Ah, the summertime!
While many college students are ready to drop their academic tasks to enjoy sun, fun, and downtime, you’ve got other ideas.
Instead of relaxing, you’re looking to improve your post-university professional career by applying for a summer internship.
Good for you!
Before you apply for summer internships, there are a few things to know. In the following section, we’ll walk you through some of the most frequently asked questions regarding summer intern opportunities. After that, we’ll give you over a dozen of the best summer internships available this year!
Continue reading below to learn everything you need to know about summer internship programs.
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What to Know About Summer Internships 2022
A summer internship is work during the summer months in which students can earn experience toward their career path. Lasting around 2 or 3 months in length on average, summer programs for interns typically run from May through August in the Northern Hemisphere or December through February in the Southern Hemisphere.
Like any internship program, the summertime version will have high school grads and college students learning the basics of the workplace, the company at which they’re hired, and their particular industry through hands-on mentorship and guidance. And, there are also remote summer internships, of course!
Related Read: What is an Internship? Your Basic Questions Answered on Intern Programs
Why do a summer internship?
Beyond gaining work experience, summer internships offer college-goers and graduate students a variety of excellent benefits. Internship programs help put knowledge to practice, for starters, taking concepts out of the academic and into the real world. As a summer intern, you’ll have the chance to network with people in your field, from other interns like yourself to key professionals in top companies. A summer internship program provides field experimentation, firsthand learning, and oftentimes a steady paycheck and/or even college credit. It’s definitely hard to understate the benefits of internship programs!
How to find summer internships?
Though you could look through your university, especially to find local opportunities, the internet has the most to offer. Check out our list of the best websites to find internships, where you’ll be able to sort through local internships, online summer internships, intern abroad programs, and more. Better yet, stay right here on this site – check out Goodwall Opportunities to sort through thousands of great internship opportunities from around the world across science, research, engineering, software development, design, and more.
When to apply for summer internship?
Summer internships are very popular, and students will need to apply quite early to have a chance at getting accepted. Some companies hire as far as 7 or 8 months in advance, and these often include the most popular choices, like Amazon, Apple, and Google. While you can apply to some internship summer programs a month or two prior, try to get your application in as early as possible for the best chances!
How long are summer internships?
A summer internship usually lasts for about 2 or 3 months in length during the summertime months. This means that summer intern programs typically run from May through August in the Northern Hemisphere or December through February in the Southern Hemisphere. However, there are cases where internship opportunities last just several days long to as long as 6 months or a year.
Related Read: 55+ Best Online Jobs for College Students (Flexible Hours, Pays Well!)
How much do summer internships pay?
Some summer internships provide no pay at all, instead offering the graduate or undergraduate student valuable work experience and/or college course credit. When summer internships do pay, it is likely a bit lower than the entry-level rate for a full-time employee in a similar role.
How to find housing for summer internship?
If your internship program is located far from your dorm or family home, you still have options. First, see if the employer offers board with the program. If you can network with some of your fellow interns, perhaps you can all go in together on a shared apartment.
What types of summer internships are there?
There are countless types of summer internships, and there’s likely one that matches your education, career, and hourly requirements. There are national, international, and virtual internships, paid and unpaid programs, and opportunities in just about every profession you can think of, from fashion to finance to food service and beyond. You can also read more about the different types of internships out there.
Related Read: Check Out Our Top 25 Quotes About Internships
Top Summer Internships to Consider in 2022
Now that you know all about summer internships and what to expect as an intern, let’s get to searching for the best summer internship out there!
Here are the most sought-after summer internship options available this year:
1. Facebook
As Facebook describes it: “World-class mentors, our open culture and opportunities to make a real impact are just a few reasons why our intern program was ranked #1 by Glassdoor two years in a row. Discover for yourself what makes interning at Facebook the ultimate learning experience.” Seems like a pretty hard-to-beat program, right?
2. Pfizer
Based in New York City but with a global presence, Pfizer is one of the premier companies lately for their top-notch coronavirus vaccine. “Pfizer is a great place to begin an engaging, rewarding, and productive career—whether you’re a recent college graduate ready to start your life’s work or currently attending college and eager to find a summer job that’s rich with the promise of a bright future.” They have several programs for university students, including a Digital Rotational Program, Digital Internship Program, and the US Summer Student Worker Program.
3. Google
Nothing looks quite as good on a resume for future careers than a Google internship. Unfortunately, thousands upon thousands of applicants are interested in joining the Google team, so it’ll be a difficult road, even toward internship eligibility. However, if you have the skills they’re looking for and can write a compelling resume and cover letter, go for it!
Related Read: How to Put Skills on a Resume the Right Way
4. NASA
In my opinion, which is admittedly worthless, there’s nothing cooler than working at NASA. Imagine working on the Mars Rover or researching solid propulsion systems. And, you’d get to work in some of the most technologically advanced locations, including the George C. Marshall Space Flight Center, Langley Research Center, John C. Stennis Space Center, and Goddard Space Flight Center.
5. Amazon
The innovative online retailer and business technology provider, Amazon is a great place to work for summertime interns. Aside from the intern opportunities, they provide students full-time roles in engineering, research, business, and technical areas, as well as opportunities for undergrads to explore at Amazon Fulfillment Centers, delivery stations, and inside their Amazon Web Services (AWS).
6. Apple
Another of the highly popular programs, Apple’s summer internships offer training while working essentially as an entry-level employee. Undergraduates and grad students can sign up for summer projects, and Apple also has co-op programs during the academic year.
Related Read: How to Develop Interpersonal Skills and Include Them on a Resume
7. LinkedIn
LinkedIn is a great place to locate internships, but it’s also a great place to work as an intern. With openings to explore across technical, business, and creative areas, it’s definitely one of the professional programs you must check out.
8. United Nations
“If you are thinking of entering the world of diplomacy and public policy, an internship at the United Nations could be the ideal start for you.” If you have excellent skills in either English or French, are not related to a UN Secretariat staff member, and are in your final year of a bachelor’s degree program or enrolled in a master’s or PhD program, why not participate in the UN’s mission?
9. Tesla
With Tesla, you have the opportunity to work year-round, rather than just during the summer months. However, they hire during only three seasons per year in the United States (Spring/Winter, Summer, and Fall). In the US, intern programs range anywhere from 3-12 months in length, while in Europe, each one is about 5-6 months long.
Related Read: How to Ask for a Recommendation Letter
10. World Health Organization
The work of the World Health Organization (WHO) is extremely important, as we’ve seen over the past year during the coronavirus pandemic. “WHO’s Internship Programme offers a wide range of opportunities for graduate and postgraduate students to gain insight in the technical and administrative programmes of WHO while enriching their knowledge and experience in the health field, thereby contributing to the advancement public health.”
11. The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Just about the most well-known museum in the world, New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, known simply as “The Met,” offers internship opportunities for high school students and college attendees with interest in design or art related careers.
12. The New York Times
Straight from the Gray Lady itself: “Our program is a 10-week, paid program that takes place at our headquarters in New York City. Opportunities include our Technology, Advertising, Marketing, Product and Design and Data teams.” And, in this age of disinformation, misinformation, and fake news, you’ll be part of one of the best guardians of facts and truth on the planet!
Related Read: STAR Method to Answer Behavioral Interview Questions
13. Unilever
As a major multinational corporation, Unilever has opportunities for students with future career paths in almost every field. There are internships in marketing, research and development, customer development, finance, supply chain, human resources, communications, information technology (IT), legal, and procurement.
14. Uber
Uber careers are some of the most lucrative opportunities out there, and they have a wide variety of internships available. There are co-op programs, MBA internships, and graduate programs across fields like engineering, data science, product management, marketing, operations, and finance.
15. Samsung
Samsung internships are really more like prized startup jobs. You get health benefits, summer outings, commuter benefits, relocation assistance, and even a gift from Samsung (new phone, perhaps?). Available year-round and worldwide, they have available openings to apply for in engineering, design, and research.
Related Read: What is the Definition of Career Path?
How to Get a Summer Internship?
Before we end, here are a few useful articles on landing the internship opportunity of your dreams:
- How to Use Goodwall’s Web Profile to Land a Job or Internship Opportunity
- How to Find & Get an Internship Through Goodwall in 5 Simple Steps
- How to Get an Internship in 5 Simple Steps [2021 Edition]
- Winter Internship Opportunities: What to Know & All Your FAQs Answered
Well, we hope you enjoyed our article on summer internship programs! If you have any questions, feedback, or other points to add about summer internships, let us know in the comments below. Thanks for reading, and good luck on your intern applications!
I am a bachelor industrial engineering student, finishing 2nd year at istanbul medipol university in Turkey.
I am looking for a company to do my first internship.
I am looking forward to hear from you