Internships
Internships
Internships provide the opportunity to participate in professional work that provides meaningful and practical experience in a field of interest or study. Internships may be paid or unpaid and vary in length and nature of work. They can also vary in format—in-person, hybrid, or virtual. All, however, result in learning new skills, gaining new experiences, building a professional network, and exploring career options. It is largely expected that interns are there to learn as much as contribute, especially as first-years and sophomores; so, host organizations know that students may not have previous experience in that particular field.
Internship opportunities are available through different Harvard programs or centers. For internships and opportunities beyond Harvard, the Mignone Center for Career Success (MCS) is the best place to start. MCS can also help you identify and reach out directly to alumni, companies, start-ups, and other organizations that are, or are not, Harvard-affiliated. The following resources are helpful to start your search:
- Summer Funding Opportunities Office (SFO)’s Harvard-Funded Summer Opportunities Directory
- MCS' Crimson Careers Job and Internship Database
Exploring potential career pathways and specific employers and industries through internships allows you to better understand your preferences for post-graduation. Internships result in incredibly important skill and competency development along with a professional network you can leverage as you explore and decide on future career options. Internships also allow you to receive feedback about your work, skills, and professional presence that will be valuable for avenues you might seek to explore during the rest of your time at Harvard or post-graduation.
Internships, whether offered by Harvard or outside employers, are available on a competitive basis. Consequently, thoughtful planning and preparation are essential to success. Career advisors are readily available to assist you in developing and pursuing your specific interests, including a job search plan most appropriate to your goals.
Many internships with external organizations are paid. Some internships organized through Harvard departments or centers offer a stipend with admission to the program, and some do not. Salary ranges for internships with companies will vary based on factors such as sector, industry, geographic location, and applicant skill level.
If you secure an unpaid internship, you can search the Summer Funding Opportunities Office (SFO) directory for internship funding sources. In particular, SFO offers limited funding for internships outside of the U.S. and extremely limited funding for internships within the U.S. You can also look in CARAT for funding opportunities to help cover the cost of living (i.e. housing, meals, and transportation). The award amounts, eligibility requirements, and selection criteria vary by opportunity, so check the details of each one and reach out to the office hosting the opportunity if you have questions.
There are two main ways to intern within the United States—on your own (self-arranged) or through a Harvard placement program (pre-arranged). A self-arranged internship is a great opportunity for students who have a particular career field in mind and are willing to do the work necessary to find an internship. To find a self-arranged internship, utilize the Mignone Center for Career Success (MCS). You can search MCS’ Crimson Careers for paid internships. You can also meet with an MCS advisor for tips and strategies for conducting an internship search outside of MCS’ Crimson Careers.
A pre-arranged internship is a great opportunity for students who either have a particular career field in mind or a particular location where they would like to be located during the summer. Some Harvard centers offer internship programs with specific internship opportunities that you can apply to directly. These programs find internships for you and provide a stipend so you can afford to intern. To find these opportunities, search the Summer Funding Opportunities Office (SFO) directory.
There are three main ways to intern outside of the United States—on your own (self-arranged) or through a Harvard or non-Harvard placement program (pre-arranged). A self-arranged internship is a great opportunity for students who have a particular career field in mind, are willing to do the work necessary to find an internship, and are comfortable traveling on their own. If you find your own internship outside of the United States, you will need to make all of your own travel arrangements, including securing housing. To find a self-arranged internship, utilize the Mignone Center for Career Success (MCS) and the Harvard centers that serve the part of the world where you hope to travel. To fund your internship, search the Summer Funding Opportunities Office (SFO) directory and CARAT.
A pre-arranged internship is a great opportunity for students who either have a particular career field in mind or a particular location where they would like to be located during the summer. Some Harvard centers offer internship programs with specific internship opportunities that you can apply to directly. These programs find internships for you and provide a stipend so you can afford to intern. To find these opportunities, search the Summer Funding Opportunities Office (SFO) directory. Advantages of Harvard-run pre-arranged internship programs are housing is provided, you intern alongside a cohort of peers, and staff are often on the ground to support you. Many programs offer orientations and program activities.
Outside of Harvard, internship placement companies exist that will match you to an internship for a fee. These programs can be very expensive and often have substantial out-of-pocket costs. For example, housing might be provided, but not food or airfare. If you are applying for SFO funding to be able to afford interning outside of the U.S. through one of these placement companies, be sure to consider how much the program costs, what is included in the program fee, and how the total costs (including out-of-pocket costs) compare to the SFO country-level stipends offered. Though these placement programs tend to be expensive, they can be a good option for students whose travel experience is limited or who want to live and intern with a group of peers. Programs often provide housing and many offer orientations and program activities managed by staff on the ground.
If you feel ready to start gaining real-world professional experience, then an internship makes great sense. Investigate the internship opportunities that are available in the career fields, companies, or institutions of interest to you. Through a summer internship, you will develop your professional skills, grow your network, and explore a potential career path.