10 Ways on How to Find Internships for College Students

Internships have become a vital part of the college experience, and for good reason. While classroom learning provides your theoretical foundation, internships offer valuable practical experience in a professional setting. They allow you to test out a career path, develop practical skills that are actually used in the workplace, and build a robust professional network that can lead to future opportunities.

In the competitive workplaces of today, employers look for your work experience in addition to your GPA. Internships show that you’ve taken initiative and gained experience in a real-world setting. They also help you develop crucial soft skills, such as communication, teamwork, and adaptability, that are essential in every career. The question now is: How to find internships for college students?

Fortunately, there are countless avenues to find the right internship, many of which are built right into your college ecosystem or easily accessible online. If you’re a college student, here are 10 ways on how to find internships for college students. We’ve also tried to provide some examples and resources to help get you started!

1. College Career Services

Almost every college or university offers a Career Services Office (CSO) that exists specifically to support your professional growth. While these offices help you prepare for internship applications through resume critiques, mock interviews, and job coaching, their biggest asset is their exclusive access to internship listings from employers actively seeking students from your school.

How to use it:

• Book a one-on-one appointment to explore internship opportunities that align with your major and interests.

• Attend on-campus recruiting events and career fairs where employers visit specifically to recruit students.

• Explore school-sponsored platforms like Handshake, which centralize internship postings from partner companies.

2. Online Job Portals

If you're looking for ways on how to find internships for college students that expand beyond your college’s ecosystem, online internship portals provide access to thousands of listings across industries and locations. These platforms let you refine your search using filters like major, company size, location, and whether the internship is remote or paid. The selection rate for postings here is not the highest, as the competition is fierce. However, it’s still a good way to isolate which companies are hiring and what kind of positions are available in the market, as well as what kind of compensation is available for relevant positions.

Some commonly used platforms we recommend:

• Internships.com: Specializes in entry-level and student-friendly roles.

• Chegg Internships: Offers tailored matches and advice.

• Indeed: Has a large selection of internships, often combined with full-time job listings.

• WayUp: Focuses on students and recent grads with curated employer matches.

• LinkedIn Jobs: Includes both internship postings and networking opportunities.

• Glassdoor: Good for checking company reviews in addition to internship listings.

How to maximize results:

• Use specific keyword combinations like “Summer 2025 marketing internship remote.”

• Save searches and enable notifications so you're the first to apply.

• Upload a targeted resume and tailor your applications for each position.

3. Networking

More than 70% of job and internship openings are filled through networking. Reaching out to people in your field of interest can lead to referrals, insider info about opportunities, and even unlisted internship offers. However, it is important to understand that effective networking isn’t about asking for a job; it’s about learning, showing curiosity, and building a rapport based on mutual benefit of association.

How to start:

• Join professional clubs and societies at your school. Many host alumni panels or industry meet-and-greets.

• Attend industry events and conferences, either virtually or in person.

• Reach out to alumni through LinkedIn, especially those who graduated from your major or school.

4. Company Websites

If you have a list of dream companies, go directly to the source! Most large organizations have a dedicated careers section that outlines available internships and programs. Smaller companies may not advertise as widely, but often post openings on their websites. It’s better to apply directly on a company’s website because often, direct applications go to a separate collection source compared to those from job portals, giving you a slightly higher chance of having your application assessed by HR.

Steps to follow:

• Make a target list of companies (20-30 is ideal).

• Visit each company's career page and search under "Internships" or "Students & Graduates."

• Set Google Alerts with terms like “Adobe summer internship 2025” to be notified of new postings.

5. Social Media & Professional Platforms

Many companies and recruiters frequently utilize platforms like LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter) to share internship opportunities and recruitment announcements. They are also powerful tools for building a personal brand, which can attract attention from recruiters. Try to add value by engaging with posts by commenting insightfully or resharing with a thoughtful take. This helps get you noticed.

Best platforms to explore:

• LinkedIn: Follow companies, join relevant groups, and set job alerts.

• X (formerly Twitter): Follow company handles and search hashtags like #internship #collegeintern or #SummerIntern2025.

• Reddit: Subreddits like r/internships and r/college offer advice, company reviews, and peer support.

6. Cold Emailing

Not every internship is publicly listed—some are created through direct outreach. Cold emailing gives you the chance to express genuine interest in a company and show initiative. It’s especially useful for small businesses, startups, and labs. While you may not immediately get an opportunity as a result of this email, it is a great way to put yourself on the radar and make you a top contender for any future positions that appear.

How to do it effectively:

• Identify the right person (hiring manager, department head, lab director).

• Send a short, tailored message introducing yourself, your background, what you’re looking for, and how you can contribute.

• Attach your resume and include links to a portfolio or LinkedIn profile if applicable.

7. Faculty Recommendations

Professors often have deep ties to industry, government, and academic research. They may receive internship openings before they’re posted, or they can recommend you for positions in their networks. Even better, some professors work on independent research projects themselves and are willing to take on interns to assist them. At many universities, STEM faculty lead NSF REU (Research Experiences for Undergraduates) programs and often take students from their own departments first. Either way, establishing a good rapport with your professor is a great way to discover and take advantage of opportunities in the field.

Be active in class—speak up, visit office hours, and show interest in the subject. Try to schedule an appointment with the professor to discuss your goals and ask if they know of relevant opportunities, or ask if they supervise any research or can refer you to someone who does.

8. Alumni Networks

Alumni are often eager to help students from their alma mater, especially if they share the same major or career interest. They can provide insider advice, recommend you internally, or even offer internships directly if they run their own business or work in a recruiting role.

How to connect:

• Use your university’s official alumni portal or tools like PeopleGrove or Graduway.

• Reach out via LinkedIn’s alumni feature (go to your school’s LinkedIn page → “Alumni” tab → filter by field or location).

• Ask for an informational interview, not a job. Most people respond better to curiosity rather than direct requests.

9. Student Clubs & Professional Organizations

Joining student chapters of national professional organizations can put you in direct touch with companies, recruiters, and internship programs. These clubs often have exclusive job boards, sponsorships, and networking events that bring in employers specifically looking for student talent. Take a leadership role if possible—it enhances your resume and often gives you early access to internship announcements.

Examples:

• SWE (Society of Women Engineers) regularly hosts career fairs with partner companies like Boeing and Intel.

• NSBE (National Society of Black Engineers) offers access to its own online career center.

• Enactus gives business-minded students the chance to work on social entrepreneurship projects with real-world partners.

10. Internship Programs from Government & NGOs

Government agencies and nonprofit organizations offer structured, competitive internship programs for college students in areas like public policy, international relations, environmental science, and public health.

Some examples include:

• USAJobs Pathways Program: Offers internships with federal agencies like the EPA, NASA, and the Department of Education.

• UN Careers: Lists internship opportunities at United Nations offices around the world.

• Smithsonian Internship Program: Offers roles in history, research, museum work, and administration.

• Idealist.org: Lists internships at NGOs, nonprofits, and international development agencies.

Another option—the Ladder University Internship Program

Ladder Internships offers a highly selective, virtual internship program for university students where you get the opportunity to work with startups and nonprofits from around the world! The startups range across a variety of industries. As part of your internship, you will work on a real-world project that is of genuine need to the startup you are working with, and present your work at the end of the internship. In addition to working closely with your manager from the startup, you will also work with a Ladder Coach throughout your internship. Apply now!