15 Bay Area Internships for College Students

If you’re looking for a way to gain professional experience while still in college, internships are a great option to explore. They let you work on real projects, build practical skills that are beneficial in the workplace, and connect with people who can help shape your academic and career path. They also strengthen your resume by showing that you can handle responsibility and navigate a professional environment. 

Why should you attend an internship in the Bay Area?

The Bay Area offers a wide range of internship opportunities across fields like technology, healthcare, education, and public service. As an intern, you can learn from experienced professionals, contribute to meaningful work, and receive guidance from mentors who help you develop both technical and professional skills. Whether you study locally or come in to explore opportunities, interning in the Bay Area lets you experience a diverse and collaborative environment that prepares you for future career opportunities.

If you are looking for paid online internships, check out our blog here.

1. Ladder University Internship Program

Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.

Cost: Varies by cohort

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective

Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.

Application deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). 

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 is of genuine need to 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!

2. Willie L. Brown, Jr. Fellowship Program

Location: City and County of San Francisco agencies (placements coordinated through SF State)

Stipend: $4,000

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies

Dates: Spring semester (January–May)

Application Deadline: October 24

Eligibility: SF State undergraduates with 60+ units; full-time enrollment in the spring semester

This fellowship places college students inside San Francisco city agencies, giving you a close-up look at how public service works and how local government supports communities. You’ll spend the semester completing a 16-hour-per-week internship connected to a public sector project, which can range from policy research to community programs, depending on your placement. Alongside the internship, you’ll take a weekly seminar that helps you reflect on your goals, learn more about civic leadership, and understand how public agencies collaborate to serve residents. The application focuses on your lived experiences and commitment to public service, giving you room to explain how your background has shaped your academic and career path. Whether you’re interested in government, social services, urban planning, or policy, this fellowship offers a structured way to build professional skills while exploring whether a career in the public sector feels right for you.

3. SFSU Climate Justice Internship Program

Location: San Francisco State University and partner organizations (San Francisco Bay Area)

Stipend: Up to $3,000 for the semester

Acceptance rate/cohort size: 2–5 students matched per partner organization

Dates: January–May

Application Deadline: October 10

Eligibility: Full-time SFSU undergraduates from any major; no citizenship requirements; must enroll in BIOL 681; availability for 10 hours/week

This paid Bay Area internship for college students lets you dive into climate justice work while learning directly from experienced organizers, advocates, and professionals in the field. As an intern, you’ll spend the semester working with a partner organization on a real project that supports their climate justice goals, giving you hands-on experience with issues that directly affect frontline communities. Along the way, you’ll take a 1-unit seminar that helps you reflect on your work, build community with peers, and grow your professional skills. You’ll be working about ten hours each week, so you’ll get consistent exposure to how climate-focused nonprofits and advocacy groups operate behind the scenes. The program is helpful if you’re exploring careers in environmental justice, community organizing, or policy, and want structured guidance as you build those skills.

4. QB3-Berkeley Undergraduate Biotech Internship Program

Location: Bay Area biotech companies

Stipend: Paid (salary set by employer; amount not listed)

Dates: May–August (10 weeks)

Application Deadline: February 2

Eligibility: UC Berkeley sophomores or juniors with 3.2+ GPA; biology/chemistry coursework with lab experience; unrestricted U.S. work authorization (or F-1/J-1 with requirements); full-time summer availability and fall semester return

This internship connects you with Bay Area biotech companies for a full-time summer research experience, letting you explore how biology, chemistry, and engineering come together in real-world applications. You’ll work as a paid employee of a partner company for 10 weeks, gaining hands-on experience with lab techniques, experimental design, and data analysis. Past interns have contributed to projects in synthetic biology, diagnostics, therapeutics, and bioengineering, so the work is always tied to meaningful, long-term scientific goals. You’ll also receive mentorship from company scientists, participate in QB3-Berkeley activities, and build skills in communication, project planning, and professional lab practice. 

5. Policy and Programming Internship 

Location: San Francisco

Stipend: $24–$30/hour

Dates: At least 12 weeks (preference for full-time, 40 hrs/week for 6 months)

Application Deadline: September 26

Eligibility: Completed bachelor’s degree (candidates with graduate study in transportation, urban planning, public policy, or related fields preferred)

This internship places you in the Transportation Authority’s Policy & Programming Division, where you’ll get a close look at how transportation funding decisions are made. You’ll help manage grants, support project monitoring, and work on the analysis that determines how local transportation dollars are allocated. Your responsibilities might include evaluating funding programs, upgrading the online grants portal and MyStreetSF content, tracking project progress, and researching local, state, and federal policies that affect long-range plans such as Plan Bay Area 2050+ and ConnectSF. Your day-to-day work will blend data and policy analysis, report writing, and occasional outreach or coordination with partner agencies, so you’ll build technical skills in spreadsheets, presentation-ready writing, and grants management.

6. Accountant Intern Program — City and County of San Francisco

Location: San Francisco (in-person requirements vary by department)

Stipend: Paid (salary not listed)

Dates: 18-month program beginning around May 12 (tentatively)

Application Deadline: January 9

Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree; 18 semester units (or 24 quarter units) of accounting coursework; graduation no later than June; interest in government accounting

This structured trainee program helps you start a long-term accounting career within San Francisco’s city government. You’ll rotate through two different departments over 18 months, giving you a broad look at how financial operations work across the city, from budgeting and audits to managing public funds. You’ll receive specialized training, work on projects, and get ongoing mentorship from city accountants, helping you build confidence with accounting tools and understand how government financial systems work. Many interns move into permanent roles after completing the program, making this a strong pathway if you’re looking for stability, growth, and meaningful public service work. If you’re completing an accounting degree and want to apply your skills in a real-world environment with clear support and long-term opportunities, this program offers a solid and well-established on-ramp.

7. Stifel Branch Intern – Summer

Location: There is no information available

Stipend: $20/hour

Dates: Summer

Application Deadline: There is no information available

Eligibility: 1–2 years of industry-related college coursework; strong organizational and teamwork skills; proficiency in Microsoft Office

This internship gives you an inside look at how a financial services branch operates by placing you on a team that supports Financial Advisors and branch leadership. You’ll handle a mix of administrative tasks such as scheduling, filing, data entry, and preparing materials for client meetings, which helps you understand how advisors manage client relationships and keep daily operations moving smoothly. You may also work on special projects, giving you opportunities to collaborate with staff and practice juggling multiple responsibilities at once. Since the role requires organizing information and balancing deadlines, you’ll develop practical skills that translate well to many business environments. 

8. Marathon Fusion Engineering Physics/Experimental Physics Internship

Location: San Francisco

Stipend: $27.88–$40.87/hour; $500 relocation bonus

Dates: Summer (there is no information available)

Application Deadline: Not specified

Eligibility: Students studying physics, engineering physics, mechanical engineering, or another technical field with strong hands-on experience

This internship places you at the intersection of hardware design and plasma physics as you support research and development for fusion-related technologies. You’ll take on hands-on experimental work such as designing diagnostic tools, building measurement systems, and helping prototype devices such as plasma centrifuges and metal foil pumps, giving you a close look at how breakthrough energy technologies are developed. You might set up experiments, analyze data, or build components for electrical, optical, or vacuum systems, depending on your background and the lab’s needs. Because Marathon Fusion operates like a fast-paced startup, you’ll be encouraged to take initiative, communicate proactively, and learn new technical skills quickly. This role is a great fit if you enjoy tackling open-ended engineering problems, want exposure to fusion-energy research, and feel excited about contributing to early-stage scientific hardware development.

9. Gilead PDM – Process Development Internship

Location: Foster City, California

Stipend: $19–$55/hour

Dates: 10–12 consecutive weeks between May–August

Application Deadline: December 19

Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, or seniors; full-time undergraduate enrollment after the internship; GPA 2.8+; U.S. work authorization or CPT/OPT; ability to relocate and work onsite; chemistry coursework strongly preferred

This internship lets you explore small-molecule process development while working alongside chemists who specialize in scaling up pharmaceutical synthesis. You’ll design and run organic chemistry experiments, analyze data, and document your work in an electronic lab notebook, giving you a realistic view of what research looks like at a major biopharmaceutical company. You’ll also learn about green chemistry principles, process safety, and the challenges that come with moving from bench chemistry to large-scale manufacturing. During the internship, you’ll present regular project updates to project teams and join professional development sessions, and wrap up with a capstone presentation summarizing your findings. For college students majoring in chemistry and want hands-on lab experience in drug development, this internship offers a structured way to build lab confidence, practice analytical techniques, and understand how new medicines transition from research to real-world production.

10. Apple Construction Project Manager Internship

Location: San Jose, CA

Stipend: Paid

Dates: Summer program

Application Deadline: Applications accepted on an ongoing basis

Eligibility: College students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, industrial engineering, or construction management; must be graduating in December 2026 or later

This internship allows college students to explore construction project management within one of the world’s most influential technology companies. You’ll get to sit in on project meetings, help with R&D lab design, and support the construction design phase for Apple’s research facilities. Much of your work will involve tracking schedules, budgets, and progress on active construction sites, all with guidance from an Apple Construction Manager. The internship places a strong emphasis on analytical thinking, communication, and problem-solving, so you’ll grow your technical and organizational skills throughout the summer. You’ll also gain insights into how Apple plans and manages complex real estate projects, which can be helpful if you're interested in knowing about construction management within large-scale tech environments. This program is a strong fit if you’re driven by curiosity, enjoy working through practical engineering problems, and want to see how major projects move from design to implementation.

11. Ann Fitzgerald Flemer College Mentorship Program

Location: San Francisco Bay Area (Metropolitan Transportation Commission)

Stipend: Paid

Dates: Summer program (specific dates to be announced for 2026)

Application Deadline: January–February

Eligibility: College students

The Ann Fitzgerald Flemer College Mentorship Program is a paid summer opportunity offered by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) for college students interested in transportation, public service, and government agency work. You’ll be paired with a dedicated mentor who supports your professional growth and helps you explore long-term career paths; mentorship is a defining part of the program and is one of the most distinctive aspects of the experience. As an intern, you might work on projects related to transportation planning, finance, or agency operations, giving you a practical look at the day-to-day working of the regional government. Along the way, you’ll also build core skills in research, documentation, data analysis, and communication. 

12. Boldt Project Engineer Internship

Location: San Francisco area construction sites

Stipend: $25–$29/hour

Dates: Summer (there is no information available)

Application Deadline: There is no information available

Eligibility: College juniors or seniors majoring in construction management, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, or related fields; U.S. work authorization; strong Microsoft Office skills; a valid driver’s license may be required

This internship gives you hands-on exposure to the construction industry by placing you directly on an active project site. You’ll interpret drawings, assist with estimating and change-order work, coordinate with subcontractors, and help verify that construction aligns with codes and specifications, which is a great way to learn how project engineering supports day-to-day field operations. You may also help establish grades and working lines, prepare sketches, and troubleshoot issues alongside site supervisors. Because the role is on-site, you’ll get to see how field teams communicate, solve problems in real time, and keep projects moving. Along the way, you’ll develop practical skills in teamwork, documentation, and project coordination.

13. San Mateo County Probation Department Internship

Location: Redwood City, South San Francisco, and San Mateo

Stipend: Unpaid

Acceptance rate/cohort size: There is no information available

Dates: 9–10 months, minimum 8 hours/week

Application Deadline: December 19

Eligibility: College juniors or seniors; U.S. citizenship or legal residency; no felony convictions; no recent substance use; ability to pass background check; majoring in criminal justice, sociology, psychology, or public administration preferred

This year-long internship gives you a close look at the probation system while helping you build skills that are common across any criminal justice career. You’ll support probation officers with tasks such as interviewing clients, preparing reports, conducting research, and learning how supervision and case management work in real-world settings. Opportunities are available in both adult and juvenile divisions. Some interns also help with legal office work, such as document preparation, file management, and policy research. Although the commitment is significant, you’ll gain a realistic sense of what it’s like to work in community supervision, how officers collaborate with law enforcement and service providers, and what it means to support people navigating the justice system. This internship is a strong fit if you’re considering careers in probation, social services, courts, or community-based justice work and want hands-on experience grounded in public service.

14. San Francisco Mayor’s Office Internship Program

Location: San Francisco City Hall (in-person only)

Stipend: Unpaid

Dates: Spring: January–April | Summer: May–August | Fall: September–December

Application Deadline: Spring: October 31 | Summer: March 31| Fall: June 30

Eligibility: Currently enrolled college students; in-person availability 10–20 hours/week; must apply within designated windows

This Bay Area internship for college students gives you a front-row view of how local government works by placing you directly in the Mayor’s Office. You’ll be assigned to one of several focus areas, such as communications, policy, community affairs, or government, so you can get hands-on experience with the issues shaping San Francisco. Because the program is fully in person at City Hall, you’ll interact directly with staff, community partners, and city leaders working on everything from legislative initiatives to neighborhood engagement. Interns are paired with a mentor who helps guide their professional growth and offers insights into careers in public service. You’ll also join site visits, attend press events, and complete a short capstone report reflecting on your experiences and what you have learned along the way. 

15. SFMTA Planning & Engineering Internship Program

Location: San Francisco (hybrid; Bay Area residency required)

Stipend: Not mentioned

Dates: May–September

Application Deadline: January

Eligibility: Students pursuing degrees related to transportation planning or engineering

This internship gives college students a chance to see what it’s like to help shape San Francisco’s transportation systems from the inside. You’ll join a planning or engineering team, such as Livable Streets, Transit Planning, Traffic Routing, or Fleet Engineering, and work on projects that support safer, more accessible mobility across the city. Depending on your placement, you might contribute to bike and pedestrian improvements, transit planning, curb management, or any other key initiatives. Your day-to-day experience can include a mix of hands-on fieldwork, community engagement, project coordination, and technical tasks. The program also includes seminars and field trips that introduce you to different divisions within SFMTA, giving you a broad view of how transportation agencies collaborate to keep the city moving. 

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 Harvard College graduate. 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.

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