Dear Harvard College student looking for a summer internship,
When I arrived at Harvard, I was unable to keep all the opportunities that I could apply for on my radar, especially when it came to summer internships. There are so many ways—conventional or not—to obtain a fulfilling summer opportunity: from staying on campus to finding and crafting your own internship. Regardless, please don’t panic! All of these opportunities have something in common: Harvard’s support and (best) resources. In this article, you will find useful information on what summer opportunities are available to you (and by no means is this list exhaustive) and how to go about finding the right internship for you!
Until applications for your next dream job open, ask yourself a few questions: When should I start looking for a summer opportunity? What am I looking for? Is this tied to my academic program? Is it paid? Where is the employer based?
Understand What’s Possible (and When to Ask for Help)
Before you start putting together your resume, cover letter and funding applications, you need to understand what is possible for you to apply to:
- On-campus jobs, research, and internships;
- Harvard pre-negotiated internships
- Unpaid opportunities, both domestic and international, for which you can apply to Harvard for funding
- Independent opportunities, both domestic and international, secured by you and paid for by the host organization.
For our international friends: you have access to multiple pathways for summer work, both in the U.S. and abroad. Just make sure you are all compliant with immigration regulations:
- On-campus jobs → Always allowed during the summer if you maintain student status
- Independent U.S. internships paid by the organization → Require CPT/OPT authorization
- Unpaid U.S. Internships → You can apply to Harvard for funding or a pre-negotiated internship. In addition, most require CPT/OPT authorization
- Internships outside the U.S. → You can apply to Harvard for funding or a pre-negotiated internship. Country specific work and visa information required.
Where should you look for Harvard-sponsored internship opportunities?
This year, Harvard made it easier than ever to browse summer opportunities. The newly created Summer Funding Opportunities Office (SFO) launched their database containing all opportunities affiliated with and sponsored by Harvard (including self-arranged internship funding). Before you engage with this database, it’s important to understand how it works. All Harvard opportunities were divided into 3 rounds: A, B, and C. Each round contains multiple deadlines that you should be very careful about.
| Round A | Round B | Round C |
| Apply by the deadline of your specific program | Hear back by Feb 20, 2026 | Accept by Feb 23, 2026 After this deadline, if you accept funding, you may not change your mind and pursue opportunities in Rounds B & C (you will be removed from the applicant pool of any Rounds B & C opportunities) | Apply by the deadline of your specific program | Hear back by Mar 20, 2026 | Accept by Mar 24, 2026 After this deadline, if you accept funding, you may not change your mind and pursue opportunities in Round C (you will be removed from the applicant pool of any Round C opportunities) | Apply by the deadline of your specific program | Hear back by Apr 17, 2026 | Accept by Apr 20, 2026 After this deadline, you will be removed from any remaining funding applicant pools |
Be careful! If you have an independent internship for which you want funding, you will require documents from the employer and time to write your funding application! Most funding for independent internships falls within Rounds B & C.
Students on Campus for the Summer? On-campus jobs, internships, and research
If you are looking for the most “Harvard summer” out there, staying on campus may be your thing. There are many ways to achieve this, but your most encompassing opportunities are the Office of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships or working for one of Harvard’s summer schools. The Phillips Brooks House Association also has summer opportunities if you are looking for meaningful public service! More opportunities specific to certain departments, centers, or schools (even the Business School) at Harvard should be available in the SFO database.
I will have another blog in January to help with strategizing your applications which will hopefully have you feel empowered (or at least motivated) to start your summer opportunities journey. Remember: you bring the world to Harvard, but you, from here on out, will always bring Harvard into the world! Your PAFs, advisors, proctors, tutors, MCS staff, and even faculty are here to support you in discovering the summer that feels right for you.
Currently looking for a summer internship,
Alex Draghia
Career Success Peer Advising Fellow
