10 Best Cities for College Internships

By Logan Livers, Storage.com

College is as full of new adventures as your car is on the day you move in to your dorm. Storage.com can help you tackle your college career with helpful tips or by providing you a safe storage solution for summer breaks.

College is built around the core goals of learning and gaining experience, and while classes are great learning environments, the best way to gain experience is by doing real work. That’s why college internships are so vital for a well-rounded education and can help prepare you for your career following school. Not only do internships give you an opportunity to get a foot in the door of a great company and gain solid work experience, but they can be an exciting chance to live in a new city for a summer or a semester. Here are some of the best U.S. cities for landing a prestigious college internship.

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NEW YORK CITY, NY

New York City skyline
Photo by timminger73

New York City is the mecca of opportunity. The Big Apple has more big-name internships available than any other city in the United States, and is by far the most competitive market in the world. If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere!

NYC has internships in nearly every single field imaginable, and draws a lot of top students in for internships in fashion, performing arts, advertising, and finance. Securing an internship in New York can be difficult, but you’ll be richly rewarded with amazing real world experience and a huge boost on your resume.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA

San Francisco Bay Bridge
Photo by Dawn Ellner

San Francisco is like Disneyland for those who are passionate about technology. If you have hopes of working in the tech industry following college, what better place to pursue a summer internship than in Silicon Valley itself? The Valley is home to technology giants Adobe Systems, Netflix, Intel, Apple Inc., and so many more. It’s also where you’ll find some of the most coveted internships in the technology industry at the Google headquarters.

Beyond technology there are also plenty of creative agencies in San Francisco, providing opportunities for those pursuing careers in marketing, online publishing, graphic design, writing, and more.

LOS ANGELES, CA

Los Angeles skyline
Photo by Kevin Stanchfield

Los Angeles is one of the most competitive cities in the world when it comes to internships, so landing an internship in the City of Angels can be a huge resume booster. L.A. sets the trend globally in many things related to fashion and advertising, and is also ground zero in the entertainment industry. Could you imagine working as a summer intern in Hollywood?

Los Angeles is great for those interested in working in entertainment, advertising, fashion, finance, and many other career fields. Along with the great work experience, you’ll get to revel in all of the glitz and glam of living near Hollywood.

WASHINGTON, D.C.

Federal buildings in Washington, D.C.
Photo by Phil Roeder

Political science and pre-law students would benefit greatly from a summer internship in our nation’s capital. Washington, D.C. is clearly the best location for an internship for someone interested in politics or public policy, but there are many more meaningful internships available in the city.

With plenty of government agencies offering internships, as well as leading programs in political journalism, economics, and legal studies, Washington, D.C. is the ideal place to both learn and gain valuable experience on the front steps of our national government.

ATLANTA, GA

Atlanta skyline
Photo by Mike

Atlanta is a hotbed for big-name companies, and has a lot of career opportunities to show for it. When you’re searching for valuable internships around the country, don’t overlook this southern gem. Atlanta is home to 10 Fortune 500 companies including Coca-Cola, Delta Air Lines, CNN, and Home Depot, so you can gain experience under some of the best in the world.

Enjoy some of that famous southern hospitality over the summer while working for a prestigious company in Atlanta. As an added bonus, living arrangements are much more affordable in Atlanta when compared to most of the other cities on this list.

DALLAS, TX

Dallas skyline
Photo by tribalicious

Everything is bigger in Texas, and that goes for the internships, as well. Dallas is known as one of the southern hubs for major corporations, as it’s home to 12 Fortune 500 companies, including AT&T, ExxonMobil, and Southwest Airlines. Plus, with nearby Fort Worth, there are even more opportunities in the surrounding metropolitan area.

Dallas is a great location for those who are interested in technology and also for those who want to find a sports internship. With the Cowboys, Rangers, Mavericks, and Stars all in the city of Dallas, it’s an exciting place to gain some experience in the professional sports industry.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN

Minneapolis skyline
Photo by m01229

Minneapolis isn’t the first city that comes to mind when thinking about places with a lot of internship opportunities, but it’s been growing in many industries over the past decade. Home to several Fortune 500 companies, including Target, 3M, and U.S. Bancorp, Minneapolis is a great place gain valuable experience with a large corporation.

Minneapolis has enjoyed steady growth in the technology and advertising industries over the past several years and was named the “Top Tech City” by Popular Science in 2005. The Twin Cities also offer affordable housing, fantastic cuisine, and a great nightlife to enjoy while working your summer internship.

SAN DIEGO, CA

San Diego skyline
Photo by Chad McDonald

This southern California city is one of the premiere destinations for summer internships. San Diego is an excellent destination for those who are interested in technology, public relations, and engineering. With a huge naval presence, engineering jobs are a large part of the San Diego economy.

If you choose to work a summer internship in San Diego, you’ll gain more than valuable work experience. You’ll have the opportunity to work on a tan or even learn how to surf on the amazing beaches in the area.

SEATTLE, WA

Seattle skyline
Photo by Tiffany Von Arnim

Seattle is one of the hottest scenes in the country right now, so it’s no surprise that it’s one of the best places for a summer internship. Seattle is among the leaders in technology, with both Amazon and Microsoft headquartered in the metropolitan area. Also in Seattle are notable companies like Starbucks, T-Mobile USA, Nordstrom, Sub Pop, and many more.

The Emerald City is well known for its amazing culture, music, food, and infrastructure. Spend the summer in Seattle and utilize the amazing trail system throughout the city, hit up the thriving music scene that has evolved far past grunge, or eat your heart out at the many local restaurants.

CHICAGO, IL

Chicago skyline
Photo by Ocatvio Ruiz Cervera

Chicago is home to the third largest gross metropolitan product in the country, making it a city that is filled to the brim with opportunity. Among the major powerhouses in the greater Chicago area are the Walgreen Company, Kraft Foods Group, Inc., McDonald’s, and the headquarters of the Boeing Company. Along with these major companies, Chicago is also home to a growing selection of investment firms, telecommunications companies, advertising agencies, and much more.

The Windy City is a sports fan’s dream destination, and when you’re in town for a summer internship, you’ll have to choose allegiance between the White Sox or the Cubs. Along with the spirited sports scene, Chicago also has spectacular parks, like Grant Park and Navy Pier, and efficient public transportation to help you explore the city.

Where is your summer internship located? Tell us in the comments below!

All images have either been provided by a listed organization or are licensed under the Creative Commons.