14 Internships for Undergraduates in New Haven, Connecticut

As an undergraduate, you can explore the applications of your major through internships. Instead of learning concepts in isolation, you can engage with projects, workplace expectations, and professional environments in your field. The exposure helps you understand what different roles look like day to day, making it easier to identify what careers interest you. Internships help you start building a professional record early, whether through completed projects, supervisor feedback, or tangible contributions to a team. 

Why should I do an internship in college?

Completing an internship during college can improve your employability after graduation. Many employers prioritize candidates who already understand workplace expectations, which can translate into stronger job offers and higher starting salaries. Internships reduce uncertainty about your future by giving you insight into different career paths, helping you make more informed decisions before entering the job market full-time. Along the way, you will develop transferable skills such as problem-solving, collaboration, and professional communication. Access to mentors and industry professionals gives you guidance that is often difficult to find in a classroom. 

To make the process easier, we’ve narrowed down 14 internships for undergraduates in New Haven, Connecticut, focusing on programs that are accessible to students from a range of academic backgrounds and career interests.

1. City of New Haven Student Intern Program

Location: New Haven, CT
Cost/Stipend: Paid hourly ($16.35 - $18.10 based on academic year)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Varies by department availability
Application deadline: Varies; check online postings regularly
Eligibility: You must be at least 16 years old and enrolled in an accredited college or university; preference for New Haven residents

You will take part in day-to-day municipal operations through projects aligned with your academic field, contributing to initiatives across different city departments. The work is grounded in government functions, including supporting policy analysis, assisting with community services, or contributing to ongoing public programs. You will connect classroom learning with how decisions are made and implemented at the local level. Along the way, you will develop essential professional skills such as time management, communication, and collaboration while working under the guidance of department supervisors, with additional exposure through site visits to city facilities and mentorship from experienced staff who offer practical insight into how public sector initiatives shape and serve the community.

2. Ladder University Internship Program

Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Application deadline: deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: Undergraduates and gap year students who can work for 10-20 hours/week for 8-12 weeks

You will work remotely with startups and nonprofits across a range of industries on projects tailored to your major or interests. As part of this selective program, you may contribute to real-world initiatives that address genuine business needs, such as developing marketing strategies, conducting research, or analyzing data, allowing you to gain practical experience in a global, fast-paced environment. The program also provides structured training and ongoing management support to guide your work, while helping you build key skills like project management and remote collaboration through hands-on assignments. Throughout the internship, you can collaborate closely with your startup manager and may receive mentorship from founders or executives, with opportunities to present your final project and participate in team discussions that offer deeper insight into how startups operate. Apply now!

3. New Haven Reads Summer Internship

Location: Greater New Haven area
Cost/Stipend: Paid at $17/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified; 6 spots
Dates: 7 weeks, June 29 - August 14
Application deadline: April 3
Eligibility: You must be a rising college freshman or current student with a GPA of 3.0 or higher; experience with elementary or middle school students required

During the internship, you will support literacy development by providing one-on-one tutoring to students in grades 1-12, primarily focusing on reading through structured, skill-building sessions at program sites. Beyond tutoring, you may help plan and lead enrichment clubs such as chess, art, or math, designed to keep students engaged in a more creative and interactive setting. The role also includes assisting with day-to-day program operations, from data entry and research to organizing and packing books for community distribution through the Book Bank. Working closely with site staff, you can contribute to monitoring tutoring sessions and overall program effectiveness, while building practical skills in instruction, student assessment, and program coordination through consistent, hands-on involvement.

4. Yale Child Study Center Undergraduate Developmental Science Summer Internship

Location: New Haven, CT
Cost/Stipend: Not specified, up to $4,000 stipends for those who are unable to secure outside funding
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: 8 weeks,June 1 - July 24
Application deadline: January 31
Eligibility: You must be a rising junior or senior undergraduate; a U.S. citizen or international student at a U.S. institution

You will engage in research across labs, clinical environments, or community-based settings, focusing on child health topics that span both physical and behavioral development, including areas such as psychology, neuroscience, and pediatrics. As part of this research-intensive program, you will be paired with a mentor and contribute to ongoing projects through activities like data collection, analysis of archived datasets, clinical observation, or laboratory techniques. Alongside your project work, you may attend lectures, seminars, and journal discussions that introduce broader topics in child development while strengthening your understanding of research methods, ethics, and academic communication. Throughout the experience, you can collaborate with professionals working with children, families, and communities, and conclude the program by presenting your research in a formal poster session, building both your confidence and your ability to communicate complex findings.

5. Yale New Haven Hospital Student Nurse Intern

Location: St Raphael and York St Campuses, New Haven, CT
Cost/Stipend: $17/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 9 weeks,May 26 - July 24
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: You must be enrolled in an accredited School of Nursing, entering your senior year, have completed at least one clinical rotation and a Fundamentals of Nursing course, hold a current BLS certification, and be able to commit to working 24 hours per week

You will gain clinical experience by working alongside registered nurses in hospital units, supporting patient care under close supervision while applying your nursing training in a real healthcare setting. As a Student Nurse Intern, you may assist with monitoring vital signs, documenting patient information, supporting daily care activities, and maintaining a safe and clean environment. The program emphasizes patient and family-centered care, encouraging you to communicate effectively with patients, families, and multidisciplinary teams while developing professional accountability. You will work closely with an RN preceptor who guides your learning, helping you connect nursing theory to practice, refine clinical judgment, and build confidence in patient interactions. Additional exposure may include rotating across different units, participating in care discussions, and engaging in educational sessions, allowing you to better understand hospital operations and the broader healthcare environment.

6. Yale Summer Enrichment Research Experience (YSERE)

Location: Yale University, New Haven, CT
Cost/Stipend: None; stipend provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 6 weeks,June 1 - July 10
Application deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Undergraduate students enrolled in an accredited institution other than Yale

You will take part in a 6-week summer program centered on biomedical research, where you are matched with a Yale laboratory and work on a primary research project that introduces you to the process of scientific discovery. Throughout the program, you will engage in research while building skills in critical thinking, analysis of scientific literature, and scientific communication. Weekly seminars, career discussions, and social activities complement your lab work, offering insight into pathways toward PhD and MD PhD programs and the wide range of research directions within biomedical fields. With guidance from Yale faculty mentors, you may gain a deeper understanding of research practice while developing the confidence, adaptability, and resilience needed to pursue advanced study and careers in science.

7. Yale Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF)

Location: Yale University, New Haven, CT
Cost/Stipend: $4,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 8 weeks, starting from June through July
Application deadline: February 1
Eligibility: You must be a current undergraduate who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident

Through this internship, you will spend eight weeks at Yale conducting an individual research project under the guidance of faculty mentors, postdoctoral associates, or advanced graduate students across fields such as natural sciences, humanities, or social sciences. Depending on your area of study, you may engage in laboratory work using advanced techniques or pursue library-based research, gaining practical insight into how academic research is conducted at the graduate level. Alongside your project, you can participate in workshops, panel discussions, and academic sessions that focus on research presentation, proposal development, and professional networking, helping you understand the expectations of PhD-level study and research careers. The program culminates in a final presentation, written paper, and the opportunity to present at a national symposium, while mentorship throughout the experience builds your confidence and prepares you for future academic pathways.

8. New Haven Counts Education Intern

Location: New Haven, CT
Cost/Stipend: Competitive hourly ($16.35-$25)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Fall (September - December), Spring (January - May), Summer (July)
Application deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Undergraduates with prior volunteer or community service experience, especially in education or youth programs, and a demonstrated interest in tutoring, mentorship, or nonprofit work

This internship gives you a chance to support youth development by tutoring K to 8 students in math and assisting with after-school enrichment programs, including sports-based learning activities for student athletes and student leaders. Working closely with teachers, tutors, and program staff, you will help track student progress, contribute to engagement initiatives, and support the overall learning environment. The role offers hands-on experience in education and nonprofit operations, while helping you build skills in communication, teamwork, and community engagement through direct interaction with students and collaboration with on-site teams. You may also contribute to outreach or volunteer recruitment efforts, gaining broader insight into how community-based programs are organized and improved.

9. Community Action Agency of New Haven (CAANH) Internship Program

Location: New Haven, CT
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: September or February
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: You must be an undergraduate student

Through this internship, you will gain experience in nonprofit operations through placements in areas such as marketing, fundraising, information technology, or policy advocacy. The role involves hands-on contributions to real projects within a community organization, allowing you to build practical skills through collaboration with staff and participation in ongoing initiatives. Along the way, you’ll also gain insight into anti-poverty efforts and how nonprofit programs support local communities, while mentorship from experienced professionals helps guide your development in the sector.

10. Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services (IRIS) Internship

Location: New Haven, CT
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Varies (15+ hours per week, minimum of 3 months)
Application deadline: April 8
Eligibility: You must be an undergraduate with transportation ability and cultural sensitivity

As an intern, you will support refugees and immigrants through work in areas such as case management, outreach, childcare, or fundraising within a nonprofit setting. Your responsibilities may include client advocacy, updating databases, and assisting with daily operations, all while applying cultural sensitivity in your interactions. Through a mix of independent tasks and team collaboration, you can build skills in problem-solving and cross-cultural communication. Additional opportunities may involve medical accompaniments, donor relations, or projects focused on supporting self-sufficiency, health, and employment for the communities served.

11. Haven's Harvest Food Recovery & Community Impact Intern

Location: Hamden, CT (New Haven area)
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Flexible 8 weeks (30 hours/week)
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Undergraduate with data and storytelling skills

As an intern, you will contribute to food rescue and redistribution efforts aimed at addressing food insecurity in the New Haven area through a mix of research, community engagement, and hands-on operations. Your work may include mapping neighborhood food access by analyzing recovery and distribution data, conducting interviews with community members to document impact stories, and supporting outreach for campaigns focused on reducing food waste. You’ll also take part in daily food rescue activities, gaining direct insight into how surplus food is recovered and distributed. Throughout the program, you can develop reports, community resources, and strategic recommendations that support sustainability and food security goals, while building skills in data analysis, project management, and partnership development with guidance from mentors in the nonprofit and climate space.

12. Yale Conservation Scholars Internship

Location: Primarily Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 9 weeks, May to July
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: You must be an undergraduate

You will complete a nine-week internship in research labs, field sites, environmental nonprofits, or government agencies, working on projects related to conservation, policy, education, or environmental justice. Throughout the program, you may collaborate with mentors such as professors, research scientists, and environmental professionals, gaining experience while building a strong professional network. In addition to your placement, you can participate in weekly professional development activities, including webinars and workshops, and present your work at a capstone symposium. The experience also offers exposure to a wide range of environmental career paths, with select participants having the opportunity to return for a second year as peer mentors in a new placement.

13. Carmody Law Summer Internship Program

Location: New Haven, CT
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 9 weeks in summer
Application deadline: February 1
Eligibility: You must have little or no prior experience in law and be seeking exposure to law firm careers

You will gain broad exposure to the inner workings of a full-service law firm through a nine-week summer internship that introduces you to a range of legal and non-legal roles. In this program, you will assist with general office activities while learning about the responsibilities of attorneys, paralegals, legal assistants, and professionals in areas such as marketing, human resources, operations, and finance. Through daily tasks and shadowing opportunities, you can build an understanding of different practice areas and how teams collaborate within a law firm environment. Guided by summer intern coordinators, you’ll also receive mentorship and structured support throughout the experience, making it well-suited for those with little or no prior background in law.

14. Yale Environmental Health & Safety Student Internship

Location: New Haven, CT
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Summer
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: You must be an undergraduate from an HBCU interested in STEM

Through this internship, you can gain experience in environmental health and safety by working on projects across areas such as biological, chemical, and radiation safety, as well as environmental affairs and infection control. As part of the program, you may collaborate with EHS professionals to support initiatives that promote workplace safety, regulatory compliance, and environmental sustainability within a public health context. Through practical tasks and exposure to real operations, you will develop skills in safety protocols, risk assessment, and compliance practices. The internship also provides insight into a range of STEM career pathways, with a focus on expanding access and opportunities through partnerships that support students from diverse academic backgrounds.

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