Remote Winter Internships: A Guide for College Students

Internships are invaluable for college students, offering a bridge between academic knowledge and practical professional skills. They enhance your profile, demonstrating a proactive approach to career development, and provide networking opportunities with industry leaders. Remote internships offer flexibility and accessibility, making them an attractive option for undergraduates seeking to gain experience across various fields, from social science to healthcare.

The Value of Remote Internships

Remote internships provide the same rigorous professional experience, networking opportunities, and career insights as traditional on-site internships. They allow students to turn academic knowledge into professional skills, connect with industry leaders, and gain insight into career paths in their chosen field of study. Virtual opportunities are available throughout the year across sectors and open to students pursuing wide-ranging majors.

Finding Remote Internships

When searching for remote internships, entry-level or summer internships, it’s always best to use job filters and keyword searches. Start by searching the available jobs and entering the internship title, or if you would like your internship to be remote. Many remote internships are perfect for university students, recent graduates, or early-career professionals looking to gain international experience and boost their career without leaving home.

Featured Remote Internship Programs

Here are some notable remote internship programs designed for undergraduate students, spanning various fields and offering diverse experiences:

1. Ladder Undergraduate Internships

Location: Remote
Cost: Varies depending on program type; financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; varies by internship
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Undergraduate students

Ladder’s virtual internship program allows you to work part-time for a startup or nonprofit on personalized projects tailored to your skills and the organization’s needs. You will be paired with an organization manager as well as a Ladder coach who will guide you throughout the program, including determining your main project’s focus area and completing all assignments over the course of the internship. You will work with a large degree of independence while regularly submitting deliverables to the company over the eight-week program. At the end of the internship, you will present your final project to the company board. Ladder’s startup and nonprofit partners span across sectors, including healthcare, technology, education, and communications.

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2. Emory University’s Laney Graduate School (LGS) SOAR Virtual Program

Location: Remote
Stipend: Unpaid remote internships
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 2 - July 20
Application deadline: February 3
Eligibility: Undergraduate students, not including graduating seniors, planning to attend graduate school; remote internship applicants are typically current undergraduate freshmen and sophomores.

Emory University offers students remote opportunities to learn about academic research through its LGS-SOAR internship program. Here, you will join a cohort of other undergraduate students in your preferred field of study and explore advanced concepts through Research Discipline Sessions and group projects. You can indicate your interests in fields like social sciences or biomedical, biological, natural, and public health sciences to gain exposure to research in your chosen track. You will also learn from and connect with current Emory graduate students and professors. Additionally, the program offers professional development opportunities, guidance on preparing graduate school applications, and information sessions on Ph.D. dissertations and Master’s theses.

3. American Psychological Association (APA) Internships

If pursuing a psychology degree, you can choose from research-based positions with a focus on preparing for professional careers as a therapist, psychiatrist, or researcher. If you are interested in policy, communications, education, or management, you can apply for internships where you will support the APA’s operations. As an intern, you will get access to educational workshops and discussions. You will also take on group projects with APA employees and other interns and receive mentorship from an APA supervisor.

4. Pathways Internship Program

federal agency. Nearly all agencies accept interns through the program, including the Department of Defense, the Centers for Disease Control, and the Department of Health and Human Services. The program structure can vary greatly based on your placement and academic background. Depending on the department you work in, your tasks may include writing and editing press releases, designing digital media, completing policy research, or supporting software development.

5. Paragon Policy Fellowship

Location: Remote
Stipend: $500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 6 - 8 students/project cohort
Dates: Late January - early May | Late May - early September | Late September - late December
Application deadline: Applications open about two months before the start date; the deadline is released when applications open
Eligibility: Current undergraduate and graduate students, as well as recent graduates (<1 year post-graduation)

The Paragon Policy Fellowship offers remote internship opportunities for undergraduates interested in technology and public policy. While the internship is fully remote, Paragon typically pairs students with local government partners to allow for optional participation in presentation opportunities, social activities, and networking events. You will be matched with a government partner based on your skills and interests and serve as a consulting researcher for a policy-focused technology project within a small group of Fellows. Your work will be largely independent, but you will engage in weekly check-in calls to ensure smooth collaboration and submission of regular deliverables to your sponsor organization. You will also attend remote policy workshops, a guest speaker series, and office hours with Paragon organizers.

6. Asian Americans Advancing Justice Internships

Location: Remote
Stipend: Generally unpaid; need-based stipends available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Internships are offered in the spring, summer, and fall. You can choose to apply for an internship in AAAJ’s Communication, Development, or Policy & Programs divisions based on your primary interest areas.

Within Communications, you will support public relations outreach, content writing, and drafting press releases and briefs. In the Development division, you will conduct prospect research, coordinate donor communication, and assist in writing grant proposals. The Policy & Programs division offers opportunities to contribute to policy and legislative research, develop public comments, and draft testimonies for Congressional and agency hearings. While the internships are unpaid, AAAJ makes arrangements to help you receive course credit for your work and participation.

7. International Rescue Committee (IRC) Internships

While tasks vary based on position, you may serve as an assistant case manager for Ukrainian refugees, assist immigrants with citizenship applications, or provide quality assurance monitoring for IRC’s legal services. You may also take on tasks like managing case management databases, interviewing clients, organizing information sessions for refugees seeking support, and helping individuals fill out immigration documents. You will also work with and learn from IRC staff during your involvement.

8. International Social Service USA Internships

Location: Remote
Stipend: Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Semester, summer, and year-long internships available; dates set by interns and the internship coordinator
Application deadline: Applications accepted throughout the year
Eligibility: Current undergraduate and graduate students; internships may have additional criteria

The International Social Service-USA remote internship program offers undergraduates the opportunity to directly contribute to protection initiatives designed for children separated from family members across countries. Your assignments will include policy research, collecting data on children's outcomes and well-being, and studying child safety from the perspectives of psychology and sociology. Although it offers unpaid internships, ISS-USA will provide support to help you earn course credit for your work. You will also find opportunities to develop professional skills and build a network in legal and social services while shadowing higher-level employees during client meetings and gaining interdisciplinary research experience.

9. National Summer Undergraduate Research Project

Location: Remote
Stipend: $5,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by year
Dates: June 9 - August 1
Application deadline: Not specified; applications are typically open from February to April
Eligibility: Undergraduate students, particularly those from underrepresented groups

The NSURP program provides undergrads the opportunity to pursue funded microbiology research projects in a fully remote format. You will be paired with a microbiology researcher from a worldwide mentor network based on your interests and collaborate with them to design and complete an independent research project. Outside of research, you will attend virtual lectures on advanced microbiology topics. Professional development sessions on career paths and graduate school, as well as remote networking events with NSURP interns and mentors, are part of the experience. You will also have a chance to present your research online.

10. Penguin RandomHouse Internships

Location: Remote
Stipend: Hourly rate of $21; you can also get course credit in place of payment
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not provided
Dates: Vary by opportunity; commitment of two 10-week segments (Fall/Spring session) or 10 weeks (Summer session)
Application deadline: March 17 (Fall/Spring session) | October 6 (Summer session)
Eligibility: Anyone who is 18 or older; specific requirements can vary by opportunity

Penguin Random House offers remote opportunities to work within the publication industry and access a pipeline to full-time positions at the company. Options are offered across all main departments; you might support the Editorial team in reviewing manuscript submissions, collaborate with the Art and Design team to design book covers, or manage budgets and account reconciliations with the Finance team, depending on the position you choose. Other placement areas include sales, marketing, and bookmaking. Outside work assignments, you will gain insights into the publishing process through networking events, a professional speaker series, and educational panels.

11. Public Consulting Group Summer Internship

Location: Remote
Stipend: $36,000-$46,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 10 weeks over the summer
Application deadline: Recruiting begins in the preceding summer
Eligibility: Current undergraduate students

PCG’s Summer Internship offers students the opportunity to explore and engage in public sector consulting operations across health, human services, and education. You will be assigned to group consulting projects and support a case team while conducting market research, maintaining client records, analyzing data, generating reports, and performing quality assurance tasks. While fully remote, the program will offer you access to mentorship from a current PCG consultant to support your skill development and project performance. You will also connect with PCG leaders and engage in virtual networking events.

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12. BNSF Railroad Tech Summer Internships

Location: Remote; two-day in-person orientation
Stipend: $6,250/month; travel expenses for orientation are funded
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 20 positions available
Dates: June 1 - July 31
Application deadline: Recruiting begins in the preceding summer
Eligibility: Current undergraduate students majoring in computer science, information technology, data science, artificial intelligence, or a related field; applicants should have experience with at least one modern language (Java, C++, or C#)

The BNSF Tech summer internship program allows you to support the operations of a multinational railroad, freight, and mobility company. You will work within a specific team in product engineering, data science, AI, or infrastructure, and contribute to improving BNSF’s operational efficiency and technological innovation. While tasks will vary based on placement, the program has a strong programming focus; you may help produce production-quality code for your team, debug programs, and write unit and integration tests. You will also gain insight into railroad infrastructure and development by participating in design reviews and learning about the best practices in transit technology development and operations management.

13. Human Rights Campaign Internships

Location: Remote; Washington, D.C. Internship opportunities are available across HRC programs, within focus areas like policy, fundraising, communications, and community-based program development. Assignments can vary, but you will contribute hands-on work, including political research, developing written materials, coordinating fundraising events, or supporting community outreach initiatives. Additionally, you will get to network with professionals involved in the LGBTQ+ rights movement, participate in educational seminars, and attend professional development events.

14. George Mason University Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)

Location: Virtual or in-person at George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
Cost/Stipend: Free and unpaid; $25 application fee with need-based fee waivers available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Application deadline: February 2
Program dates: June 18 - August 8
Eligibility: Undergraduates and high school students who are at least 15 years old

ASSIP offers remote internships for students across STEM fields, allowing them to work on research under the guidance of a university professor. You will be paired with a mentor in your preferred discipline, which can be physics, neuroscience, statistics, diverse computer science subfields, or other STEM fields. Within your chosen track, you will contribute to intensive research work while undergoing training in scientific communication and writing. Outside of research work, you will attend remote events including career-planning discussions, lectures from professors and industry researchers, and a final Research Symposium where you will present your work to ASSIP mentors and other interns. In-person and hybrid opportunities are also available.

15. Novartis Sales Rotational Internship Program

Location: Remote
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 10 weeks over the summer
Application deadline: Recruitment conducted in the November-December period
Eligibility: Current undergraduate students; specific criteria can vary

Novartis’ Sales Rotational Internship Program prepares students for entry-level Territory Account Specialist positions in pharmaceutical sales and marketing. As an intern, you will focus on a specific pharmaceutical product, building a comprehensive knowledge of its medical profile and developing marketing skills to promote the product to external organizations and providers. Under the mentorship of a current Novartis sales specialist, you will work on refining your sales skills.

Global Winter Internship Opportunities

Winter internships, sometimes referred to as "winternships," provide students worldwide with opportunities to maximize their winter break. These programs offer hands-on experience, networking opportunities, and personal challenges. The commitment to professional development gained through these internships can significantly enhance a student's resume and make them stand out to potential employers.

The Intern Group’s international community is made up of the world’s most passionate and talented students and professionals, who come from over 150 countries around the globe. In all of our global cities, interns will truly be immersed in a global setting and will have the chance to make both local and international connections.

Regional Opportunities

Europe: Winter internships in London, Dublin, and Madrid offer a chance to experience Christmas markets and festive activities alongside professional development.
North America: Opportunities in NYC include experiencing the Christmas tree at the Rockefeller Center and ice skating in Central Park.
Latin America: Medellin, Colombia offers mild weather, making it a great winter destination.
Australia: Melbourne provides a summer experience during the winter months.
Asia: Winter internships in Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Bangkok offer cultural, linguistic, and business insights.

Benefits of Global Winter Internships

Networking: Creating a close-knit network with other interns and host organization teams is easier during the winter due to fewer interns being available.
Cultural Immersion: Interns are immersed in diverse and inspiring communities.
Local Expertise: Teams in global cities provide insights into the best local experiences.
Cultural Events: Winter internships include cultural events specific to the destination.
Accommodation: In-person interns enjoy private bedrooms in fully-furnished apartments in safe neighborhoods, equipped with all necessities, including WiFi.
Career Advancement Tools: Interns benefit from career advancement tools before, during, and after the internship program.
Career Coaching: Guidance on career steps is available from experienced career coaches after completing the internship.

Succeeding in Remote Internships

Succeeding in a global remote internship takes more than just skills. Since all of your communications will be online and there will be no one present to keep you accountable, you’ll need to organize your time efficiently. Besides gaining knowledge of whichever field you’re interning in, remote internships can really cultivate your organization and communication skills.

Key Considerations for Choosing a Remote Internship

Full-time or Part-time: Determine the number of hours per week you can commit.
Paid or Unpaid: Consider your financial needs and the value of the experience.
Remote or Hybrid: Check if there are any in-office requirements.
Skill Development: Identify the skills you want to develop during the internship.

Capital Internship Program

Capital Internship offers guaranteed placements and paid opportunities, with the flexibility to choose between part-time or full-time roles. They offer remote internship opportunities across 20+ industries, including Marketing, IT, Finance, Business Development, and more.

Program Highlights

Guaranteed Placement: Placement within 8 weeks of the intro call.
Industry Matching: Matching with top companies in sectors like Finance, Marketing, IT, Graphic Design, and more.
Flexibility: The freedom to work from home or any place you choose.
Global Opportunities: Work in remote internships worldwide, featuring top roles from companies in the UK, Europe, Dubai, and more.
Certified Program: Boost your career with a certified paid remote internship, making the perfect stepping stone to landing your dream job.

Application Process

Submit your application online and schedule your interview with our team.
After passing our online interview, you’ll receive a formal offer, guaranteeing you a remote internship with a reputable company.
Once you’ve accepted the offer, our dedicated team will begin working hard to secure your internship and arrange interviews with top companies.

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