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

  USDA-ARS Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Analytical Chemistry

  *Applications are reviewed on a rolling-basis.ARS Office/Lab and Location: A research opportunity is currently available with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), at the Eastern Regional Research Center (ERRC) located in Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania.The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is the U.S. Department of Agriculture's chief scientific in-house research agency with a mission to find solutions to agricultural problems that affect Americans every day from field to table. ARS will deliver cutting-edge, scientific tools and innovative solutions for American farmers, producers, industry, and communities to support the nourishment and well-being of all people; sustain our nation’s agroecosystems and natural resources; and ensure the economic competitiveness and excellence of our agriculture. The vision of the agency is to provide global leadership in agricultural discoveries through scientific excellence.Research Project: Under the guidance of a mentor, the participant will conduct research on targeted and non-targeted analysis of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in food and food contact materials. The participant will be a part of method development, validation and application of novel methods for analysis of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in food and food packaging, develop and validate new analytical methods for PFAS quantitative analysis using gas and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry instruments, conduct research on screening and non-targeted identification of PFAS with high resolution mass spectrometry instruments, perform sample preparation, instrumental and data analysis, and write scientific per-reviewed manuscripts and reports.Learning Objectives: The participant will learn to conduct research in the food safety arena, gain new knowledge on developing novel advanced analytical techniques for food safety monitoring; and evaluate the analytical performance aspects of different types of advanced instrumentation. This research will give the postdoctoral scientist exceptional hands-on knowledge and skills involving the use of advanced analytical tools that will be invaluable to their future career development.  Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Yelena Sapozhnikova (yelena.sapozhnikova@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor(s).Anticipated Appointment Start Date: January 2026. Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.Appointment Length: The appointment will initially be for one year with the possibility to extend based on funding. Level of Participation: The appointment is full time.Participant Stipend: The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience.Citizenship Requirements: This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens only.ORISE Information: This program, administered by ORAU through its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to manage the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), was established through an interagency agreement between DOE and ARS. Participants do not become employees of USDA, ARS, DOE or the program administrator, and there are no employment-related benefits. Proof of health insurance is required for participation in this program. Health insurance can be obtained through ORISE.Questions: Please visit our Program Website. After reading, if you have additional questions about the application process, please email ORISE.ARS.Northeast@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.Qualifications The qualified candidate should have received or be currently pursuing a doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields (Analytical/Environmental Chemistry or a closely related field). Degree must have been received within the past four years or is currently being pursued.Preferred skills:Knowledge and experience in operating chromatography-mass spectrometry instruments (triple quadrupole, Orbitrap)Experience and skills in sample preparationWorking knowledge of statistical analysis, data handling and data analysisStrong interpersonal and teamwork skills – ability to be self-motivated and to perform both independently and in a team environmentStrong problem-solving skillsExcellent written and oral communication skills with a record of publicationPoint of Contact JaneenEligibility Requirements Citizenship: U.S. Citizen OnlyDegree: Doctoral Degree received within the last 48 months or currently pursuing.

  USDA-ARS Fellowship to Study Influenza A Virus in Livestock

  *Applications are reviewed on a rolling-basis.ARS Office/Lab and Location: A research opportunity is currently available with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), located in Ames, Iowa.The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is the U.S. Department of Agriculture's chief scientific in-house research agency with a mission to find solutions to agricultural problems that affect Americans every day from field to table. ARS will deliver cutting-edge, scientific tools and innovative solutions for American farmers, producers, industry, and communities to support the nourishment and well-being of all people; sustain our nation’s agroecosystems and natural resources; and ensure the economic competitiveness and excellence of our agriculture. The vision of the agency is to provide global leadership in agricultural discoveries through scientific excellence.Research Project: The participant will be involved in studying influenza A virus (IAV) in swine and other natural hosts. This project is within the Intervention Strategies to Control Endemic and New and Emerging Influenza A Virus Infections in Swine project in the Virus and Prion Research Unit. Scientists in this unit maintain a comprehensive IAV research program including investigation of virulence mechanisms, vaccinology, immunology, and virus evolution. The participant will be based on the National Centers for Animal Health campus and enjoy interactions with a dynamic community of ARS intramural scientists, postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and research and animal care technicians, as well as extramural collaborations through the NIH Centers of Excellence in Influenza Research and Response and Iowa State University.Learning Objectives: Under the guidance of a mentor, the participant will learn to use a range of virology, immunology, and pathology methods to study how interspecies transmission, genomic reassortment, and production practices affect the phenotype of endemic viruses and the emergence of novel influenza A viruses with pandemic potential in swine and other natural hosts. The learning objectives are to quantify phenotypes of IAV in natural hosts and animal models; identify predictors of IAV host range and virulence; study the antigenic variability of endemic viruses; test vaccine efficacy; and study pathogenesis and transmission as IAV is transmitted among hosts.Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Amy Baker (amy.l.baker@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor(s).Anticipated Appointment Start Date: December 2025. Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.Appointment Length: The appointment will initially be for one year but may be renewed upon recommendation of ARS and is contingent on the availability of funds.Level of Participation: The appointment is full time.Participant Stipend: The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience. The anticipated stipend is $74,539 annually.Citizenship Requirements: This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR) only.ORISE Information: This program, administered by ORAU through its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to manage the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), was established through an interagency agreement between DOE and ARS. Participants do not become employees of USDA, ARS, DOE or the program administrator, and there are no employment-related benefits. Proof of health insurance is required for participation in this program. Health insurance can be obtained through ORISE.Questions: Please visit our Program Website. After reading, if you have additional questions about the application process, please email ORISE.ARS.Midwest@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.Qualifications The qualified candidate should be currently pursuing or have received a doctoral degree in the one of the relevant fields (e.g. Microbiology, Virology, Pathology, and/or Immunology). Degree must have been received within the past five years or anticipated to be received by start of appointment. A Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree with research experience will also be considered.Preferred skills:Experience in infectious disease and animal modelsExperience performing virologic techniques, molecular biologic laboratory assays, cell culture, serologic assays, or immunologic assaysExperience in data analysis and interpretation, technical writing, peer-reviewed publication, and public speakingPossess interpersonal skills to perform in a team environmentStipend $74,539.00 YearlyPoint of Contact JaneenEligibility Requirements Citizenship: LPR or U.S. CitizenDegree: Doctoral Degree.

  USDA-ARS Biological Science Fellow

  *Applications are reviewed on a rolling-basis.ARS Office/Lab and Location: A research opportunity is currently available with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), located in Newark, Delaware.The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is the U.S. Department of Agriculture's chief scientific in-house research agency with a mission to find solutions to agricultural problems that affect Americans every day from field to table. ARS will deliver cutting-edge, scientific tools and innovative solutions for American farmers, producers, industry, and communities to support the nourishment and well-being of all people; sustain our nation’s agroecosystems and natural resources; and ensure the economic competitiveness and excellence of our agriculture. The vision of the agency is to provide global leadership in agricultural discoveries through scientific excellence.Research Project: The USDA-ARS Beneficial Insects Introduction Research Unit conducts collections, screening and tests of exotic natural enemies (parasitoids) as classical biological control approaches against invasive insect pests in the USA. The Laboratory houses a quarantine facility where beneficial insects from abroad are imported and evaluated for both the safety (non-target risk) and efficiency of candidate biological control agents against target pests. By carefully evaluating, selecting, and releasing specialized natural enemies, the long-term goal is to permanently establish a self-sustaining natural enemy population to help suppress invasive pest populations at an acceptable level or at levels that no longer cause economic or environmental damage. The participant will join in a collaborative research project between the USDA-ARS and partners to develop biological control agents for spotted lanternfly, an emerging invasive insect pest of important agricultural crops such as graphs and stone fruits in the USA. Under the guidance of a mentor, the participant will evaluate an imported parasitoid species for its suitability and potential for the control of spotted lanternfly, by investigating the parasitoid’s behavior, biology, ecology as well as some key ecological factors (e.g., host plants) potentially affecting its efficiency and establishment potential. Learning Objectives: The participant will have ample opportunities to develop expertise in biological control methods, engage in collaboration with project patterns, present research findings at professional meetings, and write research results for scientific publications.  Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Xingeng Wang (xingeng.wang@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor(s).Anticipated Appointment Start Date: September 2025. Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.Appointment Length: The appointment will initially be for one year, but may be renewed upon recommendation of ARS and is contingent on the availability of funds.Level of Participation: The appointment is full time.Participant Stipend: The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience.Citizenship Requirements: This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens only.ORISE Information: This program, administered by ORAU through its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to manage the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), was established through an interagency agreement between DOE and ARS. Participants do not become employees of USDA, ARS, DOE or the program administrator, and there are no employment-related benefits. Proof of health insurance is required for participation in this program. Health insurance can be obtained through ORISE.Questions: Please visit our Program Website. After reading, if you have additional questions about the application process, please email ORISE.ARS.Northeast@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.Qualifications The qualified candidate should have received a bachelor's degree in one of the relevant fields (Entomology or Insect Ecology or related fields). Degree must have been received within the past five years.Preferred skills:Experience with insect rearing, quarantine evaluations on insect natural enemies, research on parasitoid behavior, biology or ecology (e.g., use of insect growth chambers, insect behavioral bioassays with Observer or EthoVison) would be considered favorable. Point of Contact JaneenEligibility Requirements Citizenship: U.S. Citizen OnlyDegree: Bachelor's Degree received within the last 60 month(s).

  USDA-ARS Postdoctoral Fellowship in Maize Breeding and Genetics

  *Applications are reviewed on a rolling-basis.ARS Office/Lab and Location: A research opportunity is currently available with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), located at USDA ARS Corn Host Plant Resistance Research Unit, Mississippi State, in Starkville, Mississippi.The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is the U.S. Department of Agriculture's chief scientific in-house research agency with a mission to find solutions to agricultural problems that affect Americans every day from field to table. ARS will deliver cutting-edge, scientific tools and innovative solutions for American farmers, producers, industry, and communities to support the nourishment and well-being of all people; sustain our nation’s agroecosystems and natural resources; and ensure the economic competitiveness and excellence of our agriculture. The vision of the agency is to provide global leadership in agricultural discoveries through scientific excellence.Research Project: The long-term objective of the research unit is to identify and develop corn germplasm with resistance to Aspergillus flavus infection and the subsequent accumulation of aflatoxin and resistance to insect damage using both conventional breeding methods and marker assisted breeding. Learning Objectives: The participant will partner with the mentor to learn more about:Conducting phenotype trials related to maize breeding and genetics.Marker-trait association analysis and RNA-Seq analysis to identify genetic variations associated with desirable traitsPreparation of data for scientific technical reports and manuscripts.Current scientific advancement by reading literature and attending supervisor approved meetings, workshops, and conferences.Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Ebrahiem Babiker (ebrahiem.babiker@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor(s).Anticipated Appointment Start Date: October 2025. Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.Appointment Length: The appointment will initially be for one year, but may be renewed upon recommendation of ARS and is contingent on the availability of funds.Level of Participation: The appointment is full time.Participant Stipend: The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience. The anticipated stipend is approximately $72,000 annually with a health insurance supplement.Citizenship Requirements: This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens only.ORISE Information: This program, administered by ORAU through its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to manage the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), was established through an interagency agreement between DOE and ARS. Participants do not become employees of USDA, ARS, DOE or the program administrator, and there are no employment-related benefits. Proof of health insurance is required for participation in this program. Health insurance can be obtained through ORISE.Questions: Please visit our Program Website. After reading, if you have additional questions about the application process, please email orise.ars.southeast@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.Qualifications The qualified candidate should have received a doctoral degree in the one of the relevant fields. Degree must have been received within the past five years.Preferred skills:In-depth professional knowledge and expertise in plant breeding, quantitative genetics, plant pathology, agronomy, and statistical analysis.Experience in conducting plant breeding and genetics research that results in publications in peer reviewed journals.Stipend $72,000.00 YearlyPoint of Contact JaneenEligibility Requirements Citizenship: U.S. Citizen OnlyDegree: Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 month(s).

  USDA-ARS Research Fellowship for Biological Control of Emerald Ash Borer

  *Applications are reviewed on a rolling-basis.ARS Office/Lab and Location: A research opportunity is currently available with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), located in Newark, Delaware.The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is the U.S. Department of Agriculture's chief scientific in-house research agency with a mission to find solutions to agricultural problems that affect Americans every day from field to table. ARS will deliver cutting-edge, scientific tools and innovative solutions for American farmers, producers, industry, and communities to support the nourishment and well-being of all people; sustain our nation’s agroecosystems and natural resources; and ensure the economic competitiveness and excellence of our agriculture. The vision of the agency is to provide global leadership in agricultural discoveries through scientific excellence.Research Project: The research fellow will participate in collaborative research on biological control of emerald ash borer at the USDA ARS Beneficial Insects Introduction Research Unit. Research will occur both in a laboratory quarantine facility and in forests across the U.S. Under the guidance of a mentor, the research fellow will: 1) initiate and maintain a variety of insect colonies including the emerald ash borer and its egg or larval parasitoids so that sufficient numbers of these insects are available during specified periods in order to conduct experiments and 2) conduct field experiments to delineate host association of egg parasitoids and impact on emerald parasitoids and other non-target Agrilus pest in Northern U.S..Learning Objectives: Through participation in the research project, the participant will learn principles of classical biological control as well critical thinking skills and methods in designing laboratory and field experiments for studying the behavior, biology, and ecology of the invasive pest and its natural enemies. In addition, the participant will learn methods for assessing the impacts of introduced natural enemies on its targeted pest population and the subsequent ecological recovery of ash forest recovery.Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Jian Duan (jian.duan@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor(s).Anticipated Appointment Start Date: October 2025. Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.Appointment Length: The appointment will initially be for 9 months but may be renewed upon recommendation of ARS and is contingent on the availability of funds.Level of Participation: The appointment is full time or part time.Participant Stipend: The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience. Stipend range estimated $3,500 - $4,500 monthlyCitizenship Requirements: This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens only.ORISE Information: This program, administered by ORAU through its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to manage the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), was established through an interagency agreement between DOE and ARS. Participants do not become employees of USDA, ARS, DOE or the program administrator, and there are no employment-related benefits. Proof of health insurance is required for participation in this program. Health insurance can be obtained through ORISE.Questions: Please visit our Program Website. After reading, if you have additional questions about the application process, please email ORISE.ARS.Northeast@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.Qualifications The qualified candidate should be currently pursuing or have received a bachelor's or master's degree in the one of the relevant fields (e.g. biology, entomology, ecology or related fields). Degree must have been received within the past five years or is anticipated to be complete prior to start of appointment.Preferred skills:BiologyOne year of experience with wood-boring insects and their parasitoidsA bachelor's degree in biology with at least 12 credits in entomology or a master's degree in entomologyStipend $3,500.00 – $4,500.00 MonthlyPoint of Contact JaneenEligibility Requirements Citizenship: U.S. Citizen OnlyDegree: Bachelor's Degree or Master's Degree received within the last 60 months or currently pursuing.