Internships and Jobs

Take a closer look at the links below to find internships, jobs, and funding opportunities. Whether you’re planning for summer, winter term, or your next professional step, you’ll find the guidance and tools you need to make it happen.

Internships

Internships are a great way to gain hands-on experience, build your skills, and explore potential career paths. We offer support for every step of the process, from finding opportunities to funding unpaid internships.

• Find an Internship
  Internships are a chance to explore your interests and gain real-world experience. Whether you’re exploring a personal interest, building on your academic work, volunteering with a nonprofit, or testing out a potential career path, internships help you grow and make meaningful connections.
• Fund Unpaid Summer Internships
  Need financial support for an unpaid internship? Learn how to apply for funding and make the most of your experience.
• Summer Internships for Credit
  Earn credit while gaining valuable professional experience during the summer months. Discover eligibility requirements and application steps.
• Winter Term Internships
  Use your winter break to explore career fields, gain skills, and connect with professionals. Find opportunities and learn how to get started.

Jobs

Whether you’re looking for part-time work, post-graduation opportunities, or something in between, we have resources to help you find the right fit.

• Handshake
  Handshake is your go-to platform for finding jobs, internships, and career events. Build your profile and start connecting with employers today!

Recruiting Timelines

Hiring happens all year long, but some industries follow more structured recruiting cycles than others. Below you’ll find typical timelines by industry to help guide your search. Keep in mind: there are always exceptions. The best way to stay in the loop is to identify organizations that interest you, check their websites regularly, and connect with alumni in the field.

Timelines by Industry

Arts, Media, and Communications

Internships & jobs: November–May

• Large studios: November–January
• Museums and cultural institutions (e.g., The Met, MoMA): November–February
• Public relations and advertising: November–March

Tips:

• Build a portfolio! Include writing samples, visuals, pitch decks, social media campaigns, and personal or class projects.
• Interviews in this space may feel more casual, but always be prepared to speak clearly about your work and interests.

Business, Finance, and Consulting

Many finance and consulting firms recruit one or more years in advance, often targeting sophomores for junior-year internships that may lead to return offers. Some large firms don’t recruit seniors at all.

• Finance & consulting jobs: March–September
• Finance internships: January–August
  • Investment banking: January–March
  • Private equity: February–May
  • Quantitative trading: April–August
• Consulting internships: May–September
• General business jobs, internships, and rotational programs: August–January

Education

• Public school hiring peaks in late spring (around April).
• Private schools typically recruit in early winter (around December).
• Higher education jobs open year-round, with a summer surge in postings.
• Educational nonprofits hire throughout the year, with more opportunities in late spring for graduating students.

Government, Law, and Policy

• Government jobs and internships: August–May
  • Federal government: August–February
  • State and local government: January–May

Tips:

• Some federal internships recruit 6+ months ahead of start dates—be sure to create a USAJobs profile early.
• Writing samples (3–5 pages) are commonly requested—have one ready.
• Law firms may hire in the fall for spring starts, with paralegal and legal assistant roles posted year-round.

Social Impact and Non-Profit

• Nonprofits often hire as needed rather than on a fixed timeline.
• Most internships and full-time roles are posted in the spring semester.
• Service programs like Teach for America follow more structured application cycles with specific deadlines.

Science, Research, and Healthcare

• Internships in research and labs: January–April
• Pharmaceutical/biotech jobs & internships: September–March
• Full-time jobs: September–April
  • Larger employers and fellowships post early; smaller orgs tend to post later in spring
• Healthcare timelines vary widely depending on the role—research, public health, clinical, etc.
• Expect internship postings between February and April, with interviews often in January–February.

Technology

• Large tech firms (e.g., Google, Apple, Meta, Amazon) typically begin intern recruiting in September and hire full-time in the fall.
• Many aim to convert interns into full-time hires.
• Mid-sized firms often begin hiring in January–February.
• Tech start-ups usually recruit in late spring (February–March).
• Interviews for all sizes of firms happen throughout the spring semester.
• For spring recruiting, start researching roles in late January.

We’re Here to Help

Have questions or need assistance? The Center for Careers and Internships (CCI) is here to support you. Reach out to us at cci@middlebury.edu or stop by during drop-in hours.