Best Internships For College Students 

There was a time your grades were enough to land you a good job. You’d be lucky if that happened today. Most college students usually have a bunch of internship experiences even before they apply for their first jobs.

Graduates without any prior experience are automatically removed from consideration by recruiters. This is exactly why you need to start considering taking up an internship. There are plenty of internships available for college students in India across industries.

But what’s the best internship for you? This can vary, depending on your interests and field of study. However, here are some popular options that provide valuable learning experiences and exposure: 

Technology and Software Development 

Google STEP Internship

This is a 12-week paid summer internship program offered by Google for undergraduate students in computer science or related fields. Applications for summer 2024 is expected to open in September or October 2023.

Adobe Research Women-in-Technology Scholarship

A research internship opportunity for female students pursuing a career in computer science or a related field at Adobe Research India. The scholarship will also cover the tuition fees of successful applicants for the remainder of the university education. Applications for the next scholarship batch will open around November or December 2023.

Amazon India Software Development Engineer Internship

An internship program at Amazon India that provides hands-on experience in software development and engineering. Internships dates vary throughout the year, and they usually vary between 3 to 12 months.

IBM Extreme Blue Internship

A program by IBM that offers internships in areas like data science, artificial intelligence, blockchain, and cloud computing. You can apply via IBM’s careers page.

Qualcomm Summer Internship

A summer internship program at Qualcomm, focusing on research and development in the field of mobile technology and telecommunications. This is a paid internship that is offered every year for B.E/BTech, M.E/MTech students. 

Research and Development 

IIT Bombay Summer Internship

A highly competitive internship program offered by the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, allowing students to work on research projects with faculty members. Selected interns will work full-time for 4 to 6 months and will be given a fixed stipend.
 

BARC Summer Training School

A training program at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre that offers paid internships in various disciplines such as nuclear science, engineering, and physics. If you’re interested, you can apply through the official BARC website.
 

IISc Bangalore Summer Fellowship in Science and Engineering

The Indian Institute of Science Bangalore has been conducting this prestigious research internship program since 2013 for undergraduate students in science and engineering. The program is usually for 8 to 10 weeks, and successful applicants are awarded a scholarship amount.
 

DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organization) Internship

An internship that allows students to work on defence-related research projects and technology development. The program is generally for a period of 4 to 6 months.

CSIR (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research) National Environmental Engineering Research Institute Internship

An internship program focusing on environmental research and sustainable development. CSIR usually recruits around multiple interns across different cities for the program, which varies between 3 to 6 months.

IISER Kolkata Summer Student Research Programme

the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research’s (Kolkata) internship program provides students the opportunity to work with faculty members on scientific research projects. Students also have the chance to work offline and is usually for a period of 60 days. Applications usually open between March and April every year. 

Banking and Finance 

SBI Youth for India Fellowship

A rural development fellowship program offered by the State Bank of India Foundation, focusing on creating sustainable solutions in rural areas. Interns in this program are offered a sizeable stipend amount of about ₹60000 to ₹70000 along with travel expenses.
 

Citibank Summer Analyst Program

A summer internship program at Citibank that provides exposure to various functions within the banking industry, such as investment banking, corporate banking, and risk management.
 

EY Launch Internship Program

A summer internship program at Ernst & Young that offers students the opportunity to gain practical experience in auditing, tax advisory, and consulting.
 

Goldman Sachs Summer Analyst Program

A summer internship program at Goldman Sachs, offering exposure to investment banking, asset management, securities, and other financial services. Applications for this program usually open between March and August every year.
 

J.P. Morgan Chase Summer Internship

J.P. Morgan offering various internship programs across the year, providing students the opportunity to work in areas like finance, risk management, and technology. All these opportunities are paid, and applicants can apply to different opportunities around the world.
 

Axis Bank Young Bankers Program

An internship and training program that has been successfully running for the past 11 years. The program includes classroom training, on-the-job training, and internships for students aspiring to build a career in banking. The internship is for a duration of one  year. 

Media and Communication 

NDTV Internship Program

NDTV, one of India’s leading media houses, offers numerous internships throughout the year, where students can work in areas like journalism, production, and digital media.
 

Ogilvy Summer Internship Program

A summer internship program at Ogilvy, a globally renowned advertising agency, allowing students to gain hands-on experience in advertising and communication campaigns. The Ogilvy summer internship program usually lasts about 10 weeks.
 

Netflix Content Strategy & Analysis Internship

Netflix offers summer internships every year for students to work on data analysis and content strategy projects within the media streaming industry. Interested applicants can apply for the summer programs starting from the August-September period the year before.
 

Times of India Internship Program

The Times of India (TOI) offering multiple paid internship programs across management roles, journalism, content writing, photography, and design. You can apply for the internship program in TOI offices across the country.
 

Social Impact and Non-Profit 

Teach for India Fellowship

Teach for India offers a two-year fellowship program that aims to eliminate educational inequity in India, offering participants the opportunity to teach in underprivileged schools. Students from India and abroad can apply to opportunities across eight cities in India (Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, Pune).
 

CRY Internship

Child Rights and You (CRY) provides multiple internship and volunteering opportunities to students, focusing on child rights advocacy and grassroots initiatives for underprivileged children.
 

SELCO Foundation Fellowship

SELCO’s fellowship program offers hands-on experience in renewable energy and rural development projects, working towards sustainable solutions for marginalised communities.
 

Ashoka Youth Venture Internship

An internship program at Ashoka Youth Venture, focusing on social entrepreneurship and supporting young changemakers. Applicants must be aged below 20 years when applying. They offer various roles across South Asia.

These are just a few examples of top internships available in India. Besides these, you can also apply to various other programs or companies that you want to. Just remember to research well before applying. Always try to focus on opportunities that align with your interests and career goals. 

If you need want to explore more internship options , head on to Zuno. We offer only paid and genuine internship opportunities with exciting companies in India. 

FAQs on Internships for College Students 

Q1. How do I find internships for college students?

Ans: Here are a few ways to find internships for college students: 

a. Utilise online platforms like Zuno. 

b. Check with your college’s career services or internship office. 

c. Network with professionals in your field of interest. 

d. Attend career fairs and industry events. 

e. Reach out to companies directly to inquire about internship opportunities. 

Q2. How long do college internships typically last?

Ans: There is no specific time frame for how long college internships last — the program duration is dependent on the company, the role and many other variable factors. Nowadays, internships usually last at least for up to 2 months and not for more than a year. 

Q3. What should I include in my internship application?

Ans: In your internship application, make sure you include your resume, cover letter, academic records, and any additional requested documents, such as letters of recommendation or a portfolio. 

Q4. How can internships benefit my future career?

Ans: Internships can benefit your career by providing practical work experience, developing industry-specific skills, expanding your professional network, and strengthening your resume. 

Q5. What are internships for college students?

Ans: Internships for college students are temporary work experiences undertaken during their course of studies. They allow students to gain hands-on experience, apply classroom knowledge, and explore potential career paths.