How do I get an Internship?

These are methods to help you find the right internship for you.

• Spend some time thinking about what type of internship experience you are interested in completing
• Brainstorm a list of organizations you would like to intern.  
• Meet with your academic department's Internship Coordinator
• Talk to potential employers at career and internship fairs.
• Remember, if you do not find an internship experience listed with the organization you're interested in, go directly to the source and inquire further!  Visiting the employer website can provide you with details on any internship programs they may have, or provide you with the information you need to inquire further.
• Don't forget to check on LinkedIn as well, where you can search for internship and entry-level job postings with companies related to people in your LinkedIn network.
• Reach out to your network via an informational interview, and make sure you ask where the person you are interviewing would recommend starting to look for internships in your field of interest.
• Make sure to fill out all of your paperwork correctly when applying for a posted internship! 
• Need more help?  Check out all the different ways that the Career Development Center can assist you!
• Check out the organizations’ websites and learn about their mission, noteworthy items that have been in the news, new program developments, and staff members.
• Handshake is a great resource for researching organizations that are specifically invested in Minnesota State Mankato students (See link to Video/Screencast below)
• Talk with people in your network to see if anyone has additional information about the organization you are interested in—often they have the “off the record” scoop and you can learn a lot from trusted sources.
• Keep organized notes on your findings to use as a resource in the application and interview process.
• Utilize your notes to form solid questions that you will ask at the end of your interview. You will impress them if you say “Upon doing some research, I found ____. Can you tell me more about this?”
• In any interactions with employers, know that they are the experts. Approach conversations with curiosity, not authority.

   

  Current Internship Openings

  Donut Shop Intern

  Are you passionate about food, customer service, and learning what it takes to run a successful local business? Sunday Dough is seeking a highly motivated and reliable intern to assist with daily operations, customer engagement, and small business management tasks. This is a hands-on learning experience designed to provide a comprehensive view of the retail food service industry. Compensation & Legal DisclaimerThis is a PAID internship. The intern will be treated as a W-2 employee and will be compensated at an hourly rate of $10/hr. All required federal and state taxes, including FICA and standard payroll deductions, will apply. Key ResponsibilitiesThe intern will rotate through the following core functions of the shop to gain maximum exposure: A. Retail & Customer Service (50%)Provide friendly, prompt, and accurate service to customers at the counterAssist in packaging orders, handling cash and credit transactions using the POS systemEnsure the front-of-house area is clean, well-stocked, and visually appealingLearn and adhere to all local health and safety regulations for food handling B. Operations & Production Support (30%)Assist with light food preparation and finishing (e.g., dipping, decorating donuts, prepping coffee/beverage ingredients)Manage cleaning tasks and dishwashing as neededAssist the owner/manager with receiving and organizing supply deliveriesLearn the process of waste management and tracking production efficiency C. Business Development & Marketing (20% - Learning Focus)Manage and create content (photos, short videos) for the shop's social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook)Shadow the owner during administrative tasks such as scheduling, basic financial tracking, and vendor orderingHelp develop and implement a small-scale marketing idea, such as a weekly special or local promotionGather customer feedback and offer suggestions for menu or service improvementsOther duties as relevant to desired experience What We’re Looking ForCurrently enrolled in or recently graduated from a high school or college program (Business, Culinary Arts, Marketing, or similar fields preferred)A positive, energetic, and professional attitudeAbility to work early mornings and weekendsStrong verbal communication skills and a willingness to learnMust be legally authorized to work in the United States (age restrictions may apply for certain equipment)10-15 hours/week Why Intern With Us?Gain valuable, marketable experience running a small, successful local businessDirect mentorship from the business ownerDevelop skills in customer relations, retail management, inventory, and social media marketing

  Operations Management Intern

  Operations Management Intern  About the Position Witte Brothers Exchange, in Troy, MO, is seeking ambitious, analytical minds to join our Operations Management Intern Program. This internship offers a comprehensive 10-week rotational experience that immerses participants in the complete order lifecycle, from initial customer engagement through final delivery and payment reconciliation, providing a thorough understanding of how each department contributes to successful order fulfillment. Program DatesJune 1, 2026-August 7, 2026 Program StructureInterns gain comprehensive exposure across key business functions, including: Sales OperationsLogistics ManagementWarehouse Operations     Fleet MaintenanceDispatch CoordinationFinancial OperationsLeadership Skills  What You'll LearnHands-on supply chain operations Leadership and team management skills BenefitsCompetitive Hourly Pay Dedicated program mentorDirect engagement with senior leadershipTop performers may be invited to return for our Management Trainee Program 

  Program Operations Intern

  Program Operations Intern (Accelerator Management, Reporting & Dual-Use Coordination)Primary Focus:Supporting the daily execution and strategic coordination of our international and dual-use accelerator program — one that serves entrepreneurs operating at the intersection of commercial and national security innovation.Core Responsibilities:Manage attendance tracking, homework submissions, and founder communications via Slack.Compile and analyze weekly KPI reports on program progress and participant outcomes.Coordinate curriculum sessions, workshops, and strategy meetings with both commercial and dual-use (defense, aerospace, or critical infrastructure) founders.Support cross-sector engagement with startups, SMBs, government-backed ventures, and corporate innovation teams.Contribute to the ongoing design and communication of program materials for both domestic and international founders.Skills Developed:Program and stakeholder management across commercial and government audiences.Professional communication and reporting.Cross-cultural coordination with international founders.Exposure to dual-use innovation policy and startup ecosystems.Leadership and organizational operations in a mission-driven environment.Ideal For:An organized communicator who enjoys connecting founders, managing fast-paced operations, and learning how global entrepreneurship supports both economic and strategic innovation goals.

  Systems Automation Intern

  Systems & Automation Intern(Innovation Systems, Data Infrastructure & Venture Operations)About the Role:As a Systems & Automation Intern, you’ll work at the nexus of technology, data, and venture operations — helping design the systems that power a global accelerator advancing dual-use innovation, venture capital deployment, and economic competitiveness. You’ll build the digital infrastructure that enables startups, investors, and government partners to collaborate effectively and scale faster.Core Responsibilities:Develop and refine internal systems that automate data collection, reporting, and impact tracking for accelerator programs.Create dashboards and visualizations that showcase venture performance, technology readiness, and investor engagement.Build and document scalable workflows that integrate operational tools (CRM, Notion, Slack, Airtable, etc.) across teams and cohorts.Collaborate with leadership and technical mentors to design repeatable, technology-enabled models for accelerator management.Support the development of scalable frameworks that can be adapted for corporate innovation, government programs, or investment portfolios.Professional Development Outcomes:Hands-on experience in workflow automation, digital transformation, and innovation systems architecture.Understanding of how data drives decision-making across venture and dual-use technology ecosystems.Exposure to frontier technologies and their investment, commercialization, and national security pathways.Strengthened technical and analytical skills applicable to consulting, venture operations, or startup strategy roles.Portfolio-ready projects demonstrating system design, automation, and applied innovation.Ideal For:Students in Management Information Systems, Finance, Engineering, or Business Analytics — especially those interested in venture capital, emerging technology strategy, or national security innovation — who want to combine operational excellence with technical fluency.

  Human Resources Compliance Intern

  We can’t wait to share our passion for aviation with you! Join a team that works hard, cares for each other and offers plenty of opportunities to grow.    At Piedmont Airlines, our strength is the way we deliver industry leading service to our customers and airline partners. To continue our standard of excellence, Piedmont is seeking motivated, reliable individual to join our team as a part-time Human Resources Compliance Intern in the Salisbury, MD corporate headquarters.. This position supports the Human Resources team to ensure Human Resources policies and processes are efficient and compliant with all regulatory agencies and requirements. This role will support and assist with thorough audit reviews of HR compliance processes. This position reports to the Human Resources Manager Principle Duties and Responsibilities:Participates in onboarding new employeesAssists with the maintenance of permanent and electronic personnel recordsProofreads HR documents including audits and handbooksMay be responsible for making meeting and travel arrangementsDevelops a working knowledge of HR information databases and searchable resources. Minimum Qualifications:Ability to work independently and meet specified deadlinesOutstanding organizational skills and ability to multi-taskExcellent writing and speaking skillsSkilled in computer knowledge and usageSeeking an undergraduate degree in Human Resources or related field Preferred Qualifications:Proficient with Microsoft Office ExcelAbility to audit and analyze data Work Environment:Standard office environment, use of computers and other office equipmentAbility to work flexible schedule, if neededNon-Exempt Physical Requirements:Occasional lifting up to 25lbs  Starting Rate:$15.00/Hourly  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. ​ In addition to a competitive salary, we offer bonuses awarded in accordance with company policies and applicable criteria.