15 Paid Internships in Houston, TX for College Students
- Stephen Turban
- Jan 13
- 9 min read
If you’re a college student exploring future careers, doing an internship can be one of the most practical and financially beneficial ways to understand what work in your field looks like. Doing a paid internship allows you to earn while gaining experience, which makes the opportunity easier to pursue. The work you complete becomes a strong addition to your resume, giving you examples to show when applying for future internships, graduate programs, or jobs.
What paid internships are available to college students in Houston, Texas?
Houston offers a wide range of internships in areas like engineering, finance, healthcare, biology, technology, and public service, giving you room to choose an internship that lines up with what you study or what you hope to pursue. These internships give you insight into the day-to-day work of different industries, which can help you decide on a career path. A local internship keeps expenses manageable since you don’t need short-term housing or a commute.
With that, here are 15 paid internships in Houston, TX, for college students. In case you're looking for more prestigious internships in other locations or virtually, check out this set of blogs!
15 Paid Internships in Houston, TX for College Students
Location: Multiple NASA facilities, including the NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX
Stipend: Paid
Dates: Varies by role – Summer, Fall, and Spring sessions are available
Application Deadline: February 27 for the summer session, May 22 for the fall session
Eligibility: Must be a U.S. citizen, full-time undergraduate or graduate student, with a minimum 3.0 GPA
THE NASA OSTEM Internship Program gives you the chance to work at NASA facilities such as the Johnson Space Center while contributing to active agency projects. You will be paired with a mentor and take part in work across areas such as engineering, research, aviation, and robotics. The program is structured as a rigorous, hands-on experience where you collaborate with leading scientists and engineers and build practical technical skills. You also attend lectures and networking events with professionals across the aerospace community.
Location: MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Stipend: Up to $7,200
Dates: 10 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: January 14
Eligibility: Open to undergraduates of all majors
The CPRIT CURE Summer Undergraduate Program at MD Anderson is a fully funded research opportunity for students interested in cancer research. You will work full-time in a lab at MD Anderson Cancer Center under the guidance of a faculty mentor, gaining experience in experimental work and data analysis. Alongside your lab duties, you attend scientific lectures, seminars, and career development events that introduce you to the broader field of cancer science. The program ends with a poster session where you present your findings.
Location: Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
Stipend: Approximately $5,400
Dates: June 1 – July 31
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Open to undergraduates from math and science majors, and non-science majors with a relevant background and interest
The SMART Program at Baylor College of Medicine is a fully funded nine-week research opportunity for undergraduates. You will be paired with a Baylor faculty mentor and work on a biomedical project in areas such as bioengineering, computational biology, or related fields. Alongside your research, you take part in daily seminars, career sessions, and professional workshops that introduce you to different paths in science. The program provides housing near the medical center and creates a community where you can focus on research and connect with other students.
Location: Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX
Stipend: Paid a competitive hourly wage
Dates: May 25 – July 31
Application Deadline: Mid-January
Eligibility: Open to current undergraduate students with a minimum 3.5 GPA
The Houston Methodist Summer Undergraduate Research Internship gives you a full-time role in biomedical and translational research. You will work on a defined project under the guidance of a faculty mentor, taking on a specific area and contributing work that connects to the lab’s goals. The program focuses on translational and clinical research, showing how discoveries in the lab move toward patient care. You attend weekly seminars on scientific topics and professional development, and the internship ends with a poster presentation where you share your findings.
Location: McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston, Houston, TX
Stipend: Paid
Dates: June 1 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 16
Eligibility: Current undergraduates
The Brain, Rejuvenation, Aging, Inflammation, Neurodegeneration, and Stroke Program is an intensive neuroscience research internship for undergraduates. Only 17 research assistants are selected each year, and each participant works with a mentor on an project in the Department of Neurology. You take part in neurology seminars, journal clubs, and grand rounds, gaining steady exposure to translational neuroscience and the questions driving current research. The program offers a rare level of access to clinical and laboratory work and is considered one of the most competitive internships in the field.
Location: Multiple locations, including Houston, TX
Stipend: Paid
Dates: 11-week, 40 hours per week program in the summer
Application Deadline: Varies by role
Eligibility: Internships are open to undergraduates, with specific requirements varying by role. Generally, you need a GPA of 3.25 and experience in the field for which you’re applying.
Phillips 66 University Internship Program gives you a structured experience inside a Fortune 500 energy company and serves as a key path toward full-time roles. You will work on a substantial project within a specific business unit, such as engineering, finance, commercial, or IT, and your assignments will be tied to company needs. Throughout the internship, you take part in Lunch and Learn sessions with executives, visit Phillips 66 facilities, and join community service events that connect you with employees across the company.
Location: Multiple locations, including the Chevron Office in Houston, TX
Stipend: Paid
Dates: Varies by role
Application Deadline: Varies by role
Eligibility: Open to undergraduates and graduates, with specific criteria varying by role
Chevron’s internship program gives you project-based work in areas such as engineering, finance, and information technology. You will be paired with a mentor, take on assignments that reflect company priorities, and receive technical and professional development throughout the summer. You will meet senior management, build a network inside the company, and gain experience that is evaluated for both performance and cultural fit.
Location: Multiple ConocoPhillips locations, including their headquarters in Houston, TX
Stipend: Paid a competitive wage plus a potential housing stipend
Dates: Varies by position
Application Deadline: Recruiting typically begins in August/September for the following summer.
Eligibility: Open to undergraduate students with a minimum 3.0 GPA, specific to relevant degree paths.
The ConocoPhillips Internship Program is a well-regarded opportunity for students interested in energy, engineering, and business operations. Based in Houston, the company places you in roles that support core functions such as engineering, geosciences, finance, and IT. The program focuses on accountability by giving you projects that matter to the business and expecting you to contribute the way a full-time employee would. Alongside your technical work, the program focuses on your development. You are paired with a mentor who offers steady guidance and feedback throughout the summer, helping you build confidence and strengthen your skills in a professional setting.
Location: Various Shell offices, including the Shell Technology Center in Houston, TX
Stipend: Paid
Dates: 10-12 weeks
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, varying by role
Eligibility: Must be an actively enrolled student with at least one semester remaining after the internship and a minimum 3.2 GPA.
The Shell Internship Program gives you a project with responsibility in areas such as engineering, trading, or finance, and your work reflects the expectations of a full-time role. You take on tasks that influence day-to-day operations, and your performance is considered as part of Shell’s graduate recruitment process. You are paired with both a mentor and a supervisor who offer structured guidance and steady feedback. The program includes a midterm review to assess your progress, and it ends with a final presentation and evaluation of your technical work and professional development. The internship also functions as an assessment for Shell’s graduate program.
Location: Multiple offices, including the SLB Office in Houston, TX
Stipend: Paid
Dates: Varies by role
Application Deadline: Rolling applications, typically opening in the fall
Eligibility: Open to undergraduates across a variety of fields
The SLB Internship Program gives you direct experience inside one of the world’s largest energy technology companies, with opportunities in both technical and business roles. You will work in research, engineering, operations, or business functions, and your projects reflect the responsibilities expected of full-time employees. You work closely with professionals who guide your progress and provide feedback throughout the program. You also gain insight into SLB’s field and research operations, and your performance is evaluated in ways that can lead to future opportunities with the company.
Location: Various locations, including the Deloitte Houston Office in Houston, TX
Stipend: Paid
Dates: Varies by role but generally 8-10 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: Recruiting for summer positions generally opens in the fall
Eligibility: Undergraduates in accounting, finance, technology, and business-related majors.
As one of the "Big Four" professional services firms, Deloitte's internship is a fast-paced introduction to the world of consulting, audit, tax, or advisory. You will join client-facing teams and contribute to projects that involve data analysis, presentations, and collaborative problem solving, giving you a sense of the pace and expectations of full-time roles. You are paired with a coach and an onboarding advisor who offer steady guidance and feedback throughout the internship. You take part in formal training sessions and also connect informally with peers and professionals across Deloitte.
Location: PwC Houston Office, Houston, TX
Stipend: Paid
Dates: Varies by role
Application Deadline: Applications typically open in the fall for the following summer.
Eligibility: Open to undergraduates, with additional requirements varying by role
PwC's 'Advance' internship is a stellar paid internship for Houston undergraduates aiming for a career in professional services. You will be aligned with a specific practice area (Audit, Tax, or Advisory) and work on client engagements. The program focuses on digital skills, professional development, and networking with PwC professionals at all levels. There are leadership development experiences as well as shadowing opportunities with Partners and Principals.
Location: KPMG Houston Office, Houston, TX
Stipend: Paid a competitive hourly wage
Dates: Varies by role
Application Deadline: Rolling applications
Eligibility: Current undergraduates, and specific internship programs exist with their own additional criteria
KPMG offers paid internships in Houston for students interested in careers in Audit, Tax, or Advisory. You will receive intensive onboarding and then join engagement teams where you handle work similar to that of a first-year associate, giving you experience with client projects. The firm also runs a Global Internship Program that lets you spend four weeks working with international teams, and an Embark Scholars Program designed as a multi-year pathway for first-generation or community college students. You are supported by a strong mentorship culture and take part in community service, including firm-wide volunteer projects.
Location: Multiple venues, including the KBR Headquarters in Houston, TX
Stipend: Stipend amount varies by role
Dates: Varies by role
Application Deadline: Applications typically open in the fall.
Eligibility: Current undergraduates across majors; specific roles have their own criteria.
KBR, a major engineering and government services contractor, offers a hands-on internship for students interested in engineering or corporate roles. Engineering interns contribute to projects for government and commercial clients, while finance and IT interns support core business operations. You work with a mentor, take part in site visits, and have regular chances to meet KBR leaders. The company operates in an agile way and brings interns into different parts of its work, giving you broad exposure to how the organization functions.
Location: Various City of Houston departments, Houston, TX
Stipend: Paid hourly wage
Dates: 8 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: Typically opens in the early spring (February/March)
Eligibility: Must be a Houston resident aged 16-24
The Hire Houston Youth program connects young people, including college students, to paid summer jobs and internships across City of Houston departments and partner organizations. You can work in areas such as the Mayor’s Office, engineering, health, or parks, gaining practical experience in public service and civic engagement. The program gives you a close look at government operations and the community initiatives that shape city services.
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies by program type | Financial aid available
Application deadline: Cohorts throughout the year, including summer
Program dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10–20 hours/week, for 8–12 weeks | Open to high schoolers, undergraduates, and gap-year students
The Ladder University Internship Program is an eight-week virtual internship where you work on real projects with start-ups and corporate businesses. Founded by Harvard entrepreneurs, the program focuses on applied learning through assignments guided by start-up founders and supervisors with experience at places like Harvard Business School, McKinsey, Google, and Microsoft. You’ll develop problem-solving and project management skills, gain insight into entrepreneurial practices, and receive weekly mentorship from your manager and a Ladder Coach. The program ends with a final project presentation to strengthen your resume and professional portfolio.
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 - MD Anderson Cancer Center logo