15 Fall Internships for College Students
Are you a college student looking to gain some work experience during the academic year? Then, a fall internship is worth considering!
Internships provide you with a platform to gain real practical experience in a field of your choice, allowing you to apply your classroom knowledge to actual work scenarios and develop a deeper understanding of your chosen industry. Additionally, internships offer an opportunity to enhance your profile and network with professionals. These takeaways can increase your chances of employability after graduation!
Interning in the fall can also be a great option if you want to learn how to manage your time and balance university and work commitments.
In this blog, we have listed 15 fall internships for college students. Here you will find options spanning a wide range of industries, including STEM, art, public policy, social work, publishing, and more.
1. Ladder University Internship Program
Subject areas: Finance, STEM, media and journalism, consulting, mental health, fashion, health tech, and more
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; financial assistance available
Eligibility: College students and young professionals
Application deadline: August 25 for the fall session; multiple cohorts and corresponding deadlines throughout the year
Program dates: Fall cohort starts on September 15 and runs for eight weeks
Founded by Harvard alumni, Ladder University Internship is a fairly selective program that pairs college students with startups and non-profits across the world for an eight-week virtual internship. You can pick from a variety of areas, including tech, finance, media/journalism, engineering, consulting, fashion, and health tech. You will be paired with a mentor from the startup and a Ladder coach who acts as a second mentor, helping you develop skills and navigate the internship. As an intern, you will work on a real-world project that contributes to the host company’s mission and present your insights at the end of the session. For instance, depending on the assigned organization, you could work on an innovative business development strategy or a community advocacy report to identify and increase the inclusion of underrepresented communities in medical science.
2. MET Undergraduate and Graduate Internship Program
Subject areas: Different departments, including museum science, conservation, education, finance, and research, across the museum. Check out the list of placement areas here.
Location: The Met Fifth Avenue and The Met Cloisters, New York, NY
Stipend: $22/hour
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in degree-granting programs
Application deadline: May 14
Program dates: Third week of September – first week of December; 10 weeks
The Metropolitan Museum of Art provides undergraduate and graduate students with opportunities to learn about museums and build professional skills in various fields. The Met has over 40 departments. You may also be placed at The Met Cloisters to work on education, library, gardens, or curatorial projects. During your internship, you will join a community of fellow interns and staff and get exposure to the projects, activities, and staff across the museum. The program also offers access to talks in the galleries, presentations by staff, lunches with individual staff members, and behind-the-scenes tours of Museum departments.
3. NASA Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) Internships
Subject areas: Space science, engineering, aeronautics, technology, space microbiology, ecology, and more
Location: Various NASA facilities in the U.S.
Cost/Stipend: No cost; interns may receive stipends based on academic level and session length.
Eligibility: Full-time or part-time college-level students enrolled in a minimum of six semester hours with a minimum 3.0 GPA
Application deadline: May 22
Program dates: Fall sessions offer 16-week internships, running from late August/early September to mid-December
NASA’s OSTEM offers high school and college-level students an opportunity to gain practical work experience and contribute to the agency’s mission to advance aeronautics, science, technology, and space exploration. The paid internships are offered in a range of subjects, including space science, technology, space microbiology, aeronautics, and more. Here, you will work with mentors who are researchers, engineers, scientists, and other professionals. You will help the professionals design experiments, analyze mission data, and develop innovative technology. Your tasks may also involve research, prototyping, analysis, developing system architecture models, etc. You can explore the different opportunities here.
4. Google’s Student Internships
Subject areas: Business, software engineering, hardware engineering, sales, and marketing
Location: Google Headquarters, Mountain View, CA + other locations around the world
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipends available
Eligibility: Eligibility can vary depending on the opportunity and department
Application deadline: Varies according to different roles
Program dates: Internships usually last for 12 to 14 weeks; start and end dates vary by role.
Through Google’s internship opportunities, you can contribute and become a part of the different teams at the organization. As an intern, you will get exposure to the daily operations at Google and contribute to the development of its products and services used around the world. Internships are available in six major areas: business, software engineering, hardware engineering, associate product manager, BOLD, and MBA. Your tasks will vary based on the area and exact role. For instance, as a software engineering intern, you will assist Google staff in addressing the technological challenges. The internship may also offer opportunities to assist the sales team in identifying challenges and help designers with testing software and hardware. You can explore available internships here.
5. UNICEF Internship Program
Subject areas: Various areas and organizational departments
Location: Remote or UNICEF Headquarters around the world
Cost/Stipend: No cost; a monthly stipend is offered, but the amount is not specified
Eligibility: Students enrolled in undergraduate, graduate, and Ph.D. programs and recent college graduates who are at least 18 years old and proficient in English, French, or Spanish
Application deadline: Varies by opportunity
Program dates: 6 – 26 weeks part-time or full-time work; internships offered throughout the year. You can check vacancies here.
The UNICEF Internship program is designed to provide experiential learning opportunities to students and recent graduates in the humanitarian sector. Here, you will get hands-on experience in community engagement, administration, management, human rights work, and other UNICEF operations to support your academic, professional, and personal development. The responsibilities vary depending on the office you are assigned, but you may participate in research projects, database management, or communications. You may also have access to a mentor, who will help you with the program deliverables and finding opportunities that align with your academic interests.
6. Penguin Random House Internship
Subject areas: Multidisciplinary – sales, marketing, operations, legal, information technology, and more
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend offered
Eligibility: All rising seniors or college graduates who are willing to work full-time
Application deadline: March 17
Program dates: Commitment of 21 hours/week over two 10-week segments; dates not specified
An internship at Penguin Random House is an opportunity to learn about a publishing house and contribute to its daily operations. You will work remotely in the organization’s adult, children, and corporate divisions in areas such as editorial, sales, finance, marketing, legal, publicity, and more. In the process, you will gain hands-on experience, work on real projects, collaborate with industry professionals, and understand how books and literature are published. During the internship, you will also get access to a mentoring program along with learning and development opportunities.
7. Samsung Research America Internships
Subject areas: Computer science, research, and other organizational areas
Location: Samsung Office, Mountain View, CA
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend offered + housing stipend and relocation assistance
Eligibility: College students; exact requirements vary based on the role
Application deadline: Varies by role
Program dates: Vary by opportunity; fall internships run between September and December
Samsung Research America offers a variety of internship opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students across its research and development labs. You will get hands-on experience while developing innovative solutions and working on commercial projects that help Samsung build advanced products. The specific tasks vary based on the role. For instance, as a Computer Vision Intern, you will work on algorithm creation and 3D scene reconstruction to help the company improve and advance image generation, video generation, and 3D generation. The program offers professional development and personal growth, networking, and recreational opportunities available at the program location. You can find all the open positions here.
8. White House Internship Program
Subject areas: Public policy, legislation, public service, leadership, and development
Location: The White House, Washington, D.C.
Cost/Stipend: None
Eligibility: Students and recent graduates of an accredited undergraduate or graduate degree program who are 18 or older before the start of the program
Application deadline: June 4
Program dates: September 17 – December 12
Every year, the Executive Office of the President offers college students and veterans opportunities to get public service experience through the White House Internship Program. This development and leadership program allows you to develop professional skills while assisting the White House staff and furthering the priorities of the President’s administration. You will be assigned to one of the presidential departments and spend most of your time engaging in tasks like attending meetings, conducting research, managing incoming inquiries, writing memos, and staffing events. You will get to interact with peers at weekly events, which include a speaker series and professional development sessions. You will also participate in volunteer projects to serve the community.
9. Pathways Internship Program
Subject areas: Multidisciplinary
Location: Varies according to the internship
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend offered
Eligibility: Students who are enrolled or plan on enrolling in an accredited bachelor’s or master’s degree program and are at least 16 years of age
Application deadline: Varies according to the internship
Program dates: Varies according to the internship
The Pathways Internship is a federal government-led paid program that provides students opportunities to explore federal careers. Here, you will work in a governmental agency during your education and receive hands-on experience and exposure to careers in public service and international development. You will also undergo training through on-the-job training activities, formal classes, and mentoring sessions. You can choose to take on part-time or full-time roles requiring temporary engagement for up to one year or an indefinite period. After successful completion of the program, you could be hired for a permanent position if you meet all the agency-specific requirements. All internship announcements are available on the USAJobs website here.
10. American Association of People with Disabilities Fall Internship Program
Subject areas: Professional and career development
Location: Virtual + one optional in-person gathering in Washington, D.C
Cost/Stipend: No cost; Interns are paid a stipend of $18 an hour
Eligibility: Students and recent graduates of a U.S.-based university or program who identify as persons with disabilities; applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent
Application deadline: February 6
Program dates: September 2 – December 5; 14-week program with part-time commitment of 15 hours/week
The American Association of People with Disabilities Fall Internship Program is a professional and career development opportunity for students and recent graduates with disabilities. As an intern, you will work in a congressional office, federal agency, non-profit, or for-profit organization. You can check the detailed placement site list here. The internship starts with a virtual kickoff call in June, followed by an optional in-person event in Washington, D.C. in July, and a virtual orientation in August. You will work one-on-one with a mentor, get to explore career opportunities, gain leadership skills, and connect virtually to the broader disability community. You will be required to participate in the Disability Advocacy Certificate program, with classes held for three hours every two weeks.
11. Massachusetts Clean Energy Internship Program
Subject areas: Clean energy and water innovation
Location: Various clean energy companies in Massachusetts
Cost/Stipend: No cost; a minimum stipend of $15/hour paid
Eligibility: Students, 18 years old or older, who are residing in Massachusetts or enrolled in/have completed a college, university, or training program in Massachusetts; must have completed at least the freshman year of college (24 credits) the semester before the program, or have graduated within the past year
Application deadline: No deadline; early application recommended
Program dates: September – December; dates not specified
The Massachusetts Clean Energy Internship Program offers internships to college students, placing them at various clean energy and water innovation companies. As an intern, you will work for the assigned clean energy company and access network opportunities within the clean energy sector. The exact tasks vary based on the company and position. The process starts with creating an intern profile on their online workforce portal, where you upload your resume, academic background, and preferred industry subsector. Then, you will have access to open internship positions while potential employers can view your qualifications and invite you for an interview.
12. Internships at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR)
Subject areas: Foreign policy, policy research, event management, graphic design, and communications
Location: Remote or hybrid at CFR offices in New York, NY, or Washington, D.C.
Stipend: $18/hour offered typically
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students with majors in international relations, political science, economics, or a related field who have completed the equivalent of four semesters of college coursework (not including AP classes in high school)
Application deadline: July 20
Program dates: 10 to 12 weeks in the fall; dates vary by opportunity
The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) introduces college students to the foreign policy arena through its internship program. Here, you will explore critical foreign policy issues, learn about world leaders, U.S. policymakers, and sought-after experts, and engage in various tasks relevant to your assigned department. Internships are offered in Digital Content, the Studies Program, Global Communications, Corporate Program, Washington Program, Meetings Program, Foreign Affairs, and other areas. The available internships are listed here. Your tasks will involve research, editing and writing, event coordination, and/or departmental support. You will also participate in CFR’s Intern Professional Development program, which includes a series of skill-based workshops, training, and career advice sessions.
13. Whitney Museum of American Art’s Academic Year Internship
Subject areas: Opportunities available in various areas, including art, technology, education, curatorial studies, graphic design, and communication
Location: Hybrid—Remote and in-person at Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, NY
Stipend: $3,000
Eligibility: Undergraduates and graduates currently enrolled in accredited academic programs who have completed at least one year’s worth of academic coursework
Application deadline: Rolling until August 15
Program dates: September – December
The Whitney Museum of Art’s Academic Year Internship is a semester-long paid program for undergraduate and graduate students considering a museum career or interested in learning about the workings of a museum. You can choose from positions offered by different departments across the museum, based on your academic background and interests. As an intern, you will assist the professional staff, engage with the public, provide administrative support, conduct research, and learn about modern and contemporary American art. You will also gain valuable training, skills, and experience, as well as build a network of professional contacts. You may also help the staff plan and organize various events.
14. Her Campus Media Internships
Subject areas: Business development, community management, design, editorial, product and operations, and integrated marketing
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend awarded
Eligibility: College students; exact requirements vary by role, but applicants should have strong communication skills, organization skills, strategic thinking skills, and a working knowledge of all Microsoft Office platforms
Application deadline: Rolling until August 16
Program dates: September 3 – December 9
Her Campus is a leading media platform made up of a small team of primarily women-identifying individuals who aim to empower college women around the globe. As an intern at Her Campus Media, you will engage in meaningful skill-building tasks and projects that help you explore your interests. You can choose from six available areas—business development, community management, design, integrated marketing, product and operations, and editorial and social. The experience can help you develop soft skills and technical skills to pursue careers in business and media. For instance, you may refine your writing, communication, and critical thinking skills while creating social media content, developing marketing or business strategies, and/or conducting interviews during the internship.
15. Museum of Fine Arts Pathways Internships
Subject areas: Museology, art, and other departments at the museum
Location: The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA
Stipend: $16.80/hour for undergraduate interns; $19.95/hour for graduate interns
Eligibility: Current undergraduate and graduate students who have completed their first year of college; department-specific requirements can vary
Application deadline: Application period: July 16 – August 11; however, applicants are reviewed and selected on a rolling basis
Program dates: September 12 – December 12
The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, offers college students semester-long fall internships, placing them in departments across the institution. As an intern, you will undergo training in specific museum roles, access professional networking opportunities, and get insights into museum work. While you will be mentored by staff in the assigned department, you will get to engage with professionals throughout the museum. You will also participate in the Museum Pathways and Practices course—a professional development component. It is a series of 8 to 11 two-hour-long seminar sessions offering informal networking and cohort-building opportunities and presentations or conversations led by museum professionals from across the institution. At the end of the program, you will deliver a short presentation highlighting your internship experience.