10 Online Internships for College Students
Virtual internships provide college students with a flexible and accessible way to develop professional skills and explore potential career paths. Whether you're studying business, computer science, public policy, marketing, or a STEM field, an online internship can give you hands-on experience and exposure to real-world work environments, all while fitting around your academic schedule.
These internships are typically hosted by respected companies, universities, and nonprofits, often providing mentorship, collaborative projects, and resume-worthy achievements. For students balancing coursework or working part-time, virtual roles make it easier to gain relevant experience without sacrificing other responsibilities.
In this blog, we’ve rounded up 10 online internships for college students!
1. Ladder University Internship Program
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Financial aid is available.
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students
The Ladder University Internship Program offers a top-tier opportunity for driven college students and young professionals. Interns work with leading start-ups to create meaningful real-world projects. These projects can include developing a machine learning model to predict customer churn for a Y-Combinator-backed e-commerce platform and producing a community advocacy report to highlight underrepresented groups in medical science and promote inclusion. Alternatively, they could involve designing a pitch deck to secure funding for a wealth management tech startup and innovating business development strategies for a Series A-funded media company, among other tasks. This program offers valuable hands-on experience and the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution in dynamic environments, particularly for undergraduate students.
2. EnergyMag Research Internship
Stipend: Unpaid
Application Deadline: Applications open year-round; you can apply here.
Program Dates: Flexible; quarter-time (8 hours/week for 1–9 months) and half-time (20 hours/week for 2–8 weeks) offered throughout the year
Eligibility: Sophomores, juniors, and seniors who have taken at least one honours science or honors English class, with a minimum GPA of 3.25
EnergyMag offers virtual research internships for students interested in gaining experience in the renewable energy field. Interns gain essential research and policy skills in engineering by exploring companies and analyzing technologies. They can work part-time for 2-8 weeks at 20 hours per week or quarter-time for 1-9 months at 8 hours per week. Under the guidance of industry professionals, interns will participate in tasks aligned with their academic background and personal interests. This experience will help interns build skills in various scientific areas, from analyzing wind turbine designs to enhancing solar panel efficiency, allowing them to contribute directly to renewable energy solutions.
3. NASA Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) Internships
Stipend: Most interns receive a stipend based on academic level and session length.
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year. The Summer internship deadline is February 27
Program Dates: Summer Session: Late May/early June – August | Fall: Late August/early September – mid-December | Spring: Mid-January – early May
Eligibility: Be a full-time student (high school through graduate-level) or a part-time college-level student enrolled in a minimum of 6 semester hours
NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) encourages students to acquire practical, hands-on STEM experience by collaborating with mentors such as research scientists, engineers, and others. Interns can choose from various full-time or part-time opportunities to work virtually and explore opportunities in engineering and technology that align with their interests in fields such as space science, engineering, aeronautics, and technology, among others. The program combines practical problem-solving with professional development, assisting you in acquiring key skills and networking with industry experts. Additionally, it offers insights into careers at NASA and in space science and engineering.
4. Communications & Marketing Intern, Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC)
Location: Students can choose to intern virtually, in-person at the SSEC in Washington, DC, or follow a hybrid format.
Stipend: There are paid opportunities available.
Application Deadline: Varies depending on cohort
Program Dates: Dates vary depending on the internship you apply for
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students can apply
The Smithsonian Science Education Center provides college students with the opportunity to participate in a 10-week summer internship in Communications & Marketing. Interns will work on developing the SSEC brand, creating marketing materials, and assisting with communication strategies and asset management. Additionally, interns will help create a more inclusive Smithsonian by producing accessible content, finding diverse subject matter experts, and considering cultural contexts. This way, they will play a key role in making sure the Smithsonian Science Education Center appeals to a wide audience.
5. Emerging Talent Future Leaders at Warner Music Group
Location: Fully remote opportunities are available based on necessity.
Stipend: A stipend is provided
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines from November to August
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts from February through December
Eligibility: Individuals within the United States who are at least 18 years old
Warner Music Group’s Emerging Talent Associate Program (ETA) provides an opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students interested in the technical and engineering aspects of the music industry. This inclusive internship invites students with diverse backgrounds and skill sets. Interns can explore various areas, including A&R, Marketing, Content Protection, Business & Legal Affairs, Sync, Videography, Graphic Design, Technology, Audience Engagement, Merchandise Production, Finance, Data Analytics, and Gaming. Participants are paired with leading companies, including Atlantic Records, Warner Music, WMX, and Rhino Entertainment, which provide valuable additions to their resumes and excellent networking opportunities.
6. Internships at the American Psychological Association (APA)
Location: Remote or Washington, D.C.
Stipend: No cost; some internships are paid.
Application Deadline: Rolling, see the application portal for open opportunities.
Program Dates: Year-round
Eligibility: Open to undergraduate students, for complete info on eligibility requirements, please check the website!
The American Psychological Association (APA), the largest psychology organization in the U.S., offers internships for students interested in learning more about psychology. These opportunities cover fields like policy, communications, operations research, IT, and financial services. Responsibilities vary depending on the office and the intern's skills, including tasks such as research, writing, web projects, and administrative duties. Interns gain practical experience and report to a supervisor. Both paid and unpaid internships require a cover letter, resume, and writing sample.
7. Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI) Internship
Location: Remote or in-person options are available
Stipend: Varies by internship (paid and unpaid options available)
Application Deadline: Varies depending on cohort
Program Dates:
Fall: September – December
Spring: February - May
Summer: June - August
Eligibility: College students with U.S. work authorization
For those interested in foreign relations and international policy, the FPRI internship offers valuable field experience. Interns have the opportunity to engage with professionals in the foreign relations community while working at a renowned think tank. Each intern is paired with a scholar or expert in the field, who helps develop industry-specific skills, as well as vital professional skills such as communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and time management. The internship is divided into three main areas: Research, Special Events/Development, and Operations, allowing interns to choose their preferred focus. Throughout the program, interns will receive training in relevant skills and have the opportunity to write a research paper that may be published on FPRI’s Intern Corner.
8. Computer Science Research Internship Program at Yale University
Location: Yale University, New Haven, CT (in-person or remote, depending on the project)
Cost: No cost to participate; stipends may be provided for full-time internships, depending on the project
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; early applications encouraged for summer opportunities
Program Dates: Flexible; aligned with the summer period and project timelines
Eligibility: Students currently pursuing a bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD in computer science or related fields
The CS Research Internship Program at Yale offers applicants a unique chance to engage in cutting-edge research alongside leading experts in the field. Interns will broaden their knowledge in their chosen field and gain practical experience by working on projects that have real-world impact. Applications are accepted from all students pursuing a bachelor's, master's, or PhD in Computer Science or related disciplines. Students can choose up to three areas of interest. These include Security and Cryptography, Machine Learning, Programming Languages, Operating Systems, Computer Music, Natural Language Processing, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Database Systems, Computer Graphics, Scientific Computing and Applied Math, Theoretical Computer Science, or Computer Networks. A committee of faculty and staff reviews applications regularly to match applicants with suitable faculty mentors.
9. Editorial Internship at Berkeley Pharma Tech Journal of Medicine
Stipend: Stipend provided
Application Deadline: July 29
Program Dates: August 27 – December 19
Eligibility: Students pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in any area of biology and/or journalism with relevant subject matter expertise/experience
Berkeley Pharma Tech's Editorial Team comprises talented members from across the U.S., united by the goal of unlocking people’s potential through top-quality learning and research solutions. Editorial team members are responsible for ensuring the accuracy and quality of Berkeley Pharma Tech’s written materials. Key duties involve preparing journal copies from production through to publication, as well as copyediting, proofreading, and overseeing the circulation of proofs. Candidates should be creative, detail-oriented, and able to work collaboratively in a team environment. The opportunity looks for individuals who are passionate about writing and have prior writing experience.
10. Public Relations Internship at Berkeley Pharma Tech
Stipend: Stipend provided
Application Deadline: July 29
Program Dates: August 27 – December 19
Eligibility: Students enrolled in a BA or BSc degree in public relations, communication, journalism, or a related field
The Berkeley Pharma Tech Public Relations internship offers students a chance to work closely with the Board of Directors. Interns will evaluate PR requirements, craft media releases, plan PR events, conduct research, and perform other tasks as needed. This position provides students with the opportunity to develop their interpersonal and communication skills while networking with a diverse group of individuals. Interns will assist in creating engaging content for media releases, social media platforms, and newsletters, as well as update and maintain the company's social media pages. Interns will also build relationships with clients, potential clients, suppliers, and media representatives.