14 Seattle Summer Internships for College Students
- Stephen Turban
- 2 hours ago
- 10 min read
Summer internships play a crucial role in helping college students transition from classroom learning to professional experience. Whether you’re hoping to build industry-specific skills, strengthen your resume, or explore potential career paths, an internship can provide clarity as you plan your next steps. For many students, these opportunities offer more than just work experience. They help develop practical skills such as communication, teamwork, and project management while providing valuable insight into professional environments.
Seattle’s mix of tech companies, research institutions, nonprofits, and creative organizations means that college students can find summer roles that match a wide range of academic interests. When evaluating the top Seattle summer internships for college students, we focused on factors such as prestige, the rigor of professional experience, and opportunities to network with mentors and industry experts. Each program on this list is designed to provide undergraduates with meaningful exposure to their field while supporting them during a critical stage of personal development.
To help you explore your options, we’ve compiled 14 of the best Seattle summer internships for college students. If you're looking for even more competitive internship opportunities, you can also explore this set of blogs.
14 Seattle Summer Internships for College Students
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!
Ladder University Internship Program is a selective, virtual internship program where you work with startups and nonprofits from around the world! The startups range across a variety of industries. As part of their internship, each student will work on a real-world project that is of genuine need to the startup they are working with, and present their work at the end of their internship. Interns work closely with their manager at the startup. Apply now!
Location: Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Program Dates: Year-round internships are available
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Undergraduate or graduate students (or recent graduates within ~1 year), plus technical certificate students in relevant fields
The Port of Seattle College and Graduate Internship Program offers students the opportunity to work alongside professionals, helping to keep the Seattle airport and seaport running smoothly. Over the course of the internship, you’ll take on projects in departments like airport operations, maritime business, environmental sustainability, engineering, finance, and IT. You’ll support initiatives from environmental planning to project management, while receiving mentorship from professionals in public infrastructure and community impact. You’ll gain both technical and soft skills, engage in networking, and get a behind-the-scenes look at how a public agency balances commerce, environmental concerns, and local communities.
Location: Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: Paid stipend + $180 one-time commuting cost
Program Dates: June 23–August 22
Application Deadline: February 6
Eligibility: Must be an undergraduate student enrolled in a degree-granting program at UW (Seattle, Tacoma, or Bothell)
The EarthLab Summer Internship Program at the University of Washington offers undergraduate students a nine-week, paid opportunity to work on projects addressing climate change, environmental justice, and community resilience. As an intern, you’ll collaborate with EarthLab partner organizations to explore how environmental challenges intersect with social equity and policy. The program combines professional experience with mentorship and peer learning, giving you a chance to apply classroom knowledge to real-world sustainability and research initiatives. Alongside your project work, you’ll take part in weekly cohort sessions, career development workshops, and community-building activities, all designed to help you grow as a leader in environmental and social impact fields.
Location: Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Program Dates: Year-round
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in an accredited certificate, 2-year, 4-year, or graduate program | Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 (for undergraduates), 2.5 (for accounting or engineering majors), 3.0 (for graduates)
The City of Seattle Internship Program offers college and graduate students the chance to gain hands-on experience working in local government while contributing to projects that directly impact the city’s communities. As an intern, you’ll join one of over 40 city departments, ranging from environmental services and urban planning to technology, transportation, and public health, where you’ll collaborate with professionals on policy, infrastructure, and community initiatives. The program is fully paid, with hourly wages based on academic level, and supports professional development with workshops, mentorship, and networking opportunities.
Location: Various labs in Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Program Dates: June 22 – August 14
Application Deadline: December 15
Eligibility: Must be 18 years or older by program start | Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident | Must hold a minimum GPA of 3.2 | High school graduates and undergraduates can apply
The University of Washington Neurological Surgery Summer Student Program offers students a comprehensive introduction to neuroscience through hands-on research and clinical experiences. Over eight weeks, you’ll work alongside faculty mentors in neuroscience laboratories, exploring topics in brain science and neurological surgery. In addition to your lab research, you’ll have the opportunity to shadow physicians in clinics, observe neurosurgical procedures in the operating room, and participate in weekly Grand Rounds, lectures, and resident training discussions. The program culminates with a presentation of your research project, allowing you to share your findings and insights with peers and faculty.
Location: Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: $5,850 paid in two instalments over nine weeks
Program Dates: June 22-August 23
Application Deadline: January 23
Eligibility: Must be an incoming or outgoing junior at the time of application | Must be at least 18 years old | Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
The CICOES Summer Internship Program offers undergraduate students the opportunity to conduct hands-on research in climate, ocean, and ecosystem sciences. Over nine weeks, you will work alongside scientists from the University of Washington and NOAA on research projects in areas such as oceanography, fisheries, atmospheric science, and data analysis. You will gain experience in laboratory and field research, data collection, and scientific communication. The program also includes professional development activities such as seminars, group discussions, and a final symposium where you will present your research findings.
Location: Microsoft Office, Redmond, WA
Cost/Stipend: A competitive salary is paid
Program Dates: July 7–August 1
Application Deadline: Typically opens in early February
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors and incoming college first-years | Must have completed pre-calculus and be affiliated with Microsoft-sponsored organizations
The Microsoft Discovery Program is a four-week, on-site summer internship that introduces high school students to the tech industry through hands-on learning and mentorship. Here, you will work in a small team to design a product and gain exposure to roles in software engineering, product management, and UX design. The program provides valuable insights into the early stages of product development, including identifying user challenges, brainstorming solutions, and refining product concepts. You will also collaborate with peers and receive mentorship from Microsoft professionals while developing key workplace skills, including problem-solving, communication, and teamwork.
Location: Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Program Dates: May 6–November 21
Application Deadline: Typically in February
Eligibility: Individuals who are 18 or older and are legally authorized to work in the U.S. and live in the Greater Seattle Area, or are ready to relocate there by the program start date
The KEXP Internship Program offers students hands-on experience in music programming, audio production, nonprofit operations, and related creative fields. Over the course of the program, you will work alongside professionals at one of Seattle’s most influential community-supported art organizations, gaining practical skills in audio editing, project coordination, communication, and database management. The program features four tracks, Audio Production, Design & Marketing, Latin American Content, and Library & Archives, allowing you to specialize according to your interests. You will progress through structured phases with a cohort of peers, participate in field trips, and connect with mentors while building a network within Seattle’s music and nonprofit communities.
Location: Varies (Washington State, often at WSDOT offices)
Cost/Stipend: Up to $6,000, depending on hours and placement
Program Dates: Vary | Internships can last up to three months and generally wrap up by June 30 | You will commit 8–16 hours/week during school and up to 40 hours/week during breaks
Application Deadline: March 7
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors, as well as undergraduates in their freshman or junior years
PacTrans (Pacific Northwest Transportation Consortium) offers an in-depth, infrastructure-focused internship program supported by WSDOT (Washington State Department of Transportation). Through the program, you will be matched with a host agency, such as WSDOT’s Traffic Management Center, freight divisions, or planning teams, based on your skills and interests. As an intern, you will gain hands-on experience in real-world infrastructure projects, develop professional skills, and receive mentorship from experts in the field. The program emphasizes practical learning and career exploration, providing valuable insight into the daily operations of public service and transportation agencies.
Location: Primarily downtown Seattle office, with occasional field work or visits to other City Light sites
Cost/Stipend: Paid internships
Program Dates: Summer internships typically start in May or June and last around 3 months (about 40 hrs/week)
Application Deadline: January (for summer)
Eligibility: Open to sophomores, juniors, seniors, and graduates | Must be enrolled in an accredited program (associate, bachelor’s, certificate, or graduate) with a relevant major
The Seattle City Light College Internship Program offers students a chance to translate their classroom learning into meaningful, real‐world projects within a major utility in one of the region’s most dynamic cities. You’ll collaborate with professionals across various fields, including engineering, business, environmental studies, public administration, and the arts, gaining exposure to how power generation, distribution, equity, and social justice intersect in daily operations. The program includes opportunities to engage with executive leadership, attend professional development workshops, and present your capstone project at the end of the term.
Location: Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: $20.76 per hour
Program Dates: July 9–August 26
Application Deadline: March 21
Eligibility: Ages 16-24 at program start | Must live within Seattle city limits or attend Seattle Public Schools or a Seattle College | Household income must be ≤ 80% of Seattle’s Area Median Income
The Seattle Youth Employment Program (SYEP) provides young people with hands-on work experience and professional development through paid summer internships. You will be placed with a local employer, such as a city department, nonprofit organization, or private business, based on your interests and skills. You will earn an hourly wage while gaining valuable workplace experience, developing essential communication and teamwork skills, and exploring career paths in diverse fields such as technology, business, healthcare, and the arts. In addition to on-the-job training, the program offers mentorship, career readiness workshops, and networking opportunities.
Location: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: A stipend of $7,304 is paid, plus $450 for travel
Program Dates: June 22–August 21
Application Deadline: January 9
Eligibility: Undergraduate college students entering the summer before the final year | Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
The Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) at Fred Hutch offers undergraduate students the opportunity to immerse themselves in a professional research environment. You will join a research lab where you’ll assist with experiments, collect and analyze data, and gain experience in scientific methods under the mentorship of researchers. Alongside your lab work, you’ll participate in weekly workshops focused on scientific reading, report writing, and graduate school preparation. The program also features guest lectures from scientists at Fred Hutch and the University of Washington, exposing you to a wide range of fields from basic sciences and human biology to public health and clinical research.
Location: Harborview Medical Center & UW Harborview Injury Prevention & Research Center, Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: A stipend of $4,000 is paid
Program Dates: June 15–August 7
Deadline: January 19
Eligibility: Undergraduate students (usually rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors) who have an interest in public health, trauma psychology, mental health, injury prevention, or violence prevention research
The INSIGHT Summer Research Program at the University of Washington’s Harborview Injury Prevention & Research Center (HIPRC) is an intensive 8–week internship designed for undergraduate students passionate about public health, trauma, and injury prevention. During the program, you’ll work alongside faculty mentors on research projects in varied fields ranging from trauma psychology and clinical epidemiology to health disparities and community interventions. You’ll also participate in weekly seminars, skill-building workshops, and career development sessions that focus on research methods, abstract writing, and preparation for medical or graduate school. The program culminates in a poster symposium where students present their work to peers and professionals.
Location: Seattle, WA (Capitol Hill neighborhood)
Cost/Stipend: Paid positions may be available depending on experience | Local housing and housing scholarships offered
Program Dates: July 1–August 2
Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Undergraduate students in psychology, education, social work, occupational therapy, nursing, or related fields
The Andy Center Clinical Summer Internship in Seattle is a 7-week program designed for undergraduate students interested in psychology, occupational therapy, nursing, or related fields. During the internship, you will gain experience working with children who have autism spectrum disorders, ADHD, and other neurodevelopmental conditions. The program begins with two weeks of training that cover topics such as behavioral analysis, social skills instruction, and data tracking. After training, you will collaborate with a multidisciplinary team, including psychologists, behavior analysts, and educators, to provide individualized interventions, support social skills development, collect and analyze data, and engage with parents or caregivers.
Location: Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: Varies–some are paid, depending on the employer partner
Program Dates: Flexible
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Must be enrolled in North Seattle College in a degree or certificate program
The North Seattle College Internship Program connects students with local employers across various industries, enabling them to gain practical experience while earning college credit. As an intern, you’ll have the opportunity to apply classroom concepts in professional environments, build technical and workplace skills, and explore career paths related to your field of study. The program partners with businesses, nonprofits, and public organizations throughout the Seattle area, ensuring a variety of placement options. It’s designed to prepare students for future employment by providing mentorship, networking opportunities, and real-world project experience that supports their academic and professional growth.
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.
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