15 Summer Internships for College Students in Boston
- Stephen Turban
- 4 hours ago
- 12 min read
As a college student, you may be thinking about how to build experience while still focusing on your studies. A summer internship offers one of the best ways to do that. It helps you understand how actual workplaces function, practice new skills, and work with people who can guide you in your field. You gain exposure to responsibilities that go beyond the classroom and learn how your major can turn into a career.
Why Boston? What will I gain as a college student interning there?
Boston’s mix of colleges, research labs, companies, and nonprofits gives you access to a wide range of internships in areas such as engineering, technology, business, healthcare, insurance, and academic research. Choosing a local program keeps costs lower because you don’t need to budget for travel or summer housing. The experience can also improve your resume and help you present your academic and career goals more convincingly in future applications, especially if you aim to work in Boston.
To help you explore options, we have put together a list of 15 summer internships for college students in Boston! All the programs in this list stand out for their prestige, the rigor of the professional experience they offer, and the opportunities to network with professionals and peers. If you're looking for more prestigious internships, check out this set of blogs!
15 Summer Internships for College Students in Boston
Location: Boston City Hall (specific department location will be informed on selection)
Cost/Stipend: Free with $20/hour wage
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: The information is not available
Program Dates: June 2 – August 15 (35 hours/week)
Application Deadline: March 7
Eligibility: Students currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program, or with 2 - 4 years of post-secondary school work experience; must be residents of Boston; priority will be given to graduates of Boston Public Schools and Community Colleges; must commit to participating till at least August 8
The City of Boston's summer internship program for college students in Boston offers opportunities to gain firsthand experience in the administrative processes, program management, and policy development of the City's municipal government departments. You will be matched with a municipal government department based on your interests, skills, and the specific needs of each department. You will work with the department's team to support administrative functions, organizing community meetings, provide assistance to constituents, create presentations, design content for social and digital media, and more. You will interact and work with city officials, departmental staff, and community members while enhancing communication and professional skills.
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world
Cost: Varies by the program. Financial aid is availableÂ
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: The information is not available
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10 – 20 hours/week for 8 – 12 weeks. Open to undergraduates and gap year students!
Ladder's University Internship 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, such as health tech, environmental science, AI, consulting, non-profit, and more. In the 8-week program, you gain real-world working experience and develop technical and professional skills across 8 sessions with the host company. As an intern, you will work on a real-world project that is of genuine need to the startup they are working with and present your work at the end of your internship. You will work closely with your manager at the startup. Apply now!
Location: Multiple locations, including Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Typically 20 for each internship field
Program Dates:Â
Application Deadline:Â
Eligibility: Students who are entering their junior or senior year of college, pursuing a degree in the internship's specified field
CHA's summer internship program for college students in Boston provides opportunities to gain foundational knowledge and skills for a professional career in engineering, architecture, finance, marketing, and more. You will interact with the company's leaders and professionals, working on individual and group projects to meet client challenges. You will undertake field trips to sites where CHA has developed projects, such as a sports complex, the airport, a conference center, and more. You will also connect with peers in planned social events. You will work on your technology skills, methodological processes, and effective communication skills. Internship roles are available in the fields of project management, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, IT, and more. More details here.
Location: Multiple locations, including Boston, MA
Stipend: Starts at $26/hour (base pay range for an earlier cohort); housing assistance and a relocation and transportation stipend offered for those relocating more than 50 miles from home or school
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: The information is not available
Program Dates: June – August
Application Deadline: Typically Mid-October
Eligibility: Students working towards an engineering-related Bachelor’s or Master’s degree; should have a 3.0 out of 4.0 cumulative GPA (preferred); must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. full-time (check all requirements here)
Medtronic's summer engineering internships for college students pursuing an engineering degree provide opportunities to explore careers in healthcare technology. Over 10 – 12 weeks, you will gain hands-on experience in engineering roles in the R&D engineering group. Based on your field of study and interest, you will be assigned work in mechanical design, product design, biomedical engineering, testing, and other associated areas. You will work with a team on projects to address challenges such as data analysis, telemedicine, robotics, cybersecurity, and product testing. You will enhance technical and research skills while working alongside experts on components, products, and systems. You will also attend educational and social programming events throughout the summer.
Location: Multiple locations, including Boston, MA
Stipend: Starts at $29/hour (base pay range for an earlier cohort); housing assistance and a relocation and transportation stipend offered for those relocating more than 50 miles from home or school
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size:
Program Dates: June – August (10 – 12 weeks)
Application Deadline: Typically Mid-OctoberÂ
Eligibility: College students working toward a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in computer or software engineering, computer science, or related engineering major; should have Internship experience or relevant technical projects or experience; must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. full-time (check all requirements here)
Medtronic's software internships for college students offer opportunities for hands-on learning and work experiences with healthcare products and systems. You will be assigned tasks and responsibilities in the fields of software development operations, software testing, firmware engineering, AI/Data Science, and more, based on your academic and career field of interest. You will work with a team of Medtronic experts to work on a diverse range of devices and services, such as mobile architecture for healthcare apps, designing and maintaining cloud architecture, evaluating software systems, and more.
Location: Multiple locations, including Boston, MA, with hybrid opportunities available
Stipend: Varies based on skills, experience, training, licensure and certifications, and location
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: The information is not available
Program Dates: June – August (10 weeks, 40 hours/week)
Application Deadline: Varies by year and role
Eligibility: Current undergraduate students in the penultimate year of study (specific area of study based on type of internship); should have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (or higher if required); should have authorization to work in the U.S.
Santander's summer internship program for college students provides you with hands-on learning and work experiences in the company's diverse business units and functions. Some of the internships include working on strategic projects in the digital and retail banking sector for Santander Bank, building and integrating a global program in the U.S. for Santander Universities, and more. You will gain practical experience and enhance technical and interpersonal skills. You will interact with peers and the company's management as well as participate in professional development sessions. Check for internship opportunities here.
Location: Multiple locations, including Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: Not specifiedÂ
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Varies by the program
Program Dates: May – August
Application Deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: Currently enrolled in an accredited college program (specific field of academic study based on the type of internship)
CRB, a firm that delivers engineering and technical solutions for life sciences and food and beverage manufacturers, offers internships for college undergraduates across fields such as mechanical engineering, architectural engineering, and construction management. As an intern, you’ll work on real projects under the guidance of experienced professionals, gaining technical knowledge and workplace skills through day-to-day collaboration with engineers and project teams. Process engineering interns typically help develop project documents, support early-stage design work, and contribute to conceptual layouts. Those interested in construction roles assist with planning, scheduling, and coordinating project activities, and may join site visits to observe how designs translate into field operations. Check internship opportunities here.
Location: Multiple locations, including Boston, MA
Stipend: Varies as per type of internship ($34/hour for marketing intern)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: The information is not available
Program Dates: Varies as per internship opportunity available (typically June – August, 40 hours/week)
Application Deadline: Varies as per internship opportunity (typically November)
Eligibility: Junior or senior college students pursuing a degree in specific fields of study, and skills required based on the type of internship
The Royal Bank of Canada offers a diverse range of co-ops and summer internship opportunities for college students to gain hands-on experiences while working and learning alongside financial services professionals. You will work in a challenging environment and gain leadership abilities, organizational and project management skills, and more. You could consider an opportunity as a Global Asset Management (GAM) intern, supporting the team to market investment solutions for clients, working on marketing initiatives such as conferences and webinars. Check internship opportunities here.
Location: Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: The information is not available
Program Dates: Vary based on internship opening
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Local full-time undergraduate and graduate/medical students currently enrolled in an accredited college/university; literate in MS Word and Excel; commit to at least four months
Massachusetts General Hospital (Mass General) provides college students/medical students opportunities for research internships, including during the summer break. You will gain exposure to the fields of orthopaedic clinical research and basic research in niche areas like biomechanics, biomaterials, and translational research. You will support research teams working on projects related to orthopedic injuries and treatment plans. You will also gain insight into medical innovations and interact with clinicians.
Location: Multiple, including in Boston, with hybrid options available
Cost/Stipend: Paid (typically starts at $21/hour)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: The information is not available
Program Dates: Varies, May – September (10 – 12 weeks)
Application Deadline: Varies by program
Eligibility: Students enrolled in an accredited college or university degree program in the fall semester following the internship; must be eligible to work in the U.S.Â
Zurich Insurance North America offers internships for college students interested in pursuing a career in commercial insurance. You will work in collaboration with colleagues on risk management products and services. You can pursue an internship in a diverse range of fields, including finance, HR, IT, actuarial, marketing operations, underwriting, and more. You will enhance key professional skills such as time management, analytical, presentation, and organizational skills. You will also participate in community projects and networking activities. Check internship opportunities here.
Location: Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: Varies based on the type of internship, starting at $20/hour
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: The information is not available
Program Dates: Vary, typically end of May/early June – August
Application Deadline: Based on the type of internship (applications typically open in October and close by November 30)
Eligibility: Students enrolled in an undergraduate/advanced degree program at the time of internship; specific skill requirements based on the type of internship; legally authorized to work in the U.S.
The Vertex Summer Intern Program is a good opportunity for college students in Boston to gain insight into the pharmaceutical industry and explore careers in this field. You will be assigned a specific task to work on under the mentorship of Vertex managers. Assigned fields include preclinical sciences, biostatistics, medicine development, research, data technology, finance and accounting, and more. You will also get opportunities to interact with the company’s management through professional development workshops and participate in networking events. The summer internship wraps up with a capstone event to share your learn-and-work experience with colleagues and company officials. Check for internship opportunities here.
12. Pega Internships
Location: Waltham (Greater Boston), MA
Cost/Stipend: Most internships are paid with commuter benefits based on location
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size:
Program Dates: Vary by internship cycle, with spring, summer, and fall internships (3 – 6 months)
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines
Eligibility: Undergraduates and graduates; specific skills and experience in certain types of software may be a requirement
Pega internships provide hands-on work experiences and professional training while working on impactful projects and initiatives under a structured manager-mentor program. You can pursue an internship in a business-focused track, such as Finance and Accounting, HR, Business Analytics, and Marketing, or a tech-focused track, such as UX Design Engineering, QA Engineering, and Tech Documentation. You will gain technical skills in the use of new software platforms and technologies like AWS, Kubernetes, Docker, Cloud, and more. You will receive free Pega certifications! You will also participate in social events, volunteer opportunities, and team outings.
Location: Multiple locations, including Boston
Cost/Stipend: Depends on the type of internship (starts at $27)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: The information is not available
Program Dates: Varies as per type of internship (typically 8 – 10 weeks) with summer and spring cohorts
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Students pursuing a Bachelor's and/or Master's degree (specific field of study, additional eligibility like CPA, and skills may apply based on internship role)
The Crowe internship program provides college top-achievers with opportunities to get work experience in accounting, receive feedback and support from a career coach, and a peer liaison. You will gain knowledge and industry expertise in the fields of audit, tax, and consulting services, working with audit tools and technologies. You will be assigned responsibilities with real industry work and interact with clients. You will sharpen your analytical and time management skills. You will also meet top management and participate in networking and team-building events. As a summer intern, you will participate in community services as part of Crowe Cares Day and contribute to a newsletter highlighting your internship experiences.Â
Location: Boston, MA (in-office, First District residency required)
Stipend: Paid; salary commensurate with years completed of higher education program
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: The information is not available
Program Dates: May – August (10 – 12 weeks)
Application Deadline: Typically mid-December (for the following summer); applications posted starting mid-December
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students currently enrolled in an accredited college or university; U.S. citizens or permanent residents preferred; must be residents of the Federal Reserve's First District
The Federal Reserve Bank of Boston's summer internship program offers college students direct exposure to the operations of the nation's central bank. You'll work across various departments such as payments systems, research, financial services, and operations, gaining hands-on experience with real-world projects. As an intern, you'll collaborate with managers and professionals to achieve business goals while accessing the Bank's mentoring program, professional development workshops, and networking sessions. You'll gain insights into how the Federal Reserve System functions and contributes to the stability and efficiency of the nation's financial system.Â
Location: Boston, MA (multiple office locations; hybrid or onsite depending on role)
Stipend: Paid; $41,600 – $65,000 annually (for Rising Senior and Markets roles)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: The information is not available
Program Dates: June – August (10 weeks)
Application Deadline: Rolling basis; applications typically accepted through spring
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors pursuing a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; minimum 3.4 GPA preferred; background in mathematics, finance, statistics, data analytics, or programming beneficial; must be authorized to work in the U.S.
State Street's Global Markets Summer Internship Program is a competitive platform designed for college students interested in financial services and investment management. You'll gain hands-on experience in sales, trading, and research business lines across the firm's diverse teams. Throughout the 10-week internship, you'll participate in training sessions on core skills like quantitative analysis, market assessment, and business acumen. You'll be paired with an experienced mentor to guide your development and support your success. You'll work on meaningful projects, collaborate with professionals on real transactions and market analysis, and participate in networking events with peers and senior leaders. Upon successful completion, top performers are offered interview opportunities for full-time positions in State Street's professional development programs.
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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