15 Internships for College Students in Orlando, FL
- Stephen Turban
- 44 minutes ago
- 12 min read
As a college student, internships are one of the best ways to apply what you’ve learned in class and explore potential career paths. They help you strengthen technical and professional skills, gain experience in professional settings, and build confidence in your chosen field. Many of these programs also include mentorship, professional development, and opportunities to collaborate with peers and experts in your area of study.
Why should you attend an internship in Orlando?
Orlando is home to universities, research institutions, and a growing number of companies in fields like engineering, business, entertainment, and hospitality. Whether you’re assisting in a university research lab, supporting a corporate team, or interning at a creative organization, you’ll gain practical experience that complements your academic work. The city’s range of programs makes it easy to find opportunities that fit your goals, whether you’re local to Florida or looking to spend a summer studying and working in a new environment.
In this blog, we’ve narrowed down 15 prestigious internships for college students in Orlando.
If you are looking for paid online internships, check out our blog here.
15 Internships for College Students in Orlando, FL
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world
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!
Location: Multiple U.S. and international locations, including Orlando, FL
Cost/Stipend: Highly competitive pay
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very competitive
Dates: 10 weeks over the summer
Application Deadline: Recruiting begins in the prior summer and closes in mid-October
Eligibility: Rising undergraduate seniors | GPA requirement, preferred majors, and other requirements can vary by internship
The Summer Internship Program at Bank of America offers placements around the world, including options in Orlando, for students interested in economics, law, and finance. You’ll contribute your quantitative analysis skills to real-world financial and business operations, working alongside current Bank of America employees. While your assignments will vary based on placement, your work might include researching markets and investment strategies, developing presentations for internal and client-facing meetings, analyzing and visualizing financial data, building predictive models, or supporting risk management and audit operations. Many interns are invited back for full-time employment after graduation, so the program emphasizes professional skill-building and real-world work. There are additional career development opportunities, which include an orientation training to life at Bank of America, networking events, mentorship programs, and an executive speaker series.
Location: Orlando, FL; other U.S. locations available
Stipend: $42/hour; limited housing support may be available | Health/Savings benefits may be offered
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very Selective
Dates: Varies; between 3-6 months, but may be extended for up to 1 year
Application Deadline: Varies
Eligibility: Currently enrolled college students taking at least one class in both the preceding and following semester, or currently participating in a Disney College Program/Internship | Candidates who have participated in 1+ continual year(s) of a Disney College Program/Internship are ineligible | Individual internships have additional subject-based criteria
Disney’s internship program tasks college students with supporting the operations, design, and technology behind Orlando’s Disney World. You can choose from individual internship listings across fields, including Broadcast/Journalism, Communications, Entertainment, and Engineering, among others. In Software Engineering internships, your work will include strengthening audit systems, streamlining itinerary design systems, and contributing to full-stack development. For other internships, your tasks might include supporting the HR team with employee training management and data reporting, contributing your design skills to the Visual Effects department, or assisting with tax system management. Outside your work, you’ll also attend educational events on career development, network with Disney professionals, and add some fun to your experience with free admission to the park.
Location: University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL
Stipend: $6,000 plus fully-funded room, board, and travel to/from Orlando
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very selective
Dates: May 18 – July 25
Application Deadline: March 14
Eligibility: Current undergraduate sophomores or juniors studying engineering in the U.S. |Minimum 3.0 GPA | Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident | Women and underrepresented minorities particularly encouraged to apply
Co-funded by the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Defense, REU HYPER is a 10-week research and training internship for college students at Orlando’s UCF. You’ll be matched with a professional researcher and graduate student mentors to conduct a research project focused on aerospace energy production and travel, supporting the program’s goal of advancing hypersonic flight. You’ll receive training on numerical simulation software and advanced additive manufacturing techniques, additionally taking field trips to the NASA Kennedy Space Center and aircraft manufacturers in Orlando to see the real-world applications of your research. Other features include guidance on preparing for graduate school applications, careers in aerospace engineering research, and networking opportunities across UCF.
Location: Burr & Forman offices in Orlando, FL, and other U.S. locations
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very selective
Dates: June 1-29
Application Deadline: February 27
Eligibility: Rising undergraduate juniors, seniors, and recent graduates with demonstrated interest in law and intent to attend law school
Burr & Forman provides a Pre-Law internship opportunity for college students — a rare opportunity, as most prestigious law firms only offer internships to current law school students. You’ll provide support to Burr & Forman’s attorneys in practice areas across corporate, governance, and compliance law, such as risk management, corporate dispute resolution, and managing capital fundraising processes. You’ll be assigned hands-on legal projects designed to develop your skills while adding value to the firm. The program has a strong emphasis on professional development, helping you develop legal skills through mock oral arguments, attend law school tours, be mentored by current attorneys, and receive guidance on the law school application process. Other features include networking events, community service days, and an opportunity to attend a 3-day legal conference in Birmingham.
Location: University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL
Stipend: $7,000 plus stipend for meals and housing
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very selective; 10 students
Dates: May 19 - August 1
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: College sophomores, juniors, and seniors studying Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or Electrical Engineering | Minimum 3.0 GPA | Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
The Computer Vision REU at UCF hosts 10 college students each year for a research and educational experience in Orlando. You’ll begin the program by taking an introductory course in computer vision before learning about UCF’s Computer Vision research and beginning work on an independent project under faculty guidance. Past interns’ projects were as varied as assessing building damage from Hurricane Dorian through aerial-view imaging, limiting noise in geolocation software, and analyzing satellite imagery segmentation. You’ll deliver short weekly presentations on your work to the Lab to gain feedback on your progress and practice delivering academic presentations. Interns with an interest in continuing their work can opt into extending their research project into the following year, so you can use this experience to build a longer-term resume addition, strengthen UCF connections, and earn additional money for tuition or savings.
Location: Cencora offices, including Orlando, FL
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very selective
Dates: June 8-August 14
Application Deadline: Rolling application review
Eligibility: Rising undergraduate seniors eligible to work in the U.S. | Specific internship areas
Cencora’s Internship Program offers 10 weeks of professional experience in a global pharmaceuticals company, including professional development opportunities and leadership training opportunities. You’ll apply to a specific internship posting with placements available across clinical and pharmacy, finance, information technology, and supply chain, among others, providing options for students both planning for a career in pharmaceutical research or looking to build broader corporate experience. You’ll work under the mentorship of a Cencora professional in your department, providing direct support to operations such as analyzing business processes and supply chain metrics, providing technological support to industry software, or contributing to research and development. Outside-of-work activities include networking sessions with senior leadership, professional development workshops, and company-wide events, as well as an intern speaker series.
Location: University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL
Stipend: $7,000 plus fully-funded housing, travel stipend, and per-diem for meals
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very selective; 10 students
Dates: 10 weeks from mid-May to mid-July
Application Deadline: March 5
Eligibility: Rising undergraduate sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a minimum 2.5 GPA not attending college at UCF | Must be U.S. citizens
Hosted at UCF’s College of Optics & Photonics, this REU brings together 10 college students for a summer of training, laser research, and graduate school preparation. You’ll begin the internship with preparatory coursework in Lasers, Optics, and Photonics, Scientific Coding for Laser Beam Propagation, and workshops across research ethics, laboratory methods, and laser safety. After your training ends, you’ll be paired with a faculty member to undertake a research project where you’ll move from close guidance to self-directed work. Your research topic options will span fiber laser technology, optical design, ultrafast laser phototonics, and precision metrology. You’ll also attend workshops on graduate school preparation with topics including writing academic CVs and grant proposals, delivering presentations, designing research posters, and publishing research as an undergraduate.
Location: Visit Orlando Corporate offices, Orlando, FL
Stipend: $15/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: 12-16 weeks in the Spring (January-April), Summer (May-August), or Fall (August-December)
Application Deadline: November (Spring internships), April (Summer internships), or late July (Fall internships); check the site for updates on exact deadlines
Eligibility: Currently-enrolled college students eligible to work in the U.S.
Visit Orlando is a non-profit that provides branding and marketing for Orlando and Central Florida, offering college internship opportunities throughout the year. You’ll hone in on your preferred interest area — options include marketing, sales, public relations, market research, and more — to provide hands-on support to a major tourism organization. Your assignments might range from content creation for social media pages, conducting industry research on destination marketing, planning events and trade shows, or planning media-facing public relations initiatives. You’ll gain professional experience and connections, preparing you for careers across communications and marketing.
Location: Limbitless Solutions, Orlando, FL
Stipend: $6,300 plus fully-funded housing, travel stipend, and meal plan
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very selective; 10 students
Dates: May 17 - July 18
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors studying Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science/Engineering, Biomedical Sciences/Engineering, or Mathematics | Minimum 2.7 GPA | Must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or national
If you’re interested in biomedical engineering, the Limbitless Solution research internship provides a two-month opportunity to support a pediatric prosthetics organization. You’ll work at the intersection of design and technology to develop personalized bionic limbs for children, assisting professional researchers at Limbitless Solutions. Your potential research focuses include building Bluetooth integration into prosthetic user interfaces, strengthening gestural features, and adding tactile interface features to improve grip control. Limbitless adds personalized artistic features to each prosthetic based on the child’s preferences and provides its products free of charge, so you’ll support families in accessing what is often highly expensive technology through your research. Other features include training in robotics, electromyography, and smart systems learning, and opportunities to network with professional scientists.
Location: Orlando Economic Partnership, Orlando, FL
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not provided
Dates: Offered in spring, summer, and fall
Application Deadline: Rolling application review
Eligibility: Currently-enrolled college/university students | Must be able to work 20+ hours/week | Specific internship placements may have additional requirements
The Orlando Economic Partnership offers college internships throughout the year in various fields, including marketing, communications, government affairs, and economic development, among others. In Events Internships, you’ll support creative development, planning, communication, and execution for OEP’s annual events, as well as develop post-event outcome and data reports. In Marketing & Communications Internships, you’ll be given tasks like drafting press releases, writing blog posts and project case studies, and creating social media content. The internship promotes flexibility based on interns’ skill sets, so you’ll have the ability to propose and execute special projects or additional tasks based on your interests. As you’ll report directly to a Department Head or Vice President, you’ll make connections with high-level professionals to build your network.
Location: University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL
Stipend: $6,000 plus fully-funded housing and small food allowance
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very selective
Dates: May 19 - July 25
Application Deadline: February 14
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors majoring in mathematics, physics, computer science, or engineering | Minimum 2.7 GPA | Must have completed at least Calculus II | Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident | Women and underrepresented minorities particularly encouraged
The Applied and Computational Mathematics REU trains college students in theoretical mathematics research focused on technological applications. Under faculty guidance, you’ll work on an individual or a small-group research project with interdisciplinary focuses across applied partial differential equations, computational mathematics, financial engineering, and mathematical biology. You’ll also attend introductory courses on advanced mathematics and software, research ethics, and weekly research team meetings to share updates and receive feedback on your work. There will be professional development opportunities, which include exploring career opportunities in applied and computational mathematics, guidance on graduate school applications, and social events with UCF researchers and professors.
Location: University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL
Stipend: $6,000 plus fully-funded travel and housing
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very selective; 2-3 students
Dates: May 18 – July 26
Application Deadline: March 12
Eligibility: Current college students | Must be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident | Women and underrepresented minorities are particularly encouraged
UCF’s Nanoscience REU trains a small group of 2-3 undergraduates in applying nanotechnology and materials science to medicine through 10 weeks of research and training. You’ll start off with a week of educational workshops in nanotechnology theory and practice, research methodologies, scientific communication, and research ethics. You’ll dive into hands-on research under faculty mentorship, learning and applying skills across photonics, biochemistry, nanoscience, and biotechnology, among others. You’ll complete product-focused projects, working to develop technologies like optical biosensors, wound healing patches, or drug delivery systems. At the end of the program, you’ll complete a publication-ready manuscript on your research findings and deliver a poster presentation at an intern symposium.
Location: Orange County Government, Florida, Orlando, FL
Stipend: $16.08-$16.62/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: N/A
Dates: Varies by internship
Application Deadline: Varies by internship
Eligibility: Current undergraduate juniors (younger students considered) and graduate students eligible to work in the U.S. with relevant experience to intended placement | Pre-employment physical, drug test, and background check required
College students interested in applying their academic skills to a government setting can consider internships at Orange County Government. Not limited to politics or government majors, Orlando’s government tailors internships to the majors and interest areas of successful applicants, with placements including Finance, Biology, Computer Science, and Criminology, among others. You’ll work under the mentorship of a senior professional in your placement area, contributing research and analysis to ongoing municipal projects. There will be professional development opportunities, which include participating in administrative committees, attending Board meetings, joining regional conferences, and participating in networking events with government employees both from Florida and nationwide.
Location: University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL
Stipend: $6,000 plus fully-funded travel and housing
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very selective; 10 students
Dates: May 18 – July 25
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Rising sophomores and juniors majoring in physics, chemistry, or materials science; Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident | Women and underrepresented minorities are particularly encouraged to apply
Co-hosted by UCF’s Department of Physics and the Renewable Energy and Chemical Transformation Cluster, this internship provides rigorous research experience and preparation for scientific research careers. You’ll be assigned to work with a professor on developing novel materials within one of three primary research areas: catalysis, quantum materials and energy, and photovoltaics. Before beginning your research, you’ll receive technical training on topics across nanoscience and materials science, energy applications of data science and machine learning, and academic ethics and integrity. You’ll then dive into intensive research work within a small team, which you’ll use to develop an oral and poster presentation, as well as a written research paper.
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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