6 Awesome Summer Internship Programs: Part II was originally published on Firsthand.
Welcome back to our list of awesome summer internships! If you haven’t read part one of this list you can do so here. Now then, for the sake of brevity let us forgo the usual, long-winded intro and jump right back into the list!
Microsoft Engineering Internship
Here’s one for all the software and technology fans. Whether you’re into software engineering, video games or just computers in general, Microsoft’s internships are right up your alley. The company offers a variety of specialized opportunities that are geared towards undergraduates, as well as those who are in Master’s or PhD programs. The programs provide hands-on experience in software engineering, marketing, data and applied science, and more, depending on your level of education.
Microsoft’s 12-week summer internship program for first and second-year college students provides interns with valuable skills, all under the tutelage of seasoned mentors. Those who are interested must have completed the equivalent of an Introduction to Computer Science Course, along with one semester of calculus or an equivalent course, and must be majoring in computer science, software engineering, or any related field. The best part? Microsoft offers virtual internships, which is a great perk for busy students.
NFL Internship Program
Whether you’re a die-hard football fan or a fan of sports in general, an internship with the NFL is the perfect way to gain hands-on experience in the business world of sports. The NFL offers a variety of programs such as its summer internship program, The NFL FILMS program, and The Junior Rotational program. Undergraduate seniors, MBA candidates, and law school students can participate in the NFL Internship Program, where they will learn valuable skills and build strong professional networks.
The NFL FILMS program gives interns the opportunity to work with mentors while learning all about the television and film production industry. The NFL’s highly selective Junior Rotational program provides rare opportunities such as attending NFL League events, participation in impactful assignments, and exclusive networking opportunities. The NFL often directly hires interns, so if you’d like to participate, make sure you’ve got a strong GPA and the drive required to work in a fast-paced environment.
SpaceX Internship Program
Think of SpaceX as the younger, cooler version of NASA. Sure, NASA has those neat looking orange jump suits, more famous astronauts, and unlimited access to the International Space Station (probably), but SpaceX is going to Mars! SpaceX offers both technical and non-technical internships for students, as well as Associate Engineer positions for those who have graduated from an engineering program with either a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree.
Similar to Tesla, SpaceX requires its interns to put in maximum effort, and expects them to work just as hard as its full-time employees. The trade-off is interns will participate in meaningful projects alongside SpaceX mentors, while gaining valuable hands-on experience. Prerequisites include a strong GPA and significant contributions to related extracurricular activities. Lastly, internships at SpaceX are paid positions, so you’ll be making some sweet cash while working at an extremely cool company – capital!
With that, we arrive at the end of our spectacular tour of six awesome summer internship programs. Whether you take part in any of these internships or not, it’s undeniable that they’re totally cool. I always find that it helps to aim high and dream of what’s possible. In other words, never sell yourself short or let missteps discourage you; if an opportunity eludes you, it’s just another opportunity presenting itself.
