15 Business Internships for Undergraduates in Ohio
Internships are a strong option for college students because they offer practical experience in a chosen field. By spending time in a professional environment, you get to test a career path to see if it's the right fit. These opportunities help you build valuable skills such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and strategic thinking while working alongside industry professionals. Internships also strengthen your resume, expand your professional network, and give you a clearer understanding of potential career paths in business.
Business internships are one of the most effective ways to bridge the gap between classroom learning and professional experience. As an undergraduate student interested in business, completing an internship allows you to apply concepts from marketing, finance, management, or entrepreneurship. Ohio offers a range of business internship opportunities across industries such as finance, manufacturing, consulting, marketing, and technology. From major corporations headquartered in cities like Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati to growing startups and regional companies, you can find internships that match your academic interests and career goals.
Why should I do a business internship in college?
A business internship allows you to learn how organizations operate, observe leadership and management practices, and understand industry trends. Additionally, internships help you build relationships with mentors and professionals who may provide guidance, recommendations, or future job opportunities. By offering you experience and a strong professional network, a business internship can significantly improve your chances of securing a full-time role after graduation.
To help you get started, we’ve compiled a list of 15 of the best business internships for undergraduates in Ohio, focusing on programs that offer practical experience, professional mentorship, and meaningful exposure to the business world.
1. SHIFT Marketing — Sales & Business Internship
Location: Ohio, United States (various locations depending on placement)
Stipend: $1,000–$5,000/week; commission-based
Dates: Typically summer internship (May–August)
Application Deadline: Rolling until positions are filled
Eligibility: Undergraduate students
In this internship, you will gain experience generating revenue, engaging with clients, and learning how businesses use sales strategies to grow their customer base. The program focuses on building professional communication, persuasion, and relationship management skills that are valuable across many business careers. As an intern, you will learn to use sales technologies such as customer relationship management (CRM) systems, manage client interactions, and support sales processes from lead generation through deal closing. The internship also emphasizes personal growth through coaching, mentorship, and performance tracking, helping you understand how sales metrics and strategy drive business outcomes.
2. Ladder University Internship Program
Location: Remote (work from anywhere)
Cost/Stipend: Cost varies depending on the program type; financial aid is available / No stipend
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year — Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort; typically January (Spring), May (Summer), September (Fall), and November (Winter)
Eligibility: Undergraduates or gap year students who can commit 10–20 hours per week for 8–12 weeks
The Ladder University Internship Program is a selective virtual internship that connects students with startups and nonprofits around the world. During the program, you work on a real-world project that addresses a genuine need for the organization, allowing you to gain hands-on experience in a professional environment. The startups participating in the program span multiple industries, giving you exposure to different areas of business and entrepreneurship. Throughout the internship, you collaborate closely with a manager or mentor at your assigned organization who provides guidance and feedback. The program focuses on practical skill development, teamwork, and accountability rather than observational learning. Interns are expected to contribute meaningfully to projects, manage deliverables, and communicate progress effectively. At the end of the program, you present your completed project, gaining valuable experience showcasing your work and insights to professionals. Apply now!
3. ClarkDietrich – Operations Intern (Summer)
Location: Vienna or Youngstown, OH
Stipend: $14–$18.50/hour
Dates: Mid-May – August
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Undergraduate students currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Operations Management, Business, Engineering, or a related field
As an Operations Intern at ClarkDietrich, you will dive straight into the core mechanics of a manufacturing environment. Your role covers vital topics like production scheduling, materials requirement planning (MRP), logistics, and plant layout design. During the summer, you will assist plant management with daily operations and tackle small-scale projects to resolve current plant issues. Additionally, you will analyze complex production data and deliver professional presentations directly to your team. Ultimately, you will build practical, resume-ready skills in supply chain management, operational problem-solving, and cross-functional communication.
4. Hajoca Corporation – Sales and Operations Internship
Location: Cleveland, OH
Stipend: $20/hour
Dates: Summer (10-week duration)
Application Deadline: April 30
Eligibility: Current undergraduate student pursuing a 4-year degree
The Hajoca Corporation Sales and Operations Internship immerses you in a 10-week rotational program focused on the fundamentals of wholesale distribution and profit center management. You will explore essential topics ranging from logistics and warehouse operations to B2B sales. During the program, you will manage warehouse inventory, engage with customers at the sales counter, and complete a specialized project tailored to business challenges. The company features a decentralized model, allowing you to learn how local managers operate their branches as independent small businesses. By the end of your experience, you will have developed skills in relationship building, financial analysis, and operational problem-solving.
5. Citrin Cooperman — Future Leaders Program
Location: Various Ohio offices (including Beachwood, Woodmere, Middleburg Heights, and Mansfield)
Stipend: Paid, amount not disclosed
Dates: June (one-day immersive program)
Application Deadline: May 22
Eligibility: Undergraduate freshmen or sophomores pursuing accounting or related business degrees with U.S. work authorization
Hosted across several Ohio offices, this one-day program introduces you to the firm’s culture, services, and professional opportunities within audit, tax, and advisory practices. The program provides a valuable overview of how accounting firms operate and the types of industries and clients they support. During the experience, you participate in sessions that highlight the firm’s history, business services, and client engagements. You also have the opportunity to interact with professionals across multiple departments and gain insights into the day-to-day responsibilities of associates working in public accounting. These interactions help you understand the skills and knowledge required to succeed in accounting and related business careers.
6. Discover Publications – Summer Marketing Internship
Location: Columbus, OH
Stipend: $800/week
Dates: June 1 – August 7
Application Deadline: April 30
Eligibility: Current undergraduate students; Marketing, PR, or Communications majors
In this internship, you will explore the niche world of custom publishing and direct mail marketing tailored specifically for the real estate industry. Your experience covers essential topics like localized content marketing, print media production, and targeted audience engagement. Throughout the summer, you will draft hyperlocal community content, coordinate zip-code-specific direct mail campaigns, and assist in designing layout concepts for customized real estate newspapers. You get hands-on exposure to creating tangible, print-based publications that drive highly localized lead generation, which stands apart from purely digital roles.
7. Meaden & Moore – Forensic Accounting Intern
Location: Dublin, Cleveland, Akron, and Wooster, OH
Stipend: $30–$32/hour
Dates: August – December (Flexible start/end dates available)
Application Deadline: May 9
Eligibility: Junior or senior undergraduate student; Accounting major; Minimum 3.0 GPA; Proficiency in Microsoft Excel
In this internship, you dive into investigative accounting, litigation support, and commercial insurance claim evaluations. You will review historical financial data, prepare revenue and expense projections, examine records for business interruptions, and summarize large data sets to calculate economic damages. You are directly involved in helping diverse clients, ranging from small local retailers to multinational entities, recover from catastrophic physical and financial losses. Through these tasks, you develop strong analytical abilities and master advanced data manipulation techniques in Microsoft Excel.
8. Associated Agencies Summer Internship – Insurance and Risk Management
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Stipend: $21/hour
Dates: Summer (10-week duration, typically May – August)
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Undergraduate students
In this role, you will explore core industry topics like personal insurance, commercial coverage, and modern risk mitigation strategies. Throughout the summer program, you will shadow experienced account managers, evaluate client coverage options, process competitive quotes, and assist in updating detailed policy records. You will have the opportunity to learn within a well-established independent agency that boasts over a century of history, and by engaging in these daily operations, you will quickly develop highly practical skills in risk analysis, professional client communication, and comprehensive policy evaluation.
9. Campus Reel – Campus Marketing & Outreach Internship
Location: Hamilton, OH
Stipend: $18–$35 per hour + commission opportunities
Dates: Flexible/Ongoing; interns set their own hours around classes
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Current undergraduate student; 18+ years old; social media savvy (TikTok/Instagram)
The Campus Marketing & Outreach Internship offers students hands-on experience promoting financial wellness resources to fellow students. In this role, you help design and execute marketing campaigns that raise awareness about tools that help students finance their education. The internship focuses heavily on digital marketing, social media engagement, and on-campus outreach, allowing you to build practical marketing and communication skills. During the internship, you create content for platforms such as TikTok and Instagram, organize marketing campaigns, and collaborate with student organizations and campus departments to host events or informational sessions. Interns may also design flyers, manage email outreach, and track campaign performance to improve engagement strategies.
10. Brokeridge — Remote Sales Internship
Location: Zanesville, OH (remote work with local networking opportunities)
Stipend: $2,000–$10,000 per month potential earnings + incentive bonuses
Dates: Summer; typically running May–August with flexible part-time schedules)
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Undergraduates
The Brokeridge Remote Sales Internship provides students with hands-on experience in sales outreach, lead generation, and customer relationship building. In this role, you will work remotely while connecting with individuals and businesses in the Zanesville area to identify potential clients and refer qualified leads to the company’s inbound call center. The internship emphasizes practical sales techniques and relationship-building strategies that are valuable for careers in business development and sales. During the internship, you learn how to communicate with potential clients, understand their needs, and build rapport to create a positive customer experience. Interns also develop networking skills by engaging with individuals and organizations in the local business community.
11. The J.M. Smucker Co. — Internship Program
Location: Orrville, Ohio
Stipend: Paid hourly, rate not specified + housing allowance
Dates: Fall: August/September – December; Co-ops: 6–8 month rotations (e.g., January – August or May – December)
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Sophomores, juniors, or seniors enrolled in an accredited degree program; a minimum 3.0 GPA is generally required
The J.M. Smucker Co. Internship Program provides undergraduate students with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience at a Fortune 500 consumer packaged goods (CPG) company. In this internship, you will contribute to meaningful projects while learning from experienced professionals. The program is designed to help students apply academic knowledge to real business challenges within a supportive corporate environment. During the internship, you may work in departments such as marketing, finance, communications, or operations, depending on your academic focus. Interns collaborate with mentors and team members on real business initiatives, participate in professional development workshops, and connect with leadership through networking events.
12. UTZ Brands Inc. – Sales Operations Intern
Location: Parma, OH
Stipend: $14.50 – $19.75/hour
Dates: Summer (Typically May/June – August)
Application Deadline: June 16 or until filled
Eligibility: Current undergraduate students; must be able to lift up to 50 lbs and work on their feet in a warehouse environment
In this internship, you will gain a ground-level understanding of how physical distribution processes fuel a high-performing sales organization. Throughout the program, you will assist with inventory cycle counts, help load and unload trailers, contribute to operational reporting, and support cross-functional process improvements. A uniquely hands-on feature of this role is its immersion in an active warehouse setting, bridging the gap between everyday physical logistics and corporate business strategy. Through these daily activities, you will develop highly practical skills in time management, problem-solving, team communication, and sales fundamentals.
13. Jamadmin Inc. – Business Administration Intern
Location: Toledo, OH
Stipend: $14.00 – $17.75/hour
Dates: Typically summer (May/June – August)
Application Deadline: Rolling until filled
Eligibility: Undergraduate students pursuing a business-related degree; must be 18+ years old; must possess a valid driver’s license with a satisfactory record and be willing to travel between regional locations; must have high proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
As a Business Administration Intern at Jamadmin Inc., you will explore core corporate functions across finance, human resources, sales, marketing, and procurement. Throughout the program, you will process financial invoices, prepare detailed sales reports, assist with new hire onboarding, and conduct vital market research. The internship features a multi-departmental structure within a commercial fleet service environment, allowing you to see exactly how different organizational units collaborate daily to achieve company-wide goals. By actively engaging in these cross-functional projects, you will quickly build highly practical skills in versatile project management, data analysis, and professional corporate communication.
14. LJB Inc. – Marketing Client Experience Intern
Location: Miamisburg, OH
Stipend: $18/hour
Dates: May – August (Standard Summer Term)
Application Deadline: Rolling until filled
Eligibility: Undergraduate students
In this internship, you'll work across sales research, data analysis, CRM operations, and client experience support within the engineering sector. You'll conduct market research to spot industry trends and potential clients, maintain and update records in HubSpot CRM, help draft outreach emails and sales documents like proposals and quotes, and collect client feedback to flag improvement opportunities for the broader team. What makes this role stand out is how cross-functional it is; you're not siloed into one task but are actively contributing to both the sales pipeline and the client journey from first contact to project handoff. Along the way, you'll build real skills in CRM management, data analysis, competitive research, and professional communication.
15. Love's Travel Stops and Country Stores – Retail Management Intern (Summer)
Location: Hubbard, OH
Stipend: Paid hourly, rate not disclosed
Dates: May 18 – July 31
Application Deadline: April 26
Eligibility: Undergraduates currently enrolled in a 2- or 4-year degree program (Business, Management, Hospitality, or related fields); successfully complete a pre-employment drug screen and background check
In this internship, you'll spend 11 weeks getting firsthand experience running high-volume, fast-paced travel centers that span store operations, food service, fuel, and truck care. You'll work on the sales floor, driving sales through merchandising, assisting with inventory management, delivering customer service, and working alongside managers to learn team leadership and staffing practices. The internship ensures that you're rotating across the full operation and even collaborating on a cross-functional project with interns and leaders from other areas of the business. By the end, you'll walk away with grounded skills in retail operations, business acumen around cost management, and profitability.
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