15 Spring Internships for First-Year Undergraduates

Internships give college students a way to see how an industry works before graduation. Instead of only studying theory, you will step into professional settings, contribute to projects, and begin building skills employers look for. You’ll get tangible experience for your resume, a clearer career direction, and mentors who can vouch for your work. Online internships make this even more accessible, removing relocation costs and allowing you to gain experience during the semester. 

Why should I do a spring internship in college?

A spring internship for first-year undergraduates can help you figure out what career you might want to pursue early on. Employers consistently favor graduates who demonstrate applied experience, workplace readiness, and the ability to manage academic and professional commitments simultaneously. Completing an internship during the semester demonstrates initiative and effective time management. You can start building references and professional relationships early, creating opportunities to network before competitive recruitment cycles in your junior year. Over several months, you’ll gain exposure to projects, teams, and decision-making processes. These experiences can strengthen your employment prospects after graduation. 

Keeping those goals in mind, we have curated this list of 15 spring internships for first-year undergraduates. 

1. Ladder University Internship Program

Cost: Varies depending on program type
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world
Application deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
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 places you in an eight-week remote internship with a startup or nonprofit, typically requiring 5–10 hours of work per week during the semester. You are matched to an organization based on your academic background and stated interests, which may include technology, finance, media, or mental health. Early in the program, you define project deliverables in consultation with a company supervisor and a dedicated Ladder Coach. Assignments are project-based, often involving backend systems, user interface development, internal tools, research, or operational strategy. Weekly milestones and feedback sessions are built into the experience to ensure measurable progress. At the end of the term, you formally present your completed work to the host organization and a peer cohort. Apply now!

2. Air Force Research Laboratory Scholars (AFRL) Program

Location: Various locations across the U.S.
Stipend: Varies based on location, education level, and credits earned; Know more here
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Varies depending on internship, with opportunities available in fall, spring, and summer;  a minimum commitment of eight weeks
Application deadline: Not specified for the spring cohort
Eligibility: U.S. citizens over 16 years of age with a minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0

The AFRL Scholars Program places undergraduate students inside Air Force research labs to contribute to ongoing STEM projects under the supervision of full-time scientists and engineers. You will be assigned to a specific research team based on your academic preparation. Projects may involve aerospace systems, materials science, semiconductors, quantum measurements, or computational modeling. Some placements include programming tasks such as improving internal research tools or analyzing experimental data. Your work will be tied to active laboratory priorities rather than simulated exercises, and you will be expected to contribute to defined technical objectives. Throughout the program, you’ll work directly with a designated mentor while gaining exposure to defense-related research environments.

3. NASA Pathways Internship Program

Location: NASA Centers across the country
Stipend: Paid
Cohort size/acceptance rate: 5%
Dates: Summer, Fall, and Spring sessions
Application deadline: Not specified for Spring session
Eligibility: U.S. citizens who are at least 16 years old, enrolled or accepted for enrollment on at least a half-time basis in an accredited educational institution,  and currently have and maintain a cumulative 2.9 GPA on a 4.0 scale 

This spring internship for first-year undergraduates is a multi-semester federal internship designed to integrate students into long-term agency projects. At the start of your appointment, you’ll develop an Individual Development Plan outlining assignments, training activities, and performance goals aligned with NASA workforce needs. You will work in occupational tracks such as engineering, physical sciences, IT, accounting, communications, or program management under the federal GS classification system. The assignments will involve substantive technical or administrative responsibilities within NASA centers or offices. Your performance is formally evaluated, and eligible participants may be considered for conversion to full-time employment upon graduation without reapplying.

4. Sandia National Laboratories Internships

Location: Various locations across the U.S.
Stipend: Varies by experience
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Varies by internship
Application deadline: Varies by internship
Eligibility: U.S. citizens who are at least 16 years of age; specific eligibility criteria vary by position

Sandia National Laboratories offers undergraduate internships within federal research facilities focused on national security, energy systems, cybersecurity, and advanced computing. You may join technical teams working on software development, algorithm design, high-performance computing simulations, or engineering design projects. You will be paired with a technical mentor and integrated into multidisciplinary teams addressing defined research objectives. Access to laboratory equipment and specialized computing systems is part of the experience. In some cases, strong performance may lead to consideration for future employment.

5. NYC Health Department’s Public Health Internship Program

Location: New York City, New York
Stipend: May be available based on funding
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Application deadline: November 15
Dates: January – May
Eligibility: Matriculated undergraduate, graduate, or professional students in a degree program at an accredited college or university in the U.S. who are in good academic standing. Residency in NYC is required for the fall and winter/spring sessions.

The NYC Health Department’s Public Health Internship Program offers part-time spring placements ranging from 10 to 20 hours per week. You will be assigned to a practicum project aligned with current municipal public health priorities and your stated academic interests. Work may involve data analysis, research support, program evaluation, or policy-related assignments within divisions such as environmental health or epidemiology. You will operate under close supervision and apply classroom concepts to operational challenges facing the city. This medical spring internship for first-year undergraduates includes workshops and seminars introducing public health planning, administration, and evaluation frameworks.

6. New Jersey Office of the Attorney General Student Internships

Location: Various department divisions in New Jersey
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Opportunities available throughout the year, including some options in the spring
Application deadline: Varies by division
Eligibility: Undergraduate, graduate, or law students, depending on the role

The New Jersey Office of the Attorney General and the Department of Law & Public Safety offer spring internships across divisions such as Consumer Affairs, Civil Rights, and Gaming Enforcement. Placements are typically unpaid, though some may qualify for academic credit based on institutional policies. Your responsibilities may include legal research, preparation of training materials, administrative support, attending meetings or court proceedings, and assisting with regulatory functions. In the Division of Gaming Enforcement, you may observe licensing, regulatory compliance, and technical services operations. Within ODEI, assignments may involve coordinating multicultural observances and supporting employee resource initiatives. You’ll work under the supervision of government staff and gain exposure to state-level legal and regulatory processes.

7. Student Volunteer Trainee Program – U.S. Department of Education

Location: Washington, D.C. or virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: 8 – 10 weeks (fall, winter/spring, or summer sessions)
Application deadline: Varies depending on the session
Eligibility: Applicants must be at least 16 years of age | Attend an accredited educational institution, including but not limited to high school, trade school, technical or vocational institute, junior college, college, university, or graduate school

The Student Volunteer Trainee Program at the U.S. Department of Education provides unpaid internship placements during spring, summer, fall, and winter terms. You may serve for eight to ten weeks within offices, handling policy analysis, grants management, communications, IT, or data review. Assignments are based on departmental needs and your academic background, and you’ll get to contribute to ongoing office projects. Daily tasks can include drafting briefing materials, analyzing education data, or supporting program administration tied to federal initiatives. You will gain insight into agency operations and interdepartmental coordination.

8. ACLU Internships

Location: Remote or hybrid at ACLU affiliate offices across the U.S.
Stipend: $20/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Opportunities are available year-round
Application deadline: Varies by role
Eligibility: Undergraduates, graduate students, law students, and/or recent graduates, depending on the role 

The ACLU offers paid internships in departments such as legal, advocacy, communications, and technology at its national and affiliate offices. Depending on your placement, your responsibilities may include legal research, policy analysis, drafting advocacy materials, assisting with case preparation, or supporting digital campaigns. These spring internships for first-year undergraduates typically run for 10 weeks full-time or 12 weeks part-time and include varied training sessions led by staff. The work is directly connected to active civil liberties issues such as criminal justice reform, immigrant rights, or privacy protections. You’ll engage in substantive projects rather than administrative-only tasks.

9. Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia – Criminal Law Internship Program (CLIP)

Location: Public Defender Service main office, Washington, D.C.
Stipend: Paid
Dates: Multiple 12-week sessions available in fall, summer, spring, and winter; Check dates here
Application deadline: Winter/Spring: November 1
Eligibility: College undergraduates

The Criminal Law Internship Program at the Public Defender Service places undergraduates in investigative roles supporting defense attorneys representing indigent clients. The internship begins with a training period covering investigative methods, documentation, and safety protocols. You may conduct witness interviews, take written statements, perform background checks, serve subpoenas, document crime scenes, and assist in preparing courtroom exhibits. You will be assigned to divisions such as Trial, Special Litigation, Parole, or Civil Legal Services and work directly with staff attorneys. You’ll also attend lectures and observe court proceedings to understand case progression. 

10. U.S. Department of State Student Internship Program

Location: Various bureaus in Washington, D.C.
Stipend: Paid at the GS-04/Step 1 base pay rate
Dates: January/March – April/May
Application deadline: Opens in July
Eligibility: U.S. citizens who are at least 18 years of age at the time of employment, enrolled in a degree-seeking program, and have a minimum GPA of 3.2; detailed eligibility information is available here

This spring internship for first-year undergraduates provides paid placements within bureaus in Washington, D.C., and other domestic offices. Duties vary by bureau but often include drafting or editing cables, reports, talking points, and policy memoranda used in advancing U.S. foreign policy objectives. You may attend meetings with senior U.S. or foreign government officials and assist with logistical planning for international conferences. Some roles involve supporting public outreach efforts aimed at explaining diplomatic initiatives to domestic or international audiences. The assignments are integrated into active policy workflows, offering operational insight into diplomatic processes at the federal level.

11. NorCal Public Media Internships – Video Production Track 

Location: Northern California Public Media, Rohnert Park, CA
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Spring, summer, and fall internships available
Application deadline: Rolling recruitment
Eligibility: Students enrolled in high school, accredited higher education institutions, or universities, and recent graduates

NorCal Public Media’s Video Production Internship places students within newsroom and multimedia production teams focused on journalism and environmental reporting. You may research documentary topics, draft interview questions, assist with scheduling and location scouting, and support field production logistics. Editing responsibilities can include organizing projects in Adobe Premiere, adding metadata, transcribing interviews, and preparing files for broadcast. You will observe digital workflows within master control facilities to understand television distribution processes. The internship contributes to content developed for television, radio, podcasts, and digital platforms. You will receive guidance from newsroom journalists and multimedia producers throughout the term. 

12. American Red Cross Internships 

Location: American Red Cross offices, including headquarters in Washington, D.C.
Stipend: Paid and unpaid positions available
Dates: Internships are offered year-round, aligned with academic calendars
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Enrolled undergraduate or graduate students

American Red Cross internships place college students within local or national units supporting humanitarian operations and organizational functions. You will typically serve for 10 weeks or longer, depending on departmental needs and semester schedules. The assignments vary and may include assisting with disaster services coordination, volunteer management, communications, or administrative support. Both paid and unpaid roles are available, and some placements may be remote. The work is tied to the day-to-day functioning of a large nonprofit organization, where you’ll contribute to projects that support service delivery at community or national levels. 

13. Warner Music Group’s Emerging Talent Associate (ETA) Program

Location: Warner Music Group offices in Los Angeles, Nashville, New York, or Miami
Stipend: Paid
Dates: Summer, Spring, and Fall opportunities available
Application deadline: Typically January
Eligibility: Students who are at least 18 years old and are enrolled as college students or recent grads located in the U.S. 

Warner Music Group’s Emerging Talent Associate Program is a paid, semester-long internship available in spring, summer, and fall. You will commit approximately 20–25 hours per week and are matched with departments such as A&R, digital marketing, publicity, label services, or other business units. Your responsibilities may include research, campaign support, analytics tracking, or coordination of promotional activities, depending on placement. The media-focused spring internship for first-year undergraduates includes professional development programming and internal networking events. ETAs contribute to ongoing departmental workflows within WMG, gaining applied exposure to music industry operations.

14. Concord Internship Program

Location: Concord offices in Los Angeles, Nashville, New York, or Miami
Stipend: Paid
Dates: Spring, Summer, and Fall internships available
Application deadline: Varies by session; summer deadline TBA
Eligibility: Anyone with a passion for music, access to housing and transportation within the designated city, legal authorization to work in the U.S., and no current or future requirement of sponsorship for employment visa status now or in the future

The Concord Internship Program offers semester-based placements in areas such as A&R, business affairs, digital marketing, royalties, radio promotion, and sync licensing. You will typically commit around 20 hours per week and may work within offices located in Los Angeles, Nashville, New York, London, Berlin, or other global locations. The assignments involve supporting music publishing, theatrical, or recorded content operations. The program exposes you to multiple sectors within the entertainment and music business ecosystem. You may assist with royalty tracking, licensing documentation, market research, or departmental coordination tasks. Collaboration across departments is part of the workflow, reflecting how publishing and production functions intersect. 

15. Internships at the Foreign Policy Research Institute

Location: Remote and in-person (Philadelphia, PA) options available
Stipend: Paid and unpaid opportunities available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Spring: February to May, Summer: June to August, and Fall: September to December
Application deadline: Not specified. Click here for more details.
Eligibility: College students authorised to work in the U.S.

FPRI internships place students within a Philadelphia-based think tank focused on international relations and national security. You will be paired with a scholar in a regional or thematic program such as the Middle East, Eurasia, Africa, Asia, or U.S. foreign policy. Your responsibilities may include background research, writing support, data analysis, communications assistance, or event coordination. You will also participate in seminars featuring guest speakers who address current foreign policy issues and career pathways. The program provides access to in-person and virtual events hosted by the institute. You may develop a research paper for potential publication in FPRI’s Intern Corner.

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