Besides fulfilling your childhood dreams of living in an exciting city, interning in Houston is a great launchpad for your career. Houston is known for science, energy, and medical internships and has a rich and vibrant aerospace, medical, and intern scene.
Summer internships provide you with many valuable experiences, giving a real taste of what it’ll be like to work in your preferred industry down the line. You’ll connect with potential mentors, learn trade secrets, and build relationships with coworkers with a range of expertise. Internships beef up resumes, provide valuable avenues to letters of recommendation, and can even turn into full-time jobs. If you consider all of these perks of interning and add the benefit of exploring a diverse city that’s full of opportunities, you have a very compelling list of reasons to intern in Houston. Continue reading along for tips on how to find the best paid summer 2020 or fall internships in Houston.
Tips for your resume and profiles
Before you get started on sending out applications, make sure that you have your resume up to date and have fully filled out all your Handshake profile details. With a complete profile, an impressive Houston internship is more attainable than ever. Recruiters are much more likely to message a student with a complete profile that says you want to work in Houston than an unfinished one.
Tips for your internship interview
When you do land your first interview, be it a virtual interview or in person, make sure to come prepared and dressed to impress. Review your resume and cover letter to make sure you have specific examples of your experience to share, from clubs or coursework. You can even schedule a mock interview with your university’s career center or, if you’re tight on time, ask a trusted friend to grill you on some common interview questions.
Tips for networking at college internships in Houston
Once you’ve landed an internship in Houston and settled into the flow of day-to-day life at the office, start chatting with your coworkers. Whether they’re industry professionals or fellow interns, it’s important to treat them with equal respect. You never know what insights they could lend, or who could be a valuable connection down the line, five or ten years from now. Don’t be afraid to ask your new colleagues out for quick coffee chats, or request 15-minute informational interviews about their career trajectory.
Want more tips for getting the most out of your internship?
Looking for specific advice before your internship begins? Or are you hungry for further information even after your internship is over? A good way to delve even deeper into your career path growth is to attend a virtual event or two. Not only will you be learning more about your own career, but there will also be chances to network with employers, industry specialists, and other students sharing different perspectives.
Where can I find an internship in Houston?
Here is a list of employers looking for interns in Houston, including some of the best companies to intern for in Houston:
Accenture
Accenture is a multinational professional services company.
- Industry: Management Consulting
- Types of roles: Business Analysts, IT Analysts, Software Developers and Engineers
- Recommended applicants: Consider applying for an internship at Accenture if you’re majoring in business or computer science, or if you’ve taken courses in applicable areas.
Credit Suisse
Credit Suisse is a leading investment bank and financial services company.
- Industry: Investment & Portfolio Management
- Types of roles: Auditors, Business Analysts and Management Consultants, Investment Banking Analysts
- Recommended applicants: Apply for a Credit Suisse internship if you’re majoring in business or entrepreneurship, or have taken applicable courses in economics or finance.
BMO Financial Group
BMO Financial Group is a diversified financial services provider that conducts business through three operating groups.
- Industry: Investment Banking
- Types of roles: Investment Banking Analysts
- Recommended applicants: Consider applying for an internship at BMO Financial Group if you’re majoring in finance or business, or if you’ve taken applicable courses.
Moelis & Company
Moelis and Company is a global independent investment bank.
- Industry: Investment Banking
- Types of roles: Investment Bank Analysts
- Recommended applicants: Consider applying for an internship at Moelis & Company if you’re majoring in mathematics or finance, or if you’ve taken courses in applicable areas.
Goldman Sachs
Goldman Sachs is a global investment banking and financial services company that offers services in investment management, assets, brokerage, and securities underwriting.
- Industry: Investment Banking
- Types of roles: Accountants, Business Analysts and Management Consultants, Investment Banking Analysts
- Recommended applicants: Consider applying for a Goldman Sachs internship if you’re majoring in business or accounting, or have taken applicable courses in management or accounting.
Insight Global
Insight Global is a national staffing and services company specializing in sourcing information for accounting, tech, and others.
- Industry: Human Resources
- Types of roles: Advertising and PR Managers, Human Resources, Sales Agents
- Recommended applicants: Consider applying for an internship at Insight Global if you’re majoring in accounting, PR, or computer science, or if you’ve taken courses in applicable areas.
Cowen
Cowen is a diversified financial services firm offering investment banking, equity and credit research, sales, brokerage and other services to their clients.
- Industry: Investment Banking
- Types of roles: Investment Banking Analysts
- Recommended applicants: Apply for an internship at Cowen if you’re majoring in finance or math, or have taken applicable courses in either of these fields.
RBC Wealth Management
RBC Wealth Management is a global organization providing advice and wealth management solutions.
- Industry: Portfolio Management
- Types of roles: Investment Banking Analysts, Credit and Financial Risk Managers, Administrative Service Managers
- Recommended applicants: Consider applying for an internship at RBC Wealth Management if you’re majoring in finance or business, or if you’ve taken courses in applicable areas.
Peace Corps
The Peace Corps is a program with a mission of providing social and economic development while fostering mutual understanding.
- Industry: International Affairs
- Types of roles: Teachers/Adult Education and ESL Instructors, Economists, Agricultural Workers
- Recommended applicants: Consider applying for an internship at the Peace Corps if you’re majoring in international business or economics, or if you’ve taken courses in applicable areas.
Girlstart
Girlstart is non-profit organization with a mission to increase girls’ engagement in STEM.
- Industry: Non-Profit
- Types of roles: Childcare Workers, Education Administrators, Elementary School Teachers/Instructors
- Recommended applicants: Consider applying for an internship at Girlstart if you’re majoring in engineering, business, or computer science, or if you’ve taken courses in applicable areas.
Tips and tricks to surviving your Houston internship
If you’re a transplant or even if you’ve called Houston home forever, it never hurts to review advice for living in the city during your internship. After you’ve figured out how to get an internship in Houston, think about the other parts of your internship journey.
Buy a Metro Q Fare Card
No matter where your apartment is located or where you’re commuting to, if you aren’t bringing your car, you’re almost always going to need public transportation to get there. Purchasing a Metro Q Fare Card is highly recommended to make reloading funds a breeze.
If you’re frequently commuting and feeling savvy, go for the metro day pass! You’ll be able to mindlessly ride the metro during your commute hours and won’t have to think about counting out your cash every time you board.
Don’t get (too) lost, download RideMETRO
This app will help get you oriented to the city and find the right connections to wherever you’re going.
4 essential Houston restaurants to try during your internship
- Corkscrew BBQ
- The Pit Room
- Uchi
- Bosscat
Things to experience during your time in Houston
- Space Center Houston
- Buffalo Bayou Park
- Houston Museum of Natural Science
- Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
3 neighborhoods to considering living in during your Houston internship
- Midtown
- Montrose
- Memorial Park
How do I find an apartment in Houston?
Consider these resources to help your Houston apartment search:
- Apartments.com
- Zillow
- Apartment Finder
- Rent.com
- Join a Houston Housing, Rooms, Apartments, and Sublets group on Facebook
Where to order food from in Houston
Finding an internship in Houston
How do I find the best paid internships in Houston?
When searching for a paid internship in Houston, it’s key to use the location filters provided on Handshake. You’ll be able to pinpoint internships exactly where you want to intern just by selecting the city you want in the search bar. Easy internships in Houston are just a search away.
You can also research top companies in Houston by visiting our list of Handshake employers and typing Houston into the “Location” search bar. This way you’ll be able to see employers in your desired location. Once on the company’s page, you can read reviews from students who have interned there or study up on some interview questions.
Where do interns live in Houston?
To find rentals, many interns use resources like Rent.com, Zillow, and other sites specifically for apartment hunting. If you have any connections in the city, it’s also always good to consider those first.
To start your hunt, try searching in popular neighborhoods like Midtown, Montrose, or Memorial Park.
How can an intern live in Houston?
Moving to a new city is equal parts exciting and nerve wracking–make sure you have all your details squared away for your internship before you pack your bags.
Here are a few things to consider:
- Have you checked out tips on how to land an internship?
- Do you need your internship to provide compensation?
- Are you renting in an affordable neighborhood?
- Are you comfortable using the metro frequently?
- Will the food options available work for you?
How can I get an internship without experience in Houston?
If you don’t have previous experience and want to kickstart your first internship in Houston, don’t fret! There are definitely ways to land that role you’ve had your eyes on. Houston internships want you!
Start by reviewing your resume! Read it over a couple of times and then consider the types of internships you’re going to be applying for. Think back to courses you’ve taken at university, as well as any extracurriculars, volunteer work, or even organizations (clubs or greek life for example) that you’ve participated in. Organize the skills that you’ve gained from those experiences and add them to your resume and Handshake profile. Even though you might not have held an internship or job before, there are still ways to prove your worth through other skills and experiences.