14 Paid IT Internships for College Students
- Stephen Turban
- Jul 24
- 12 min read
If you're interested in information technology, an internship can help you apply your technical knowledge while exploring different career paths in the field. IT internships span software development, cybersecurity, cloud computing, data science, systems administration, networking, and IT support, allowing you to build practical skills while working alongside experienced professionals. Paid internships also give you the opportunity to gain industry experience and expand your professional network before graduation, while receiving financial support.
Why should I do an IT internship in college?
IT internships provide a structured environment where you can work on technical projects while learning how organizations develop, manage, and secure technology systems. Depending on the role, you might write and test software, analyze data, troubleshoot IT infrastructure, strengthen cybersecurity systems, build cloud-based applications, automate workflows, or contribute to research and product development under the guidance of engineers and technology professionals. These experiences can help you strengthen your technical and problem-solving skills, explore different areas of information technology, and prepare for careers in the tech industry.
To help you get started, here are 14 paid IT internships for college students.
If you’re looking for remote internships, check out our blog here.
Key takeaways
These 14 internships span software engineering, cybersecurity, data science, cloud computing, AI, open-source development, aerospace IT, and enterprise technology, so students with a wide range of IT interests can find a relevant paid opportunity.
Several internships offer strong compensation, including Johnson & Johnson Data Science ($25.50 to $33 per hour), and many others, including Palo Alto Networks, Northrop Grumman, NVIDIA, and Boeing, offer competitive pay alongside housing assistance or relocation support.
Many internships are hosted by high-profile organizations, including NASA-partnered Atlassian, national security labs at Sandia, the federal government through CISA, and major tech companies such as Microsoft, NVIDIA, Google, and Boeing, giving students access to mission-critical technical environments early in their careers.
Programs vary in length, format, and experience level, from 8-week introductory programs for first and second-year students, such as Microsoft Explore, to 12-week technical roles for advanced undergraduates, such as Palo Alto Networks and Atlassian, so students should apply to options that match their year and background.
Several programs have fall or rolling application cycles for summer internships, including Atlassian (January), L.L.Bean (October to December), and CISA (varies), so students should research deadlines early in the academic year and apply well in advance.
Location: Fully remote (multiple global locations, including the United States, Canada, Australia, India)
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Application deadline: Rolling; applications typically open in January for summer internships
Dates: 12 weeks between May/June – August/September (U.S./Canada); recruiting period September – March
Eligibility: Undergraduate students in their penultimate (second-to-last) year; must be returning to school after an internship and graduating in a year; Computer Science or Software Engineering major preferred
The Atlassian Internship Program is a 12-week experience where you work on software projects used by teams at organizations like NASA and Tesla. Depending on your skills and interests, you may contribute to backend, frontend, mobile, or full-stack development. You are paired with experienced engineers who provide guidance and mentorship throughout the program. In addition to your technical work, you participate in workshops and collaborate with other interns globally, gaining hands-on experience in software development and insight into professional engineering practices.
Location: Johnson & Johnson, New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States of America (Fully Remote)
Stipend: $25.50/hour — $33/hour (based on candidate’s program year, discipline, degree, and/or experience); overtime eligible
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Unspecified
Application Deadline: June 4
Dates: Summer
Eligibility: Pursuing BS/MS in a quantitative discipline (CS, Data Science, Statistics, Engineering, Economics/Finance, Operations Research); strong Python proficiency; strong SQL skills; solid foundations in statistics and machine learning; strong communication skills; cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher; authorization to work in the United States on a permanent, full-time basis required.
You will join Johnson & Johnson’s Global Finance Data Science team to build production-minded analytics and AI solutions at enterprise scale. You will work with a global team of Data Scientists, Data Engineers, Finance Analysts, and ML Engineers to advance the data science and AI roadmap for Global Finance, delivering predictive insights, automation that reduces manual workload, and interactive decision-support experiences. You will contribute across the solution lifecycle, including problem framing, proof-of-concept, development, deployment, and adoption, ensuring the right level of automation, integration, and governance for real-world use. You will also support documentation, model/run governance, and operational performance tracking for deployed solutions, while participating in team ceremonies and actively learning the team’s standards and tooling.
Location: Various locations across the U.S.
Stipend: Paid; varies by experience
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Application deadline: Varies by internship
Dates: Varies by internship
Eligibility: U.S. citizens who are at least 16 years of age; specific eligibility criteria vary by position
At Sandia National Laboratories, undergraduate interns work on research and development projects that support national priorities in summer or year-round positions. As an intern in software engineering or computer science, you may contribute to projects involving cybersecurity tools, energy resilience systems, or simulation software for national security missions. Internship options include summer, year-round, and co-op formats, and you may be eligible to earn academic credit depending on your institution. You are paired with technical mentors and placed in multidisciplinary teams that emphasize collaboration and project ownership. Interns receive competitive compensation and have opportunities to participate in training sessions, professional development activities, and optional networking events.
Location: Multiple cities throughout the U.S.
Stipend: Paid (competitive rate)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive/selective
Application Deadline: Rolling
Dates: 10 weeks in the summer
Eligibility: Currently enrolled undergraduates pursuing degrees in computer science, software engineering, or related technical fields
The Boeing Summer Internship Program across the U.S. gives you experience within a large aerospace and defense organization. As an intern, you work on software development projects related to aircraft systems, defense platforms, or digital infrastructure. You collaborate with engineers on tasks such as coding, testing, debugging, and system integration. The program also provides mentorship, professional development sessions, and opportunities to meet with senior staff, helping you gain practical experience and understand engineering work in the aerospace industry.
Location: Across Maryland, hosted by tech companies and agencies
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Application Deadline: Depends on host organizations
Dates: Varies by host
Eligibility: Current college student with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above attending a Maryland higher education institution, or a Maryland resident attending an out-of-state institution
The Maryland Technology Internship Program (MTIP) is a statewide initiative that connects undergraduates with paid technology roles. Through UMBC, you can apply for positions in cybersecurity, IT, engineering, life sciences, advanced manufacturing, and software. Many participating companies are small or mid-sized, giving you the chance to make meaningful contributions. You may work on system upgrades, assist with coding tasks, analyze datasets, or support product testing. Because employers receive partial wage reimbursement, they can dedicate time to training and mentorship. Positions are available throughout the year.
Location: U.S. offices
Stipend: Paid; housing assistance and relocation support
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Information Not Available
Application deadline: Fall application cycle
Dates: 12 weeks, May – August or June – September
Eligibility: Bachelor’s or master’s students with programming skills and an interest in cybersecurity
The Palo Alto Networks Internship Program is a 12-week paid experience in which you work in cybersecurity, network security, and cloud computing. As an intern, you may contribute to projects like developing threat detection tools, improving cloud infrastructure, or analyzing security risks across different industries. You receive guidance from senior engineers and take part in career development activities to learn more about roles in cybersecurity. The program also includes workshops, technical presentations, and team activities, giving you practical experience and insight into potential career paths in the field.
Location: Virtual
Stipend: Paid internships
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Approximately 35 students
Application deadline: Opportunities posted October through December
Dates: 10 weeks during the summer
Eligibility: Currently enrolled college students
The L.L.Bean Summer Internship Program is a paid, 10-week experience where you work on projects that support the company’s retail and digital operations. You may be assigned to technology-focused areas such as IT support, digital product development, data analytics, or e-commerce platforms, contributing to systems and tools that enhance customer experiences both online and in-store. You collaborate with cross-functional teams, apply technical and analytical skills to real business needs, and receive guidance and feedback throughout the program. The experience also includes professional development activities and insight into how a large consumer brand manages technology and operations at scale.
Location: Multiple U.S. sites
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Over 2000 summer interns
Application deadline: Information Not Available
Dates: 12 weeks in the summer
Eligibility: Undergraduate or graduate students in engineering or computer science
The Northrop Grumman Internship Program provides hands-on experience in aerospace, defense, and cybersecurity projects. As an intern, you apply your engineering or programming skills to areas such as satellite systems, autonomous platforms, or secure communications. You collaborate with experienced professionals who offer guidance and mentorship while you contribute to real projects. Your work may involve software development, systems integration, or data analysis across the air, space, and cyber domains, providing you with practical exposure to mission-critical technologies.
Location: Synchrony Emerging Technology Center, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL
Stipend: Check here for updates
Acceptance rate: Highly selective
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines
Dates: The internship runs in the summer
Eligibility: Undergraduates enrolled as full-time students at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign who are 18 years or older and have a minimum overall 3.0 GPA or higher
The University of Illinois Research Park Emerging Technology Intern position at the Synchrony Emerging Technology Center places you in a corporate innovation environment on the UIUC campus. You work on projects that may include market and technology research, data analysis, building small proofs of concept, data visualization, or light software engineering, depending on the assignment. You also gain experience with agile team practices, including planning, progress updates, documentation, and collaborating with colleagues from non-technical backgrounds. This role is suited for students interested in both business strategy and technology execution, providing insight into how companies transform complex problems into structured solutions.
Location: Various CISA locations across the U.S.
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate: Highly selective
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the internship
Dates: Varies depending on the internship
Eligibility: Undergraduates are eligible to apply
The CISA Cyber and IT Internship places undergraduate students within the U.S. government’s primary cyber defense agency, supporting teams focused on infrastructure security and threat mitigation. You contribute to technical projects such as log analysis, threat emulation, forensic automation, and pipeline development using tools like PowerShell, Python, .NET, and Azure DevOps. The program includes structured mentorship from senior staff, exposure to Department of Homeland Security initiatives, and opportunities to connect with cybersecurity professionals.
Location: Maryland Heights, MO
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Application Deadline: Not specified
Dates: Summer (10 – 14 weeks)
Eligibility: Current undergrads in IT, software, or computer engineering with basic technical knowledge
The World Wide Technology IT Internship in Maryland Heights places you in an enterprise IT environment, working on projects in areas such as cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, networking, or software development. Depending on your team’s focus, you may contribute to tasks like system builds, testing, documentation, or deployment processes. You collaborate with technical teams and gain insight into how IT solutions are developed and delivered in a large organization. The program also includes mentorship and professional development sessions that provide guidance on workplace skills and industry practices.
Location: Remote
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Application deadline: March 31
Dates: 12 weeks in the summer
Eligibility: 18+ years old; open-source beginners
Google Summer of Code is a 12-week paid remote program where you contribute to open-source software projects under the guidance of experienced mentors. As an undergraduate, you apply by submitting a project proposal, and if selected, you work with an open-source organization to complete it. During the program, you collaborate using tools such as Git and communicate regularly with your mentors and the project community. Your work focuses on developing or improving publicly available software. By the end of the program, you will have completed a project to include in your portfolio and practical experience contributing to open-source development.
Location: Redmond, WA; Atlanta, GA; India (limited)
Stipend: Paid; competitive pay and medical insurance
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Application deadline: Information Not Available
Dates: 8 weeks (India) or 12 weeks (U.S.) in the summer
Eligibility: First- or second-year undergraduates
The Microsoft Explore Program is an 8- to 12-week paid internship for first- and second-year undergraduate students. The program gives you an overview of how technology products are developed, from design through testing and release. You work in small groups, often called pods, gaining experience in software development and product design. The program is structured to provide exposure to multiple technology roles rather than focusing on a single specialization. You are paired with mentors who offer guidance throughout the internship, and you may participate in events that allow you to connect with other interns and employees. The program helps you build foundational skills and explore potential career paths in the technology field.
Location: Remote, hybrid, and in-person at global sites, including the U.S. and India
Stipend: Paid; housing stipend and travel support for on-site roles
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Application Deadline: Rolling; early applications recommended
Dates: Year-round; summer internships typically last 12 weeks
Eligibility: Open to undergraduate, master’s, and PhD students in CS, engineering, AI, data science, and related fields
The NVIDIA Intern Program is a 10- to 12-week experience where you work with engineering teams on projects in areas such as artificial intelligence, graphics, robotics, or high-performance computing. As an undergraduate, you contribute to ongoing projects while developing technical skills in fields such as deep learning, computer vision, and hardware systems. During the internship, you may access training resources, including courses from platforms such as O’Reilly Media and the NVIDIA Deep Learning Institute. If you are in an on-site role, support for housing and travel may be provided. You also participate in intern activities, including group events and opportunities to connect with other students. The program offers a structured way to gain experience and learn about potential roles within the company.
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies by program type. Financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small cohorts
Application deadline: Cohorts throughout the year, including summer
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 online experience where you work on projects with both startups and established companies. Throughout the program, you complete structured assignments under the guidance of founders and professionals with experience in business, consulting, and technology. You develop practical skills such as problem-solving, research, and project management, and gain insight into the operations of early-stage and growing companies. Regular check-ins with a supervisor and coach provide feedback on your work, helping you track your progress. At the end of the internship, you complete a final project and present your results, which can be added to your resume or portfolio.
Frequently asked questions
What paid IT internships are available for college students?
Options include software engineering internships, such as Atlassian, Boeing, and Microsoft Explore, cybersecurity internships, such as Palo Alto Networks and CISA, data science internships, such as Johnson and Johnson and UIUC Research Park, open-source development programs, such as Google Summer of Code, AI and hardware internships, such as NVIDIA, government and national lab internships, such as Sandia National Laboratories, and flexible startup placements, such as Ladder University Internship Program.
Which IT internships are best for first- or second-year college students?
Microsoft Explore Program is specifically designed for first- and second-year undergraduates, offering a broad introduction to software development, product design, and technology roles. Google Summer of Code is also open to beginners and provides structured open-source project experience. Ladder University Internship Program accepts undergraduates at any stage and offers flexible remote placements across tech and other industries.
Which IT internships are remote or offer flexible locations?
Atlassian, Johnson and Johnson Data Science, Google Summer of Code, NVIDIA (remote and hybrid options), and Ladder University Internship Program all offer fully remote or hybrid participation, making them accessible to students regardless of their location.
Which internships focus on cybersecurity?
Palo Alto Networks offers a 12-week internship focused on threat detection, cloud security, and network security. CISA places students within the U.S. government's primary cyber defense agency on projects involving log analysis, forensic automation, and infrastructure security. Sandia National Laboratories also offers positions in cybersecurity for national security applications.
When should I apply to paid IT internships for college students?
Several programs recruit in the fall for summer internships, including L.L.Bean (October to December) and Atlassian (January). NVIDIA and Boeing accept rolling applications and recommend applying early. Google Summer of Code closes March 31. CISA and Sandia deadlines vary by position, so students should monitor postings from early fall onward and apply as soon as openings become available.
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, 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.