14 Summer Internships for Freshman College Students
- Stephen Turban
- 3 hours ago
- 10 min read
If you’re just finishing your first year of college, pursuing a summer internship can be a smart move for your career and personal growth. Internships offer you the chance to apply what you’ve learned in the classroom while developing skills like collaboration, communication, and time management. They also give you early insight into potential career paths, helping you understand how your academic interests translate into professional settings.
Why should you intern as a freshman?
Many organizations welcome first-year college students through structured internship programs that combine mentorship, training, and project-based work. You’ll find opportunities in areas ranging from business and technology to public policy, research, and healthcare. By starting early, you can build confidence, gain relevant experience, and make connections that may guide future internships or post-graduation goals.
In the list below, we’ve selected 14 summer internships for freshman college students.
If you are looking for online paid internships, check out our blog here.
14 Summer Internships for Freshman College Students
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program type; need-based financial aid available
Acceptance Rate or Cohort Size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Multiple cohorts throughout the year. You can apply here
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!.
The Ladder Internship is a selective program that offers high school students an opportunity to work with startups in fields such as technology, machine learning, AI, and finance, among others. Ladder’s start-ups are dynamic, often having raised substantial funding, with founders from top accelerators like YCombinator and companies like Google, Microsoft, and Facebook. During the internship, you will work on a real-world project and present your work at the end. You’ll be guided by a startup manager and a Ladder Coach, who will act as a second mentor and help you navigate the startup environment. The internship lasts 8 weeks and follows a coaching-plus-work model, not commonly found in similar programs.
Location: Microsoft, Redmond, WA
Stipend: Paid; $25.58–$47.04/hour depending on location
Acceptance Rate or Cohort Size: Not publicly listed
Dates: 12 weeks in summer
Application Deadline: Rolling (September–April)
Eligibility: First- or second-year undergraduates; must have completed an introductory computer science course and one semester of calculus; intended for students pursuing or planning to pursue a technical major (e.g., computer science, software engineering, IT, or data science)
The Explore Microsoft Internship is a 12-week summer program designed for first- and second-year college students who want hands-on experience in software development and related tech roles. You’ll rotate through disciplines such as software engineering, product management, and technical program management, working in small pods alongside peers. The internship includes mentorship, structured learning, and real project assignments that introduce you to Microsoft’s product development cycle—design, build, and quality. This is a great opportunity if you're looking to explore various career paths in tech while building both skills and a professional network. You'll also get exposure to the company’s culture of innovation and inclusion through networking events and community engagement.
Location: Various U.S. government offices; remote and in-person placements
Stipend: Paid; $20/hour for undergraduates and bootcamp graduates, $25/hour for graduate students
Acceptance Rate or Cohort Size: Not specified; part of a 700+ alum network
Dates: June 9 – August 15
Application Deadline: Closed for 2025; typically opens in the fall for the following year
Eligibility: Open to early-career technologists, including current undergraduate students; must have skills in cybersecurity, data, design, product management, or software engineering
The Coding it Forward Fellowship places you in a ten-week summer role at a government agency, where you'll apply technical skills to projects with public impact. Whether you specialize in software engineering, data analysis, cybersecurity, design, or product, you'll work on mission-driven initiatives that can range from building user interfaces to deploying machine learning models. The weekly programming includes speaker events and networking opportunities that highlight the role of technology in civic service. You’ll also receive mentorship and join a cohort of like-minded peers focused on public interest technology. This program is ideal if you're looking to contribute to civic tech while developing professionally in a supportive, real-world environment.
Location: Jane Street, New York, NY or London, UK
Stipend: Fully funded; travel, meals, and accommodation provided
Acceptance Rate or Cohort Size: Not specified; selective
Dates: March 23 – March 27 (New York); April 7 – April 11 (London)
Application Deadline: February 1 (New York); January 18 (London)
Eligibility: First-year undergraduate students interested in STEM (math, CS, physics, etc.); no finance experience required
The Jane Street First-Year Trading & Technology Program is a multi-day immersive experience where you'll explore how quantitative trading firms operate through hands-on activities. The program includes classes, workshops, and a mock trading simulation designed to teach the core principles of trading, technology, and teamwork. It’s ideal if you're pursuing a STEM-related major and want to explore how your problem-solving skills apply to tech-driven finance environments. You’ll work in teams, gain exposure to Jane Street's culture, and connect with professionals and peers. This is a good entry point if you're curious about careers in trading, engineering, or research without needing prior finance knowledge.
Location: Hosted at 20+ U.S. institutions, including Harvard, Princeton, Stanford, and Yale
Stipend: Fully funded; includes stipend, housing, and travel expenses
Acceptance Rate or Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: 8–10 weeks in summer
Application Deadline: February 3
Eligibility: U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents; GPA of 3.0+; must have completed at least two semesters and have one remaining; intended for students interested in pursuing a PhD or MD-PhD (not pre-professional)
The SR-EIP is a fully funded summer research program for undergraduates interested in pursuing graduate study in STEM, social sciences, or the humanities. You'll be matched with a faculty mentor at a leading research institution and conduct hands-on research, while participating in professional development workshops and presenting your findings at a national symposium. The program offers a structured experience designed to build your research skills and prepare you for competitive graduate school applications. It’s a strong choice if you're early in your academic career and want close mentorship and exposure to academic research environments.
Location: Hybrid (e.g., Toronto and other regional offices globally)
Stipend: Paid (specific amount not listed)
Acceptance Rate or Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Winter (January–April), Summer (May–August), Fall (September–December)
Application Deadline: Winter – September; Summer – January; Fall – May
Eligibility: Current undergraduate or college students with an interest in marketing or general management
American Express offers a 16-week internship that places you on teams working across marketing-related functions—from product development to member engagement. As an intern, you’ll participate in training sessions, receive one-on-one mentoring, and engage in meaningful project work within the company. Each internship cycle includes multiple roles in areas such as acquisition, project management, and product marketing. You'll also be part of a supportive, collaborative environment where you're encouraged to contribute ideas and develop professionally. This program is apt if you're exploring corporate roles tied to marketing, operations, or business strategy early in your college journey.
Location: Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD
Stipend: Paid; includes paid holidays
Acceptance Rate or Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Summer (typically 10–12 weeks; varies by assignment)
Application Deadline: Rolling (opens in fall and remains open until filled)
Eligibility: Full-time undergraduate students with a minimum 3.0 GPA; must be enrolled for the semester following the internship
The College Summer Intern Program at Johns Hopkins APL offers hands-on experience in STEM and select business fields through immersive, project-based assignments. You’ll contribute to real-world research involving software development, embedded systems, data analysis, and hardware prototyping, among others. Beyond technical work, you’ll engage in career development sessions, technical talks, lab tours, and networking events with experts. The program emphasizes collaboration and mentorship while giving you a platform to explore innovation in national security, space exploration, and health. This is a strong fit if you’re looking to work at the intersection of applied research and engineering.
Location: Primarily in Bedford, MA, and McLean, VA, with roles in 50+ U.S. locations
Stipend: Paid; includes access to professional development events
Acceptance Rate or Cohort Size: 500+ interns annually
Dates: 10–12 weeks in summer; flexible start dates in late May or early June
Application Deadline: Rolling (opens in fall, continues through spring)
Eligibility: Full-time students (high school through graduate level); most positions require U.S. citizenship and a minimum 3.0 GPA
MITRE’s internship program places you alongside experts in engineering, cybersecurity, software development, and data science, among others. You’ll work on real projects that support national security, healthcare, aviation, and public policy while receiving mentorship and skill-building through their Learning Track Program. You will participate in technical talks, social events, and project expos, all designed to help you grow professionally. Whether you're in STEM or the humanities, MITRE values diverse perspectives and interdisciplinary thinking. This is a strong option if you're looking to make tangible contributions to impactful public interest work.
Location: United States, India, Poland, and Japan
Stipend: Paid; includes mentorship and project-based work
Acceptance Rate or Cohort Size: Not publicly specified; highly competitive
Dates: Typically a 12-week program during the summer
Application Deadline: August–March (rolling basis)
Eligibility: Open to students currently pursuing a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree
Netflix’s internship program places you in the middle of its fast-moving entertainment and tech environment, offering roles in engineering, data science, finance, marketing, and content. You’ll take on meaningful work right away and become a full contributor on your team. The company emphasizes independence, creativity, and mentorship throughout the summer, giving you space to grow while working on real business challenges. Interviews often involve a take-home project and multiple rounds with team members. If you're ready to work in a high-autonomy, high-impact setting, Netflix provides an environment where early-career voices are taken seriously.
Location: Washington, D.C.
Stipend: Paid; housing not provided
Acceptance Rate or Cohort Size: Not specified; highly selective
Dates: Summer 2026 and Summer 2027 (90 days each)
Application Deadline: Closed; typically opens a year in advance
Eligibility: U.S. citizens who are full-time undergraduate students with only one completed semester and a graduation date after December 2027
This CIA internship is designed specifically for first-year undergraduate students interested in intelligence careers. Over two summers, you’ll rotate through roles such as Staff Operations Officer, Collection Management Officer, and Targeting Officer, gaining exposure to how the Directorate of Operations supports U.S. intelligence efforts. The work is hands-on, with interns contributing directly to operational planning and oversight. You’ll need to be available for in-person work in D.C. both summers and maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA. A background check, interviews, and security clearances are part of the application process, and your internship cannot be listed on a public resume.
Location: MDI Biological Laboratory and other INBRE-affiliated sites in ME, NH, RI, VT, and DE
Stipend: Includes housing, meals, and compensation; travel not funded
Acceptance Rate or Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: May 26 – July 31
Application Deadline: January 25
Eligibility: Undergraduate students enrolled at participating Maine institutions (Bates, Bowdoin, Colby, College of the Atlantic, SMCC, UNE, USM, and various UMaine campuses)
You’ll spend your summer embedded in a research lab where you’ll take on a defined biomedical project under the guidance of professional scientists. This is a full-time, hands-on lab experience, not shadowing or coursework. You’ll practice real research techniques, contribute to experiments, and likely co-author posters or reports. You’re also placed in a tight-knit research community across the Northeast, giving you chances to connect with faculty mentors and other students in your field. Alongside your lab work, you’ll participate in research presentations and community events that will build your confidence as a developing scientist.
Location: University of Chicago, Argonne, Fermilab, UIUC, UW–Madison, Northwestern, Ohio State, Purdue
Stipend: $7,000 stipend, on-campus housing, travel covered
Acceptance Rate or Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Vary by institution; typically late May to late August
Application Deadline: Closed; typically opens in the fall prior
You’ll spend 10 weeks embedded in a quantum research group, tackling real-world problems in quantum computing, sensing, communication, and materials. The fellowship kicks off with a visit to a major quantum industry site and wraps with a symposium where you’ll present your work. During the summer and throughout the next academic year, you’ll join virtual cohort meetings for professional development, career guidance, and soft skills training. You’ll gain both hands-on lab experience and an insider’s view into a rapidly growing field with applications across tech, medicine, and defense.
Location: Fred Hutch Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
Stipend: Paid stipend
Acceptance Rate or Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Summer (specific dates TBD)
Application Deadline: Details for next summer’s program available in November
This internship immerses you in translational research on infections in immunocompromised patients, combining lab work, computational modeling, and clinical shadowing. You’ll be paired with faculty mentors and conduct your own project, which you’ll present at the end of the summer. Past projects have spanned everything from viral assay development to mathematical modeling of clinical trials. You’ll also attend scientific symposia and join professional development events, giving you both practical research skills and exposure to the medical and academic sides of infectious disease science.
Location: Virtual
Stipend: Unpaid
Acceptance Rate or Cohort Size: Cohort size ~50 Fellows
Dates: Varies annually (multi-week program)
Application Deadline: November 12
Eligibility: First- or second-year undergraduate students in Brazil, Canada, Mexico, or the U.S.; must graduate between December 2027 and August 2028; must have completed courses in Programming and Data Structures & Algorithms
The Uber Career Prep Fellowship is a mentorship-driven, skill-building program aimed at early undergraduate students pursuing software engineering. Through a series of five virtual workshops, you’ll develop both technical and soft skills, including mock interviews, technical assignments, communication, and goal-setting. You’ll be matched with a mentor—an Uber engineer—who provides individual feedback and support throughout the program. While unpaid, this fellowship is designed to prepare you for future internships by giving you insider exposure to tech industry expectations and professional development guidance. It’s especially valuable if you’re early in your CS journey and want structured support and mentorship.
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.
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