14 Internships in Nashville, TN for College Students

While in college, internships can be a great way to explore your chosen career path and prepare for life after graduation. Internships offer opportunities to build skills in your field of choice and to collaborate with industry leaders and experts who form the core of your future professional network. As an intern, you will get to contribute to projects, develop professional experience, and be better prepared for future opportunities.

Why should you attend an internship in Nashville?

Nashville has become a major hub for several sectors, including healthcare, finance, technology, and publishing, in addition to its thriving arts and culture scene. This vibrant economic ecosystem allows you to explore internships in various areas, from biomedical research experiences at Vanderbilt University to public policy analysis roles at the Tennessee Department of Treasury. Whether you are studying in Nashville or planning to travel to the city, you can find opportunities to develop your profile and build connections.

To help you find the right opportunity, here is a list of 14 internships in Nashville, TN, for college students.

If you are looking for paid online internships, check out our blog here.

1. Ladder University Internships

Location: Virtual

Cost: Varies, based on the program format you choose; need-based financial assistance available

Application deadline: Multiple deadlines each year for each cohort

Dates: Several cohorts run each year, in the summer, fall, winter, and spring.

Eligibility: Undergraduate students and young professionals who can commit to 5–10 hours of work each week for at least eight weeks

Ladder Internships offers students opportunities to work with high-growth start-ups in various fields, including software engineering, environmental science, finance, artificial intelligence, healthcare, deep tech, web design/UX, 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 projects in a professional setting and access opportunities to build key workplace skills. While applying, you can choose the Startup Internship and work with an organization’s representative, or opt for the CEO Internship, where you will work directly with a start-up CEO from a FAANG (Facebook, Google, etc.) background. You can also choose the Combination program, which combines the CEO Internship format with a mentored research opportunity.

2. Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt’s Child Life Internship 

Location: Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, Nashville, TN

Stipend: $5,000 

Application deadline: March 13

Dates: August – December (16 weeks)

Eligibility: Students enrolled in colleges/universities with a minimum 3.4 GPA who have completed the ACLP Internship Readiness Common Application and ACLP Eligibility Assessment

The Child Life Internship Program allows you to spend 16 weeks exploring various aspects of child health within a medical facility. You will explore medical procedures and terminology, run developmental assessments on children, engage with patients one-to-one and in groups, and prepare children for medical experiences using specialized play and equipment. In the process, you will develop skills in patient assessment, multidisciplinary team interaction, and creative programming. You will work under the guidance of experienced professionals, meet weekly with child life staff to discuss assigned readings in a book club, and complete a mock interview with the Child Life Director to prepare for future job opportunities. You will also attend presentations delivered by hospital professionals and clinical conferences.

3. Vanderbilt Summer Science Academy

Location: Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN

Stipend: Paid; amount varies by program

Application deadline: January/February deadlines; exact dates vary by program 

Dates: May 26 – July 31; all programs run during the specified window.

Eligibility: Undergraduate students

The Vanderbilt Summer Science Academy (VSSA) is an umbrella program providing college students with multiple intensive, mentored summer research experiences in the biomedical sciences. Here, you will learn how to design and execute scientific research, apply laboratory techniques, and analyze biological and medical data within specialized fields like cardiovascular disease, renal biology, chemical biology, or neuroscience. You will work within Vanderbilt laboratories and shadow healthcare professionals, based on the track you choose. You will work under the guidance of faculty mentors and physician-scientists, attend seminars, and present your research at a symposium. The programs are designed to offer knowledge essential for future MD, Ph.D., or MD-Ph.D. programs. Skill development sessions and journal clubs are also part of the experience.

4. Vanderbilt University Office of Investments Summer Internship Program

Location: Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 

Stipend: Paid

Application deadline: Not specified

Dates: June – August (10 weeks)

Eligibility: Undergraduate students

This is a paid, 10-week opportunity for college students interested in gaining exposure to work focused on finance and investments. As an intern, you will have access to market commentary and stock pitches delivered by skilled managers and the opportunity to participate in strategic and tactical discussions. You will support either the public investments team (focused on global equities, hedge funds, and fixed income) or the private investments team (focused on venture capital, real estate, and private equity), gaining work experience through projects and daily tasks. You will find opportunities to build skills in financial analysis, investment opinion formation, accounting, and data analytics. The program offers mentorship from analysts, managers, and leadership. 

5. American Psychological Association Summer Undergraduate Psychology Experience in Research (SUPER) Fellowship

Location: Your own university campus or other degree-granting institution in the U.S. where a faculty member has agreed to host you and supervise your research

Stipend: $4,000

Dates: Nine weeks in the summer; flexible dates set by you and your mentor

Application deadline: Typically, March

Eligibility: Undergraduate students studying at accredited undergraduate degree-granting institutions

APA’s SUPER Fellowship offers undergraduates the opportunity to engage in mentored research experiences in their own city. You will begin by securing a faculty member’s mentorship and then spend nine weeks working within their lab on a psychological science research project. Additionally, you will connect with other participants, researchers, and APA staff through virtual summer meetings. APA also runs career development webinars and offers virtual opportunities to present your research. 

6. Vanderbilt Health Hospital & Clinics Administrative Fellowship Program’s Summer Internship Program, 

Location: Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 

Stipend: Paid

Application deadline: TBA in the fall

Dates: 10 weeks, typically starting in May; commitment of 40 hours/week

Eligibility: Students currently enrolled in graduate coursework

The Administrative Summer Internship Program offered by Vanderbilt Health is a 10-week opportunity to gain practical experience in healthcare administration. You will gain exposure to hospital and clinic operations throughout the program. You will work on projects within areas like business development, finance, operations, process improvement, quality, or strategy, gaining experience in healthcare management, strategic planning, operational analysis, and professional presentation. You will submit and present a final deliverable, such as an oral presentation or business plan, to departmental and senior leadership, recapping your project findings. Professional development opportunities are also part of the experience.

7. Crowe Student Internships

Location: Varies by position; opportunities are available across the U.S., including in Nashville, TN.

Stipend: Paid

Dates: 8 – 10 weeks; exact dates vary

Application deadline: Rolling until full

Eligibility: Undergraduate students; exact requirements vary by position

Crowe’s Student Internship program allows you to work on real projects focused on consulting and advisory work and build skills in data analysis, financial modeling, and process evaluation. As an intern, you will join an assigned team and engage in meetings and prepare deliverables for clients. You will also have access to the mentorship of career coaches and peer liaisons throughout the internship. You will participate in firmwide activities, including Crowe Cares Day (a community service event) and network with senior leaders within the company. The company often offers students full-time offers upon internship completion.

8. Vanderbilt’s Center for Technology Transfer and Commercialization Internship Program

Location: Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN

Stipend: Paid 

Application deadline: Not specified

Dates: 12-week internship aligned with academic semesters; dates not specified

Eligibility: Vanderbilt University undergraduates entering their senior year of college and graduate students

The CTTC Student Internship Program, offered by the Center for Technology Transfer and Commercialization at Vanderbilt University, is designed for college students interested in exploring the intersection of science, business, and law. The program focuses on introducing you to intellectual property protection, market analysis, and the skills required to convert basic research into practical applications. As an intern, you will work with licensing professionals and help them evaluate, protect, and commercialize real-world Vanderbilt inventions. The program also offers exposure to patent prosecution, term sheets, and negotiation basics. You will gain exposure to technology transfer, its history, the basics of invention evaluation, intellectual property protection, and commercialization/licensing strategies. 

9. The Parthenon’s Wesley Paine Internship

Location: The Parthenon, Nashville, TN

Stipend: $15/hour

Application deadline: March 1

Dates: 8–12 weeks in the summer 

Eligibility: College students and recent graduates with a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher

The Wesley Paine Internship, offered by The Parthenon Museum, is a paid summer program designed to develop and educate future museum professionals. As an intern, you will gain exposure to multiple museum functions, including Curatorial, Education, and Collections Management. You will work for up to 40 hours a week within assigned museum departments, contributing to their daily operations and learn about collections management, curatorial practices, public education, and museum leadership. You will work directly with museum professionals and staff across departments. 

10. Summer Country Music Association Internship

Location: Country Music Association, Nashville, TN

Stipend: $10/hour

Application deadline: Not specified

Dates: May 13 – July 30

Eligibility: Students pursuing secondary or higher education at colleges/universities, community colleges, junior colleges, trade schools, and vocational schools

This is a paid opportunity for college students to explore the music industry. As an intern, you will learn how the Country Music Association promotes and furthers the reach of country music globally and work within departments such as Digital Marketing, Communications, Creative, or Industry Relations. You will work on tasks to support different teams, attend weekly intern meetings, and assist with the CMA Fest held in June. You will find opportunities to build skills in marketing, communications strategy, event support, and professional organization. The program focuses on professional collaboration, offering you the mentorship of CMA staff and leaders. You will also get to network with professionals within the country music industry.

11. Department of Health TN Internship

Location: Nashville, TN

Stipend: Paid

Application deadline: Spring: September 30 | Summer: February 15 | Fall: April 15

Dates: Spring internships: January – April | Summer internships: June – August | Fall internships: August – December 

Eligibility: College students who are at least 18 and high school graduates or equivalent at the time of placement

Tennessee Department of Health’s Internship Program offers college students practical exposure to public health and state government operations. Here, you will learn gain insights into epidemiology, communication strategy, health disparities elimination, or health informatics while working in the department’s Communicable and Environmental Diseases & Emergency Preparedness or Family Health and Wellness units. You will contribute to disease surveillance, outbreak investigation, data analysis, and/or crafting communication strategies for diverse audiences, gaining experience in public health administration, policy implementation, data management, and strategic communication. You will work with department staff, public health experts, and legal counsel, and contribute to the development of official reports and policy. 

12. American Red Cross Internships 

Location: American Red Cross offices, including in Nashville, TN

Stipend: Paid and unpaid positions available

Dates: Internships are offered year-round, aligned with academic calendars; availability varies by department and need.

Application deadline: Not specified; you can apply to specific positions as and when they are posted on the website

Eligibility: Actively enrolled undergraduate or graduate students

American Red Cross periodically opens up internships for college students, allowing them to contribute to mission-specific tasks, real humanitarian work, or organizational operations. You will spend 10 weeks or more helping the assigned Red Cross unit with day-to-day tasks. You can choose from paid and unpaid roles and remote or on-site formats, depending on the position and department offering the internship. The work is structured to provide you with practical exposure to the operations of a large non-profit and to various volunteer and staff responsibilities. 

13. Deloitte’s Discovery Internship

Location: Multiple locations across the U.S.

Stipend: Paid

Application deadline: Not specified

Dates: Vary by role

Eligibility: Students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business, accounting, economics, STEM, or a related field; specific requirements can vary by role.

The Deloitte Discovery Internship offers college students hands-on exposure to audit, consulting, tax, and business operations. As an intern, you will contribute to real projects, work with professionals, and learn how large companies address business challenges. This internship also offers access to workshops and mentorship as well as real client exposure, allowing you to build technical, analytical, and interpersonal skills during the internship. Additionally, you will engage in networking sessions and lunch-and-learn events to gain career and industry insights.

14. George Mason University Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)

Location: Virtual internships available for Nashville students

Cost/Stipend: $25 application fee with need-based fee waivers available; no stipend

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: June 18 – August 12

Application deadline: February 15

Eligibility: Students, from high school to undergraduate level, who are at least 15 years old

ASSIP offers remote research internships in various fields, including neuroscience, data science, chemistry, engineering, medicine, statistics, computer science, and physics. You can choose a mentor offering a remote internship format to contribute to lab tasks and research within your chosen track while refining your scientific writing and communication skills. During the program, you will also engage in seminars and discussions with researchers and professors to learn about STEM career paths. ASSIP ends with a research symposium, where you will learn about all the research conducted by program participants during the summer. 

One other option—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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