15 Tech Internships for Undergraduates in Minnesota
- Stephen Turban
- 6 days ago
- 10 min read
If you are trying to figure out what area of tech suits you, internships in college can give you a clearer answer than coursework on its own. They also make the shift from college to a full-time role a lot smoother. As an intern, you start to see how teams work together, how tasks are assigned, and how professionals work. You might work with code, clean datasets, or help maintain systems. That kind of exposure makes it easier to understand what you enjoy, whether that is development, data work, systems, or something else.
What tech internships are available for undergraduates in Minnesota?
Minnesota offers opportunities at large companies and mid-sized firms, especially in areas like healthcare technology, financial services, and logistics. These sectors depend heavily on tech, so internships are often tied to operational work rather than short, isolated assignments. These experiences strengthen your resume for future job applications by showing relevant experience in tech. Instead of only listing coursework, you can point to work you have contributed to.
With that, here are 15 tech internships for undergraduates in Minnesota! If you're looking for more prestigious internships, check out this set of blogs.
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!
The Ladder University Internship Program is a selective, virtual internship where you are placed with startups and nonprofits working across different industries, many of them tech-focused. The companies range from early-stage startups to organizations that need support in areas like software development, data handling, or technical operations. During the internship, you work on a real project that the organization is actively using, rather than something simulated or pre-designed. The work is guided by a manager at the startup, so you are expected to contribute regularly and stay aligned with team goals. The experience ends with a final presentation where you explain your work and outcomes. Apply now!
Location: Minnesota Tech Association (MnTech), Minneapolis, MN (internships statewide across Minnesota)
Cost/Stipend: Internships are paid by the hiring employer (pay varies by role/company)
Program Dates: Varies by internship role and employer
Application Deadline: No single deadline
Eligibility: You must be at least 18, in good academic standing (2.5+ GPA), and at least halfway through your undergraduate studies at the start of the internship
SciTech, run by the Minnesota Tech Association, functions more like a structured matching platform than a single internship, connecting you to STEM-focused roles across companies in Minnesota. You build a profile with your resume, transcript, and a clear breakdown of your technical skills, then apply to specific openings posted by partner employers. The roles vary depending on the company, ranging from software development and data analysis to engineering-adjacent technical work. Because employers screen directly through the platform, there is a clear emphasis on how well you present your skills and coursework.
Location: Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN (Minneapolis Area)
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship; housing and relocation benefits provided for those relocating more than 50 miles
Program Dates: 10–12 weeks in the summer between June and August
Application Deadline: Applications are typically open from August and close in October
Eligibility: Rising juniors or seniors pursuing a BA/BS in Information Systems, Computer Science, Computer/Software Engineering, Business Analytics, or related fields; must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.
At Medtronic, you work on high-impact technology projects that sit at the intersection of medicine and engineering. In the IT internship, you may contribute to global security, project and program management, innovation & intelligence, operations systems, and user services. In the Software Engineering internship, you can work on telemedicine platforms, robotics systems, cybersecurity solutions, data analysis tools, or product testing initiatives tied directly to medical device innovation. You gain structured mentorship, leadership exposure, and are evaluated for potential entry into Medtronic’s multi-year IT Rotation Program, creating a clear pathway to full-time roles.
Location: Mounds View, MN
Cost/Stipend: No tuition. Paid internship
Program Dates: 11 weeks from June to August
Application Deadline: Applications typically open in January
Eligibility: You must be a current high school senior or first-year college student pursuing a STEM degree; you must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.
The WISE Internship Program is designed as an early STEM pathway within Medtronic, giving you exposure to medical technology innovation at the start of your undergraduate journey. You will work on medical device projects and contribute to initiatives involving AI algorithms in healthcare, product development, research workflows, clinical trial analysis, and mobile applications. The program also includes professional workshops and networking events with Medtronic leaders, allowing you to build early industry connections.
Location: University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship
Program Dates: June 8 – August 7
Application Deadline: Typically mid-February
Eligibility: You must have graduated from a Minnesota high school and/or be attending an accredited Minnesota college or university; must be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or permanent resident
The M-ASCEND Undergraduate Summer Research Internship is a 9-week, full-time program where you work on research projects that often involve data-driven approaches within healthcare systems. You will be paired with a faculty mentor and contribute to projects that can include data collection, statistical analysis, and interpretation of research findings tied to cancer and population health. A large part of the work involves handling datasets, understanding research design, and applying analytical methods to study real-world health outcomes. You also attend weekly sessions that break down how research methods, data systems, and interdisciplinary tools are used in modern scientific work.
Location: Abbott Laboratories, Minnesota locations (including St. Paul and surrounding medtech hubs)
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship
Program Dates: 10–12 weeks in the summer; typically June – August
Application Deadline: Applications typically open in August and are reviewed on a rolling basis through the fall
Eligibility: You must be enrolled in an undergraduate program majoring in a related discipline and be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship
Abbott’s Engineering & Technology Internships place you on real, business-critical projects within one of the largest healthcare companies in the world. You will work in areas such as instrument development, manufacturing engineering, quality assurance, IT systems, process engineering, or product development. You are expected to contribute to technical problem-solving, support product or systems design, analyze operational data, and collaborate cross-functionally with engineering and business teams. In Minnesota specifically, roles are often aligned with cardiovascular, diagnostics, structural heart, and medical device technologies, placing you within a strong medtech ecosystem.
Location: Ramsey County Information Services, St. Paul, MN
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship; compensation varies by posting
Program Dates: Varies by term (typically summer and other seasonal placements)
Application Deadline: Varies by posting; positions are offered based on departmental capacity
Eligibility: You must be enrolled in a college or university program in a related field such as Information Technology, Computer Science, Information Systems, or a similar discipline
Ramsey County’s Information Technology Internship places you within the county’s Information Services department, where you support public-sector IT initiatives that serve residents and government operations. You will contribute to project-based work aligned with county IT priorities, which may include systems support, infrastructure projects, digital services, cybersecurity initiatives, or enterprise application management. The experience allows you to understand the technical and operational challenges involved in maintaining secure, accessible, and efficient county-wide digital systems. This internship provides structured exposure to real-world information systems within Minnesota’s county government framework.
Location: Hennepin County, Minneapolis, MN
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship; minimum wage for interns is $22 per hour
Program Dates: Year-round internships; summer placements are common
Application Deadline: Varies by posting; positions open throughout the year
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in a college program (or be a recent graduate within six months) and meet position-specific requirements. International students requiring CPT/OPT may be eligible; 24-Month STEM OPT is not accepted.
Hennepin County offers paid internships across more than 50 departments, including opportunities within Information Technology and digital services divisions. You may support enterprise systems, infrastructure operations, cybersecurity initiatives, data management, application support, or digital service delivery projects that impact Minnesota’s largest county. You work within a large public-sector IT environment, gaining exposure to how government technology systems are maintained, secured, and optimized for public use. The program also includes structured career development resources such as professional workshops, mentoring, and one-on-one career conversations through the county’s Employee Career Center.
Location: Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
Cost/Stipend: Paid fellowship with a stipend; housing support is available
Program Dates: May 26 – July 31
Application Deadline: November 1 – February 3
Eligibility: You must be a current undergraduate student interested in biomedical research
Mayo Clinic’s Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) is a 10-week immersive research experience designed for undergraduates exploring careers in biomedical science, Ph.D., or M.D.-Ph.D. pathways. You will be matched with a faculty mentor and contribute to a defined research project in areas such as biomedical engineering and physiology, neuroscience, immunology, molecular pharmacology, regenerative sciences, or translational research. You gain hands-on laboratory experience, work with advanced instrumentation in Mayo’s research facilities, and engage with postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and physician-scientists. The program also includes structured community engagement, professional development exposure, and opportunities to present your findings.
Location: RSM US LLP, Minneapolis, MN
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship; compensation ranges from $31–$38 per hour
Program Dates: 10–12 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: Varies by posting; roles are filled on a rolling basis
Eligibility: You must be pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, MIS, Computer Science, Accounting, or a related field; have completed at least 90 credit hours; and be eligible to work in the U.S. without sponsorship.
RSM’s D365 Consulting Internship sits at the intersection of technology and business systems, where you work on enterprise software implementations for clients. You will help with tasks like gathering requirements, configuring Microsoft Dynamics 365 modules, testing workflows, and supporting deployment steps. You also get exposure to consulting workflows, including documentation, client communication, and iterative development cycles. It is less about coding from scratch and more about understanding how large software systems are adapted and implemented in real organizations.
Location: Western Digital, Rochester, MN
Cost/Stipend: Paid co-op internship
Program Dates: Summer (typically aligned with academic calendar)
Application Deadline: May 6 (may close earlier if filled)
Eligibility: You must be currently pursuing a BS/MS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Computer Science, with proficiency in C/C++ and Python.
Western Digital’s co-op focuses on low-level systems work, especially in firmware and hardware–software integration for storage technologies. You work on components that directly affect how data is read, written, and processed in hard disk systems. The role involves debugging, testing, and improving performance using tools like C, C++, and Python within structured development environments. You also work with validation systems and continuous integration setups, which gives you a view of how production-level code is maintained. The work is technical and detail-heavy, often tied to performance optimization and system reliability.
Location: Caterpillar Inc., Brooklyn Park, MN
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship ($25–$43/hour depending on major and completed credits)
Program Dates: 12-week summer internship
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: You must be enrolled full-time in an ABET-accredited Mechanical, Electrical, Computer, Agricultural, Aerospace Engineering, or Engineering Technology program, with at least 30 completed semester hours and a minimum 3.0 GPA.
As a Corporate Engineering Intern, you will work alongside engineers on production-grade systems that support heavy machinery, engines, powertrains, and industrial equipment. You may focus on embedded software development (C/C++/C#), controls development using MATLAB/Simulink, electronic control module design, CFD/FEA simulation using ANSYS, or data-driven engineering analytics using Python. You may also contribute to hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) or software-in-the-loop (SIL) validation, performance optimization, root cause analysis, or firmware debugging.
Location: AeroVironment (AV), Minneapolis, MN
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship
Program Dates: Summer (duration varies by team)
Application Deadline: Rolling applications (may close once filled)
Eligibility: You must be currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field. U.S. person status may be required due to ITAR regulations.
At AeroVironment, the electrical engineering internship focuses on systems used in unmanned aircraft and robotics platforms. You will support testing, debugging, and development of electronic components, including circuit systems and embedded hardware. The work often involves handling communication protocols and building test setups to validate system behavior. You collaborate with teams working across hardware and firmware, so there is a strong integration focus.
Location: AeroVironment (AV), Minneapolis, MN
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship
Program Dates: Summer (duration varies by team)
Application Deadline: Rolling applications (may close once filled)
Eligibility: You must be pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field. U.S. person status may be required under ITAR regulations.
As a Mechanical Engineering Intern at AeroVironment, you support the design and development of mechanical systems for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), including airframes, payload enclosures, launch systems, and electro-mechanical assemblies. You may create and modify 3D CAD models using SolidWorks, assist with simulation and structural analysis through SolidWorks Simulation or ANSYS, and participate in prototype fabrication and testing using rapid prototyping tools such as 3D printing. Your responsibilities can include generating technical drawings, bills of materials, and contributing to configuration control and engineering change processes. You collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams to support design reviews, validation activities, and integration of mechanical subsystems.
Location: Northern Natural Gas Company, Farmington, MN
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship at $20/hour
Program Dates: Varies by hiring cycle; part-time internship
Application Deadline: Open until filled; posted December 15
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in an associate or applied science technical degree program in fields such as Natural Gas Technology, Industrial Automation, Electro-Mechanical Systems, Corrosion Technology, Diesel Tech, or related disciplines. Mechanical aptitude and the ability to work outdoors are required.
In this internship, you support pipeline and compressor station operations while working directly under an operations manager or team leader. You will gain exposure to infrastructure systems, including controls, measurement systems, corrosion prevention, compressor station operations, LNG processes, underground storage, and environmental compliance. You assist with daily maintenance tasks, project activities, and technical troubleshooting across active pipeline environments. You develop practical skills in reading pipeline alignment sheets, understanding industrial automation systems, and working with instrumentation and control technologies.
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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