Top 10 Internships for College Students in the US
08/23/2023Internships are a key stepping stone for many students as they transition into professional careers. Internships help students gain valuable knowledge of the workplace experience. Additionally, many companies prefer hiring graduates with internship experience for entry-level roles. Graduates with work experience hold an edge over non-experienced candidates during job interviews.
If you are a student curious about what internship opportunities are available, explore the top 10 internships for college students in the US.
- Human Resources (HR)
The HR department of a company recruits and manages employees. An intern in this department can learn about the nuances of liaising with the management and workers across various teams. HR departments are usually headed by experienced professionals who can teach interns how to carry out daily tasks and responsibilities including payroll processing, updating policies, handling records, and resolving grievances.
- Public Relations (PR)
Public relations involve handling a brand’s goodwill, reputation, and image. Interns working in an independent firm or a company’s PR department can learn critical thinking, people management, and crisis mitigation. Students pursuing a media management degree could benefit from a PR internship.
- Administration
The administration department is responsible for creating and maintaining an efficient daily work system for a government department or a private company. Students interested in documentation, paperwork, data entry, and similar functions can find internships in this sector and gain valuable industry knowledge. Administrative internships help students improve their organizational and managerial skills.
- Journalism
Journalism is a fast-paced job that requires split-second decision-making. Journalists and reporters must build a strong network to crack a story of national or regional importance. It’s a detail-oriented job that calls for excellent communication skills and the ability to research, write, and edit stories for publication. Students of mass communication can seek internships in print, electronic, or digital media and news agencies.
- Healthcare
Students in nursing and hospital management can gain valuable practical experience while working as an intern in the healthcare industry. They learn to work under pressure, understand various medical procedures, and communicate with patients and doctors. A wide number of internship opportunities are available in the healthcare sector.
- Marketing
Marketing involves market research, creating campaigns, connecting with clients, and enhancing a brand’s image. Students seeking marketing internships can find positions within internal marketing teams or marketing agencies. A marketing internship helps students gain experience researching consumer insights and creating campaigns that help companies improve their return on investment.
- Technology
Internships in the field of technology often involve working with teams to create applications and products. Interns will work with test tools, software programs, and codes to understand and meet the needs of the client. Besides core technology, internship opportunities are available in multiple allied fields, including manufacturing and even finance.
- Social Media
Companies and advertising firms hire interns to manage their social media channels. Students of media and communication are often hired as interns in this field. Interns in this field can gain valuable experience in content strategy and creation, digital advertising, and online brand management. Social media executive is among the most sought-after job roles today, so highlighting internship experience in an interview will help candidates stand out.
- Data Analysis
Data analysis requires knowledge of coding. Data analysis interns learn to read and analyze patterns to gather insights from both structured and unstructured data to help an organization make informed decisions. Interns in this field can improve their analytical and problem-solving skills. Mathematics and computer science students often work as interns in data analysis.
- Legal
Internships are extremely important in the legal field. It’s often a prerequisite in legal services hiring. Law students often work as interns in a company’s legal department, law firms, or as assistants to advocates. It helps them get first-hand knowledge of how cases are contested, besides understanding the finer points of criminal and corporate law. Legal internships are usually unpaid and mandatory in the final year for law graduates.
No matter what type of degree students pursue, internships can be beneficial to their career growth. Students of all ages should investigate internship opportunities in their desired industry to expand their knowledge and understanding of future job opportunities. In today’s competitive workplace, it’s more important than ever to stay one step ahead and seek internship experiences before graduation.
Join Rangam Talent Network to begin searching for internship opportunities near you. Here’s our Step-by-Step video for searching for open positions on the Rangam website. For more tips and guidance on preparing to apply for internships, watch our REDi Chat on Creating an Effective Resume for Neurotypical and Neurodivergent Candidates.
Learn more about the importance of internships in Part 1 of our internship series – Why Internships Matter.