Introduction
Summer internships are more than just resume boosters—they’re stepping stones toward a meaningful career. If you’re aiming to build hands-on experience, explore different industries, or start building your professional network, there’s no better time to start than now. Summer 2025 may seem far off, but the most competitive internships fill up fast. Planning ahead gives you a major advantage.
From tech and healthcare to media, education, and sustainability, internships exist in every field you can imagine. Whether you’re looking for a full-time role to dive into or want to combine a part-time internship with summer classes or a job, there are flexible options out there. This guide breaks down where to look, how to choose the right fit, and what you can do right now to increase your chances of landing a role that supports your goals.
Description
Why a Summer Internship Is Worth It
Internships offer a chance to test-drive a career before you commit to it. It’s your opportunity to figure out what you enjoy—and what you don’t—while building critical workplace skills. And you don’t have to be a junior or senior to benefit. Even if you’re still early in your college journey, spending your summer in a structured internship can give you a huge head start.
You’ll gain:
Career insight: Experience the day-to-day of a field you’re curious about.
Skills that stick: Develop time management, communication, and professional-level technical skills.
Professional connections: Meet mentors, peers, and employers who can support your journey.
Resume value: Real-world experience makes your future applications stronger.
Clarity and confidence: Know what you want—and don’t want—in a future job.
Not every role will match your dream position right away. But every opportunity is a chance to grow. For example, working as an assistant at a museum might not look creative at first, but it puts you closer to the industry you love—and the people who work in it.
Finding the Right Internship for Your Interests
Tech and Engineering
If you’re into coding, innovation, or solving technical problems, look for internships in software development, hardware engineering, or data science. Companies like Apple and Boeing often offer structured, mentorship-driven roles.
Suggested majors:
Computer Science
Mechanical, Electrical, or Aerospace Engineering
Mathematics or Data Science
To browse listings, try platforms like GitHub’s Summer 2025 Tech Tracker or check your department’s career bulletin.
Business, Marketing, and Finance
Want to support global companies or dive into analytics, brand strategy, or financial planning? Business-focused internships teach you to think like a leader. Programs like Goldman Sachs’ summer internships or General Motors’ Early Careers can be great places to start.
Suggested majors:
Business Administration
Finance, Accounting
Marketing or Economics
Your college may host business-specific career fairs, so don’t skip those early-in-the-year events.
Healthcare and Life Sciences
From clinical settings to public health research, healthcare internships provide hands-on experience that can help shape your path toward med school or a career in life sciences. Consider programs like the CDC’s Pathways program or Mayo Clinic internships.
Suggested majors:
Biology, Chemistry
Public Health, Psychology
Nursing
Look into HOSA’s national listings for health-related roles, or speak with your school’s pre-med advisor for local leads.
Education, Nonprofit, and Government
If you’re drawn to public service, advocacy, or education, there are impactful internships that let you contribute to change. Whether it’s teaching, researching policy, or working in community outreach, these roles can shape your future in meaningful ways.
Suggested majors:
Education, Sociology
Political Science
Social Work or Public Administration
Local organizations often look for summer help. Check with your school’s civic engagement center or nonprofit studies department.
Creative and Media
For students interested in writing, film, design, or communication, internships offer a way to grow your creative skills in professional settings. Whether it’s producing videos, managing social media, or supporting a newsroom, every project helps you build your portfolio.
Suggested majors:
Communications
Journalism or English
Fine Arts, Graphic Design
Film or Media Studies
Explore curated listings through platforms like The Muse or university media hubs like UChicago’s Muse Program.
Environment and Sustainability
Care about the planet? Internships in sustainability can involve fieldwork, advocacy, or science-backed research. From eco-startups to national parks, you’ll find chances to turn passion into action.
Suggested majors:
Environmental Science or Biology
Sustainability Studies
Geology or Public Policy
Search platforms like EcoJobs or your school’s green initiatives office for localized and national options.
Where to Search for Internships
Even if your interest doesn’t fit neatly into one category, general platforms like Indeed or LinkedIn are excellent starting points. Use filters to set your preferred location, industry, and job type.
Also:
Visit your career center early for tailored support and job boards.
Attend on-campus internship fairs—many employers recruit months in advance.
Talk to faculty and advisors—they often know about roles not listed online.
Paid vs. Unpaid: What’s the Right Fit?
Some internships offer pay, some don’t—but that doesn’t mean they’re not worth it. It depends on your financial situation and long-term goals.
Ask yourself:
Does this role offer experience or access that supports my dream job?
Can I afford to take on an unpaid role, or do I need part-time work?
Are there stipends or school funding options available?
Will this internship build connections I can leverage later?
Every student’s needs are different. Some may work a part-time job while interning. Others may find funded unpaid internships that offer incredible mentoring and access.