15 Summer Internships in San Diego for Undergraduates
Doing an internship is one of the best ways for college students to bridge the gap between classroom learning and industry application. By working in a professional environment, you get practical experience in a field you are interested in, which helps you see if that career path is the right fit. This exposure enhances your resume, giving you concrete skills and accomplishments to talk about during future interviews. Ultimately, having this kind of experience makes your profile stronger and improves your chances of getting hired after graduation.
Why should I do a summer internship in college?
Completing a summer internship during college allows you to test a career path and see if you genuinely enjoy the day-to-day tasks before committing to it. They help you build a strong network of professionals who can mentor you, give you references, or even let you know about new job openings. Most importantly, getting experience on your resume makes you attractive to employers after graduation. Companies prefer hiring graduates who have already proven they can handle a work environment.
Summer internships for undergraduates in San Diego combine skill development with exposure to leading companies, labs, and organizations. However, with so many options available, identifying credible summer internships in San Diego can be challenging. We’ve curated a list of the best 15 summer internships in San Diego for undergraduates that emphasize mentorship, projects, and professional growth. Each internship is designed to provide meaningful training and insight into potential career paths.
1. Molecular and Cell Biology Laboratory - MPL Summer Internship
Location: MPL Laboratories, San Diego
Stipend: $18.25/hour + $6,000 to offset housing, meals, and transportation costs
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; cohort size not publicly disclosed
Dates: Eight-week program beginning in June
Application Deadline: January 23
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents in their 2nd–3rd undergraduate year, majoring in oceanography, applied mathematics, engineering, physics, chemistry, biology, geology, or related quantitative science fields, aged 18+ by the start date
The Marine Physical Laboratory (MPL) at Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO) at the University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego) allows motivated undergraduates with exceptional aptitude for quantitative science to apply for the MPL Summer Internship Program. This internship allows you to work in a research laboratory where you’ll assist scientists with experiments, data collection, and lab procedures. You’ll gain exposure to techniques used in molecular biology and genetics while observing how research projects are structured. Interns often participate in discussions and research meetings, helping them understand how scientific teams collaborate.
2. Ladder University Internship Program
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world
Cost/Stipend: Cost varies depending on the program type; financial aid is available / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 10–25%; 70–100 students
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the cohort; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: Undergraduates and gap year students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks
The Ladder University Internship Program is an eight-week remote program in which you work directly with real startups and nonprofits. You can choose from topics like technology, finance, media, health tech, and sustainability to match your career goals. During the program, you will define project deliverables, conduct market research, build machine learning models, and present a final project to your host company. A unique feature is that you are paired with a startup founder from places like Google or Y Combinator, plus you get a dedicated Ladder Coach to guide you every step of the way. By the end of the internship, you will learn practical skills such as data analysis, problem-solving, and professional communication. Apply now!
3. San Diego County - Student Worker/Intern Programs
Location: County of San Diego, San Diego
Stipend: $16.50 – $19.79/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; cohort size varies by department
Dates: Year-round, including summer
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Full-time undergraduate students with a GPA of 2.0; 18+; provide a "Student Unit Load Verification" form each term
Working for the County of San Diego as a Student Worker or Intern is a structured path designed to transition students into public service careers. They allow you to gain paid, hands-on experience in public service across a wide range of departments. You can work within government departments such as policy, community outreach, administration, and program development. Whether you’re interested in city administration, health services, parks and recreation, law enforcement, or environmental planning, you can apply to work in the area of your choice.
4. San Diego Padres – Summer Intern Program
Location: Petco Park (San Diego, CA)
Stipend: Paid hourly, varies as per role
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; cohort size not disclosed
Dates: 10 weeks between June and August
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Undergraduate students who have completed their sophomore or junior years at the time of application and have maintained an excellent GPA in college
In this internship, you will experience projects and tasks in departments such as Marketing, Finance, Sales, IT, HR, Ballpark Operations, Baseball Operations, Community Relations, etc. You will also work during the season on game and non-game days to get the full experience, along with the opportunity to build relationships throughout the organization through a series of Lunch and Learns and Networking events. In addition, you may assist with cross-departmental initiatives that give you insight into how different teams collaborate to support large-scale operations. You’ll gain exposure to real business workflows, professional communication practices, and project coordination strategies.
5. BrandSafway - Sales Intern
Location: El Cajon, CA (San Diego County)
Stipend: $23/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; cohort size not disclosed
Dates: Mid-May through early August
Application Deadline: Rolling basis until full
Eligibility: Undergraduate pursuing a Business, Sales, or related degree
This summer internship allows you to step directly into the corporate sales world at a leading infrastructure and construction company. During your time, you will cover topics like business development, data analysis, and cross-functional project management. You will partner with teams on projects, attend virtual lunch and learn with company leaders, and work with a professional mentor. The role gives you direct exposure to both the industrial services sector and corporate sales functions at the same time. By the end of the summer, you will learn how to use business software effectively, analyze data, and build new client relationships.
6. UC San Diego – UC Scholars Summer Research Program
Location: University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA
Stipend: $3,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; approximately 30–50 students
Dates: June 22 – August 14
Application Deadline: February 6
Eligibility: Full-time UC San Diego undergraduate students with a minimum 2.7 GPA
The Summer Research Program (SRP) is made up of 8+ programs. Each program has a cohort and a coordinator. ALL SRP students are paid a stipend. SRP equips you with the skills to become research scholars, encourages your pursuit of graduate study, and increases graduate school enrollment among underrepresented, low-income, and first-generation college students. You will also take part in workshops on research methods, academic writing, and graduate school preparation. Many cohorts include seminars, networking events, and final presentations where one can showcase their work.
7. UC San Diego – Undergraduate Research Scholarships (URS)
Location: University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA
Stipend: Paid, amount not disclosed + specialized awards
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 50–70 scholarships
Dates: June 22 – August 28
Application Deadline: February 27
Eligibility: Current UC San Diego undergraduate students enrolled through at least Fall; U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or eligible under AB540 "California Dream Act.” Specific scholarships may have additional requirements
In this program, you gain hands-on experience in research design, data collection, and analysis while strengthening critical thinking and academic writing skills. You will be responsible for running experiments, analyzing datasets, reviewing academic literature, or producing creative or technical outputs tied to your field. By the end, the program also encourages you to present your findings through reports, posters, or symposium presentations. The experience is designed to give you firsthand exposure to academic workflows, ethical research standards, and discipline-specific tools.
8. K-16 Talent Pipeline Internship Program
Location: Partner organizations across San Diego County
Stipend: $22/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; 200–300+ interns
Dates: Early June – Late September
Application Deadline: Late February
Eligibility: Students enrolled in a Verified Program at a participating college or university; authorized to work in the U.S.
In this program, you complete 240 total hours, 200 hours working directly in a K–12 school setting, and 40 hours dedicated to onboarding and training. Roles typically include tutoring, instructional support, and classroom assistance, giving you exposure to teaching practices and student engagement. You’re paid a stipend through a third-party employer and supported by a summer bootcamp, ongoing mentorship, and a Community of Practice that helps you reflect on your experience and prepare for next steps in the education field.
9. Empower Scholars - National Science Foundation
Location: University of California, San Diego
Stipend: Scholarship up to $3,333 per academic quarter, plus an additional $5,000 summer research scholarship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; typically ~15–25 students per cycle
Dates: June 22 – August 28
Application Deadline: September 28
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are community college transfer students enrolled full-time with a declared engineering major and who belong to low-income families
The EMPOWER Scholars program is sponsored by the National Science Foundation, UC San Diego's Jacobs School of Engineering, the Triton Transfer Hub, and the Undergraduate Research Hub. A $5,000 summer research scholarship will be available for you to conduct research with EMPOWER faculty partners in areas of interest, where you will have the opportunity to present your work at UC San Diego’s summer or undergraduate research conferences. The program also includes a four-week summer experience for technical and professional development involving tutors, faculty, alumni, student organisations, and campus services.
10. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance - Horticulture Summer Internship
Location: San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
Stipend: $4,160
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; ~25–30 interns across all departments
Dates: June 15 – August 21
Application Deadline: November 17
Eligibility: College students interested in horticulture or environmental science who are able to work outdoors in varying weather conditions and perform physical tasks
This specialized internship lets you work with the horticulture team, maintaining plant environments that support animal habitats and visitor experiences. You’ll learn landscaping techniques, plant care, and environmental design practices from professionals, and gain practical skills while contributing to conservation-focused landscaping projects. You may also assist with seasonal planting plans, irrigation monitoring, and soil management tasks that support long-term habitat sustainability. The program offers opportunities to collaborate with animal care and facilities teams, giving you a broader understanding of how environmental design supports wildlife well-being. You’ll develop observational and problem-solving skills while working in dynamic outdoor conditions.
11. SDSU Undergraduate Summer Research Program (SURP)
Location: San Diego State University, San Diego
Stipend: Paid, varies by track
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; typically 50–80 students
Dates: July 1 – August 31
Application Deadline: May 4
Eligibility: SDSU undergraduates with a faculty mentor committed to the project
The SDSU Undergraduate Summer Research Program (SURP) allows you to work with faculty mentors on original research or creative projects in STEM, arts, humanities, or social sciences. You spend eight weeks developing hands-on skills, contributing to a real project, and attending professional development workshops and research seminars. You can choose between a summer-only track or a summer plus fall track, depending on your availability and academic goals. All participants present their work at the Summer Research Conference, where they connect with peers and faculty across disciplines.
12. Qualcomm IT Internship Program
Location: Qualcomm HQ, San Diego
Stipend: Paid hourly, rate not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; approximately 300+ interns
Dates: 12–14 weeks between May/June and August/September
Application Deadline: April/May
Eligibility: Undergraduate student currently enrolled in a Bachelor’s program (IT, computer science, engineering, data science, or related STEM fields)
The Qualcomm IT Internship Program is a paid, full-time summer opportunity based primarily at their headquarters in San Diego, where you can contribute to cutting-edge innovation in data analytics, system analysis, and enterprise IT. You will work alongside industry experts on projects that support Qualcomm’s global operations and research pipeline, gaining experience in areas like software development, network infrastructure, cybersecurity, and systems integration. The program immerses you in a fast-paced, collaborative environment, where you receive mentorship from experienced professionals.
13. Summer Internship Program – San Diego Mesa College Impactship
Location: San Diego Mesa College and local partners, San Diego
Stipend: $1,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; approximately 150–200 students per semester
Dates: 8 weeks between June and August
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Current Mesa College undergraduates with a secured internship or volunteer position and enrolled in a Work Experience course
The Mesa Impactship Program at San Diego Mesa College is a paid summer internship initiative designed to help you explore career paths through hands-on workforce training. You’re placed in an internship, volunteer role, or Directed Clinical Practice (DCP) experience at a local company, university lab, nonprofit, or government agency within San Diego. You will receive a stipend and enroll in a Work Experience or DCP course, which allows you to earn academic credit while gaining experience. You also join a cohort community supported by Mesa faculty and career coordinators, who help you prepare for your internship and future career pathways.
14. Scripps Research Translational Institute – Student Research Internship
Location: The Scripps Research Institute Translational Institute, San Diego, CA
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; approximately 40 interns
Dates: June 1 – August 7
Application Deadline: March 30
Eligibility: Undergraduate students
The Student Research Internship at Scripps Research Translational Institute is a 10-week, full-time summer program that immerses you in translational science focused on personalized medicine. You will be matched with a mentor aligned with your interests and contribute to research projects in genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, or mobile health (mHealth). You may also work in dry lab settings using computational and data-driven methods, though a limited number of wet lab placements are available. You attend weekly seminars, join journal clubs, and participate in faculty roundtable discussions.
15. San Diego History Center – Summer Internship
Location: San Diego History Center, Balboa Park (San Diego, CA)
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; typically 1–3 interns per department
Dates: June – August
Application Deadline: April 30
Eligibility: Currently enrolled undergraduate or graduate students in a degree-seeking program; 18+
This internship allows you to work behind the scenes at a museum and research institution dedicated to preserving regional history. Depending on your role, you might assist with archives, exhibitions, educational programming, or digital collections. You will learn museum practices, research methods, and public engagement strategies, and learn how to formulate and test hypotheses, conduct computational experiments, and draw conclusions from those experiments. The program also provides exposure to professional historians and curators. At the end of the program, you will develop scientific posters, reflecting on your summer experience and highlighting your research and future career goals.
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