12 Paid Internships for College Students with No Experience
If you are looking to gain practical experience, you may consider taking up internships. Internships can be a solid option to understand the inner workings of a field and industry you are interested in. Furthermore, because most employers look at your past experiences while making hiring decisions, an internship can help you get a leg up and stand out from the crowd. Although some internships may require past experience, many are available to college students with no experience. Internships are also a good way to build a network with and learn from professionals. Such opportunities help you build industry-specific as well as general skills. We have curated a list of 12 internships that pay a stipend and do not require previous work experience, so you can start building a career while earning a wage.
Here are 12 paid internships for college students with no experience.
1. NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement Internships
Location: Various locations across the U.S.
Stipend: Available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Application Deadline: September 12 (spring), February 27 (summer), or May 22 (fall)
Program Dates: Mid-January – early-May (spring), late May/early June – August (summer), or late August/early September – mid-December (fall)
Eligibility: Full-time or part-time high school and college students enrolled in a minimum of 6 semester hours, who are at least years old at the time of application, who have a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale, and who are U.S. citizens
NASA’s OSTEM internship program allows you to contribute to the organization’s mission of advancing science, technology, aeronautics, and space exploration. Working alongside research scientists, engineers, and other professionals, you will gain practical work experience. Projects that you can work on may vary by location. However, some of the fields of work include science, engineering, financial, information technology, and business. In addition to work experience, the program provides mentorship, training, and career development opportunities.
2. Ladder University Internship
Cost: Starting at $1,490 (financial aid available)
Location: Remote!
Application deadline: Varies 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: Can work for 5 – 10 hours/week for 8 weeks; college students and young professionals!
If you are an ambitious college student, you may consider participating in the Ladder University Internship Program, a highly selective start-up internship program. The program connects you with a high-growth start-up. These start-ups are typically high-growth companies, on average raising over a million dollars. They are involved in a diverse range of industries, such as tech/deep tech, AI/ML, health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. Here, you will develop practical skills relevant to the field you are interested in. You can explore the available options on this application form. Through this internship, you will understand how a business functions and what career options are available to you. A manager and company coach mentor you throughout the program. By the end of the program, you will complete and present a solution for a real-world problem.
3. Supreme Court Internship Program
Location: Washington D.C.
Stipend: Available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive
Application Deadline: Applications open for 3 weeks starting May 15 (fall), September 15 (spring), or February 15 (summer)
Program Dates: Minimum 15 weeks (spring and fall) and minimum 8 weeks and no more than 90 days (summer)
Eligibility: Students who have completed two semesters of undergraduate study AND are either actively enrolled in an academic program concurrent with the internship term, returning to a degree program immediately following the internship term, OR participating in a federal fellowship program. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, nationals, or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
Interning with the U.S. Supreme Court will teach you about its history, role, and functions. Internships are offered by various departments, namely, Office of the Counselor to the Chief Justice, Office of the Curator, Public Information Office, Office of the Clerk, Marshal of the Court, and the Police Department. All these departments are engaged with a diverse range of tasks and functions, thereby providing you exposure to a professional work environment. However, you will not work with Justices or on cases pending before the Supreme Court. In addition to internship responsibilities, you can attend court sessions and participate in seminars organized by the Supreme Court Fellows. In addition to a stipend, academic credit may be available.
4. The U.S. Department of State Student Internship Program
Location: Washington D.C.
Stipend: Available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Application Deadline: November (summer), March (fall), or August (spring)
Program Dates: May/July – August/September (summer), September – December/January (fall), or January/March – April/May (spring)
Eligibility: Undergraduate juniors and seniors who have a minimum GPA of 3.2, are U.S. citizens, and are able to receive either a Public Trust, Secret or Top-Secret clearance.
As a student intern with the U.S. Department of State, you will witness diplomacy in practice and discover careers in the foreign and civil services. The program aims to equip you with transferable skills relevant to diverse industries and organizations. Internships are available in various offices and locations, and your responsibilities may vary accordingly. Typically, you will participate in meetings with senior-level U.S. Government or foreign government officials; draft and edit communications and other material used by policymakers; support meetings, events, and conferences; and engage with U.S. and foreign audiences to explain the Department of State’s work and foreign policy. Internships are available in geographic (dealing with policies for a specific region in the world) and functional bureaus (dealing with specific issues and foreign policies affecting all regions). Some opportunities are also available in New York City with the U.S. Mission to the United Nations.
5. The Museum Seminar (MuSe) Internship Program
Location: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Stipend: $24 per hour plus $1,500 toward housing/travel to New York City
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Application Deadline: January 15
Program Dates: June 2 – August 8
Eligibility: Current undergraduate sophomores, juniors, and seniors
The MuSE internship at the Met provides insights into museum careers while allowing college students to get work experience. Long-term internships that last 9 – 12 months are also available. You will be placed in one of the museum’s 40 departments depending on your interests and skills and be supervised by a staff member. Every summer, some interns are placed in The Met Cloisters to learn about art interpretation, educational programming, and visitor engagement at this unique site dedicated to medieval art. Weekly seminars are on the work done at The Met and how professionals plan and support the museum’s daily operations. During the first two weeks of the summer, you will receive training on museum teaching and public speaking. Thereafter, you will develop and lead tours or other programs that incorporate your interests and offer the public an insider perspective on The Met and its collection.
6. Museum Education Experience Program @ American Museum of Natural History
Location: American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY
Stipend: $2,500
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Application Deadline: March 28
Program Dates: June 2 – 27 (training) and July 8 – August 8 (assigned work days)
Eligibility: Undergraduate students who have completed at least one semester of college and attend school in or are residents of New York City
MEEP blends science, community and communication for undergraduate students curious about new knowledge, ideas, and experiences. As a MEEP intern, you will learn scientific communications through interactive workshops and complete mandatory training. Your responsibilities include initiating conversations with museum visitors and providing a deep understanding of the science content exhibited in the museum. This collaborative opportunity teaches you to work in a team and analyze and incorporate feedback in a meaningful way.
7. American Express Undergraduate Internship
Location: Hybrid in New York, Phoenix, Florida, Salt Lake City, Atlanta, Palo Alto, CA and Washington, D.C.
Stipend: Available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Application Deadline: September
Program Dates: 10 weeks in June – August
Eligibility: Juniors in their Fall semester of undergraduate study
American Express offers various internship opportunities in different departments. The undergraduate internship program, lasting 10 weeks, places you in a team where you will work on a range of projects that have real-world impact. The program provides training and development for you to succeed in this role and learn about how the organization functions. Internships are available in various fields, such as Finance, Marketing, Industrial Engineering, Technology, Product, Analytics, Travel and Lifestyle Services, Colleague Experience (HR), Internal Audit, Credit & Fraud Risk, Communications, Info Security, General Counsel, and Digital Product. You will be mentored and guided by team members.
8. Fred Hutch Cancer Center’s Summer Undergraduate Research Program
Location: Fred Hutch Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
Stipend: $7,304
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Application Deadline: To be announced
Program Dates: June 23 – August 22
Eligibility: Undergraduates entering the summer before their final year, semester, or quarter of study
Fred Hutch Cancer Center’s summer program enables college students to gain research experience and mentorship. If you’re interested in the biomedical sciences, through this program, you will work on an independent research project. The research project may focus on basic sciences, human biology, public health sciences, clinical research, or vaccine and infectious disease. Professional development workshops delve into preparing a personal statement, resume and abstract; successfully applying to graduate or medical school; and preparing and presenting a scientific poster. Other program components in the past have included attending a Mariners game or Sounders match, riding the Seattle Great Wheel, touring the Theo Chocolate Factory, and more. You will also participate in weekly research seminars on various scientific topics. The program concludes with a competitive poster session where you will present your findings.
9. Mayo Clinic Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF)
Location: 3 locations Jacksonville, FL; Scottsdale, AZ; Rochester, MN
Stipend: $6,000
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 180
Application Deadline: February 3
Program Dates: May 27 – August 1
Eligibility: Current second- or third-year college undergraduate student at a U.S. college or university who will be a continuing student in the subsequent fall semester, who have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (4.0 scale), and who are seriously considering a biomedical research career as a Ph.D. or M.D.-Ph.D.
As an undergraduate summer fellow, the Mayo Clinic offers lab-based research experience. Working with a mentor who is a Mayo Clinic faculty, postdoctoral fellow, graduate student, or medical student, you will complete a research project. The project may cover a topic in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Biomedical Engineering and Physiology; Clinical and Translational Sciences; Immunology; Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics; Neuroscience; Regenerative Sciences; or Virology and Experiments. You may earn acknowledgement or co-authorship in articles submitted to publications. By conducting research, you will learn how to use lab facilities and instruments. You will get the opportunity to interact with nationally and internationally recognized scientists as well as other members of the SURF community.
10. Feinstein Summer Research Internship Program
Location: Manhasset, New York
Cost: None. Stipend of $2,000
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 25
Application Deadline: January 24
Program Dates: May 28 – July 23
Eligibility: Current college students interested in medical research
This internship is for undergraduate students to gain practical experience in conducting research and discover careers in disease-oriented research. You will be matched with a faculty member based on your interests; this faculty member will mentor you throughout the program. Over the summer, you will work on an ongoing research project in one of the following institutes: Behavioral Science. Bioelectronic Medicine, Cancer Research, Health System Science, Molecular Medicine, and Translational Research. All these institutes work on producing knowledge to cure diseases. Beyond research work, you will attend workshops and seminars. At the end of the program, you will complete and present a poster on your research findings to faculty and peers.
11. National Geographic Society Internships
Location: Typically remote, with one week in Washington, D.C.
Stipend: Available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Application Deadline: February 28
Program Dates: June 2 – August 8
Eligibility: Rising sophomores and above enrolled at an accredited college or university who are eligible to work in the U.S.
The National Geographic Society has a number of internship positions for undergraduate students. The internship is designed to provide an engaging professional experience and allow you to network with the National Geographic Society’s staff, Explorers, educators and storytellers. Although the daily tasks may vary by role, you may undertake one long or several small projects over the summer. In addition, you will be mentored by the team members and staff. Being an intern also gives you access to the Society’s events.
12. Federal Reserve Board Internships
Location: Washington, D.C.
Stipend: Based on number of credit hours completed
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 100
Application Deadline: Applications open in September
Program Dates: 10 – 12 weeks starting in May or early June
Eligibility: Students who are currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program at an accredited university and returning to continue studies after the internship.
The Federal Reserve Board offers internship opportunities to college students interested in pursuing careers in various fields, such as economics, finance and accounting, information systems, and data analysis. As an intern, you will undertake project-related work experience to gain practical industry experience. Internship opportunities vary with department. However, you will be placed in and learn from a team. Thus, the skills and knowledge you gain through this internship will help you enter the competitive job market.