15 Internships in San José for College Students

While in college, internships can help you gain early exposure to a field of choice and prepare you for life after graduation. Internships allow you to apply academic learning to real situations in a professional setting while accessing opportunities to boost your technical and soft skills and build connections with professionals. As an intern, you may also get to explore new careers in your field and secure offers for full-time roles after graduation.

Why should you attend an internship in San José?

San José, CA, is home to organizations and universities that offer internships across disciplines and workplaces, including government offices and departments, private firms, public sector undertakings, and nonprofits. During these internships, you might contribute to research projects, assist with product development, or support community initiatives, depending on your area of study. Whether your interests lie in medicine and healthcare, marketing, technology, federal work, or research, you will find opportunities here that align with your goals.

To help you find the right option, here we have listed 15 internships in San José for college students.

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

1. Ladder University Internship Program

Location: Virtual

Cost: Varies by program; financial assistance available

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective

Dates: Multiple eight-week internships throughout the year

Application deadline: Varies by cohort

Eligibility: Undergraduates and gap-year students who can work 10–20 hours/week for 8–12 weeks

Ladder Internships is a fully virtual program that connects students with startups tackling real challenges across disciplines, including deep tech, mental health, biotechnology, health tech, AI, sustainability, and engineering. As an intern, you will be paired with a company mentor who will offer consistent feedback and career-focused guidance throughout the internship as you work on real projects and deliverables. You will also have access to a Ladder Coach, who will serve as a second mentor throughout the program. You will develop practical skills in research, analysis, and professional communication, while preparing for and delivering a final project presentation. 

2. San José Mineta International Airport Student Intern

Location: San José Mineta International Airport, San José, CA

Stipend: $15.32 – $21.88/hour

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: Not specified; typically, 10 – 12 weeks in the summer

Application deadline: March 7 (applications typically open in February)

Eligibility: Students currently enrolled in accredited colleges/universities in undergraduate programs with majors relevant to the departmental internship role

The San José Mineta International Airport offers paid summer internship opportunities to college students in San José interested in careers in the airport industry. You will intern in an airport unit, such as aviation technology services, operations, security compliance, and airport marketing and communications. You will gain hands-on work experience in public sector work through project-related assignments and tasks as applicable to the assigned unit. You will also find opportunities to build communication and analytical skills and network with professionals in the airport industry.

3. San José Public Library Foundation (SJPLF) Resilience Corps

Location: Various local schools or community-based programs for Learning Pathway participants | San José Public Library, San José, CA, for SJ Access Pathway track

Stipend: $25.50/week

Acceptance rate/cohort size: The information is not available

Dates: Vary, August – June

Application deadline: Rolling

Eligibility: Young adults

SJPLF Resilience Corps offers San José college students professional training and opportunities to explore careers in public service, technology, and education. You can choose to work as a mentor and tutor for K-8 students through the Learning Pathway track, or to support community tech programs through the SJ Access Pathway track. Both tracks offer opportunities to participate in relevant training sessions and gain professional development opportunities. You will also find opportunities to network with staff and professionals in partner organizations and City departments.

4. The City of San José Internship Program

Location: Multiple locations in San José

Stipend: $15.86 – $22.65/hour

Acceptance rate/cohort size: 150 students/year

Dates: Rolling

Application deadline: Rolling

Eligibility: Currently enrolled in an accredited college or university in an undergraduate or graduate program; a valid driver’s license may be mandatory for some internship roles

The San José city government offers college students paid opportunities to explore careers in the public sector through its internship program. You will be placed in a local government department, such as IT, urban planning, finance, or public administration, and spend 20 to 30 hours/week working on department-specific tasks under the supervision of government employees. You will apply what you learn in your academic field of study to the assigned tasks, which may include preparing budgets, working on research, producing reports, or conducting surveys. In the process, you will build workplace skills like communication and analytical thinking. You will also explore roles in city government units and interact with government personnel and officials.

5. San José Parks Resilience Corps Climate Change Pathway

Location: San José, CA

Stipend: Starting at $20.85/hour; amount varies depending on the work assigned

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: Year-long program

Application deadline: Rolling

Eligibility: Anyone who is 18 to 30 years old 

The San José Parks Resilience Corps offers students and adults opportunities to work on natural resource management projects through the Climate Change Pathway track. You will work on environmental tasks such as restoring habitats, planting trees, maintaining trails, and working on water conservation projects. You will also participate in the Resilience Corps internship, during which you will be matched with a park ranger crew or a park maintenance crew. You will have access to environmental education as well as technical training, along with opportunities to earn industry-recognized certifications. Additionally, you will get one-on-one support for college admissions and resume building, and opportunities to connect with local businesses.

6. Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. Internships and Co-ops

Location: Multiple locations, including San José, CA

Stipend: Varies based on opportunity and location

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: Vary depending on internship/co-op, with summer, fall, and spring cohorts available

Application deadline: Rolling

Eligibility: Students currently enrolled in U.S.-based universities in undergraduate programs majoring in academic fields related to the internship/co-op

Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) provides students, from undergrad to Ph.D. candidates, in San José with opportunities to gain real-world experience and career exploration opportunities in the computing sector. Based on the role you choose, you will work within the software engineering, AI & ML, hardware, or finance team, undergo on-the-job training, and engage in tasks like building apps, crafting technical or functional documents, and testing projects. You will also participate in personal development sessions and receive mentorship for skill development and exploring career pathways. You can find opportunities here.

7. BDO USA Internships

Location: On-site with remote/hybrid options available in San José, CA

Stipend: $40 – $45/hour

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: Vary based on the type of internship; summer opportunities available

Application deadline: Rolling

Eligibility: College students enrolled in bachelor's programs; role-specific major, work/study experience, and skill-related requirements may apply. 

Global accounting and advisory firm BDO offers college students in San José hands-on work experiences within its assurance and tax departments. Here, you will work with a dedicated mentor who will offer support as you gain exposure to multiple areas of BDO’s operations. You will serve the company’s public and private clients while engaging in tasks focused on taxes, assurance, and information systems during the internship. You will gain networking opportunities with professionals and guidance regarding the CPA and other professional exams. You can find the updated list of BDO internships here.

8. Stryker Summer Internships

Location: Stryker, San José, CA

Stipend: $19.50 – $34.50/hour

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: Vary based on type of internship (12 weeks in the summer)

Application deadline: Early March, with applications typically opening in September

Eligibility: Students currently pursuing bachelor's/master's degrees in related fields of study with at least one full semester of classes upon completion of the internship; applicants should have a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA or above and must be eligible to work in the U.S.

Stryker offers paid summer internships to college students in San José seeking hands-on experience in the medical technology industry. As an intern, you will work in collaboration with cross-functional teams on projects focused on Stryker’s med tech products under the mentorship of leaders. You can choose from diverse opportunities, including clinical, mechanical engineering, biomedical engineering, and marketing internships. Over the course of 12 weeks, you will build organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills while working on solutions to challenging med tech issues. You can find internship opportunities at Stryker here.

9. Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. Internships

Location: Multiple Thermo Fisher sites across the U.S., including San José, CA

Stipend: $14.75– $28.75/hour

Acceptance rate/cohort size: 200 overall for the summer cohort

Dates: June – August, based on location (10 – 12 weeks in the summer)

Application deadline: Rolling

Eligibility: Undergraduate students; requirements regarding specific graduation date and skills may apply depending on the opportunity. 

Internships at Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. offer college students in San José opportunities to work on live industry projects in software engineering, electrical engineering, marketing, and clinical research. You will be matched to projects based on your abilities and current business needs, and you will work within a team in an office or lab setting. Over the course of 10 to 12 weeks, you will build workplace skills like time management and problem-solving. You will get opportunities to connect with the company’s leaders, attend professional development workshops, and participate in community activities and social events. Based on your performance, you may be able to secure full-time employment at the company. You can explore internship opportunities at Thermo Fisher Scientific here.

10. United Mechanical Internship Program

Location: United Mechanical Headquarters, San José, CA, or other CA offices

Stipend: $26/hour

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: June – August (dates vary, depending on the summer schedule)

Application deadline: Rolling

Eligibility: College students currently pursuing degrees in mechanical engineering/construction management or other academic fields related to the internship

United Mechanical offers college students pursuing an engineering or construction management degree paid internships to explore career pathways in the HVAC industry. As an intern, you will gain experience in working on HVAC designs or project management tasks, based on your placement. You will network with professionals from diverse teams, engage in on-site and shop floor tours, and build technical and soft skills. You will also participate in training programs, lunch-and-learn sessions, and team-building activities. You can find the updated list of United Mechanical internships here.

11. Adobe Student Athlete Micro Internship Program (SAMI)

Location: Various locations, including San José, CA 

Stipend: Varies based on location; typically $25 – $30/hour

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: May 26 – July 24 (eight weeks, 25 hours/week)

Application deadline: Rolling

Eligibility: Student-athletes currently enrolled in school-sanctioned sports and U.S.-based accredited colleges or university programs in the internship-specific field, with a target graduation date as specified in the listing

The Adobe SAMI is a micro-internship program designed for student-athletes pursuing degrees at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) in the U.S. Here, you will work on real-world business projects and collaborate with interdisciplinary teams in the fields of engineering, sales, marketing, social media, and so on. You will work on projects that help you build problem-solving and decision-making skills. You will also participate in professional development training to build soft skills, such as communication, and boost career readiness through activities like building your LinkedIn profile.

12. County of Santa Clara Student Internship Program

Location: Various agencies/departments of the County of Santa Clara, CA

Stipend: $18.54–$42.63/hour, depending on the opportunity

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: Year-round opportunities

Application deadline: Rolling

Eligibility: College students (for internships at Student Levels II and III) who are legally authorized to work in the U.S.; you can check the education level requirements for each level here.

The county government of Santa Clara offers high school and college students opportunities to work in a government agency/department. You will be placed in a government unit based on your academic field of study, career interest, and skills. You can also choose an internship in a specific department, such as public health, parks and recreation, or the DA's office. As an intern, you will be assigned tasks that support professional and technical personnel of the agency/department. You will find opportunities for both professional and personal growth, as well as networking with government officials.

13. Healthier Kids Foundation Internships

Location: San José, CA

Cost/Stipend: Not specified

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: Rolling

Application deadline: Rolling

Eligibility: Students currently enrolled in accredited colleges or universities in undergraduate or graduate programs

Healthier Kids Foundation (HKF)'s internships offer opportunities for college students in San José to explore careers in the non-profit sector. You will work alongside staff in various departments associated with child healthcare within local communities. Your tasks will include supporting the education department’s classes for parents on healthy lifestyles, developing and maintaining databases of program activities and outcomes, coordinating events and fundraising efforts by the development department, and assisting in health screening. Through this experience, you will build professional skills and values like compassion and accountability while learning about health issues that affect children’s development.

14. San José Police Department (SJPD) College Internship Volunteer Program

Location: SJPD, San José, CA

Cost/Stipend: None

Acceptance rate/cohort size: One student/SJPD unit

Dates: Rolling

Application deadline: Rolling

Eligibility: College students of all education levels; additional requirements relevant to the role may apply.

SJPD's Volunteers Team (VOLT) invites San José college students looking to gain experience working within police departmental units. You will commit to 120 – 300 hours of service or complete a specified project and receive college credit for your contributions. VOLT responsibilities typically include supporting programs for underprivileged youth in the Police Activities League (PAL) unit, collecting data and materials for the family violence unit, updating and editing web content for the social media unit, and developing and producing videos for the video unit. You will find opportunities to build workplace and problem-solving skills while working alongside the assigned unit personnel.

15. Santa Clara Valley Medical Center Volunteer Program

Location: Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, San José, CA

Cost/Stipend: None

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: Rolling

Application deadline: Rolling

Eligibility: Anyone who is at least 15 years old with English proficiency

The Santa Clara Valley Medical Center (SCVMC) offers opportunities to gain experience working at a health facility. As a volunteer, you will attend an online orientation session to learn about responsibilities, safety and compliance requirements, and infection control protocols. You will then be placed in a specific service area, like the information desk, gift shop, or volunteer services office, based on your interests and skills, and assist facility staff and interact with staff, visitors, patients, and their families. Once you complete 100 hours of service and intern for six consecutive months, you will get opportunities to shadow hospital staff and explore careers in healthcare.

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 Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a Ph.D. student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program in which students work one-on-one with a mentor to develop an independent research paper.

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