6 Companies With Unique Internship Opportunities
Ask almost any recent college grad what was most helpful in getting them started in their career, and they’ll tell you: a good internship.
Strong mentors and unique internship programs can give young professionals the tools and experiences they need to hit the ground running after obtaining their degree, as well as assisting in making connections and building a network of other professionals to have in their corner.
As companies face the realities of a changing workforce and embrace new talent, internships are sure to play a key part in onboarding new, diverse team members in all industries. And college students are becoming more and more aware of what makes a good internship and how their work should be valued in these roles.
We’ve compiled some companies with robust and unique internship offerings to get you started on your search for the right fit.
Lucid Motors is a cutting-edge automotive company focused on innovation, luxury and sustainability. They recently announced their Lucid Air luxury electric car and are known for empowering emerging STEM minds.
At Lucid Motors, interns are full-fledged members of the team, getting real work experience from day one. The program is very selective, with only 2-3 percent of applicants getting hired, but with a very high conversion rate to full-time work. That high conversion rate is likely because interns get to work on real, fun projects related to their area of focus. For example, crash team interns get to conduct actual crash tests; other interns get to test drive at the race track or test haptic responses on automotive models.
Miles Alderman, an Interior Components and Systems intern, shared: “A Lucid internship is a perfect combination between the hands-on, fast-paced nature of early-stage startups with the structure and support of larger companies. Not only is it the highest quality of technical experience I could have imagined, but the company is also extremely dedicated to creating a meaningful experience for its interns: from ensuring you work in the areas that are the most exciting to you, to networking/mentor shop events including conversations with the CEO.”
Lucid hires interns in a variety of disciplines, such as software validation, environmental, health and safety engineering, craftsmanship, logistics, new product introduction, and more.
Jennifer Evans, an astrophysics major who is completing an Ergonomics and Occupant Package Internships, said that she was seeking an internship where she was able to contribute to innovative projects. She found just that at Lucid.
“One of my favorite aspects of the program is the ‘above and beyond’ mentality all my coworkers have in their efforts and dedication to creating the best product possible,” Evans said. “Having such an inspiring and innovative work culture makes my work that much more fulfilling and impactful for me.”
You may know them from your go-to pantry item, but Campbell is a massive company, with corporate offices and manufacturing locations across North America, and a rich 150+ year history of connecting people through food they love.
Campbell interns are full-time team members who contribute to major projects and have connections to executive leadership during their time at the company. Interns can expect job duties that may include leading projects and presenting results to leaders, collaborating with existing and cross-functional teams, leading product tastings (count us in!), and supporting business partners (like Prego, Milano, V8, and Goldfish!) throughout the duration of their internship.
Campbell Soup Company offers internships in a number of areas, such as research and development, supply chain, safety, marketing, talent management and more. The company states: “Our internships and co-ops provide diverse experiences across our iconic portfolio of brands.” Students will be given the chance to “influence change, collaborate directly with leaders, and gain access to dynamic programs.”
Campbell Soup Company shares 5 main values that drive the company and may entice students to their internship program: care, character, collaboration, competitiveness and creativity.
Learn more about open internships at Campbell Soup Company here.
CrowdStrike is a cybersecurity company on a mission to stop breaches. Their Security Cloud weaves together trillions of data points to create one of the world’s largest threat-centric data fabrics powering an unparalleled platform that connects machines, identity and data for a unified, Crowd-powered approach to modern security.
CrowdStrike’s University Program attracts and cultivates the next generation of talent, offering paid positions for college students and recent grads to develop essential skills and gain real-world experience in one of the hottest fields in tech. The program is designed to provide meaningful assignments that support the company’s mission of making the digital world a safer place to live and work.
Internships range in areas from cybersecurity, intelligence and product security, to sales, user experience, customer success, and more.
CrowdStrike also promotes a remote-first culture, extending to their interns, which means that interns are not denied opportunity based on location and are afforded the same best-in-class technology, tools and processes to work remotely, as high-ranking managers on the CrowdStrike team.
Previous interns have described their experience as “engaging” and “awesome,” adding that “everyone cares what you have to say,” and that mentors have been “supportive, welcoming and willing to share their knowledge with you.”
Check out CrowdStrike’s open internship positions here: https://www.crowdstrike.com/careers/university-interns/
International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC)
ISCS is the member organization for the commerce industry, promoting and elevating marketplaces and spaces where people shop, dine, work, play and gather as vital ingredients of communities and economies.
Because of ICSC’s broad reach, their internships engage students from all majors and backgrounds. With a number of opportunities sponsored by member companies, students can gain experience in property management, brokerage, leasing, human resources, diversity, equity and inclusion, engineering, architecture, and more.
Interns are paid and also receive 30 hours of education, professional development and mentorship. Benefits also include a free ICSC student membership, free registration at an ICSC conference, and the opportunity to participate in the ICSC Foundation mentorship program, pairing students with key industry leaders in a program that follows their internship.
Some ICSC interns have the opportunity to relocate, and ICSC may offer internship grants of up to $1,000 from the ICSC Foundation, to support applicants who are limited by financial constraints.
Learn more about ICSC’s internship programs and find open positions: https://www.icsc.com/who-we-are/foundation/internships
L.L. Bean
L.L. Bean might just have the most fun, summer camp-esque internship program on this list. The outdoor retail giant hosts a summer internship program every year, hiring students in various departments across the country. Over the course of 10 weeks, interns build strong connections, explore the outdoors, meet and learn with leaders, and produce meaningful work. And - there are plenty of adventures carved into their time!
Internships reach a wide variety of departments, including marketing, creative services, information services, security, human resources, and more.
The company also prioritizes diversity initiatives in internship applicants. In the 2021 internship class, 40% of interns came from underrepresented groups.
L.L. Bean interns are eligible for many perks, including a generous discount on merchandise, on-site fitness rooms and classes, a 401(k) program and a $200 stipend for creating an at-home work environment.
Stephen Smith, L.L. Bean President and CEO said: “The Internship Program is very important to us. We view our interns not only as members of the L.L.Bean community but change-makers as well. They bring a fresh perspective to our work that we truly appreciate. We put a lot of energy into our internship program with the hope that interns will be able to hone their skills, develop some new ones -- and fall in love with L.L.Bean—perhaps to come back as future L.L.Bean employees.”
Learn more about the L.L. Bean internship program and view open positions: https://llbeancareers.com/internships.html
Shopify
Shopify is an e-commerce platform dedicated to helping people achieve independence in starting, running, and growing their businesses, making commerce better for everyone. Ranked among Forbes’ top internship programs of 2021, Shopify’s internship programs welcome students who care about engineering, design, development or research to be key players in the way entrepreneurs around the world do business.
Shopify internships are scheduled in four-month or eight-month terms and occur through summer, fall and winter. While many positions focus on research, development, and software, other Shopify internships land in departments like design, data science, UX research and content strategy.
Shopify shares that they treat interns “like permanent employees,” who work on real projects, solve real problems and gain feedback along the way. Providing the tools interns need, Shopify’s leadership trusts their interns to take ownership and make smart decisions.
Shopify’s CEO, Tobias Lutke, said: “Within weeks of starting an internship at Shopify, you’ll make changes that impact millions of customers globally.”
Learn more about Shopify’s internship program and view open roles: https://www.shopify.com/careers/interns
Wayfair
Wayfair, the mega online home goods retailer, has a number of options for folks looking to start their careers. Whether people want to dive into full-time work, join a six-month co-op, or apply for a 10-week internship, Wayfair is full of opportunities for young professionals.
Prioritizing development opportunities, autonomy and mentorship, Wayfair wants students to explore their potential outside of the classroom and take the lead on high-impact projects.
Internships cover a multitude of areas like software engineering, e-commerce strategy, business analytics, operations research, marketing, data science, and more.
Erick Pacheco, a former Advanced Integrations Co-Op, said: “I realized that individuals at Wayfair have become invested in me, in mentoring me, sharing their thoughts, and finding a way to help me achieve my goals.”
The student programs at Wayfair have grown tremendously, jumping from 65 students per co-op cycle in 2017, to over 300 students in 2020.
Learn more about Wayfair’s early career programs and apply today: https://www.aboutwayfair.com/careers/us-students
There are so many amazing internship opportunities out there, and these are just six to get to know during your search! Whichever company you end up interning with, remember to look out for a company that prioritizes your development and empowers you with impactful work from the start.
