These companies were selected as the 100 best internship programs in the U.S.
by a panel of industry expert judges and thousands of public votes.
Congratulations to the #1 Internship Program winner, Lumen.
| Company Name | Do You Pay Your Interns? | Fun Fact About the 2021 Internship Program |
|---|---|---|
| Lumen | Yes | Interns have the chance to be recognized by managers, mentors, and peers through the Lumen Stars recognition platform. They earn badges that reflect Lumen’s unifying principals and values! |
| Accolade | Yes | Accolade interns participate in a capstone project on cross-functional teams. Over the course of a few weeks, the teams meet to discuss their presentations, compile research, and meet with subject matter experts. |
| Adobe | Yes | Adobe has an Intern Expo where, through a customized online portal, interns show off their individual summer projects to employees and leaders. Interns can view other projects and start new conversations. |
| Akamai Technologies | Yes | Four interns every year participate in a Girls Who Code panel to share insights into their experience at Akamai and give meaningful advice to an audience of 50+ high school girls. |
| Amazon | Yes | 2021 Amazon summer interns have the option of working fully remote or in a hybrid model, with housing provided in the city of their program. Interns work on a business project and present it to their manager and other senior leadership at the end. |
| American Express | Yes | American Express partners with their Leadership & Learning team to curate a curriculum based on the leadership philosophy that their full time employees are expected to embody, called the Framework For Winning. |
| Anthem, Inc. | Yes | Anthem interns build a network by moderating planned leadership speaking events and bi-weekly social events. They are also divided into smaller teams that compete in weekly challenges. |
| Arizona Public Service (APS) | Yes | Interns at APS are helping the organization reach its goal of delivering 100% clean, carbon-free, and affordable electricity to their customers by researching and evaluating new market opportunities in solar arrays and electric vehicals. |
| Asana | Yes | Asana's internal culinary team hosts private cooking classes for interns and provides a stipend to purchase ingredients. This year, interns made dishes including focaccia bread, butterscotch pots de creme, and elaborate charcuterie boards. |
| Asurion | Yes | Asurion interns are grouped into 5 cross-functional teams who work on a summer long business case competition, presented to C-level team members at the end. Last year, 2 of the 5 products were implemented and the interns got credit! |
| Bank of America | Yes | The Bank of America intern class is nearly 2,000 students in 20+ countries, 170+ locations, representing 350+ campuses, and speaking 70+ different languages. |
| BD | Yes | BD Interns visit manufacturing plants where life-saving items are created. They also get to visit the R&D laboratories, meet with leadership in marketing, quality, and medical segments, and share their innovative ideas with the CEO. |
| BlackRock | Yes | BlackRock hosts an innovative challenge & learning series called Designed to Deliver, which allows interns to leverage the power of storytelling to deliver results to clients. |
| Bloomberg | Yes | Interns recieve training on the Bloomberg Terminal platform, participate in various social and volunteer events, and sit in on virtual client visits. They also work with the global team to complete final projects. |
| Cigna | Yes | To help interns connect, they are matched with 5 other interns using an AI matching algorithm. They build social networks and get to know each other at an individual level, even while virtual. |
| Cisco | Yes | Cisco has implemented Fun Friday, a day for activities like game night, open mic, lip syncs, cooking challenges and more. They also have a wellness week dedicated to the mental, physical, and emotional health of their interns. |
| CitiGroup | Yes | CitiGroup's program is designed so the interns have the same experience regardless of where they are located. They all heard from Citi's Paralympic Athletes, the CEO and volunteered together. |
| Clark Construction Group | Yes | Clark Construction Group provides housing so interns can experience the cities the company helps build. They can travel using transportation, attend an event at the baseball stadium, or participate in a tour of a monument, all built by Clark. |
| Colgate-Palmolive | Yes | Colgate-Palmolive interns recieve exposure to senior leadership, do real work that is useful, have tons of in person and virtual social events, and have group projects and presentations. |
| Constellation Brands, Inc. | Yes | Constellation Brands internship includes a hackathon with executive leaders judging, professionalism seminars, cohort events, emotional intelligence sessions, mentorship, happy hours, and cross-functional team projects. |
| Credera | Yes | Credera looks out for their intern's futures even if it is not at Credera. In the final two days of the program, all interns are invited to Dallas for a leadership development conference dedicated to developing them as people. |
| Daikin | Yes | Daikin's interns participate in an Annual Summer Internship Golf Tournament! Regardless whether they have played before, the company conducts a lesson day and then holds a tournament. |
| Datadog | Yes | Interns are encouraged to network with Datadog through the various Donut Slack Channels available. These channels match interns with employees across the globe and different departments for conversation. |
| Enterprise Holdings | Yes | Enterprise Holdings' interns present to senior leadership on business challenges and the most comprehensive presentations are awarded with scholarships. In some cases, Enterprise uses the interns' learnings to make operational changes. |
| EY | Yes | The EY Badges program allows interns to earn credentials in future focused skills. Should the intern choose to join EY full-time, credentials earned during the internship will carry over. |
| Yes | Facebook announced a four-year AI research partnership with University College London. Students in the program spend time both at their universities and at Facebook, pursuing projects that get regularly published. | |
| FIS | Yes | Pre-boarding calls were conducted with FIS interns to preview the next 10-weeks as well as for them to get know the team. They also have Fun Friday's each week including trivia, scavenger hunts and cook-a-longs. |
| Ford Foundation | Yes | Ford Foundation partners with the United Nations to bring their interns multiple learning experiences including a tour of the U.N. headquarters in NYC and a learning discussion with multiple foundation grantees. |
| Freddie Mac | Yes | At Freddie Mac their mission is to "make home possible", a place where everyone is welcome. Directors, senior leaders, associates, and interns interact together to better the company. Over 85% of interns recieved a full-time or return internship offer. |
| Gallagher | Yes | Gallagher hosts a prospect role play competition for interns, where the interns can develop a sales approach. The challenge culminates with an elimination tournament. As interns advance, the judges get tougher -- all the way up to the CEO! |
| Garmin International | Yes | At Garmin interns can spend their morning writing code, load it to their watch, and go for a run to test the feature they created. Interns can also test boating and aviation technology at the lake or aircraft hangar. |
| GE Appliances, a Haier company | Yes | GE Appliances succeeded in navigating the virtual work environment. Through student experience surveys, they found a rehire satisfaction rate of 89% and a new hire satisfaction rate of 87%. They also cancelled/withdrew 0 assignments due to COVID. |
| General Dynamics Corporation | Yes | General Dynamics interns participate in enterprise-wide activities like trivia and virtual escape rooms, with a chance for interns to donate to a nonprofit of their choice on behalf of the company. |
| General Electric | Yes | General Electric interns span over 50 sites across the US! They host an annual global Intern week to highlight the interns to the broader organization and to provide interaction and programming during the summer. |
| General Mills | Yes | 95% of General Mills interns accepted their fulltime offer to join the company after the internship last summer! |
| General Motors | Yes | General Motors finishes their Internship program with what they call a "Super Slice with Our Chairman and CEO." One intern is selected to facilitate a 60-minute no restrictions virtual Q & A session with the CEO. |
| Gilbane Building Company | Yes | Interns from past Gilbane internships created what they now call "Intern Peer Groups." Groups of interns within a business unit meet regularly to support each other. They bring in guest speakers, complete training, and more. |
| Yes | One Ph.D. intern in 2021 spent her internship on the Hearing Accessibility team, where she tested a bracelet that can translate audio into tactile vibrations, which can provide an added layer of communication in addition to lipreading. | |
| Henkel | Yes | At Henkel, sustainability is a value all employees share. They offer interns the chance to become certified Henkel Sustainability Ambassadors. Interns learn strategies used for contributing to sustainable development in their daily lives. |
| HubSpot | Yes | The best part about HubSpot's internship program is the level of care they have for their interns and co-ops. They care deeply about their learning and growth in their roles, but also about their full selves in their lives outside of HubSpot. |
| IBM | Yes | The IBM Intern Radio Show is a unique opportunity for interns to host a weekly radio show on the IBM radio station. Interns interview their peers, bring on special guests and share their favorite beats! |
| iCIMS | Yes | ICIMS has developed a curriculum of classes on sought-after skills like how to share & receive feedback, & how to cultivate a next-level professional brand. They are committed to ensuring the next wave of talent is ready to make an impact. |
| Impossible Foods | Yes | Their interns participate in a company-wide cookbook, in which recipes from interns were selected for the final book! |
| Ingredion | Yes | Ingredion interns are invited to the company HQ for the annual internship summit. Interns present their accomplishments to peers and leaders, as well as immerse themselves in the Ingredion culture through fun events and volunteer opportunities. |
| Insight Partners | Yes | Insight Partners interns are the originators of many of their deals. They discover unique software companies using their curiosity, grittiness, and creativity. Their interns do the real work with real results. |
| Intuit | Yes | Intuit interns get the exposure of a full-time employee; they are assigned impactful work, all while building meaningful relationships. The three guiding pricipals of the program are: I can learn and grow, I feel connected, and I can make an impact. |
| Johnson & Johnson | Yes | Johnson & Johnson has themed events where interns are encouraged to "Define Yourself" and "Define Your Future" while discussing concepts of purpose, motivation, holistic health, locus of control, and a variety of different helpful topics. |
| Koch Industries | Yes | Koch Industries interns are immersed in the Koch University, a provider of demand driven learning experiences that accelerate employee self-actualization. They also get the opportunity to meet the CEO and engage in a Q&A session. |
| KPMG LLP | Yes | All KPMG interns participate in the KPMG Innovation Experience, including 4 hours of innovation training from national experts. Interns leverage this learning as they compete in KPMG's Intern Innovation Day. |
| Kroger | Yes | At Kroger, the Human Resources Intern creates the event calendar, coordinates the program, and manages the overall intern experience. Who better to understand the needs of current students than a current student? |
| L3Harris | Yes | L3Harris's media blitz competition starting this year will help interns remain engaged and is another way they can get to know each other while remote. They can show off their creativity and teamwork. |
| Lenovo | Yes | This year, Lenovo's interns are tasked with running the summer programming themselves. One program includes the Lenovo Influencer Program, where interns can showcase their Lenovo products on social media. |
| Mars Inc | Yes | Mars runs an innovative program where interns have the opportunity to create a new product for the business, while also helping to reduce the Mars' carbon foot print by incorporating resources or products that could go to waste (like coco fibers). |
| Maximus | Yes | Maximus internship events events included a CEO chat on leadership, an Executive Women's Coffee Chat featuring over 15+ female executives, and a presentation by the 1st ever Sr. Director of DE&I showcasing the importance of equity and inclusion. |
| Medtronic | Yes | Medtronic interns can earn a Harvard MentorManager Learning Certificate if they complete required coursework. All interns contribute in improving the lives of 72 million people a year. |
| Motorola Solutions | Yes | At the Motorola experience center, Interns learn about Motorola products, software, and services. Interns get to see how their contributions are helping people be their best in the moments that matter. |
| Navy Federal Credit Union | Yes | Navy Federal’s interns enjoy tons of employee perks like introductions and welcome events with senior leadership, discounts on events and services, and now virtual fitness, mixology, and cooking classes! |
| NCR | Yes | NCR's internship program focuses on holistically developing the interns and providing tools to be successful in all aspects of life. Programming encourages self-reflecting, growth, and building relationships. |
| Noblis | Yes | The Noblis internship is administered by a former intern who uses their experience to shape the structure and format of the program. 10% of Noblis is made up of former interns. |
| Northwestern Mutual | Yes | Northwestern Mutual interns get to attend an anual company conference that has been taking place for over 140 years. It is a content rich and empowering experience. In the past, John Legend, Christina Aguilera, and Maroon 5 have performed. |
| Palo Alto Networks | Yes | The early-talent team at Palo Alto Networks aims to create long-lasting relationships with their interns even if interns do not accept a full-time role. 85% of eligible interns received an offer and chose to come back last year. |
| Raytheon Technologies | Yes | Raytheon interns can opt into the Passport Program. This includes completing a series of activities like conducting an informational interview outside their department, or attending lunch & learns to earn prizes. |
| Reckitt | Yes | Reckitt interns have the opportunity to manage their own impactful projects ranging from sustainability initiatives to combating COVID-19 through R&D, manufacturing, and sales with (Reckitt created and owned) hygiene brands like Lysol. |
| Yes | All of Reddit's interns get to participate in an AMA (Ask Me Anything!) on the company's internal subreddit. The Reddit team also has the opportunity to ask the interns questions and get to know them beyond the work they do. | |
| Restaurant Brands International Inc. | Yes | RBI summer interns work on business critical projects that have a real impact. There is a strong mentorship component to the internship but interns have full autonomy over their assigned projects and the freedom to tackle roadblocks along the way. |
| Roblox | Yes | Roblox puts their own spin on the Youtube series "Hot Ones". The Roblox CTO participates in a live Q&A with interns to share his career journey and the future of Roblox - all while eating spicy chicken wings ranging from 1800-2.5 million scovilles. |
| RSM | Yes | RSM interns complete a strategic capstone project focused on RSM firm strategy. The winning team receives a one on one mentoring session with a member of the executive team. |
| SAP | Yes | The CEO at SAP started as an intern! The program is live in 20 countries, and intern projects get put into production with incredible results! Each quarter SAP has a different theme that aligns with program values and learnings. |
| SAS | Yes | The SAS Work/Life Center employs licensed clinical social workers to provide support to employees. This has been especially useful during the pandemic. One of the social workers focuses on young and early career professionals. |
| Serco | Yes | Through their accredited learning and development sessions to engagement with the executive team to solve real challenges, interns are prepared and supported. 63% of Serco interns continue their employment with Serco. |
| Shopify | Yes | Shopify interns took part in a hackathon with Children's Hospital of Eastern Canada to solve problems facing medical professionals. The two teams created solutions to their problem areas and those solutions were implemented in the real world. |
| Slalom Build | Yes | Slalom Build interns leave the experience having delivered a modern software product, utilizing the same approach employees take when partnering with their clients. |
| Southwestern Advantage | Yes | Southwestern Advantage claims to be the oldest internship in the US, with over 150,000 interns from 1,600 Universities having been involved throughout the program's lifetime. |
| Spectrum | Yes | Interns are placed in cross-functional hackathon teams, judged by senior leadership. Interns submit a 3-minute video of their solution. The winners of the hackathon present their idea/solution to the team who submitted the real problem. |
| Stryker | Yes | Stryker's Intern Program Champions create an intimate experience within the larger intern program by planning smaller events, and developing meaningful connections between interns. Many intern program champions were once Stryker interns themselves! |
| SurveyMonkey | Yes | SurveyMonkey welcomes HireMilitary Interns (transitioning service members) & Path Forward Returners (mid-senior level interns who have spent 2+ years out of the workforce to take on caregiving responsibilities). |
| Synchrony | Yes | All Synchrony interns get to pitch their summer hackathon and personal project pitchouts to the CEO. The company also supports every intern by providing a 1-on-1 advisor to support their growth. They also offer health and wellness coaches. |
| T-Mobile | Yes | T-Mobile offers internships to current college students and high school seniors & juniors. The junior's program, designed for underserved communities, is a 2-year program that culminates in a full stack developer certification upon completion. |
| Terminix | Yes | Steve Wozniak (Apple Co-Founder) was one of the Keynote speakers to the interns on Terminix's Orientation Day! Terminix also offers Myers-Briggs Personality Assessments for all interns. |
| Texas Instruments | Yes | Texas Instruments has a Belonging & Balance event to give interns time to learn to find belonging, balance, and authenticity at work. Presentations from the TI fitness center, D&I, benefits & wellbeing, and volunteering teams are included in the event. |
| The Clorox Company | Yes | During the pandemic, Clorox honored all of their internship offers and added more internships to give more students opportunities who had lost theirs due to pandemic upheaval. |
| Thermo Fisher | Yes | Thermo Fisher interns participate in a social media challenge each week. The intern with the most engagement recieves appreciation points through Thermo Fisher's employee reward program. |
| Thomson Reuters | Yes | Thomson Reuters has an Intern Advisory Group comprised of incoming interns who brainstorm, coordinate, and engage their intern peers by developing content. |
| Travelers | Yes | The Travelers Championship is a PGA TOUR event which donates 100 percent of net proceeds to charity. In 2020, the Travelers Championship generated more than $1.6 million for 115 charities. They are hopeful interns will be able to experience it. |
| Yes | Twitter interns are called Terns, which is also a type of seabird, becuase they love bird puns! They also try to bring the office culture to the virtual program by mailing snacks and other office decor to the interns. | |
| Unilever | Yes | Unilever interns participate in a "Cribs, Home Office Edition", and other intern hosted virtual game nights. Wellness challenges and yoga are also hosted over video. Interns also have a two-day workshop with senior team members. |
| USAA | Yes | USAA has started the first annual Intern Eagle Cup. Each intern team represents a military branch or affilate group. The winning team will earn a donation to an eligible charity that supports the military community. |
| Valley Bank | Yes | Valley Bank includes an innovation challenge in their program to empower interns to develop ideas that have the potential to shape and impact the business. Proposals are pitched to a panel of leaders in order to be considered for implementation. |
| Veeva Systems | Yes | Veeva interns work on the team that best aligns with their interests and spend the summer working on real coding projects. This includes multiple sprints so they get to see the end product and impact of their work. |
| Verizon | Yes | Every senior level Verizon executive is so engaged in the internship program that they have scheduled intern only fireside chats over the course of the summer. |
| VISA | Yes | Visa provides opportunities for their interns to attend tailored executive speaker series (which includes their own CEO). Additionally, interns have access to the Visa University Hub, an in house learning resource center stocked with learning paths. |
| VMware | Yes | Interns at VMware participate in a poster session to showcase their project work on a virtual platform which allows employees to view the work on their own time. VMware employees also get to vote for their favorite posters. |
| Walmart | Yes | 94% of Walmart Interns surveyed either agreed or strongly agreed with the statement "I believe my project will add value to the company". |
| Wayfair | Yes | Wayfair interns participate in an intern-wide competitive innovation project in crossfunctional teams. Summer of 2020's prompt was, "How can we continue to improve Wayfair's brand?" The winning teams get to meet the co-founders! |
| WEX | Yes | Wex interns solve real problems and consistently ask "Is there a better way?" Wex interns are treated as full-time employees and are embedded into teams from day one. |
| WithumSmith+Brown | Yes | WithumSmith+Brown offers interns the same perks the full-time employees enjoy like recharge days, free Headspace accounts, Doordash Fast Pass, and invites to all firm/office eventsa ll in an effert to ensure every intern leaves wanting to come back. |
| Workiva | Yes | Workiva interns are not limited to a 10-12 week program. Over 60% stay part-time during the school year. This way, they are exposed to more than just temporary projects. |
| World Wide Technology | Yes | The World Wide Technology internship program was recognized by the CEO of Great Place to Work as the largest internship program in the world, and they continue to grow year after year. |
| WSP USA | Yes | Interns are automatically part of WSP's Developing Professionals Network. This internal network of 3500 associates ensures that even an intern working in a small office with a few people is still able to network and be noticed. |
| Xactly Corp | Yes | Interns take the Insights color personality test, and review individual and team results with a certified Insights facilitator. |