15 Internships for College Students in Florida
- Stephen Turban
- 4 hours ago
- 12 min read
Internships allow you to apply what you learn in college to professional settings while gaining practical experience. They help you build technical and transferable skills, develop professional communication, and better understand workplace expectations. Through structured responsibilities and mentorship, internships can also clarify your academic interests and long-term career direction.
Why should you intern in Florida?
Florida is home to major organizations and prestigious institutions, including the University of Florida and the University of Miami, which offer college student internships. Depending on the role, you might conduct lab research, develop software, assist with engineering or environmental fieldwork, support media production, contribute to marketing campaigns, or participate in organizational operations. Whether you attend a Florida university or are considering relocating for the summer, these opportunities are available to both in-state and out-of-state college students.
To kick start your internship experience, you will find below a list of 15 internships for college students in Florida.
If you’re looking for online internships, check out our blog here.
15 Internships for College Students in Florida
Location: Remote
Cost: Cost varies depending on the program type; full need-based financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; cohort of 70–100 students
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort: Spring (February), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). Apply now!
Eligibility: Undergraduates and gap year students who can work for 5-10 hours/week for 8-12 weeks!
College students in Florida who are interested in pursuing a virtual internship and gaining work experience with global startups and nonprofits can consider Ladder's University Internship, a selective virtual internship program. The startups span a range of industries, including finance, health tech, engineering, media and journalism, environmental science, AI, non-profits, and more. In the 8-week program, you will work closely with a manager and develop technical and professional skills across multiple sessions with the host company. As part of the internship, you will work on a real-world project that is of genuine need to the startup you are working with, and present your work at the end of the internship.
Location: Kennedy Space Center (KSC), Merritt Island, FL
Stipend: Paid, amount/rate not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely competitive; 1–3 interns per term
Dates: Summer (dates not specified)
Application Deadline: February 27
Eligibility: Undergraduate students (check preferred majors here); should be at least 16 years of age; must be a U.S. citizen; should have some experience developing software using the Unity game engine
NASA's Moon Tycoon Lunar Simulation Software Development Internship using Unity is a full-time internship for college students in Florida that provides opportunities to work on the Moon Tycoon lunar simulation software. You will collaborate with a professional team to design and visualize lunar operations with high photo-realism. You will attend training sessions to learn how to use the software tools and utilities used by the Moon Tycoon software development team. You will work on assigned tasks such as building the project's menus, updating aspects of the PC and VR user interface, working on implementing a rover-driving and manual control system, fixing bugs, and more.
Location: Kennedy Space Center (KSC), Merritt Island, FL
Stipend: Paid, amount/rate not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely competitive; 1–3 interns per mentor
Dates: Summer (dates not specified)
Application Deadline: February 27
Eligibility: Undergraduate juniors and seniors; graduate Master's; graduate Doctoral; post-Doctoral (check preferred majors here); should be at least 16 years of age; must be a U.S. citizen
College students in Florida who are interested in a computer programming-focused internship could consider the NASA Risk Modeling Tool internship. This is a challenging, educational, hands-on, full-time opportunity, preferably for two consecutive terms. You will develop a risk modeling approach in a Python-based tool. You will work on various aspects, including component identifiers, system structure, and related items. You will also develop the tool so it can be easily operated through a simple interface.
Location: Kennedy Space Center (KSC), Merritt Island, FL
Stipend: Paid, amount/rate not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 1–3 interns per mentor
Dates: Summer (dates not specified)
Application Deadline: February 27
Eligibility: Undergraduate sophomores, juniors, and seniors (check preferred majors here); should be at least 16 years of age; must be a U.S. citizen.
College students based in Florida and pursuing a major in computer science, computer engineering, and associated fields could consider taking up a role as a NASA Spaceport Command and Control Software Development intern. During this summer in-person internship at KSC, you will have an immersive learning experience working on developing software for a launch control system under the guidance of a mentor as well as a technical expert. Some of the tasks you will work on include writing software, facilitating code inspections, fixing bugs, working on performance issues, and more. At the end of the internship, you will submit a final abstract and presentation to summarize your work.
Location: University of Florida
Stipend: $5,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely competitive; around 10–12 students per year
Dates: May 26 – July 31
Application Deadline: February 13
Eligibility: Undergraduate students with strong evidence of coursework in a relevant discipline; non-UF students are also eligible
Florida college students who are passionate about neuroscience research could consider the UF Department of Neuroscience's hands-on paid internship opportunity. You will work in a mentor's lab choosing a field of interest, including neuroscience, neurology, pharmacology and therapeutics, community dentistry, or other related fields. Your mentor will also provide insight into how to prepare for potential careers in the field. You will attend workshops to develop skills in writing scientific papers, giving presentations, and building professional connections. At the end of the internship, you will create a poster on your research project and participate in the SNIP Celebration of Research Day.
Location: Boca Raton, FL (Hybrid)
Stipend: Paid, amount/rate not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 20–40 students across all departments
Dates: Typically, 10–12 weeks during the Summer
Application Deadline: Typically, early to mid-January
Eligibility: College students currently pursuing a degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related field; should have proficiency in Java and a foundational understanding of system design concepts (check all required skills here)
College students in Florida with a strong interest in event-driven architecture could consider the Software Architecture Internship with Modernizing Medicine. You will gain exposure to real-world software architecture and enhance your understanding of system design concepts while working on technology for the healthcare field. You will work in a collaborative setting to assist in documenting architectural designs, creating and maintaining a Tech Radar, researching new technologies, participating in technical and architectural design reviews, and more. You will gain exposure to AI-driven architecture and other emerging tech areas. You will also gain opportunities for professional development, including tuition reimbursement programs and access to the LinkedIn Learning portal.
Location: Melbourne, FL
Stipend: Paid hourly, rate not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; typically 1–3 interns per major site
Dates: 10–12 weeks between May and August
Application Deadline: Late January
Eligibility: College students pursuing a Bachelor's degree in a related environmental/science/ chemical/engineering field, with anticipated graduation in Spring/Summer, orwho have completed their bachelor's degree within the last year, should have a GPA of 3.0 or greater
L3Harris Technologies provides internship opportunities for college students in Florida who are keen to explore careers in the interdisciplinary field of environmental science and engineering. As an Environment, Health & Safety Intern, you will gain hands-on work experience alongside the company’s team members in developing, implementing, and maintaining an Environmental Health and Safety Management System. You will conduct environmental, health, and safety audits, analyze the data collected, suggest appropriate actions, and follow up on issues. Other tasks include developing programs for the prevention and control of environmental risks, participating in the review and approval of operations/facilities projects, and more. You will enhance multitasking skills and organizational abilities.
Location: Miami, FL
Stipend: $20–23/hr
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; 1–2 interns per office
Dates: May/June – August/September with flexible dates
Application Deadline: Late March
Eligibility: College students currently pursuing a bachelor's or master's degree in civil/environmental/geological engineering, geology, or environmental science; must be willing to live in the Miami area for the summer (check all qualifications here)
College students in Florida who are keen to gain field experience in engineering or geology-associated areas could consider an intern role with SCS Engineers. You will learn various aspects of the business and participate in field visits at South Florida sites. You will collaborate with project team members, with assigned tasks including collecting samples of soil, water, and construction materials, gas monitoring, and other aspects during site inspections. Off-field work includes CAD drafting, writing technical reports, and the like. You will learn to use new tools and enhance technical skills and leadership abilities. You will gain networking opportunities with professional engineers and scientists.
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Stipend: $60 intern fee / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 1–5 interns per track
Dates: Summer: May – August; Fall: September – December; Spring: January – April; flexible schedule available and varies as per internship area
Application Deadline: Summer: February 15; Fall: June 15; Spring: November 15
Eligibility: College students enrolled in, or graduated from, an associate or bachelor's degree program in a related field as applicable to the internship area
Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens offers a diverse range of internships for college students who can apply for up to three internships per term and get selected for one. You will gain immersive hands-on experiences in a field of interest. There is a wide range of internship opportunities, such as animal/bird care, research work, and photo cataloguing, assisting educators with programs, providing support for marketing and promotional campaigns, and more. You will gain exposure to potential careers in zoology, biology, animal science, and other associated fields while working alongside supervisors, managers, educators, and other personnel.
Location: AAU National HQs, Lake Buena Vista, FL
Stipend: Paid, amount/rate not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies based on internship area (4 in spring, 8 in summer in earlier cohorts)
Dates: Summer: Mid-May – mid-August; Spring-Summer: Mid-January – mid-August
Application Deadline: Summer: March 1; Spring-Summer: November 1
Eligibility: Students who have completed at least two years of college before the start of the internship; authorized to work in the U.S. (check all eligibility requirements here)
The University Athletic Association's Student Internships provide college students in Florida who are keen to explore careers in sports administration, journalism, and associated fields with opportunities to gain work experience and network with professionals in the field. You can pursue an internship in event management and operations, where you will assist in the planning and logistics of basketball and volleyball events and support personnel before, during, and after the events. If you are interested in the marketing side, you could pursue a marketing and social media internship in which you will work on campaigns, update and analyze AAU social media accounts, and take on similar responsibilities.
Location: Orlando, FL
Stipend: $23–$28/hr
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; 1–3 interns per office
Dates: May/June – August
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: College students who have completed or are currently enrolled in a bachelor's (junior or senior standing) or a master's degree program; must be legally eligible for employment in the U.S. Proficiency requirements can be found here
College students in Florida interested in exploring careers in transportation planning may consider a summer internship with Fehr & Peers Associates, Inc. You will dive into meaningful projects while collaborating with experts in the field. Some of the projects include plans for pedestrian pathways, freight movement, traffic operations simulations, and related initiatives. You will develop technical expertise in using cutting-edge tools and the latest software, including geographic information systems (GIS). You will gain exposure to data-driven problem-solving and enhance critical thinking skills.
Location: Winter Park, FL
Stipend: Paid, amount/rate not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; cohort size varies by department
Dates: Spring: January 26 – April 17; Summer: May 18 – August 7
Application Deadline: Spring: December 15; Summer: March 31
Eligibility: College students committed to working for 10 – 12 weeks
College students based in Florida keen to have work experience at a broadcast television station could consider Hearst TV's WESH 2/ CW18 News Internship Program. The rigorous 10 – 12-week internship provides opportunities in a diverse range of fields. You can take on an intern role in the newsroom, work on production operations, marketing, digital content, and other areas. Based on the internship area, you will work on reports for real-time news, technical aspects of live news broadcasts, researching and publishing stories for the website, working on advertising and promotion segments, and similar other assignments. You will enhance technical expertise and other relevant skills. You will gain networking opportunities while working alongside reporters, producers, studio personnel, and other professionals.
Location: Tampa, FL
Stipend: Paid hourly, rate not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; typically 1–2 interns per specific studio/group
Dates: 10–12 weeks between June and August
Application Deadline: Early March
Eligibility: Upperclassman (juniors/seniors) or Graduate student pursuing a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Architectural Design at an accredited university with a 2.5 GPA or above
Florida undergraduate students majoring in architectural design could consider the RS&H's Landscape Architecture Internship. You will collaborate with professional architects of the company's Buildings Group. You will work on assigned tasks, including assisting with design requirements, evaluating and reviewing shop drawings for construction projects, preparing documents, visual aids, and presentations, and more. You will gain knowledge of basic landscape architectural principles and exposure to careers in the field of architecture and project management. You will enhance technical skills in production software and architectural drawings. As part of the internship, you will receive individual mentorship through the Club Success program from professional architects.
Location: Multiple locations across FL
Stipend: Paid hourly wage based on local market, rate not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; 2–5 interns per site
Dates: May – August (flexible hours)
Application Deadline: Early to mid-March
Eligibility: Students currently enrolled in a college or university pursuing a certificate or degree; must be at least 18 years old; should be willing to relocate or currently live near the internship location (check locations and other requirements here)
The Margaritaville Restaurants Leadership Program offers college students in Florida the opportunity to gain hands-on work experience in the food and beverage sector at a Landshark Bar & Grill location. You can take on an intern's role as a restaurant host, or retail associate, or, if you have more than two years of relevant experience, as a server. Another option is to pursue an internship as a prep cook. You will participate in weekly meetings with leaders and supervisors to gain insight into their experiences and learn how to deal with challenges at the workplace. You will also attend weekly leadership sessions with executives of various departments.
Location: Orlando, FL/Lake Buena Vista, FL
Cost/Stipend: $467 program fee (non-refundable, check details of program and housing fees here) / Stipend paid based on role, between $23–$27.10/hr
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; large cohort size
Dates: 4–6 months as per departmental recruitment; more details here
Application Deadline: Rolling recruitment
Eligibility: Currently enrolled full- or part-time in a U.S.-based Culinary Arts/Baking and Pastry program and have completed at least one semester or graduated within the past 2 years from a full-time or part-time Culinary Arts or Baking and Pastry program based in the U.S. (check all eligibility requirements here)
The Disney Culinary Program Internship provides college students and graduates with valuable opportunities to gain hands-on experience in the hospitality sector. You will work in a professional setting alongside culinary professionals to gain exposure to diverse aspects of food preparation, presentation, and service. You will gain expertise in preparing menus, maintaining food quality, meeting required safety standards, and more. You will develop technical skills in preparing food, such as roasting, grilling, etc., and baking techniques, as applicable to the internship area. You will receive mentorship and gain networking opportunities with Disney Chefs and industry leaders.
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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