Want to Pursue an Internship? Start With This List

Part of what makes college so pivotal are the times when you get out of the classroom and into the world. An internship is often the first significant step in your career. That's because internships for college students can lead to important insights into your career path while helping you develop servant leadership skills and equipping you with real-world knowledge. They can also help you get your foot in the door at a company!

Dallas Baptist University has relationships with many local companies and facilitates a wide range of Dallas internship opportunities for students.

The DBU Handshake system has thousands of internship opportunities for any course of study, some of which are also located in other parts of the United States and the world. What's more, many of the listings include paid internships; gaining relevant field experience while earning a paycheck is essential for busy Christian students who need to maximize the impact of their work.

Below are 10 companies offering the most internships to DBU students.

Amazon

For those pursuing a computer science degree or engineering field of study, Amazon literally has some "prime" opportunities to gain experience at this leading multinational tech company. Internships include product manager and business intelligence roles, as well as computer hardware and software development.

JP Morgan Chase

The world’s largest bank, JP Morgan Chase, has a robust Summer Analyst Program that prioritizes corporate and investment banking and risk management. It’s a great way to explore the firm and gain hands-on work experience before applying for a full-time role, especially for those interested in pursuing a finance career.

GuideStone®

Founded in 1918, GuideStone® provides financial solutions for Christian households, churches, ministries, and faith-aligned institutions that support shared biblical values. While you might think an internship with this company would be finance-focused, they actually have marketing-based internships emphasizing event promotion and outreach. It’s an excellent opportunity for communications and marketing majors!

Academic Programs International

With more than 200 internships available across every single discipline you can imagine, Academic Programs International promotes lifelong learning through global experiences in more than 70 cities around the world. They're committed to a safe, affordable, experiential education abroad that accelerates learning and career growth. From teaching assistants to business administration, social services, engineering, marketing, health, and so much more, there's something for everyone here.

Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education

If you're focused on STEM subjects in school, the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) could be an excellent opportunity to conduct real-world research and gain hands-on lab experience while networking with mentors and peers. With more than 200 internships currently available, ORISE features a large variety of science, tech, engineering, and math programs at national laboratories and federal research facilities across the United States. Through an internship like this, you will gain more knowledge of your anticipated field of study and even expand your expertise into new areas.

AmeriCorps

The mission of AmeriCorps is "to improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic engagement through service and volunteering." As such, Americorps works across many different categories and offers more than 150 internships in just as many channels, including teaching and education, social and human services, public relations, community health, mental health, and more. If you're interested in a career in public services, this is a great place to learn more.

American Conservation Experience

With 70-plus internships listed as part of their Emerging Professionals in Conservation (EPIC) program, the American Conservation Experience (ACE) has a robust list of opportunities for those interested in becoming the next generation of resource and land managers. EPIC operates in partnership with such entities as the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Forest Service, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and other conservation-focused groups.

Menards

A family-owned company that launched in 1958, Menards has more than 300 home improvement stores across the Midwest. For those on the business or management track, one of their 70-plus management internship opportunities may be of interest. After completing their internship program, you're eligible to be promoted directly into a management role after you graduate!

USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS)

As the U.S. Department of Agriculture's chief scientific in-house research agency, the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is tasked with finding solutions to agricultural problems that affect Americans every day. They do so at more than 90 research locations, including overseas labs. But you don't have to be pursuing a degree in agriculture to apply for one of their 60-plus internships. There are opportunities for those pursuing courses in math, biology, human resources, computer science, business administration, management, and more.

Student Conservation Association

If you have a heart for conservation, the Student Conservation Association's internships feature a wide range of focuses—from monitoring sea turtle nests on Florida beaches to developing a social media strategy for a sprawling wilderness preserve in remote Alaska. While the 50 internships available may appeal more to biology majors, there are also a few opportunities for tour and travel guides. Interns work directly with experienced professionals, develop job readiness skills, and make substantial contributions toward protecting the planet.

Bonus Internship Opportunity: Southwest Airlines

Headquartered in Dallas at Love Field Airport, we couldn’t leave out Southwest Airlines as an excellent internship opportunity for computer science majors — especially those who love to travel. The "company with heart" is currently looking for technology interns. The big perk? College interns are eligible for free, unlimited space-available travel to any domestic location where Southwest flies. (Just know that all travel is subject to seat availability, so flexibility is important!)

--

If these companies aren't in exact alignment with your calling, don't let your internship search stop here. At last count, DBU had more than 4,600 internship opportunities listed in Handshake at every type of company you can imagine — from A to Z (literally!).

Remember that DBU's Center for Career and Professional Development is always available to help find placements for students, including those not required to complete internships for their program.

"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." - Colossians 3:23-24 ESV