15 Internships in Charlotte, NC for College Students
- Stephen Turban
- 2 hours ago
- 10 min read
If you’re a college student trying to figure out what kind of work you would enjoy, an internship can help you explore different career paths. Internships put you in professional settings, which gives you a clearer sense of what day-to-day work life is like in your field of interest.
What internships are available for college students in Charlotte?
Charlotte’s economy includes strong sectors in finance, energy, healthcare, technology, and logistics, and each of these areas hosts internship opportunities for students. You might assist with project planning, help write reports, work with clients or communities, support data analysis, or help design outreach materials. Doing an internship locally also makes financial sense because you save on extra travel or housing. The experience you gain will strengthen your future job and graduate school applications.
With that, here is a list of 15 internships in Charlotte, NC, for college students worth exploring!
If you're looking for more prestigious internships, check out this set of blogs!
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
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 connects you with global startups and nonprofits across diverse industries for an immersive, remote experience. Over 8–12 weeks, you will work on a project that directly contributes to your assigned organization’s goals, from business development to marketing, product research, or design. Throughout the internship, you will collaborate closely with your startup manager on various deliverables, gaining experience in professional communication, problem-solving, and project management. The program concludes with a final presentation of your project, showcasing the real-world impact of your work. Apply now!
Location: Mecklenburg County Government, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free. A stipend of $15–$18/hour is paid
Program Dates: June 11–August 1
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in April
Eligibility: Open to college students; must complete the county job application, rank departmental preferences, and meet onboarding requirements (drug screen and background check for those 18+).
The MeckPathways college internship program places you inside county departments like Public Health, Criminal Justice Services, Community Support Services, Social Services, and Parks and Recreation. You support day-to-day work by helping with community programs, organizing data, assisting with basic research, and observing how teams plan and run their operations. Some placements include site visits to places like recreation centers, health facilities, shelters, or local programs, giving you a grounded view of how public services actually function. The experience helps you see how different departments connect and how local government work affects people in real ways.
Location: Microsoft, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Paid internship; compensation varies by role and includes benefits such as relocation support for eligible students.
Program Dates: Typically 10–12 weeks, June–August.
Application Deadline: Applications usually open in late summer and close in October–January, depending on the role.
Eligibility: Open to undergraduate students majoring in computer science, engineering, data science, or related fields; specific coursework requirements vary by team.
Microsoft’s university internship places you on engineering or technical teams where you contribute to product features, infrastructure improvements, or operational workflows. You may work on debugging tasks, prototyping tools, supporting cloud service deployments, or developing internal automation, depending on the team assignment. The program includes structured mentorship from Microsoft engineers and opportunities to participate in technical design discussions. The internship also includes exposure to Microsoft’s development processes and professional tools such as Azure services, Git repositories, and internal engineering platforms. You may also get the chance to present your final project or feature work to your broader team at the end of the program.
Location: University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC.
Cost: Paid; interns earn $12/hour with a maximum stipend of up to $5,000.
Program Dates: May–August 1 (10-week internship)
Application Deadline: Internship postings appear in January–February; final selections occur in March.
Eligibility: Open to in-state North Carolina undergraduate students.
The SECU Summer Internship Program at UNC Charlotte places you with a government agency or nonprofit in the Charlotte area for a public service internship. Your day-to-day work depends on the placement but can include supporting programs, helping with research, assisting outreach efforts, or working on operational tasks alongside staff. Alongside the internship, you complete a required professional development course through UNC Charlotte’s Career Center that focuses on workplace skills and career preparation. You work closely with site supervisors and local leaders, which helps you understand how public sector organizations operate and where your interests fit within them.
Location: Northwestern Mutual, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Paid; compensation varies based on performance and client activity
Program Dates: Typically 10–12 weeks, June–August
Application Deadline: Rolling until filled
Eligibility: Open to undergraduate students.
The Northwestern Mutual Financial Representative Internship places you in a client-facing role where you learn how financial planning works. You help with tasks like preparing client profiles, scheduling meetings, reviewing basic financial scenarios, and using planning tools to understand insurance and investment options. The program includes structured training and daily activities focused on communication, outreach, and financial literacy. You work closely with experienced representatives, which gives you a clear view of how advisory relationships are built and maintained in a real financial services setting.
Location: Spectrum, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Paid; compensation varies by role, class standing, and market
Program Dates: 10-week summer internship, typically May–August
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Open to rising juniors and above pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
Spectrum’s summer internship places students across multiple business units, including Technology & Engineering, Customer Operations, Finance, Sales & Marketing, and Corporate functions, to work on projects that mirror full-time roles. You may analyze data, support quality assurance workflows, contribute to product development tasks, or assist with system troubleshooting, depending on your assigned team. The program includes structured mentorship, where each intern is paired with a supervisor responsible for monitoring progress and guiding day-to-day responsibilities. You will also be introduced to enterprise tools and processes used across Spectrum’s nationwide network operations.
Location: BDO USA, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Paid; compensation varies based on business line (Tax, Audit, Advisory)
Program Dates: Typically 8–12 weeks, June–August
Application Deadline: Applications are posted on a rolling basis; most roles close between September and February.
Eligibility: Open to undergraduate students majoring in accounting, finance, or related business fields.
BDO’s internship program places you on tax, audit, or advisory teams where you contribute to client projects under the supervision of professionals. You may assist with corporate tax return preparation, analytical reviews, audit testing, or research tasks, depending on your assigned practice. The program includes a formal mentorship structure that pairs interns with practitioners who offer guidance on technical questions and day-to-day responsibilities. You are also exposed to client workflows through office-based tasks and, in some cases, on-site visits with engagement teams.
Location: Amazon Fulfillment Center, Charlotte, NC
Cost/Stipend: Paid; approximately $26.44–$31.49 per hour, depending on market
Program Dates: 10-week summer internship, June–August
Application Deadline: Positions remain open until filled; applications are reviewed on a rolling basis
Eligibility: Undergraduate students with degree completion expected between December and August; preferred majors include Supply Chain, Business/Management, and Engineering.
The Amazon Fulfillment Area Manager Intern role places you inside an Amazon operations facility where you see how large-scale logistics actually runs. You spend your time learning how teams are managed on the floor, supporting daily workflows, and observing how dozens of associates coordinate to move products efficiently. A central part of the internship is working on an improvement project with site leadership, where you analyze a process and suggest practical changes. Your days may include tracking operations, helping coordinate deliveries, sitting in on safety checks, and spending time on the floor to understand how systems work in real conditions.
Location: Capital One, Charlotte, NC
Cost/Stipend: Paid; compensation varies by track (Business, Analytics, Finance, Product, Technology, Cybersecurity)
Program Dates: 10-week summer internship, June–August
Application Deadline: Applications typically open in late summer and close between September and January
Eligibility: Undergraduates earning a bachelor’s degree by August of the next year.
Capital One’s summer internship brings you into one of several business or technology tracks where you work on analytical, strategic, or engineering projects with measurable business impact. You may contribute to data modeling in SQL or Python, evaluate credit or risk strategies, support product feature development, or join software engineering teams working on cloud-based systems. The program includes structured mentorship and regular contact with cross-functional teams such as data scientists, managers, and product partners. Many teams conclude the internship with a presentation or project showcase, giving you experience explaining findings and recommendations to professional stakeholders.
Location: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Charlotte Field Office, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Paid; interns receive GS-4 or GS-5 pay depending on education level
Program Dates: June–August (10-week full-time internship).
Application Deadline: Varies annually; applications typically close in October
Eligibility: U.S. citizens enrolled full-time at a U.S.-accredited college or university with a minimum 3.0 GPA; must pass all FBI background investigation requirements and qualify for Top Secret clearance.
The FBI Honors Internship places college students in field offices or headquarters divisions to work on investigative, analytical, administrative, or STEM-related assignments. You may support casework by organizing files, conducting preliminary research, assisting with data entry, or observing operational processes that align with the FBI's mission needs. The program includes training modules and structured supervision designed to help you understand federal law enforcement workflows and inter-agency coordination. You’ll interact with professional staff and agents, gaining exposure to intelligence analysis, forensic procedures, or office operations depending on your assigned unit.
Location: Deloitte, Charlotte, NC
Cost/Stipend: Paid; compensation varies by business line (Audit, Tax, Advisory, Technology, Internal Services)
Program Dates: Typically 8–10 weeks, June–August
Application Deadline: Applications are posted on a rolling basis; most close between September and February
Eligibility: Open to undergraduate students; specific track requirements vary
Deloitte’s internship places you into one of several functional tracks, including client service, internal services, or early-career discovery, depending on your major and interests. You may support client engagements by performing analytical tasks, assisting with audit procedures, helping draft deliverables, or conducting research for advisory teams. Internal services roles focus on operations such as finance, technology support, or marketing, allowing students to work on real organizational initiatives. Each intern is paired with a coach and onboarding advisor who guide professional development and offer support throughout the program.
Location: Various North Carolina state agencies; Charlotte, NC, placement options are available
Cost: Paid; $15 per hour for 40 hours per week
Program Dates: May 18–July 24
Application Deadline: Applications open December 1 and close January 30
Eligibility: Must be a North Carolina resident enrolled in a college or university with at least a 2.5 GPA.
The State of North Carolina Internship Program places you in a full-time public sector role with a state agency, with options available in the Charlotte area. Depending on your placement, you may work on policy research, program evaluation, community outreach, digital content, or day-to-day department operations. Alongside your project work, you take part in meetings, site visits, and sessions with agency staff that show how state services are planned and delivered. The ten-week structure gives you enough time to settle into the role, take ownership of tasks, and understand what working inside the government actually looks like.
Location: Labcorp, Charlotte, NC
Cost/Stipend: Paid; compensation varies by role and business division. Relocation assistance may be available for eligible U.S. interns.
Program Dates: May–August (10-week U.S. internship cycle)
Application Deadline: Applications open in the fall and winter; deadlines vary by specific internship posting
Eligibility: Open to currently enrolled college students
Labcorp’s internship program places you in laboratory, technical, business, or analytics roles where you work on projects aligned with the company’s healthcare mission. You may assist with lab workflows, support data analysis tasks, contribute to business operations, or work on software or IT projects, depending on the assigned team. The program includes structured mentorship, networking opportunities, and job-shadowing experiences designed to deepen understanding of healthcare operations and biomedical research environments. You will gain exposure to Labcorp’s internal tools, diagnostic processes, and research infrastructure.
Location: KPMG, Charlotte, NC (with nationwide placements across Audit, Tax, Advisory, and Technology)
Cost: Paid internship; compensation varies by service line and location
Program Dates: Typically 8–10 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: Varies by posting; most roles open in late summer or fall
Eligibility: Open to undergraduate students (sophomore–senior), depending on the program track; major requirements vary (Accounting, Finance, Business, STEM, or relevant fields). Candidates must meet GPA and work authorization guidelines.
KPMG’s internship program places you in Audit, Tax, Advisory, or Technology teams where you contribute to client engagements and internal projects. You’ll work alongside professionals to analyze data, support audits, contribute to tax research, assist with consulting deliverables, or help design technology solutions, depending on your chosen track. You will also participate in networking events, leadership workshops, and culture-building sessions linked to KPMG’s values-driven work environment. Many interns train at KPMG Lakehouse, the firm’s development hub, gaining exposure to firmwide learning initiatives.
Location: Ernst & Young (EY), Charlotte, NC
Cost: Paid internship; compensation varies by service line and location
Program Dates: Typically 8–10 weeks in summer or winter
Application Deadline: Varies by position; most roles open late summer–early fall
Eligibility: Open to undergraduate, MBA, and advanced-degree students, depending on the track. Candidates must meet EY’s GPA and work-authorization requirements.
The EY Internship Program places you in Audit, Tax, Consulting, or Technology teams, where you work on client engagements and internal projects. You may support internal control reviews, participate in tax planning workflows, or contribute to process-automation tasks such as building simple bots for efficiency. You’ll receive structured training, exposure to EY tools and methodologies, and hands-on experience under the guidance of senior professionals. The internship also emphasizes professional skill-building through presentations, networking events, and well-being resources that cover physical, emotional, social, and financial wellness.
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.
Image Source - KPMG logo