The Ultimate Guide to Finding the Best Companies for Internships

Landing the right summer internship can be a pivotal step in your career journey. It offers invaluable career exposure, allows you to apply classroom knowledge in real-world scenarios, expands your professional network, and can even lead to a full-time job offer. However, a positive and fulfilling internship experience hinges on several factors, including perks, benefits, and company culture.

This article explores some of the best companies to intern for, taking into consideration factors that contribute to a rewarding internship experience.

What Makes a Great Internship?

Before diving into specific companies, it's important to understand what constitutes a great internship. Factors to consider include:

Compensation: Paid internships are generally preferable, as they provide financial support and are associated with better job prospects.
Housing and Relocation Stipends: These benefits can significantly ease the financial burden of relocating for an internship.
Meaningful Work: Interns should be given challenging and engaging tasks that contribute to the company's goals.
Mentorship Opportunities: Guidance and support from experienced professionals can greatly enhance an intern's learning and development.
Workplace Perks: Amenities like stocked kitchens, fitness centers, and social events can improve the overall internship experience.
Company Culture: A friendly, inclusive, and supportive work environment is essential for interns to thrive.

Top Companies for Interns

Here are some companies that stand out for their exceptional internship programs:

Tech Industry Leaders

Google: This tech giant consistently ranks as one of the top companies for internships. Google interns receive competitive pay, ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 a month, plus a housing stipend. Interns work on meaningful projects and have access to incredible perks at the Googleplex, such as diverse cuisine cafes, multiple gyms, and a wellness center. Google heavily seeks out computer science and business and marketing interns. Often, interns receive full-time offers upon graduation.

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Microsoft: Another major tech player, Microsoft offers well-regarded internship programs across its product teams, research groups, and business divisions. Interns can expect challenging work, personalized mentoring, and the chance to experience Microsoft's innovative and collaborative environment. Workplace perks include a health club membership, software discounts, and a subsidized car rental or bike purchase plan.
Adobe: Impressed interns for Adobe reel off welcome company perks in their reviews, like stocked kitchens, chef-prepared lunches, games rooms and fitness reimbursements.
Apple: Despite that, interns for the tech behemoth leave impressive reviews. One writes: “The internship was a great experience. We were introduced to the Apple culture, plus had executive speakers, and other fun activities. The company also provided housing.”

Finance and Banking

Goldman Sachs: For students pursuing careers in finance and banking, a summer internship at Goldman Sachs carries major prestige. Goldman interns get hands-on training, are staffed on real projects, receive coaching from senior professionals, and have a track record of securing full-time analyst roles. Goldman Sachs pays on average $8K-$9K a month, plus about $5K as a housing stipend and $750 for relocation for New York City and Dallas, TX located internships. These roles often lead to full-time employment with the company. There are cool perks with this company as well, like office fitness centers, health centers, and an employee assistance program. Be aware of the long hours in the financial banking world.
Charles Schwab: In second place comes financial services company Charles Schwab (96.55% recommended by interns). Among other plus points mentioned by interns, like good pay and plentiful networking opportunities, one reviewer adds that “the work-life balance is ideal.”

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Discover: In Chicago, financial services company Discover offer “lots of opportunities for real-world work as an intern,” according to one reviewer.

Insurance

Nationwide: The insurance and financial services company recruits interns across its core business areas as well as IT, marketing, sales, finance, and other corporate functions. Nationwide's internships are well-regarded for providing meaningful work, extensive training, potential pathways to entry-level roles after graduation, and benefits like free housing. Glassdoor reports a median monthly income as $5K. To accommodate intern’s housing needs, Nationwide Insurance partnered with the nearby Grand View University for interns to have safe and convenient housing available to apply for and live in.

Entertainment

Walt Disney Company: With internships available across divisions like entertainment, media networks, parks and resorts, and more, Disney is an excellent option for students interested in creative fields. Disney interns gain insight into the magic behind the brand through both educational and hands-on opportunities as well as opportunities to meet leaders, build connections, and learn from career and professional development programs. Glassdoor reports the pay for Disney interns averages at about $4.5K per month. Disney also offers housing for interns, which costs $114-$205 per week and is taken out of the intern’s paycheck. This cost includes utilities and amenities. Perks include complimentary admission into Disney Parks as well as behind-the-scenes tours of different exhibits in the parks.
Riot Games: 93% of employees at video game developer Riot Games say it’s a great place to work.

Healthcare

Genentech: Genentech stands out as the best company to intern for in the healthcare sector, recommended by nearly all (98.50%) of its interns who have left reviews on Glassdoor. One such intern writes: “My manager was very tuned into my professional development and took an active interest in helping me prepare for my next job.”
Medtronic: Minnesota-based medical device firm Medtronic also ranks highly for intern experience, recommended to a friend by 97.14% of its interns.

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Northwell Health: Northwell Health (New York state’s largest healthcare provider) and the NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital (one of the largest hospitals in the world). “Learned a lot of diverse technologies and skillsets working with [a] large range of engineers and analysts,” writes a software engineering intern for Northwell Health. “Exhausted but HAPPY … Exceptional faculty and resources,” gushes an intern for NewYork-Presbyterian.

Retail

Garmin: Garmin tops our list of the best companies to intern for in the retail industry, a firm recommended by the majority (96.84%) of interns on Glassdoor. On Glassdoor, engineering interns are among the most impressed reviewers, and it’s no wonder - Garmin offers the 12th-best engineering internship in the country.
Kroger: Supermarket chain Kroger ranks next (94.74% of interns recommend it). Comparing Kroger with its competitors, one pharmacy intern summarizes their experience: “Not as busy as Walgreens, more counseling time as opposed to CVS, very flexible schedule for pharmacy students.” An IT intern adds: “The company is on the leading edge of grocery technology.”

Other Notable Companies

Kimley-Horn: Kimley-Horn’s program sets the gold standard for what an internship can be. Development isn’t just encouraged, it’s built into every layer of the program. Interns aren’t merely observing or supporting; they are actively contributing to the firm’s core business. They apply their skills to high-impact deliverables while receiving weekly check-ins, technical training, and multi-source feedback from supervisors, teammates, and firm leaders. A culture of connection empowers interns to explore and grow. Intern exposure isn’t limited to one specific role or team-they collaborate across disciplines and regions to discover where they fit best. Integration and pathways set a new standard. A uniquely comprehensive benefits package further underscores Kimley-Horn’s commitment to a people-first culture that invests deeply in its future talent. The program boasts exceptional offer and conversion rates, with many interns accepting full-time roles and staying engaged long after the summer ends.
General Dynamics: General Dynamics' internship program immerses students in real-world defense and cybersecurity challenges across land, air, sea, space, and cyber domains. With a conversion rate exceeding 65%, many interns transition into full-time roles, reflecting the program's success.
Fulcrum Global Technologies: Fulcrum Global Technologies’ program offers a rare blend of autonomy, accountability, and high-touch support-giving interns the tools and confidence to thrive as early career professionals. In a 13-week startup incubator, interdisciplinary teams of UX, Product, Business, and Engineering interns co-found real companies. Supported by Legal, Operations, and Design staff, the interns partner with counsel to register their business and file for patents. Progress is showcased in monthly pitches to Fulcrum GT executives and external investors. To balance this intense work, the program is packed with weekly, high-energy social events.
American Heart Association: American Heart Association’s interns save lives! This isn’t just a tagline; it’s the heart of the program. From launching nationwide health initiatives to creating CPR education content and advocacy campaigns, interns make real contributions that directly benefit communities. The intern experience is designed to build both purpose and preparedness, combining strategic project work with leadership coaching, executive exposure, and professional development.
Valmark: Valmark’s internship program shows that small companies can build powerful talent pipelines. Interns are fully integrated into core business operations, with clear goals, dedicated mentorship, and continuous feedback that fuels their professional growth. The unique year-round structure of the program allows for deeper learning and long-term alignment, helping interns build confidence and clarity in their career paths.

Making the Most of Your Internship

Landing an internship is just the first step. To maximize your experience and increase your chances of a full-time offer:

Be Proactive: Take initiative, ask questions, and volunteer for new tasks.
Network: Build relationships with colleagues and learn about their roles.
Set Goals: Establish objectives for your internship and track your progress.
Be Enthusiastic: Demonstrate your passion for the work and the company.
Learn and Absorb: Take notes, ask for feedback, and actively seek opportunities to expand your knowledge.

National Intern Day

Founded by WayUp in 2017 and continued by Yello since we acquired WayUp in 2021, National Intern Day is observed each year on the last Thursday of July. Every year, the nomination process gives us a unique window into how employers are shaping the future of early talent.

Elevate Your Internship Program

The PA Chamber’s Greatest Places to Intern in PA Awards celebrates employers who create dynamic, engaging, and educational experiences for their interns. By applying, your organization will have the opportunity to showcase your commitment to nurturing talent and providing an outstanding workplace for young professionals.

Why Apply?

Elevate Your Brand: Gain recognition as a top employer in Pennsylvania by showcasing your impactful internship program.
Attract Top Talent: Stand out to future interns who are seeking the best internship opportunities.
Gain Media Exposure: The PA Chamber Foundation will announce the winners with a special press event and on National Intern Day (July 31, 2025), giving your company widespread attention.
Networking Opportunities: Connect with other top employers and interns in the state.

Navigating Internship Challenges

While many internships offer valuable experiences, some fall short. Resume.io explored intern recommendations on Glassdoor to find out which companies are most and least likely to be recommended to a friend by interns.

Not-So-Great Internship Experiences

It's important to be aware that not all internships are created equal. Some companies have received less-than-glowing reviews from interns. For example, one company included in the analysis received negative feedback about its intern program on Glassdoor. Another writes: “They asked all interns to call people they are close with on the SECOND day of training, so they can sell insurance to them.” CVS Health ranks as the next-worst company to intern for; the healthcare firm is only recommended by 57.27% of interns.

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