15 Internships for College Students in Pennsylvania
- Stephen Turban
- 2 hours ago
- 10 min read
If you’re still figuring out where your college studies might take you later, internships give you a great example of different careers. You will see how ideas turn into tasks, how teams are organized, and how companies view outcomes. An internship can strengthen your future job and graduate school applications by showing that you have concrete skills in your field.
What internships are available for college students in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania gives you a wide field of industries to explore. You’ll find research labs, healthcare institutions, engineering teams, government offices, and business groups that accept college interns. These settings help you learn how your interests might translate into roles after graduation, whether you want technical experience or something more people-focused. Choosing a local internship also keeps your costs low.
With that in mind, here are 15 internships in Pennsylvania for college students. If you're looking for more prestigious internships, check out this set of blogs!
Location: Remote
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.
Ladder’s University Internship Program offers an eight-week, fully remote experience where college students and early-career professionals collaborate with rapidly growing startups on real, high-impact projects. After you’re matched with a company that aligns with your interests, you’ll commit roughly five to ten hours a week, making it easy to balance the internship with classes or other responsibilities. Project work varies widely; some interns dive into building machine learning models, others support market research, prototype new product ideas, or contribute to go-to-market planning. Every assignment is designed to help you build resume-ready experience and strengthen your portfolio. Throughout the program, you’ll receive mentorship and regular guidance from your manager at the startup. Apply here!
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Cost: $5,500 stipend + on-campus housing, meal plans, and round-trip transportation included
Program Dates: June 1 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Must be enrolled in a four-year college.
The Summer Undergraduate Internship Program at the University of Pennsylvania places you in a biomedical research lab to work with a faculty mentor in areas like neuroscience, genetics, cancer biology, immunology, or computational biology. You spend the summer learning lab techniques, joining research meetings, and attending seminars that introduce you to graduate-level science and what a PhD or MD-PhD path looks like. The program also builds a tight community through mentorship from graduate students and postdocs, plus organizes activities around Philadelphia. You finish the summer by presenting your project at a research symposium.
Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Cost: Stipend of $15/hour
Program Dates: June 1 – July 24
Application Deadline: Onboarding notifications come out in March
Eligibility: Must be enrolled in a degree-granting undergraduate program with at least two semesters completed or one semester remaining after the internship or acceptance into a graduate program, with a minimum 3.5 GPA.
This program gives you the opportunity to join research teams inside the John G. Rangos Sr. Research Center, one of the nation’s fastest-growing pediatric research hubs. You’ll work directly with experienced investigators across subspecialties such as endocrinology, oncology, neurology, infectious diseases, genomics, nephrology, cardiology, child development, and more. Beyond daily lab work, you’ll take part in workshops and scientific conversations that deepen your understanding of pediatric research and medical innovation. SRIP culminates in a mandatory Poster Day, where you’ll present your projects to faculty, mentors, and peers.
Location: Across PPL service territories in Pennsylvania
Cost: Paid internship
Program Dates: Summer internships run May–August
Application Timeline: Positions are posted between August and September
Eligibility: Must be enrolled full-time at an accredited four-year college, have a minimum 3.0 GPA (2.5 for certain engineering/craft roles), be at least 18 years old, and be eligible to work in the U.S.
PPL Corporation offers one of Pennsylvania’s strongest pathways into the energy and utilities sector through its paid summer internship and co-op program. You’re placed on real project teams in areas such as engineering, IT, cybersecurity, business, accounting, or HR, which helps you see how a major utility company keeps electricity reliable across the state. The program includes mentorship, orientation sessions, and professional development events, so you get guidance while you’re learning on the job. Because many interns are considered for future roles, the experience can give you a practical path into the energy industry after graduation.
Location: Across Pennsylvania, various DEP regional offices, and Harrisburg headquarters
Cost: Paid internship
Program Dates: During the summer; exact dates vary by position. You can check for positions here.
Application Deadline: Varies by posting
Eligibility: Open to full-time college students who have completed at least one year of study and are in good academic standing. Applicants must be Pennsylvania residents or enrolled at a Pennsylvania college. Engineering/Scientific/Technical roles require 24+ credits in qualifying physical, biological, or environmental science fields.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s internship program gives you a close look at how the state handles environmental protection and public policy. You can apply to two tracks: one that focuses on technical and scientific work and another that supports communication and government services inside the agency. Past interns have joined real projects ranging from monitoring West Nile Virus and black fly activity to helping with mine drainage issues, dam safety reviews, and oil and gas regulation. You work alongside DEP staff, spend time learning how environmental rules are applied, and take part in fieldwork or research that supports the department’s goal of protecting Pennsylvania’s air, land, and water.
Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Cost: Research and internships may be paid, for credit, or volunteer-based
Program Dates: Opportunities available year-round
Application Deadline: Varies by internship or research placement
Eligibility: Open to undergraduate students at Pitt; some opportunities are available through external organizations.
The University of Pittsburgh offers a range of research and internship opportunities for undergraduates who want to explore scientific fields, develop professional skills, and gain exposure to work environments. You can participate in faculty-led research in campus labs across Langley, Clapp, Crawford, and the Life Sciences Annex, or pursue internships with external organizations. Past placements have included the Allegheny County Coroner’s Office, UPMC, the Pittsburgh Zoo, the Carnegie Museum, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, and Pitt’s Pathology Department. These experiences help you build practical skills, clarify academic and career goals, and strengthen your preparation for graduate or professional programs.
Location: The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Cost: $650 weekly stipend
Program Dates: May 27 – August 1
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Undergraduates from any 2-year or 4-year institution with a grade of B or higher in General Biology (cell/molecular) and Chemistry.
The Wistar REU Program offers a rigorous, 10-week training experience centered on molecular and cellular biology through the lens of NSF’s “Understanding the Rules of Life” initiative. You’ll begin with a two-week orientation intensive that includes hands-on training in lab techniques and introductory research on TP53, a key gene in human cancer, before joining an 8-week research internship that aligns with your interests. Throughout the summer, you’ll work full-time on projects ranging from apoptosis and genome instability to innate immunity, viral latency, stem cell biology, and more. Weekly workshops build skills in science communication, research ethics, and navigating graduate school pathways, while individual mentorship helps you clarify your academic and career goals.
Location: Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania
Cost: Stipend of $5,500
Program Dates: May 26 – July 31
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Open to undergraduates who will still be enrolled after summer. A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required. U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and eligible non-citizens may apply.
Penn State’s Summer Undergraduate Research Internship Program (SURIP) offers a rigorous introduction to research careers in the biological sciences. You’re matched with faculty mentors and spend the summer conducting full-time laboratory research while learning core skills in experimental design, data analysis, and scientific communication. The program includes weekly career and research seminars, opportunities to explore graduate pathways, and a visit to the NIH Graduate and Professional School Fair. SURIP concludes with a formal Undergraduate Research Symposium, where you’ll present your findings to faculty and peers.
Location: Across Pennsylvania, various state agencies and departments
Cost: Fully paid internship
Program Dates: Varies by position; explore current openings here.
Application Deadline: Rolling, depending on posted openings
Eligibility: Open to both high school and college students. Applicants must meet the requirements listed on each posting, which may include transcripts, certifications, or major-specific prerequisites.
You can look at this as an easy doorway into state government. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s statewide internship program introduces you to agency work, where you help with environmental tasks, transportation planning, healthcare projects, or technology support. You will join active teams, get regular guidance from staff, and learn how state systems actually function. Because agencies range from public health and social services to engineering and infrastructure, you get a broad menu of directions to explore.
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Cost: Paid internship
Program Dates: Typically late May to mid-July for 10
Application Deadline: Job postings usually appear in December; check out the latest opportunities here.
Eligibility: Open to full-time undergraduate, graduate, and PhD students enrolled in an accredited four-year institution.
The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia runs a competitive summer internship where you step inside a central bank and see how its work touches the economy. Interns are placed in departments such as economic research, bank supervision, IT, communications, or community development. You’re paired with a supervisor for the full ten weeks and get steady feedback while you work on real projects. Tasks can involve analyzing data, creating documentation or training materials, helping with budgeting or operational reviews, or even supporting multimedia or research efforts. You also take part in onboarding sessions and professional development activities, then close out the summer by sharing what you worked on.
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Cost: $17 per hour stipend is provided.
Program Dates: June 1 – July 30
Application Deadline: February 8
Eligibility: Open to current undergraduate and graduate students, as well as recent graduates from any college or university. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or hold a valid CPT/OPT work authorization.
The Penn Museum’s summer internship gives you a close look at how a major research museum actually runs. You apply to specific departments such as archives, collections, provenance research, exhibitions, education, or marketing, and then spend the summer working on projects inside that unit. Every week, all interns come together for workshops, staff talks, and field trips that show the wider picture of museum work, from conservation and research to public programs and communications. Thursday sessions and the Museum Practice Program are part of the schedule, so you’re not just doing tasks for one office but learning how different teams connect to tell stories, care for objects, and engage the public.
Location: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Cost: Paid internship
Program Dates: Varies by placement
Application Deadline: Rolling; applicants must submit all required documents directly to the DCED HR Team
Eligibility: Full-time undergraduate students who are 18 years or older with a GPA of 3.0+.
The Department of Community and Economic Development in Pennsylvania runs a summer internship where you support projects that attract businesses, promote tourism, and strengthen local economies. You will choose between placements aimed at full-time recruitment or roles meant to give earlier college students broad experience. You might sit with teams that handle business marketing, communications, tourism, technology, or community programs and see how public agencies work with cities, companies, and local organizations to encourage investment and economic growth.
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Cost: Paid or unpaid, depending on placement
Program Dates: Varies by unit and semester
Application Deadline: Varies; For Toxicology- Summer: March 15, Fall: July 31, Spring: November 30
Eligibility: Must be enrolled in a degree program at a school that has an existing internship agreement with the City of Philadelphia. Eligibility varies by unit.
The Medical Examiner’s Office in Philadelphia runs internships that allow college students to do forensic work, from lab analysis to public-health investigations. Each track has its own entry point. Bereavement Support Services only takes a small group of master 's-level social work students. The Fatality Review Program brings in public health undergraduates and graduate students through the Mayor’s Internship Program to help with data and case review. Pathology rotations are set up through medical schools for residents and third- or fourth-year medical students. The Toxicology Lab accepts juniors, seniors, and graduate students in chemistry or forensic science who have completed the required coursework.
Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Cost: Fellows receive a $4,500 stipend
Program Dates: May 4-August 9
Application Deadline: February 18
Eligibility: Open to CMU undergraduates in degree-granting programs who will enroll full-time in Fall; students must be in good academic and disciplinary standing and have a faculty mentor for the summer.
Carnegie Mellon’s Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) is one of the university’s flagship opportunities for college students looking to spend the summer conducting full-time research. You may propose an independent project or join a faculty-led initiative, as long as you secure a CMU faculty advisor who will oversee your progress throughout the summer. Alongside hands-on work, you’ll attend Speak Up!, CMU’s research communication seminar series, and later present your findings at the university-wide Undergraduate Research Symposium (Meeting of the Minds) the following May.
Location: Pennsylvania
Cost: Paid internship
Program Dates: January, July, and Summer cohorts
Application Deadline: Applications for all upcoming cohorts open in August of the previous year
Eligibility: Open to undergraduate students with 90+ completed credits and a minimum 3.0 GPA.
UPMC’s Summer Associates Program is one of the health system’s most recognized pathways for those looking to gain professional experience in a large healthcare network. This internship places you directly inside operational, technical, and business functions across UPMC, from finance and supply chain to IT, HR, and project-based corporate roles. You get the chance to work on impactful assignments, contribute to organizational goals, and build the professional skills needed to transition into early-career opportunities.
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 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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