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Paid Internships for College Students: A Guide

Find your perfect paid internship today.

Paid internships are the perfect solution for a student who doesn’t want to compromise between work and internships. Not only are you compensated for your work, but you’re also getting paid to build out your resume and network. These types of internships value your work and also help grow your career skills at the same time.

When should I start looking for 2021 internships?

When you want to secure a good 202 internship, it’s always better to start your research sooner rather than later. If there’s a certain company you want to intern for, definitely make an effort to look up their application process and when it starts.

How do I know if the internship is paid?

Ask! If the compensation (or lack thereof) isn’t clearly noted on the internship role page, then simply reach out to the company or organization. Open communication is the best way to get a quick and honest answer. Try sending a courteous email and inquire about the role.

What internships pay the most?

Similar to jobs of differing salaries, paid internships also vary in the compensation they give to their interns. The pay of jobs and some internships depends on what the role is, where you live, and if you’re full-time or part-time. For example, the compensation for a paid internship in Los Angeles and a paid internship in Chicago will be slightly different. Same with the compensation of an IT paid internship and a paid law internship.

For further research, the Bureau of Labor Statistics has broken wages down by state here for your specific role’s salary.

What internships do not pay?

While there is no defining characteristic of an unpaid internship, the way to tell is usually by looking at the internship listing page. Some internships for college students will offer college credit instead of monetary compensation.

How to find paid internships near me?

Four ways to find a paid internship near you:

  1. Handshake: Search your area for “paid internships near me” using Handshake’s easy job filtering feature.
  2. University: Browse your school’s job listing page or ask your professors if they know of any openings for paid internships.
  3. Personal Network: Reach out to classmates, friends, or upperclassmen in other majors and see if they have any advice or connections.
  4. Handshake Network: Search on Handshake for other students and alumni who have had internships that you’re interested in. They can answer your questions about their job, how they liked it, and how to go about applying to something similar.

Find the right jobs for you. Get hired.