15 Summer Internships in NYC for College Students in 2026
Internships are one of the most effective ways to bridge the gap between academic learning and professional experience. They help you to apply academic knowledge to practical skills that employers value. By completing an internship, you can strengthen your resume, demonstrate initiative, and improve your chances of securing full-time roles after graduation. A summer internship allows you to immerse yourself in a professional environment, take ownership of meaningful projects, and build tangible outcomes. You also gain exposure to different industries and roles, helping you refine your career interests and make more informed decisions about your long-term career goals.
If you’re interested in summer internships in specific subjects, check out a list of psychology summer internships here & law internships here.
Why should you do a summer internship in New York City?
New York City offers one of the most dynamic and diverse internship ecosystems in the world, spanning industries such as finance, media, technology, fashion, healthcare, and public policy. As a global business hub, NYC provides access to leading companies, fast-growing startups, and major cultural institutions, all within a single metropolitan city. You benefit from exposure to high-impact projects, networking opportunities with industry leaders, and a fast-paced work environment that accelerates your professional growth.
To help you get started, we’ve put together 15 summer internships in NYC for college students in 2026, focusing on programs that provide hands-on work, mentorship, and professional development.
1. Ladder University Internship Program
Location: Remote (work from anywhere)
Cost/Stipend: Paid | varies by startup | not fixed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter)
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort (January, May, September, November
Eligibility: Undergraduate and gap year students able to commit 8 - 12 weeks, devoting 10 - 20 hours/week
The Ladder University Internship Program is a highly selective, project-based internship where students work with startups and nonprofit organizations across the world. During the program, you are paired with a real organization and take ownership of leading a project that addresses an actual business need. Depending on the placement, projects may focus on areas such as market research, product development, operations, or marketing. You work closely with a startup manager, gaining structured mentorship and feedback throughout the internship. The internship concludes in a final presentation where you showcase your work and demonstrate measurable impact. This helps you build a strong portfolio of tangible work that you can use for future internships or job applications.
2. The Metropolitan Museum of Art Summer Internship Program
Location: New York City, NY (on-site)
Cost/Stipend: Paid | $24/hour plus $1,500 housing or travel support (full-time)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified | highly selective
Dates: June 2 - August 7
Application Deadline: January 14
Eligibility: Undergraduate sophomores–seniors, graduate students, and recent graduates
The Met Summer Internship Program gives you the opportunity to gain hands-on experience at one of the world’s leading museums. During this 10-week program, you work on department-specific projects while developing an understanding of how large cultural institutions operate. Full-time interns also participate in the Museum Seminar (MuSe), where they gain insight into cross-departmental collaboration and museum operations. Depending on your interests, you may contribute to real projects related to curatorial work, design, education, or administration.
3. American Express Internship Program
Location: New York City, NY (hybrid; also available in other U.S. cities)
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified | highly selective
Dates: June - August, 9 weeks
Application Deadline: August - September
Eligibility: Sophomore in their fall semester of undergraduate study
The American Express Internship Program offers structured, project-based internships across multiple tracks. During the program, you work on high-impact business projects that contribute directly to team objectives while gaining exposure to areas such as finance, technology, operations, and strategy. You also collaborate with experienced professionals and receive mentorship to support your professional growth. The program includes a multi-stage selection process, starting with a video interview followed by virtual interviews and, for technical roles, a skills assessment.
4. NYC Summer Internship Program (SIP)
Location: New York City, NY | varies by agency | primarily in-person or hybrid)
Cost/Stipend: Paid (varies by agency and role)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Large program | 800+ interns placed across agencies annually
Dates: Summer (up to 13 weeks), can start as early as May
Application Deadline: Varies by agency | positions typically posted starting in February
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students
The NYC Summer Internship Program (SIP) gives students the opportunity to work within New York City government, gaining hands-on experience across a wide range of departments. You can intern with agencies such as the Department of Transportation, Department of Finance, Mayor’s Office, or District Attorney’s Office, depending on your interests. Your responsibilities vary by placement but may include policy research, administrative support, data analysis, and project coordination. In addition to daily work, the program offers professional development resources, training sessions, and insight into civil service career pathways.
5. New York State Internship Program
Location: New York State (varies by agency; primarily in-person/hybrid)
Cost/Stipend: Paid; typically $16–$27/hour (some unpaid roles)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified | large, multi-agency program
Program Dates: Varies by season | Check here.
Application Deadline: April 24
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students, 18+ years old, GPA greater than or equal to 2.0 | must meet NY residency/enrollment criteria
The New York State Internship Program allows students to gain hands-on experience working within state government agencies across a broad range of fields. You can be placed in departments such as policy, administration, finance, public health, and environmental services, depending on your interests and qualifications. Your responsibilities vary by role but may include research, data analysis, administrative support, and contributing to agency-led projects. A key benefit of this program is the centralized application system, which lets you apply to multiple internship opportunities through a single application.
6. NYCEDC Summer Internship Program
Location: New York City, NY (in-person/hybrid)
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified | selective
Dates: June - August (10 weeks)
Application Deadline: January 2
Eligibility: Undergraduate students and early-career professionals interested in public service
The NYCEDC Summer Internship Program gives students the opportunity to work on high-impact projects that support New York City’s economic growth and development. As an intern, you contribute to initiatives across departments such as real estate, finance, policy, and infrastructure, helping address real-world challenges facing the city. Your work responsibilities may involve research, data analysis, project support, and collaboration with teams working on urban development projects. Beyond day-to-day responsibilities, the program includes structured training, networking events, and professional development sessions designed to help you build professional skills and industry connections.
7. Jane Street Trading Internship
Location: New York City, NY (on-site)
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified | extremely selective
Dates: Summer
Application Deadline: Typically open in September - October and close in October - November
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students | no prior finance experience required
The Jane Street Trading Internship is an intensive, quantitative program designed to develop your decision-making and problem-solving skills in financial markets. During the internship, you work on both independent and team-based projects while learning directly from experienced traders. Your day typically combines project work, classroom-style sessions, and trading simulations, allowing you to apply theoretical concepts to real-world market scenarios. You also participate in elective tracks such as strategy, algorithmic trading, or modeling, where you analyze market data, develop trading systems, and apply machine learning techniques.
8. The New York Times Business Internship Program
Location: New York City, NY | hybrid | based at headquarters
Cost/Stipend: Paid | not specified | competitive
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified | highly selective
Dates: Summer (10 weeks)
Application Deadline: Early November | applications open late October | close within about 1 week)
Eligibility: Undergraduate students, recent graduates, and candidates from non-traditional backgrounds (for example, bootcamps, associate programs)
The New York Times Business Internship Program gives you the opportunity to work on impactful projects across departments such as technology, advertising, marketing, product, design, and data. During the 10-week program, you collaborate closely with professionals to support initiatives that support reader engagement with news and digital products. Your work may include data analysis, product support, marketing strategy, or technical development, depending on your role. In addition to project work, you attend speaker sessions and networking events with leaders across the organization, gaining insight into how a global media company operates.
9. LifeSci NYC Internship Program
Location: New York City, NY | varies by host company | in-person or hybrid
Cost/Stipend: Paid | not specified | competitive
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified | selective citywide program
Dates: Summer and year-round opportunities | Vary by placement
Application Deadline: Not specified | check program portal for updates
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students interested in life sciences
The LifeSci NYC Internship Program connects students with paid internship opportunities across New York City’s rapidly growing life sciences industry. Through this program, you are placed with host companies, including biotechnology companies, research institutions, and healthcare startups, where you contribute to projects in areas such as laboratory research, data analysis, and business operations. The program is designed to help you gain hands-on experience while supporting the city’s expanding life sciences ecosystem. In addition to your internship placement, you receive structured training that focuses on both technical skills and professional skills, such as communication, teamwork, and career development.
10. Federal Reserve Bank of New York Sophomore Career Exploration Internship
Location: New York City, NY (hybrid/on-site)
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified | selective
Dates: Summer | 10 weeks | begins early June
Application Deadline: Reopens in September for the next cycle of the upcoming summer
Eligibility: Undergraduate sophomores with additional programs for juniors and graduate students
The Sophomore Career Exploration Internship at the New York Fed gives you early exposure to careers in finance, economics, and public service through a structured, cohort-based program. During the 10-week internship, you work on project-based assignments within a designated business unit, gaining practical experience while contributing to initiatives that support the broader financial system. Alongside your project work, you participate in professional development sessions, networking events, and learning opportunities with senior leaders. You are also paired with a mentor who supports your growth and helps you navigate your career interests.
11. New York County District Attorney’s Office Internship Program
Location: New York City, NY (in-person)
Cost/Stipend: Paid | approximately $560/week (summer)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified | competitive
Dates: Summer | 9 weeks | begins early June
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Undergraduate sophomores and juniors must have completed at least two years of college
The New York County District Attorney’s Office Internship gives students direct exposure to the criminal justice system through hands-on legal and investigative work. During the program, you support Assistant District Attorneys and professional staff by preparing cases, conducting research, analyzing legal and financial documents, and observing court hearings or trials. You may also engage in community outreach initiatives and gain insight into victim support services. In addition to daily responsibilities, the program includes structured learning through lecture series, discussions, and mock legal exercises such as appellate arguments. This combination of practical work and educational programming helps you build a strong understanding of legal processes and public service.
12. NYC Department of Design and Construction (DDC) Internship
Location: New York City, NY (on-site)
Cost/Stipend: Paid | approximately $16.50 - $17/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified | competitive
Dates: June 1 - August 7
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Undergraduate students or recent graduates must be authorized to work in the U.S.
The NYC DDC Internship offers hands-on experience working in public construction and infrastructure projects across the New York City government. In this role, you assist engineering auditors by reviewing construction payment requests, analyzing contract documents, including technical specifications and drawings, and supporting compliance reviews related to labor and wage regulations. You also participate in field visits to active construction sites, where you observe real-time project execution and gain practical exposure to public infrastructure development. Throughout the internship, you work closely with senior technical professionals and receive mentorship, while also participating in seminars and training sessions focused on construction management and engineering processes.
13. L’Oréal USA Summer Marketing Internship
Location: New York City, NY | hybrid | 3 days in-office
Cost/Stipend: Paid | approximately $24 - $29/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified | highly selective
Dates: June - August
Application Deadline: August - September
Eligibility: Undergraduate students graduating in December - July
The L’Oréal USA Summer Marketing Internship gives you hands-on experience working with one of the world’s leading beauty companies across its portfolio of global brands. During the 11-week program, you take ownership of day-to-day brand management responsibilities, including analyzing consumer insights, evaluating market trends, and supporting campaign execution. You also lead an individual strategic project in which you develop business recommendations and present your findings to senior leadership. Throughout the internship, you collaborate with cross-functional teams across digital, finance, and supply chain, gaining a comprehensive understanding of how a global brand operates.
14. VNS Health Summer Internship (Healthcare & Data Analytics)
Location: New York City, NY (hybrid)
Cost/Stipend: Paid | approximately $20 - $25/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified | competitive
Dates: Summer | part-time | about 20+ hours/week)
Application Deadline: Not specified (rolling applications)
Eligibility: Undergraduate or graduate students | Must have completed at least one year of college
The VNS Health Summer Internship offers you hands-on experience in healthcare operations and data analytics within a major nonprofit organization. In this role, you work on departmental projects that may involve data analysis, supporting operational initiatives, and the development of strategic solutions to improve healthcare delivery. You contribute directly to organizational goals while gaining insight into how data informs decision-making in healthcare systems. Alongside project work, you participate in workshops and presentations led by senior leaders, helping you build professional skills and industry knowledge. The program also requires you to present a creative or strategic solution based on your work, giving you tangible outcomes to showcase in future applications.
15. City Parks Foundation Coastal Classroom Internship
Location: New York City, NY
Cost/Stipend: Paid | approximately $18 - $20/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified | selective
Dates: July - August | training begins late June
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Undergraduate students in environmental science, marine biology, education, or related fields
The City Parks Foundation Coastal Classroom Internship gives you hands-on experience in environmental education and urban ecology. In this role, you support program staff in delivering field-based lessons on coastal ecosystems, water quality, and environmental conservation to middle school students and youth groups. You assist with teaching activities, manage field equipment, and contribute to data collection and program logistics.
Summary
This list covers 15 summer internships in NYC for college students in 2026, spanning finance, media, government, life sciences, and environmental education, hosted by organizations including Jane Street, The New York Times, L'Oréal USA, and multiple city and state government agencies. The strongest disclosed hourly rates come from L'Oréal USA ($24–$29/hour), the Met's internship ($24/hour plus housing support), and VNS Health ($20–$25/hour), while several highly selective finance and media roles like Jane Street and The New York Times are paid but don't disclose a specific rate. Government-run programs, including the NYC Summer Internship Program, the New York State Internship Program, and NYCEDC, offer the broadest access across departments and are strong entry points if you want exposure to public sector work without needing a specific industry connection.
Questions Students Often Ask About These Programs
1. Several programs here are run directly by city or state government, like NYC SIP, NYCEDC, and the New York State Internship Program. How do these differ from each other?
The NYC Summer Internship Program places you across various city agencies like the Department of Transportation or the Mayor's Office, giving you broad exposure to municipal operations. NYCEDC is narrower, focusing specifically on economic development projects like real estate and infrastructure. The New York State Internship Program is the broadest geographically, covering state agencies across policy, finance, and public health with a centralized application system. If you want city-specific government experience, NYC SIP or NYCEDC are the stronger fits; if you want exposure to state-level work, the New York State program is more relevant.
2. I'm a sophomore, not a junior or senior. Are there programs designed specifically for someone at my level?
Yes. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York's Sophomore Career Exploration Internship is designed specifically for undergraduate sophomores, giving early exposure to finance, economics, and public service. American Express's program similarly targets sophomores in their fall semester. Most other programs on this list, like Jane Street, The New York Times, and L'Oréal USA, are open to a broader range of class years, so it's worth double-checking each program's specific eligibility before assuming you need to wait until junior year.
3. A few programs, like the NY County DA's Office and City Parks Foundation, are more specialized. Are these worth considering if I'm not planning a career in law or environmental science specifically?
Yes, both still build broadly transferable skills. The NY County DA's Office internship develops research, analytical writing, and case preparation skills valuable well beyond a legal career path. The City Parks Foundation's Coastal Classroom Internship builds program coordination, public speaking, and data collection skills relevant to any career involving community engagement or program management, not just environmental science specifically.