Any official or formal program to provide practical experience for beginners in an occupation or profession.

For students, internships provide critical work experience and offer a sampling of real-life applications for the theories of the classroom. For employers, internships are much more than cost-effective labor solutions. With a proper structure, internship programs offer:

• A talented, targeted pool for recruiting new employees
• Low-cost training for potential future employees
• Well-prepared, short-term employees to assist current employees as they pursue new projects
• Fresh ideas and methods to the company
• Relationship building with local higher education institutions
• Increased diversity 

The purpose of this Web page is to connect local businesses to local internship opportunities. Lakeland and Polk County’s higher education institutions offer course work and degrees in fields from general business to graphic design. This listing is only as comprehensive as the information provided to the Chamber.

Tips for building a winning internship program.

What Members are Saying... 

“Interns not only provide necessary extra pairs of hands to the Museum, but they also bring energy and fresh ideas to an institution that thrives on creativity. As with most nonprofits, we simply do not have the staff to do everything we need to do or want to do. We depend mightily on our interns to fill those gaps. Over the years, we have been fortunate enough to hire some of our outstanding interns to fill openings on the Museum staff with “known performers.” We are thrilled to have the opportunity to give smart, enthusiastic students positive and educational work experiences in the “real world.””

Sandra Horan, PR & Marketing Manager
Polk Museum of Art

Current Internship Connections

Florida Southern College
Interns available in many academic specialites. For information, contact the FSC Career Center.

Fortis Institute
Medical, Skilled Trade

Keiser University
Design and Multimedia, General Business

Polk State College
Interns available through AS and BS degree programs. Please use the link above to contact the Internship Coordinator and for more information.

Southeastern University
Interns available in many academic specialties. For information, contact SEU Career Services via the link above.

Warner University
Interns available in many academic specialites. For information, contact the Warner Career Center.