Besides fulfilling your childhood dreams of living in an exciting city, interning in Philadelphia is a great launchpad for your career. Philadelphia is known for business, energy, and arts internships and has a rich and vibrant arts, historial, 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 Philadelphia. Continue reading along for tips on how to find the best paid summer 2021 or fall internships in Philadelphia.
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 Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia
Once you’ve landed an internship in Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia?
Here is a list of employers looking for interns in Philadelphia, including some of the best companies to intern for in Philadelphia:
INROADS
INROADS is a non-profit organization focused on bringing ethnic diversity to corporate America.
- Industry: Non-Profit
- Types of roles: Business Analysts, Computer Hardware and Electronic Engineers, Software Developers and Engineers
- Recommended applicants: Consider applying for an internship at INROADS if you’re a business, diversity studies, or engineering major, or if you’ve taken courses in applicable areas.
Clean Water Action
The Clean Water Action is a non-profit organization focused on protecting America’s waters, building healthy communities, and making democracy work for everyone.
- Industry: Politics
- Types of roles: Fundraising Managers, Public Policy and Government Affairs Advocates, Canvassers
- Recommended applicants: Consider applying for an internship at the Clean Water Action if you’re majoring in politics, finance, or business, or if you’ve taken courses in applicable areas.
Research for Action
Research for Action is a non-profit educational research organization.
- Industry: Non-Profit
- Types of roles: Adult Education and ESL Instructors, News Analysts, Reporters/Journalists, Career Counselors
- Recommended applicants: Consider applying for an internship at Research for Action if you’re majoring in journalism, teaching, or writing, or if you’ve taken courses in applicable areas.
MetLife Investments
MetLife Investments is an asset management firm.
- Industry: Portfolio Management
- Types of roles: Investment Analysts and Managers
- Recommended applicants: Consider applying for an internship at
Cetera Financial Group
Cetera Financial Group is a shared service organization serving affiliates of independent broker-dealers.
- Industry: Investment/Portfolio Management
- Types of roles: Financial Sales and Trading Agents
- Recommended applicants: Consider applying for an internship at Cetera Financial Group if you’re majoring in finance or business, or if you’ve taken courses in applicable areas.
American Conservation Group
The American Conservation Group is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing rewarding environmental service opportunities.
- Industry: Environmental Services
- Types of roles: Electrical Engineers, Animal Care and Service Workers, Teachers, Biologists
- Recommended applicants: Consider applying for an internship at the American Conservation group if you’re majoring in environmental studies, biology, or teaching, or if you’ve taken courses in applicable areas.
Stevens Capital Management
Stevens Capital Management is a registered investment advisor.
- Industry: Investment/Portfolio Management
- Types of roles: Human Resources Managers and Specialists
- Recommended applicants: Consider applying for an internship at Stevens Capital Management if you’re majoring in communications or business, 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.
Tips and tricks to surviving your Philadelphia internship
If you’re a transplant or even if you’ve called Philly 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 Philadelphia, think about the other parts of your internship journey.
Buy a SEPTA Key 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 SEPTA Key Card is highly recommended to make reloading funds a breeze.
If you’re frequently commuting and feeling savvy, go for the monthly 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 the SEPTA app
This transit app will help get you oriented to the city and find the right connections to wherever you’re going.
5 essential Philadelphia restaurants to try during your internship
- Dalessandro’s Steaks & Hoagies
- Zahav
- Vernick Food & Drink
- Han Dynasty
- Federal Donuts
Things to experience during your time in Philadelphia
- Philadelphia Museum of Art
- The Liberty Bell Center
- Independence Hall
- Reading Terminal Market
3 neighborhoods to considering living in during your Philadelphia internship
- University City
- Manayunk
- Fishtown
How do I find an apartment in Philadelphia?
Consider these resources to help your Philadelphia apartment search:
- Apartments.com
- Zillow
- Trulia
- Craigslist
- Join a Philadelphia Housing, Rooms, Apartments, and Sublets group on Facebook
Where to order food from in Philadelphia
Finding an internship in Philadelphia
How do I find the best paid internships in Philadelphia?
When searching for a paid internship in Philadelphia, 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 Philadelphia are just a search away.
You can also research top companies in Philadelphia by visiting our list of Handshake employers and typing Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia?
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 University City, Fishtown, or Manayunk.
How can an intern live in Philadelphia?
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 Philadelphia?
If you don’t have previous experience and want to kickstart your first internship in Philadelphia, don’t fret! There are definitely ways to land that role you’ve had your eyes on. Philadelphia 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.