15 Internships for College Students in Alaska
- Stephen Turban
- Mar 2
- 12 min read
If you’re a college student looking to gain experience beyond the classroom, internships can be a strong place to start. Internships give you the chance to apply what you’ve learned in real work settings, develop practical skills, and understand how different industries operate. They also help you build confidence, learn how to work with teams, and gain experience that is useful for future applications and interviews.
Why should you attend an internship in Alaska?
Alaska is home to multiple internship opportunities that are often hands-on and closely connected to real work. Many internships across the state are hosted by research centers, government agencies, nonprofits, and organizations working in fields like environmental science, healthcare, public service, tourism, and energy.
Staying local helps keep costs and routines manageable while still giving you exposure to professional settings. You can explore subjects you are interested in and see whether they hold your interest over time. To make your search easier, we’ve curated a list of 15 internships for college students in Alaska!
15 Internships for College Students in Alaska
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world
Cost: Varies by the program. Financial aid is available
Application deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the 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
The Ladder University Internship Program is a structured, online internship program where you work with a real company as part of a team. You are matched to a startup based on your interests and skills, and you spend your internship contributing to actual business work, not practice tasks or simulations. During the program, you work on projects under the supervision of a company manager. You also meet regularly with a Ladder Coach who helps you set goals, track your progress, and strengthen your professional skills. At the end of the internship, you present your work to the company, which gives you practice in explaining your contributions and results. Apply now!
Location: Alaska Department of Fish and Game, statewide field sites and offices, AK
Cost/Stipend: Paid internships; specific pay rates are unspecified
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Not specified
Application Deadline: Varies by posting on Workplace Alaska, (tentatively)
Dates: Primarily summer; exact dates vary by position, (tentatively)
Eligibility: Students at different academic levels (high school through college) via multiple internship levels; exact level requirements set per posting
The Internship Program at the Alaska Department of Fish and Game places you inside a working state agency. You'll join a small team within one division and receive structured, on-the-job training directly related to the department’s real-world programs. You'll learn specific policies, technical methods, and procedures used by the agency. Internships are primarily in the summer, located at statewide field sites and offices, and are open to students at various academic levels, from high school through college, with the possibility of counting for academic credit.
Location: Alaska Department of Natural Resources, statewide offices and field locations, AK
Cost/Stipend: Paid internships; undergraduate interns $17.01–$21.60 per hour
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Unspecified
Application Deadline: Unspecified (positions created and approved in-house; timing handled internally by DNR)
Dates: Summer and school-year; exact dates vary by position (tentatively)
Eligibility: At least 16 years old; currently enrolled full-time in high school, college, or graduate study related to DNR work; in good academic standing; must have been full-time in the preceding term and admitted for the next term for summer roles
The Student Intern Program at the Alaska Department of Natural Resources places you in a paid role within a state agency where you work on tasks tied to real operations. The program runs under Alaska’s exempt Student Intern framework, which lets DNR set internship roles and pay internally. As a student intern, you take on technical work connected to your coursework. This can include drafting, cartography, fieldwork, title searches, accounting tasks, computer-based work, or customer service, depending on the division you join. Responsibilities increase with your academic level. You are paid hourly based on your level of education and receive workers’ compensation coverage, access to the state SBS-AP retirement plan, and overtime pay for hours worked beyond 40 in a week.
Location: Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, statewide offices, facilities, and transportation systems, AK
Cost/Stipend: Paid college internships; specific hourly rates and benefits vary by posting and division
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Unspecified
Application Deadline: Varies by posting; some college intern positions list specific open and closing dates (for example, fall postings with defined application windows), (tentatively)
Dates: Summer and semester-based internships; dates such as May – September or term-specific periods vary by position, (tentatively)
Eligibility: Typically, full-time undergraduate students (e.g., in civil or related engineering fields) meeting GPA and credit‑hour minimums; Alaska residency or Alaska education history sometimes required, depending on the posting
If you are a full-time undergraduate (especially in civil or related engineering fields), this is a chance to apply your skills to Alaska’s essential transportation infrastructure, its roads, airports, and other systems. You apply to specific paid positions, which can involve assisting with construction inspection, materials testing, survey work, or reviewing plans and specifications. Most student intern roles focus on engineering and technical work. The work connects directly to how roads, airports, and other transportation infrastructure are planned and maintained.
Location: Opportunities throughout Alaska
Cost/Stipend: Listings include both paid and unpaid internships; tuition and fees may apply for for-credit internships
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Unspecified (varies by individual employer and posting)
Application Deadline: Varies by position; internships and jobs are posted on a rolling basis in Handshake (tentatively)
Dates: Varies by position; includes summer, semester, and year-round roles (tentatively)
Eligibility: UAA students and alumni with Handshake access; for-credit internships typically require at least one year of UAA attendance and adherence to program-specific policies
This isn't a single program but your gateway to thousands of opportunities. The UAA page connects current students and alumni with Handshake, the University of Alaska system's career platform. You create a profile with your interests and experience, and the system suggests opportunities that match what you’re looking for. Most students find and apply to internships on their own rather than being placed by a department. If you want academic credit for an internship, there are minimum hour requirements, such as at least 45 work hours per credit. Undergraduate students usually need to complete at least one year at UAA before enrolling in a for-credit internship, and tuition and fees may apply for the course.
Location: Alaska Center for Energy and Power, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK
Cost/Stipend: Competitive stipend for REU; competitive hourly rate for AUSI; on-campus housing and travel to/from Alaska provided
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Not specified
Application Deadline: January 23
Dates: June 1 – August 7
Eligibility: Undergraduate students (including spring graduates); U.S. citizens residing in the U.S. or U.S. territories
The ACEP Summer Internship Program at the University of Alaska Fairbanks is a 10-week summer research experience focused on Arctic energy systems. You work within the Alaska Center for Energy and Power on projects connected to how energy is produced, stored, and used in cold and remote environments. You are placed into one of two tracks. The NSF-funded REU track is meant for students entering their sophomore or junior year and focuses on building research foundations. The Alaska Undergraduate Summer Internship (AUSI) track is aimed at juniors, seniors, or recent graduates and emphasizes deeper research with the potential for formal deliverables or publication. In both tracks, you work one-on-one with an ACEP researcher, use shared research spaces, and take part in field trips related to Alaska’s energy infrastructure.
Location: APFC Headquarters, Juneau, AK (internal); external internships vary across the U.S., primarily in California and Texas
Cost/Stipend: Competitive pay at $25.00/hour for bachelor’s students and $27.00/hour for master’s students; round-trip ticket to Juneau provided for internal interns; no housing provided, but staff assist with housing search
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: 2 interns per year; cohort size for external internships varies by partner
Application Deadline: Typically between November and January (application period opens in late fall), (tentatively)
Dates: 12–13 weeks, flexible based on school schedule, (tentatively)
Eligibility: Enrolled full-time at an Alaska university or Alaska resident attending school elsewhere; pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree, or graduated within the past six months
This internship program offers both internal and external opportunities for students interested in investment management and finance. The internal program places two interns each year at APFC’s headquarters in Juneau, AK, where you gain hands-on experience in either investments or finance, including research, portfolio analysis, diligence, investment accounting, and exposure to industry experts. The external program connects you with APFC’s partner organizations, typically in California and Texas, for internships tailored to the partner’s policies and needs. Many past interns have gone on to successful careers in finance and investing, and some have returned to APFC as staff or Trustees.
Location: Various non-profit conservation, environmental justice, Alaska Native, and government organizations across Alaska
Cost/Stipend: Stipend of $7,000 for 12 weeks; travel costs to and from Alaska reimbursed up to $1,200 (outside Anchorage) or $1,000 (Anchorage); housing assistance provided, but interns are responsible for arranging their own accommodation
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: 13 internships offered last year; cohort size may vary by year
Application Deadline: January 5 - February 17
Dates: 12 weeks, typically starting toward the end of May or beginning of June; exact dates set by host organization
Eligibility: Must be currently enrolled in an accredited college in the U.S. or abroad, a recent graduate, or enrolled in a technical program; preference given to college juniors, seniors, recent graduates, and graduate students
The Ted Smith Conservation Internship Program, run by the Alaska Conservation Foundation, places you with an organization working on conservation issues across Alaska. You work for about 12 weeks, usually starting in late May or early June, and focus on practical work rather than classroom learning. You are placed with a host organization such as a nonprofit, environmental justice group, Alaska Native organization, or government agency. Your work supports real conservation goals and may involve policy work, community engagement, research, or field-based projects, depending on the host site.
Location: Alaska Aerospace, Anchorage and Kodiak, AK
Cost/Stipend: Paid and unpaid internships available; specific stipend amounts not disclosed
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Unspecified
Application Deadline: Not specified; internships offered during summer and academic year (tentatively)
Dates: Summer and academic year; specific dates not disclosed, (tentatively)
Eligibility: College students majoring in science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), or business fields; Anchorage and Kodiak-based students are eligible for academic year internships
Alaska Aerospace offers paid and unpaid internships for college students studying STEM or business fields. Opportunities are available during the summer and throughout the academic year, with positions based in Anchorage and Kodiak. You work on projects that support real aerospace missions and operations, gaining hands-on experience in a professional setting. Depending on the role, this may include technical work, operations support, data analysis, or business and administrative tasks tied to aerospace programs. Alaska Aerospace also participates in the Alaska Space Grant Program, which focuses on students in STEM and STEM education. If you are interested, you are encouraged to contact Alaska Aerospace directly with your information and interests.
Location: Sealaska and partner organizations, primarily Juneau, AK
Cost/Stipend: Competitive pay; housing stipend available depending on location; travel covered to and from Connect Week
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Unspecified
Application Deadline: March 9
Dates: June 22 – August 21; Connect Week orientation June 14 – 20
Eligibility: Must be a Sealaska shareholder, descendant of a shareholder, or spouse of a shareholder; at least 18 years old by start date; minimum 2.5 GPA; currently enrolled in college or vocational-technical school, or a recent graduate (within 1–2 years)
The Sealaska Internship Program gives college students and recent graduates the chance to work on real projects connected to business, land stewardship, environmental science, engineering, technology, and community and culture. The program is run by Sealaska and includes placements with Sealaska and partner organizations. The internship begins with Connect Week in Juneau, a week-long orientation that includes cultural learning, professional development sessions, and time to build connections with other interns. During the internship, you are paid and take part in networking opportunities, career workshops, cultural programming, and financial literacy sessions.
Location: Alaska Behavioral Health, Anchorage, AK
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid; internships are for academic credit only; no stipend provided
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Approximately 15 students per year (graduate and undergraduate)
Application Deadline: Unspecified; apply early as placements are limited and not guaranteed
Dates: Varies by academic program and placement, (tentatively)
Eligibility: Must be enrolled in a program with a signed Memorandum of Agreement with AKBH (or ACMHS); graduate students in psychology, social work, counseling, or related fields; undergraduate students (especially Bachelor of Social Work); applicants must be able to complete required trainings and pass a fingerprint background check
Student Internship Opportunities at Alaska Behavioral Health offer supervised clinical training for undergraduate and graduate students interested in behavioral health careers. Each year, the program places a limited number of students, with priority given to those in psychology, social work, counseling, or related fields. If you are an undergraduate, you typically work as a clinical associate. In this role, you support clients with skill development under close supervision and take part in weekly Learning Community sessions. These sessions focus on clinical practice, reflection, and professional growth.
Location: Various organizations across Alaska, including rural communities and Anchorage, AK
Cost/Stipend: Paid at $25.00/hour; travel provided from home to work site; housing not provided, interns are responsible for their own accommodations
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Over 380 interns placed since 2004 across 110+ organizations
Application Deadline: Applications reviewed as received; typically opens in winter/spring, (tentatively)
Dates: June 9 – August 1; mandatory leadership retreats June 2 – 6 and August 4 – 8; leadership development Fridays every other Friday, 1 – 5 pm (tentatively)
Eligibility: Priority for college juniors, seniors, recent graduates, and graduate students; Alaska Native, American Indian, Indigenous, and rural community members; must be a high school graduate or equivalent; strong community leadership and commitment preferred
The Summer Internship Program run by the First Alaskans Institute places you in a full-time, paid internship with an organization in Alaska for about 10 weeks. The program is focused on Alaska Native, American Indian, Indigenous, and rural community members and students. You work in a professional setting while also taking part in required leadership sessions and retreats throughout the summer. These activities focus on leadership development, cultural knowledge sharing, and long-term career growth alongside your day-to-day internship work. You are responsible for arranging your own housing and accommodations during the program.
Location: Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, Portage, AK
Cost/Stipend: Paid at $14/hour; full-time, 40 hours per week
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Unspecified
Application Deadline: January 31
Dates: May – September; Naturalist Internship: up to 20 weeks (minimum 16 weeks for Animal Care Internship)
Eligibility: Open to college students, recent graduates, young professionals, and career changers; no specific major required
The Internship Program at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center offers two paid, full-time tracks: Naturalist and Animal Care. As a Naturalist Intern, you work with the education team. You help lead tours, support educational programs on-site and off-site, and practice public interpretation. The role builds skills in science communication, animal knowledge, and public engagement. As an Animal Care Intern, you work with the animal care staff on daily husbandry tasks. This includes helping care for animals, preparing diets, maintaining habitats, and supporting animal encounters and programs.
Location: Fairbanks, Anchorage, Juneau, and remote options; Alaska ✓
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship; specific hourly rate determined by position classification (Student Assistant 2)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 20+ startup partnerships annually; cohort size varies by year
Application Deadline: Rolling basis (typically applications open in spring; applications due before the summer term)
Dates: May – August (four-month summer program)
Eligibility: Current University of Alaska system students (any campus: UAF, UAA, UAS) enrolled in 6+ credit hours; undergraduate and graduate students both eligible, but individual companies determine final selection
Students to Startups at the University of Alaska Fairbanks connects you with Alaska-based startup companies through the university’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. You work part-time or full-time with one startup from a network of more than 20 companies. These startups operate across fields such as technology, sustainability, marine resources, and clean energy. Your work is tied to real business needs and may include product development, operations support, research, marketing, or data-related tasks, depending on the company. Throughout the program, you receive mentorship from Center staff and startup founders.
Location: Fairbanks, Alaska; International Arctic Research Center
Cost/Stipend: Paid at $18.18/hour for undergraduate interns
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Two interns selected annually
Application Deadline: April 3 (for summer program)
Dates: June 2 – August 8 (10 weeks)
Eligibility: Current undergraduate students or recently graduated within one year; interest in science communication, science policy, or science and society; upper-level undergraduates preferred; open to all majors
The Communicating Science Internship is run by the International Arctic Research Center and the Alaska Climate Adaptation Science Center at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. The program places you with scientists and science communication professionals for a 10-week summer experience. You work alongside researchers in fields such as ecology, biology, environmental science, and earth science. Your role is to translate active research into clear, public-facing materials. This includes creating videos, infographics, social media content, articles, and presentations that explain scientific findings to non-technical audiences. You receive on-campus housing in Fairbanks, travel support, and an hourly wage.
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.
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 Ph.D. 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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