15 Internships For College Students In Raleigh, NC
- Stephen Turban
- 37 minutes ago
- 12 min read
Internships are one of the best ways to gain practical experience while you're still in college. They allow you to apply what you're learning in the classroom, build professional skills, and get a clearer sense of the career paths available in your field. Whether you're interested in business, technology, engineering, healthcare, marketing, or research, internships can help you develop relevant experience and make valuable professional connections before graduation.
Raleigh is home to a mix of major corporations, fast-growing startups, healthcare organizations, engineering firms, financial institutions, and research-driven companies. This creates opportunities across a wide range of industries, allowing students to explore different career interests while working on meaningful projects alongside experienced professionals.
Why should I do an internship in college?
An internship helps bridge the gap between academic learning and professional work. You gain exposure to industry tools, workplace expectations, and real-world challenges that aren't always covered in coursework. Many internships also offer mentorship, networking opportunities, and projects that can strengthen your resume and make you a more competitive candidate for future jobs or graduate programs. In addition to developing technical skills, internships help you build transferable skills such as communication, teamwork, project management, problem-solving, and professional writing.
To help you explore your options, here are 15 internships for college students in Raleigh, NC.
If you’re looking for remote internships, check out our blog here.
Key takeaways
Most internships on this list are paid, with Sun Gro Horticulture offering $24/hr and Bandwidth, Relay, and First Citizens Bank all providing competitive compensation, reflecting Raleigh's strong professional market across technology, engineering, finance, and consulting sectors.
Internships span a wide range of fields including technology and product management (Relay Launchpad, Bandwidth, MaintainX), engineering and environmental consulting (HDR, Geosyntec, D.R. Horton), finance and banking (First Citizens Bank, ProPharma), marketing and data strategy (TargetBase, E.L.F. Beauty equivalent), life sciences and pharma consulting (ProPharma), energy and sustainability (Hitachi Energy), and sales and business development (Sun Gro Horticulture, VISASQ/Coleman, Circle K).
Several internships offer pathways to full-time employment, including Sun Gro Horticulture (Junior Sales Representative), MaintainX (business development role upon graduation), VISASQ/Coleman (full-time associate consideration), and Relay Launchpad (potential part-time extension into the academic year).
Students interested in engineering or environmental science have strong options in Raleigh, with HDR (water and wastewater infrastructure), Geosyntec (environmental engineering and fieldwork), D.R. Horton (residential construction management), and Hitachi Energy (sustainable power grid innovation) all offering hands-on technical roles.
Most internships accept rolling applications without fixed deadlines, making Raleigh internships accessible throughout the year, though students should apply as early as possible for summer roles and prioritize programs like TargetBase (June 1 start) by early spring.
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Application deadline: Varies by cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Program dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week for 8-12 weeks. Open to undergraduates and gap year students!
Ladder University Internship Program is a selective, virtual internship program where you work with startups and nonprofits from around the world! The startups range across a variety of industries. As part of their internship, each student will work on a real-world project that addresses a genuine need for the startup they are working with and present their work at the end of their internship. Interns work closely with their manager at the startup. Apply now!
Location: Targetbase, Raleigh, NC
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance size/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 9‑week internship beginning June 1
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Completion of at least three years of undergraduate coursework in marketing, business, communications, or a related field
This program provides a comprehensive introduction to data-driven marketing strategy in a professional agency environment. You will work alongside a team of experienced strategists to identify consumer insights and evaluate competitor landscapes to support various client initiatives. The role involves contributing to solution design and crafting persuasive narratives for formal client presentations. You will also participate in a collaborative project with other interns to develop a creative strategy for a specific client case. This experience is designed to be immersive and requires you to be on-site at the Raleigh office for the full 40-hour work week.
Location: ProPharma, Raleigh, NC
Stipend: Paid; Approximately $500 - $1,500 per month
Acceptance size/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June–August (Standard summer term)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Enrolled in at least junior or senior year of undergraduate studies or a graduate program
This position allows you to directly support the Client Experience and Sales functions within a global life sciences consulting firm. Your primary responsibilities involve conducting detailed research on priority biotechnology and pharmaceutical clients to map out their organizational structures and strategic goals. You will synthesize market dynamics and industry news into clear internal briefs that help inform high-level commercial growth and account planning. The role requires you to maintain organized trackers for vendor engagement models while collaborating with professionals across the regulatory and clinical research sectors.
Location: Hitachi Energy, Raleigh, NC
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance size/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June–August (12 weeks)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Currently obtaining a bachelor’s or master’s degree in business, human resources, accounting, communications, or related fields.
This 12-week learning journey places you within a global technology leader focused on sustainable energy and power grid innovation. Depending on your specific major and interests, you may be matched with roles in talent acquisition, sales, or early career program management. You will be tasked with solving real-world challenges that contribute to the company's goal of decarbonizing the global power system. The program emphasizes a collaborative culture, allowing you to work across different departments and build a diverse network of professional contacts. You can expect a mix of independent work and team-based projects that require strong analytical thinking and adaptability in a fast-paced office environment.
Location: Relay, Raleigh, NC
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance size/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: May–August (Full-time)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Undergraduate students at local universities with a minimum 3.5 GPA
This program offers you an opportunity to engage with multiple sub-domains of product management within a high-growth tech startup. You will gain exposure to core product strategy, revenue strategy, and solutions engineering while working on tools designed for frontline workers. Your responsibilities include participating in customer discovery efforts, performing market data analysis, and contributing to the development of AI-powered features. High-performing individuals may have the opportunity to extend their part-time tenure into the following academic year to continue supporting engineering and sales enablement efforts. The role is based entirely at the Raleigh headquarters and emphasizes hands-on involvement in bringing new technologies to the enterprise market.
Location: VISASQ/COLEMAN, Raleigh, NC
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance size/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Semester-based with an option to extend
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Current enrollment as a senior in a bachelor’s program (all majors welcome)
This internship offers you hands-on experience in global talent acquisition within the expert network and primary research industry. You will be responsible for sourcing candidates across diverse regions, including North America, EMEA, and APAC, using professional tools such as LinkedIn Recruiter. Your daily tasks include reviewing applications, mapping talent markets, and aligning recruiting efforts with global business priorities. The role features a highly flexible schedule of approximately six hours per week, making it suitable for students balancing a full course load. Successful performance in this position can lead to direct consideration for full-time associate roles upon your graduation.
Location: Bandwidth, Raleigh, NC
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance size/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June–August (Standard summer term)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in math, statistics, computer science, or a related field
This role places you at the forefront of a global software company where you will gain insights from massive datasets. You will utilize statistical techniques and analytical tools to identify patterns and troubleshoot anomalies within complex network data. Your work involves working with development teams to optimize data-driven workflows and creating visualizations that translate complex findings into actionable business solutions. The program emphasizes a holistic experience through their "Whole Person Promise," which includes 90-minute workout lunches and direct networking sessions with company leadership. You are expected to have a working knowledge of Python and a foundational understanding of machine learning concepts to contribute to fraud operations and global communications projects.
Location: D.R. Horton, Inc., Raleigh, NC
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance size/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June–August (Standard summer term)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Currently enrolled in an accredited four-year college or university seeking a bachelor’s degree in a related field
This role allows you to work directly under the guidance of construction managers and superintendents at the nation's largest homebuilder. You will assist with the daily management of job-site functions, including scheduling and supervising various construction phases for high-quality residential projects. The experience focuses on teaching you the importance of uniform construction methods and quality standards while ensuring compliance with corporate policies. You are encouraged to explore supplemental departments beyond your primary assignment to gain a holistic understanding of how a large-scale housing division operates. Successful candidates must be prepared for the physical nature of the work, which may include lifting up to 50 pounds and potential overnight travel to different project sites.
Location: HDR, Raleigh, NC
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance size/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June–August (Standard summer term)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate engineering program, preferably in civil or environmental engineering
This internship offers you a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a dynamic consulting environment while working on impactful water infrastructure projects. You will support various phases of project development, including planning, design, and construction for systems such as gravity sanitary sewers, water treatment facilities, and stormwater drainage. Your responsibilities include performing technical analyses, preparing reports, and using tools such as Excel and GIS to verify design calculations. The program emphasizes professional growth through project tours with licensed Professional Engineers and mentorship from company leaders. You may also have the opportunity to conduct field construction inspections and observe real-world engineering techniques in action.
Location: Geosyntec, Raleigh, NC
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance size/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June–August (13 to 15 weeks)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Currently registered in a bachelor’s or master’s university degree program in a relevant engineering or science discipline
This internship provides you with a platform to apply academic theory to complex environmental and civil infrastructure challenges. You will assist professional staff with engineering calculations using specialized technical tools and contribute to the drafting of formal reports, specifications, and proposals. The role involves significant data analysis and the preparation of technical maps and tables to support project initiatives. You may also participate in fieldwork, including groundwater sampling, stormwater inspections, and overseeing site contractors. Geosyntec prioritizes candidates who demonstrate strong technical writing skills and an interest in returning for multiple semester rotations to further develop their consulting expertise.
Location: Southern Industrial Constructors, Inc., Raleigh, NC
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance size/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: May 18–July 31
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Currently pursuing a degree in technical writing, English, communications, information technology, or a related field
This role provides you with a specialized opportunity to support an internal IT team by producing high-quality technical documentation for a large industrial construction firm. You will work closely with engineers and analysts to translate complex technical concepts into clear user manuals, installation guides, and internal process documents. Your responsibilities include maintaining documentation repositories and ensuring consistency in formatting and terminology across the company's knowledge bases. You will also assist in creating visual aids, such as flowcharts and diagrams, to enhance the clarity of technical materials. This position is ideal for developing professional writing skills while gaining direct exposure to the infrastructure and operations of the manufacturing and industrial markets.
Location: Sun Gro Horticulture, Raleigh, NC
Stipend: $24.00 per hour
Acceptance size/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 8-month program beginning in September
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Current seniors enrolled in a relevant degree program such as business, marketing, or communications
This comprehensive training program is designed to provide you with an in-depth transition from academic study to a professional sales career within the horticulture industry. You will participate in intensive sessions covering product knowledge, market research, and the mastery of CRM systems used to track global sales data. Your responsibilities include conducting competitor analysis, performing cold calls to prospective clients, and delivering formal product demonstrations to industry professionals. The internship emphasizes independent sales activities and strategic planning, culminating in a final project where you present your market share growth outcomes to department leadership. High-performing participants who successfully navigate the eight-month curriculum may be considered for a full-time Junior Sales Representative position, which typically requires relocation to various territories across North America.
Location: MaintainX, Raleigh, NC
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance size/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Flexible start and end dates (Minimum 16 hours per week)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Currently pursuing or recently completed a degree in business, marketing, communications, or related fields
This internship provides you with hands-on experience in tech sales at one of North America’s fastest-growing technology companies. You will primarily focus on account mapping and data hygiene, which includes validating contact details and synthesizing organizational structures within Salesforce. Your role involves collaborating with the Revenue Operations team to refine outreach strategies and maintain accurate account activity records. The program is designed as a developmental pathway, offering structured mentorship intended to prepare you for a full-time business development role upon graduation. You will have the opportunity to work in a high-energy environment that values coachability and strategic thinking while benefiting from a schedule that accommodates your academic commitments.
Location: Circle K, Raleigh, NC
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance size/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Semester-based (16–20 hours per week during school; up to 40 hours during breaks)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Currently enrolled student in undergraduate or graduate coursework; majors in business administration, education, or real estate preferred
In this role, you will report directly to the Real Estate Training Manager and contribute to the modernization of corporate development materials. Your primary project involves auditing outdated handbooks and training resources to convert them into interactive, digital courses for team members across the organization. You will work with the analytics department to evaluate training performance data and assist with the logistics of onboarding new hires. The position requires proficiency in Microsoft Office and offers the chance to learn professional instructional design software such as Articulate and SharePoint. This on-site opportunity is ideal if you are looking to balance academic studies with professional experience in a fast-paced corporate environment.
Location: First Citizens Bank, Raleigh, NC
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance size/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: May 27–July 31
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Currently enrolled at an accredited collegiate institution; rising juniors, seniors, or graduate students in accounting, finance, or business preferred
This hybrid internship provides you with a comprehensive look at the evolution of customer loan relationships within a major financial institution. You will engage in technical conversations with subject matter experts to understand how loan accounts are created, serviced, and maintained while navigating legal and compliance frameworks. Your daily tasks include evaluating interest rates, analyzing customer feedback, and utilizing Microsoft Excel for complex accounting practices. Throughout the summer, you will attend professional development sessions and networking events designed to build a long-term talent pipeline for the bank. The program culminates in a formal project presentation where you propose a solution to a specific business problem for division leaders and key stakeholders.
Frequently asked questions
What types of internships are available for college students in Raleigh?
Options include technology and product management internships (Relay Launchpad, Bandwidth, MaintainX), engineering and environmental consulting internships (HDR, Geosyntec, D.R. Horton), finance and banking internships (First Citizens Bank), life sciences and pharma consulting internships (ProPharma), data science and analytics internships (Bandwidth), marketing and sales internships (TargetBase, Sun Gro Horticulture), global recruiting internships (VISASQ/Coleman), technical writing internships (Southern Industrial), real estate training internships (Circle K), and remote startup internships (Ladder University).
Which Raleigh internships offer the highest compensation?
Sun Gro Horticulture pays $24 per hour for its eight-month sales training internship. Bandwidth, Relay Launchpad, HDR, Geosyntec, and First Citizens Bank all offer competitive paid positions, though exact rates are not always publicly listed. ProPharma provides approximately $500 to $1,500 per month. Students should inquire about compensation during the application process for roles where rates are not publicly specified.
Which internships are best for students interested in technology or data science?
Bandwidth Data Science Intern focuses on statistical analysis of large network datasets using Python and machine learning. Relay Launchpad covers product management, AI feature development, and customer discovery at a high-growth tech startup. MaintainX provides exposure to tech sales, CRM systems, and revenue operations. Ladder University Internship Program places students across tech, marketing, and operations roles at startups globally.
Which Raleigh internships are best for students interested in engineering or environmental work?
HDR offers water and wastewater infrastructure project work with field inspections and GIS tools. Geosyntec provides 13 to 15 weeks of environmental consulting with fieldwork including groundwater sampling and stormwater inspections. D.R. Horton places students in residential construction management alongside superintendents. Hitachi Energy focuses on sustainable energy and power grid innovation across business and engineering functions.
Are there Raleigh internships that can lead directly to full-time job offers?
Yes, several programs are structured with full-time conversion in mind. Sun Gro Horticulture explicitly states that top performers may be offered a full-time Junior Sales Representative role. MaintainX frames the internship as a developmental pathway toward a full-time business development position. VISASQ/Coleman states that strong performance may lead to direct consideration for full-time associate roles upon graduation. Relay Launchpad may extend high performers into part-time academic-year positions.
When should I apply to internships for college students in Raleigh?
Most internships on this list accept rolling applications without fixed deadlines, but summer roles typically begin in May or June, so applying in January through March gives you the best chance of securing a placement. TargetBase begins June 1 and Southern Industrial starts May 18, both warranting early spring applications. Sun Gro Horticulture begins in September, giving students a longer runway. Students should prepare resume and cover letter materials in the fall and begin applying to summer internships no later than February.
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here, check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a graduate of Harvard College, where he earned an A.B. in Statistics. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.