Summer break is supposed to be a time to relax, travel, and maybe catch up on sleep. But as a college student with career goals (or one who’s just trying to build a halfway decent resume), you might be thinking of more than just how to have fun. You might want to be productive and find a summer internship that can help you advance in your career path.

The great news is that there are thousands of internships out there. The tricky part is finding the right one….and then, of course, landing it.

We will walk you through the basics of summer internships in 2025 and where to look.

1. The Best Places to Look for Summer Internships in 2025
2. Popular Fields for Summer Internships in 2025
3. Remote Internships for Summer 2025
4. Paid vs. Unpaid Internships
5. How to Land a Summer Internship
6. The Best Internships for First-Year College Students
7. Alternatives to Summer Internships
8. Tips to Make the Most of Your Internship
9. How to Stand Out When Applying
10. Start Planning for Your Summer Internship 2025

1. The Best Places to Look for Summer Internships in 2025

It’s normal to be overwhelmed and not know where to look. If you haven’t done an internship before, this can be quite intimidating and lead you to procrastinate. Don’t let that happen! There are many places where you can look for internships for college students.

Start with the basics:

• Handshake: Most colleges use this platform. Log in with your school email.
• LinkedIn: Search by title, location, and even remote options.
• Indeed: Filter for summer positions and entry-level roles.
• Your school’s career center: Still underrated. Some internships are only shared here.

Also check out these top internship platforms for more options.

2. Popular Fields for Summer Internships in 2025

So, which field are you going to go into with your summer internship? If you haven’t decided yet, you should know that some industries always have strong internship programs.

Here are a few with lots of student internship openings:

• Tech: Think software, data analysis, and IT support.
• Marketing & Media: Social media, content writing, public relations.
• Finance: Banking, investment firms, accounting internships.
• Healthcare & Research: Labs, hospitals, or nonprofit health orgs.
• Nonprofits & Education: Great if you’re into community work or policy.

3. Remote Internships for Summer 2025

Maybe you’re wondering if this was just a pandemic thing. But no, remote internships are still a thing. They’re perfect if you want flexibility, live far from major cities, or plan to travel during the summer.

The added benefit is that there’s no commuting (which is especially awesome if you don’t have a reliable car or plan to spend your summer at home with family).

Look for roles with “remote” or “virtual” in the title, or use filters on platforms like LinkedIn or Indeed.

4. Paid vs. Unpaid Internships

Should you go for a paid or unpaid summer internship?

If we’re all being honest, of course getting paid is ideal. But not all internships pay (especially in nonprofits or the arts). That doesn’t mean they’re not valuable. Think of unpaid internships as an investment, but make sure they still offer real learning opportunities, not just busy work.

5. How to Land a Summer Internship

Okay, so here’s your game plan:

1. Update your resume: Highlight your classes, projects, part-time jobs, and skills.
2. Write a solid cover letter: Personalize it. Make it specific.
3. Apply early: Many internships open in winter and close by spring.
4. Follow up: A polite follow-up email can help you stand out.

Get more detailed advice in this how to get an internship guide.

6. The Best Internships for First-Year College Students

Do you have to wait until junior year? Absolutely…not! Lots of programs welcome first-years and sophomores. Some are even designed specifically for you.

We’ve made it easy for you and even compiled this list of internships for 1st year college students.

7. Alternatives to Summer Internships

You didn’t get an offer? Don’t panic. There are still a few solid alternatives to an “official” internship:

• Freelance work
• Online certifications or short courses
• Volunteering
• Campus research positions
• Starting a blog, podcast, or passion project

You can find more ideas here with our article on alternatives to summer jobs.

8. Tips to Make the Most of Your Internship

So you got the internship…nice. Now what?

• Be on time. (Take it seriously like a job.)
• Ask questions. No one expects you to know everything.
• Take notes. You’ll thank yourself later.
• Network. Add coworkers on LinkedIn and stay in touch.
• Ask for feedback. This shows initiative and helps you improve.

9. How to Stand Out When Applying

With thousands of students all applying for the same internships, how do you actually stand out?

You don’t need a 4.0 GPA or 10 leadership roles on your resume. Instead:

• Start by tailoring your application to each internship.
• Don’t just send out the same cover letter every time.
• Mention something specific about the company or role that excites you.
• If you don’t have much experience yet, highlight transferable skills from class projects, part-time jobs, or even volunteer work.

Also, don’t underestimate the power of a strong email follow-up. It shows you’re serious and professional (aka you’re not ghosting them).

10. Start Planning for Your Summer Internship 2025

Internship deadlines sneak up faster than you might think. If you want to land a summer internship in 2025, now’s the time to start browsing, prepping your resume, and practicing your interview skills.

Internships fill your summer and help you explore careers, build connections, and learn what you actually want to do after college.

So even if your goal is just to avoid working in fast food again, applying now could seriously pay off later.

One last piece of advice: If you see an internship you like, just go for it! Even if you feel like you’re not qualified, you don’t lose anything by trying.