15 Internships for College Students in Delaware
- Stephen Turban
- 4 hours ago
- 11 min read
As a college student, internships can be a practical way to explore what it is like to work in your field of choice before you graduate. Offered by colleges/universities and private and government organizations, internships can help you pick up transferable skills and gain insights into potential career paths in your field of interest. As an intern, you will also find opportunities to start building your network while connecting with professionals and peers in your field.
Why should you intern in Delaware?
Delaware is home to leading companies and institutions that run internship programs designed for undergrads and graduate students. Many of these programs emphasize professional training and project-based learning, allow you to work directly with mentors, contribute to projects, and develop technical and communication skills that employers value. Whether you attend college in Delaware or are coming from out of state, interning here can help you build experience in a supportive professional environment while connecting with local industry networks.
To help you with your search, we have narrowed down 15 internships for college students in Delaware.Â
If you are looking for online paid internships, check out our blog here.
15 Internships for College Students in Delaware
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies, based on the program format you choose; need-based financial assistance available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Several cohorts (summer, spring, fall, and winter) run each year
Application deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Undergraduate students who can work for 10 – 20 hours/week for 8 to 12 weeks
Ladder Internships offers students opportunities to work with high-growth start-ups in various fields, including deep tech, environmental science, software engineering, web design/UX, finance, artificial intelligence, healthcare, and mental health. As an intern, you will work under the supervision and guidance of a start-up manager and a Ladder Coach on projects that align with your interests and the organization’s goals. The experience can help you contribute to real-world projects in a professional setting and access opportunities to build professional skills. At the end, you will present your work to the start-up. You can find out more about the program and its application here.
Location:Â At your educational institution/any DESGC (Delaware Space Grant Consortium)-affiliated institution
Stipend:Â $6,000
Acceptance rate/Cohort size:Â Not specified
Dates:Â June, July, and August (10 weeks full-time) + research symposium in April; internship dates are set by the mentor and student.
Application deadline:Â January 1; applications open on October 1.
Eligibility:Â Undergraduate students currently enrolled at DESGC institutions in the fields of science, technology, engineering, math, and geography; applicants must be U.S. citizens.
The Delaware Space Grant Consortium (DESGC), sponsored by NASA, provides summer research opportunities to college students in Delaware pursuing degrees in STEM or geography. You will spend 10 weeks working with a faculty mentor at your school on a research project in your field of interest. The experience can help you build lab skills, connect with researchers, and gain experience in scientific inquiry, data collection, and professional communication. At the end of the program, you will submit a worksheet describing your research experience and present your work at the annual research symposium.Â
Location:Â Moonprint Solutions, Dover, DE
Stipend: $17 – $25/hour based on experience
Acceptance rate/Cohort size:Â Not specified
Dates:Â TBA; summer internship
Application deadline:Â Typically, the end of May
Eligibility:Â Undergraduate students (preferably rising mechanical engineering seniors) who are U.S. citizens enrolled at DESGC institutions and are proficient with CAD software (SolidWorks, AutoCAD/DraftSight) and MS OfficeÂ
Moonprint Solutions, an organization that designs and tests softgoods and serves NASA and DoD, runs summer internships for college students. Here, you will work on component and system designs, generate 2D and 3D CAD models, perform structural analysis to ensure performance requirements are met, and take on other responsibilities. You will also generate test reports, plan and run validation tests, and deliver technical presentations to customers. In the process, you will develop workplace skills, including multitasking and communication.
Location:Â Multiple locations across the U.S., including in Newark and Wilmington, DE
Stipend:Â Varies based on internship role and location; typically starts at $31/hourÂ
Acceptance rate/Cohort size:Â Not specified
Dates: May/June – August (10–12 weeks); dates vary based on internship site.
Application deadline:Â Rolling; applications open in November.
Eligibility:Â Undergraduate, master's, and doctoral students, ages 18 and up, with U.S. work Authorization/EAD, who will return to their degree program upon completing the internship; major-specific requirements apply based on the role you choose.
AstraZeneca’s Summer Internship Program provides college students with opportunities to explore careers in pharmaceuticals. You can apply for roles in business, health and environment, commercial insights and analytics, corporate affairs, or patient advocacy, depending on your interests; your daily responsibilities will vary by department. As an intern, you will also attend professional development workshops designed to help you enhance your resume writing skills and build a strong LinkedIn profile. You will receive individual guidance on career planning, gain networking opportunities at events, and participate in community service programs. At the end of the program, you will present your internship work at a poster and presentation session.Â
Location:Â DOS office, Dover, DE
Stipend:Â Paid (amount not specified)
Acceptance rate/Cohort size:Â Up to two interns/term
Dates: Spring: February – May | Summer: June – August | Fall: September – November
Application deadline:Â January 14 (Spring) | May 13 (Summer) | August 12 (Fall)
Eligibility:Â Students currently enrolled in or recently graduated from undergraduate/graduate degree programs at colleges/community colleges/universities with a minimum 2.5 GPAÂ
The Delaware Department of State (DOS) runs paid internships for college students interested in public service. You will serve as a part-time casual/seasonal employee of the State of Delaware, working for a minimum of 12 hours/week in a fast-paced professional government setting to gain hands-on experience of the policy-making process. In the process, you will build communication and time management skills as well as organizational abilities. You will also gain networking opportunities through outreach and community events, as well as through tours of division facilities.
Location:Â News media organizations in Maryland, Delaware, and D.C.Â
Stipend:Â At least $4,800 offered
Acceptance rate/Cohort size:Â Not specified
Dates:Â Varies by site; typical commitment of eight weeks and 40 hours/week
Application deadline:Â November 15; applications open on September 15.
Eligibility:Â Undergraduates who are attending four-year colleges or universities in Maryland, Delaware, or the District of Columbia, or are residents of Maryland/Delaware/District of Columbia attending four-year colleges/universities elsewhere; applicants must have completed a college-level course in print journalism/associated programs or have equivalent experience working on a college or community publication.
The MDDC (Maryland, Delaware, and District of Columbia) Press Association’s Reese Cleghorn internship program provides college students with hands-on experience in print journalism and related areas. You will be placed within a participating news media organization’s newsroom in areas like copy editing, reporting, news writing, or photojournalism. You will gain practical exposure to news journalism and insights into the work of professional journalists. In the process, you will refine reporting and writing skills that can help you contribute to college and community publications as well as future journalistic roles.
Location:Â University of Delaware, Newark, DE
Stipend:Â $5,500Â
Acceptance rate/Cohort size:Â Competitive
Dates: June 8 – August 13
Application deadline:Â February 27; applications open on January 5.
Eligibility:Â Undergraduate studentsÂ
University of Delaware's College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) offers college students the opportunity to dive into research in agricultural, natural resources, or life sciences through its summer program. You will select a field of interest and work with a CANR researcher to get hands-on lab-based experience for 10 weeks in the summer. You can choose a research project in the fields of animal and food sciences, entomology and wildlife ecology, or plant and soil sciences. You will build skills in data collection and analysis, gain insights into the work of researchers, and learn how to present your findings. Additionally, you will create a short video presentation and share your research results at a summer symposium at the end of the program.
Location:Â Multiple locations across the U.S.
Stipend:Â $6,000Â
Acceptance rate/Cohort size:Â Not specified
Dates:Â Varies based on host organization (10 weeks in the summer)
Application deadline:Â February 1
Eligibility:Â Current undergraduate students (for summer internships); Fellowship programs are open to recent graduates.
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The Intercollegiate Studies Institute’s Collegiate Network Journalism Internship provides college students in Delaware opportunities to explore a media career for 10 weeks in the summer. You will join a leading publication, gain hands-on experience in reporting, writing, multimedia storytelling, and editing, and work under the mentorship of professionals. You will learn how to work in a fast-paced environment and explore the ethical approaches to journalism. The experience can help you build professional networks while gaining insight into media careers. Earlier cohorts have interned at USA Today, the Detroit News, the Raleigh News & Observer, and other publications.
Location:Â Mt. Cuba Center, Hockessin, DE
Stipend:Â Typically, $17/hour
Acceptance rate/Cohort size:Â Varies by department
Dates: Vary based on role (typically, May – August)
Application deadline:Â January 16
Eligibility:Â Undergraduate students with a minimum of one year of college completed; major-related requirements may apply based on the role you choose.
This program allows college students to explore careers in public horticulture, conservation, and associated fields while working with Mt. Cuba Center staff. You will learn arboricultural techniques, gain insight into greenhouse operations and public garden management, and participate in horticulture research. You can also choose an internship in HR or finance to explore the business aspects of running a botanical garden. As an intern, you will gain hands-on work experience in environmental stewardship and build skills in horticultural techniques and processes. During the internship, you will get to connect with professionals in the field.
Location:Â Partner newsrooms in multiple locations across the U.S.
Stipend:Â $15/hour + a need-based additional grant available to cover relocation and other expenses
Acceptance rate/Cohort size:Â 25 students/year
Dates:Â Not specified; typically, runs for 10 or 20 weeksÂ
Application deadline:Â January 31
Eligibility:Â Undergraduate and graduate students
The Institute for Nonprofit News (INN) Journalism collaborates with the Scripps Howard Fund to offer college students internships within newsrooms. You will join an independent, nonpartisan news organization under the INN consortium of nonprofit journalism organizations and gain experience in reporting, editing, or other areas. You will attend weekly training sessions and participate in professional development sessions run by the Scripps Howard Fund. Additionally, you will be mentored by newsroom professionals through individual coaching sessions. This is also an opportunity to connect with interns, reporters, and journalists.
Location:Â Newark Police Department, Newark, DE
Stipend:Â $18/hour
Acceptance rate/Cohort size:Â Up to two interns/year
Dates:Â Typically starts in late August (commitment of 16 weeks up to 16 hours/week)
Application deadline:Â August 15
Eligibility:Â Students, ages 18 and up, currently enrolled at least part-time in college; applicants should obtain Delaware's Criminal Justice Information System (DELJIS) certification and have experience working with Microsoft Office.
The Newark Police Department provides internship opportunities to college students interested in exploring the daily work of law enforcement personnel. You will engage in administrative and field work and observe personnel from various departments, including traffic, criminal investigations, victim services, and patrol. Additionally, you will ride along with police officers on patrol duty and observe personnel at the 911 dispatch center. Other internship assignments include updating record systems and working on a research project. You may also get to participate in weekend community events.
Location:Â Office of Defense Services in New Castle (Wilmington), Kent (Dover), and Sussex (Georgetown) Counties, DE
Cost/Stipend:Â None
Acceptance rate/Cohort size:Â Not specified
Dates: Spring: February – May | Summer: June – August | Fall: September – DecemberÂ
Application deadline:Â Varies based on cohort
Eligibility:Â College students
The Delaware Office of Defense Services (ODS) College Internship Program is designed to offer college students insights into criminal defense practice and the criminal justice system. Here, you will shadow personnel across various units of ODS, primarily under its three divisions: Central Administration, the Public Defenders Office, and the Office of Conflict Counsel. You will observe Court proceedings, job-shadow professionals, assist with post-disposition work, complete independent research projects in public defense, and take on other assigned tasks. You will also attend speaker events and participate in community outreach events. Academic credits may be available for certain roles.
Location:Â Multiple locations across all Delaware Counties
Stipend:Â $17/hour (for up to a 37.5-hour work week)
Acceptance rate/Cohort size:Â ~20 students
Dates: Late May/early June – August (certain internships may be available outside summer months)
Application deadline:Â Rolling; applications will open in mid-January.
Eligibility:Â College students and recent graduates
This is an opportunity to explore careers in environmental science, public service, or related areas. As an intern at the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, you will work alongside professionals on tasks within environmental research, data science, engineering and compliance, field science, or administration, depending on your placement. You can apply for a role in over a dozen divisions, including the Wetland and Waterways Section, Climate, Coastal and Energy Division, and Division of Parks and Recreation. You will get to engage in and observe the daily work of government staff and environmental science personnel while also connecting with peers.
Location:Â Cooperative Extension Offices in New Castle, Kent, and Sussex Counties, DE
Stipend:Â $5,500Â
Acceptance rate/Cohort size:Â Not specified
Dates: June – mid-August (Orientation on June 8; Symposium on August 13)
Application deadline:Â February
Eligibility:Â Current undergraduate or graduate students at the University of Delaware
The University of Delaware College of Agriculture and Natural Resources’ Extension Scholars Program is an internship opportunity for college students interested in 4-H youth development, health and well-being, lawn and garden, and agriculture and natural resources. You will be placed with a host organization in New Castle, Kent, or Sussex County and gain hands-on experience in working with the Cooperative Extension service-learning model. You will apply what you learned in the university curricula to the internship role. Earlier cohorts have worked on updating a website page, improving wellness at a work site, providing support at a summer camp for kids, gathering data for pest control measures, and more. You will build skills in data collection, survey administration, and communication, along with networking, while interacting with staff, researchers, and volunteers.
Location:Â Multiple locations across Delaware
Stipend: $100/week for service of 30+ hours/week | $50/week for service of 20 – 30 hours/week; free shared housing may be available for full-time interns
Acceptance rate/Cohort size:Â Limited spots
Dates:Â Flexible start and end dates, with options to choose a duration from 12 weeks, 6 months, 9 months, or 12 monthsÂ
Application deadline:Â Open till spots fill
Eligibility:Â College students and graduates who are U.S. citizens/eligible to work in the U.S. with a U.S. Social Security number
The Delaware State Parks Internship Program provides college students in Delaware with opportunities to gain practical work experience while exploring careers in the State Park Service. You will be assigned to a specific site and paired with a Field Expert who will mentor and supervise your work. You can choose a role in your field of interest, including zoo animal care, environmental stewardship, historical research, and park management. As an intern, you will also get free admission to all Delaware State Parks and the opportunity to attend most programs for free. At the end of the internship, you will submit a completed project.Â
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.
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