quantitative data analysis, market research, creating financial visualizations, and preparing presentation materials for team meetings. The program also provides strong professional development support through mentorship, skills training sessions, networking opportunities, and social events, helping you build both technical knowledge and industry connections.

2. Ladder University Internship Program

Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program; financial assistance available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple eight-week cohorts scheduled throughout the year
Application deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Undergraduates, gap-year students, and high school students who can work 10–20 hours/week for 8–12 weeks

Ladder Internships offer virtual work experiences, connecting students with startups across industries such as health tech, AI, media, biotechnology, and sustainability, among others. You will be paired with a startup mentor who will offer consistent feedback and career-focused guidance throughout the internship as you work on real projects and deliverables. You will also have access to the guidance of a Ladder Coach, who will act as a second mentor during the program. You will work on building skills in research, analysis, and communication, while preparing for and delivering a project presentation at the end of the internship.

3. Federal Reserve Bank of New York Junior Summer Analyst Program

Location: Federal Reserve Bank of New York, New York, NY
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: 10 weeks in the summer
Application deadline: October; applications open in early September
Eligibility: Current undergraduate sophomores and juniors; graduate students are also eligible

The Junior Summer Analyst Program at the New York Fed is a 10-week internship for college sophomores and juniors that provides hands-on experience in central banking. You will work in areas such as research, markets, supervision, audit, or infrastructure, contributing to projects involving financial data, economic trends, and policy analysis, including topics like monetary policy, inflation, and banking systems. The program also includes mentorship, sessions with senior leaders, networking opportunities, and career development support to help you build strong analytical, research, and communication skills while gaining insight into careers in finance and economics.

4. The Metropolitan Museum of Art Summer Internship Program

Location: The Metropolitan Museum of Art or Met Cloisters, New York, NY
Stipend: $24/hour; $1,500 housing/travel stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 2 – August 7
Application deadline: January 14
Eligibility: Current undergraduate sophomores, juniors, and seniors

In this internship at The Met, you will participate in a structured program designed for undergraduates interested in art and its intersections with fields like STEM and architecture. You will choose a department such as curation, exhibition design, scientific research, or institutional advancement, and begin with training in skills like public speaking, arts education, and museum programming. You will then apply these skills by helping design museum tours and events while working closely with museum staff on department-specific projects. Depending on your placement, you may contribute to event planning, develop exhibition ideas, or research artworks for publications and gallery installations.

5. Columbia Business School Summer Research Internship

Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Stipend: $3,000 – $3,500 per month (accommodation provided)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 1 – July 31
Application deadline: December 31
Eligibility: Current undergraduate sophomores and juniors

The Summer Research Internship at Columbia Business School is a two-month research-focused program designed to prepare college students for graduate-level study and future careers in business. You will be placed in one of six areas, including Accounting, Economics, Finance, and Management, among others, and work closely with a faculty advisor on active research projects. Your work may include studying investment performance across different time horizons or analyzing global macroeconomic investing strategies while developing skills in statistical analysis, literature review, data visualization, and research design. You will also attend weekly seminars led by CBS faculty, take part in networking opportunities, and gain exposure to graduate-level academic thinking. The program concludes with a final presentation where you will share and explain your research findings.

6. McKinsey Sophomore Summer Business Analyst (SSBA) Program

Location: McKinsey & Company’s North America offices
Stipend: Paid
Cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 10 weeks in the summer
Application deadline: Application window typically opens in late summer/early fall; details TBA
Eligibility: Students who are completing or have recently completed their first year of undergraduate study

The Sophomore Summer Business Analyst Program places you on consulting teams where you will work on real client challenges across industries. You will support projects by interviewing stakeholders, building models, analyzing data, and developing recommendations. After a week of training in consulting skills, you will contribute to live engagements, present findings to McKinsey teams and leadership, and participate in networking sessions and affinity network events to build professional connections and experience the firm’s culture.

7. Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute Summer Scholars Program (CRISSP)

Location: Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
Cost/Stipend: Free; $5,000 stipend available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 30 students annually
Dates: June 1– August 7
Application deadline: January 31 (tentative); applications open in December
Eligibility: Full-time sophomores, juniors, and seniors at accredited four-year colleges, minimum 3.3 GPA, U.S. citizens or permanent residents

The CRISSP program at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia gives undergraduates the opportunity to engage in pediatric research under expert mentorship. You will design and conduct your own research project in areas such as basic science, clinical research, or behavioral health while developing essential technical and analytical skills for future medical or academic careers. The program combines hands-on lab or clinical experience with structured workshops, research seminars, and optional clinical shadowing. At the end of the summer, you will present your findings to faculty and peers, showcasing your research work and understanding of child health and biomedical science.

8. Nassau Financial Group Internship Program

Location: Hartford, CT
Cost/Stipend: Based on the type of internship (starts at $23/hour or $27/hour base pay)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not Specified
Program Dates: June 1 – August 7
Application Deadline: September-October
Eligibility: A sophomore, junior, or senior in a field of study related to the internship

The Nassau Financial Group offers a 10-week summer internship for undergraduate students in Connecticut that provides exposure to careers in insurance and asset management. You will be placed in a functional area such as actuarial, marketing, HR, portfolio management, investment accounting, or internal audit, where you will contribute to day-to-day projects and business initiatives. Depending on your role, you may support analytical work, assist with reporting, or help develop materials for internal projects such as community initiatives or marketing campaigns. Alongside hands-on experience, you will take part in professional training sessions, engage with senior leaders, and participate in networking and social events designed to build industry understanding and professional skills.

9. General Dynamics Electric Boat Radiological Services - Engineering Summer Internship

Location: EB Groton Shipyard, CT/ Naval Submarine Base, New London, CT
Cost/Stipend: Not Specified
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly Selective
Program Dates: May – September
Application Deadline: November 5
Eligibility: Students enrolled full-time at a college or university pursuing a B.S. or M.S. Degree in any engineering discipline. Should have completed at least the freshman year by the start of the internship

The Radiological Engineering Summer Internship at General Dynamics Electric Boat is a hands-on program where you will work alongside experts supporting U.S. Navy submarine projects. You will assist in reviewing engineering and radiological processes, identifying potential deficiencies, and developing solutions to prevent recurrence while also contributing ideas for innovation and improvement. Through this experience, you will build both technical engineering skills and practical problem-solving abilities, along with strengthening interpersonal and professional communication skills in a real-world defense industry environment.

10. General Dynamics EB Propulsion Plant and Ship Systems Engineering Columbia Summer Internship

Location: Groton or New London, CT
Cost/Stipend: The information is not available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Four
Program Dates: Minimum 8 – 12 weeks in summer ( May – September, 40 hours/week)
Application Deadline: November 5 (cycle closed for this year, check back for next year)
Eligibility: Students enrolled full-time at a college or university pursuing a Bachelor's or Master's of Science Degree in a relevant engineering field; should have completed at least the freshman year by the start of the internship

This internship gives college students the opportunity to contribute to advanced naval engineering projects such as the Columbia Class and Virginia Class submarines. You will gain exposure to propulsion plant fluid systems and structural design while developing professional engineering skills. Your responsibilities may include evaluating material conditions onboard submarines, performing fluid system calculations, and supporting the implementation of new design improvements. You will also collaborate closely with professional engineers from construction and design teams, as well as Navy representatives, gaining valuable experience in a highly technical, real-world engineering environment.

11. Connecticut Children's Student Nurse Internship

Location: Hartford, CT
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not Specified
Program Dates: May 26 – July 31
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Nursing college students currently enrolled in a four-year baccalaureate nursing program as a rising sophomore, junior, or senior; current Basic Life Support (BLS)/CPR in adult, child, and infant

The SNI program gives nursing students the opportunity to work as Patient Care Assistants under the supervision of registered nurses. You will shadow nurses, provide routine patient care, and assist with environmental and administrative tasks. The internship includes rotational assignments across departments such as surgical units, neonatal and pediatric care, and emergency departments, allowing you to gain broad clinical exposure. You will build competency in standard clinical procedures within speciality areas and support administrative work such as retrieving patient records. In addition, you will attend weekly educational seminars to strengthen your clinical knowledge and professional skills.

12. Explore Microsoft

Location: Globally
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not Specified
Program Dates: 8 weeks
Application Deadline: Not fixed globally
Eligibility: Must be a 1st or 2nd year undergraduate student (sophomore-level)

The Microsoft Explore Microsoft program is a paid early-career internship for first and second-year undergraduate students that introduces them to software engineering and program management through hands-on project work at Microsoft. You will work in small teams on real product tasks and gain experience across the development cycle, including design, coding, testing, and problem-solving, while also receiving mentorship, technical training, and exposure to Microsoft’s work culture. The program is designed to help students explore different tech career paths, build foundational skills, and gain clarity about their future direction in the industry.

13. Two Sigma Internship

Location: Primarily New York City (SoHo office)
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly Selective
Program Dates: May to August
Application Deadline: Varies each year and role
Eligibility: Sophomores can apply for Software Engineering, Data Science, and other roles

The Two Sigma internship program is a highly selective, paid summer experience where you will work in teams on real-world problems in quantitative finance, software engineering, and data science. You will be placed in roles such as software engineering, quantitative research, or data science and contribute to building large-scale systems, analyzing complex datasets, and developing tools that support trading and research. The program emphasizes hands-on learning, mentorship from experienced engineers and researchers, and exposure to advanced technologies like machine learning, distributed systems, and statistical modeling.

14. Bank of America Student Leaders program

The Bank of America Student Leaders program is a paid summer opportunity where you will complete a six-week internship at a local nonprofit, gaining hands-on experience in community-focused work while developing leadership, communication, and teamwork skills. You will also attend an all-expenses-paid Leadership Summit that brings together students from across the country to engage with civic and business leaders and learn how different sectors address social challenges. The program offers early professional exposure, structured leadership development, and meaningful experience in community impact work.

15. State Street Global Markets Summer Internship Program

Location: Boston, MA (multiple office locations; hybrid or onsite depending on role)
Stipend: Paid; $41,600 – $65,000 annually (for Rising Senior and Markets roles)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not Specified
Program Dates: June – August
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors pursuing a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; minimum 3.4 GPA

In this 10-week internship, you will get to gain hands-on experience in financial services across sales, trading, and research within State Street’s Global Markets teams. You will take part in structured training focused on market analysis, quantitative skills, and core business understanding while working on real projects tied to financial markets and client needs. You will be guided by a mentor, collaborate with professionals across different teams, and participate in networking sessions with peers and senior leaders.

High-performing interns may be considered for interviews for full-time roles in State Street’s early career programs

Questions sophomores often ask about these internships

1. Do I need prior work experience to apply to these internships as a sophomore?

Not usually. Most of these are designed to be one of your first professional experiences, so prior internships aren't expected. A few of the most selective finance and consulting roles do favor strong academic performance, so it's worth highlighting relevant coursework instead.

2. A couple of these programs also accept freshmen or juniors. Does that make them less competitive for sophomores specifically?

Not necessarily. Programs that accept a range of class years are usually evaluating candidates individually rather than by year, so being a sophomore doesn't put you at a disadvantage. Focus on making your application strong rather than worrying about who else might apply.

3. Are any of these internships open to students outside the Northeast?

A couple are based outside the Northeast or offer flexible locations, and Ladder is fully remote regardless of where you're based. Most others, though, are tied to a specific office in New York, Connecticut, or Boston.

Dhruva Bhat

Dhruva Bhat is one of the co-founders of Ladder, and a Harvard College graduate. Dhruva founded Ladder Internships as a DPhil candidate and Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University, with a vision to bridge the gap between ambitious students and real-world startup experiences.