An education internship can give college students a chance to apply what they learn in the college classroom while exploring different areas of the field. From teaching and special education to administration, curriculum development, and educational nonprofits, internships can help students discover which type of education work interests them most.
Education internships can also be competitive, and recruiting is beginning earlier. Handshake's 2026 Internship Report found that internship activity now peaks in early fall across class years, with students applying sooner, including underclassmen and some freshmen.
For students considering a career in education, knowing which types of internships are available, where to search, and what to consider before accepting an opportunity can make the process easier to navigate.
Types of Education Internships
Education covers a wide range of careers, so internships can look different depending on the organization and position.
Some common types of education internships include:
Teaching: Interns may assist teachers with classroom activities, lesson preparation, student support, and other daily responsibilities. These opportunities can provide firsthand experience in a classroom environment.
Special education: Students can gain experience supporting students with disabilities, assisting special education teachers, preparing learning materials, or working with students individually or in small groups. Handshake identified special education as one of the majors showing increased employer outreach in 2025.
Secondary education: Internships can give students preparing to teach middle or high school experience working with specific subjects, assisting teachers, tutoring students, or observing different classroom environments. Secondary education was also among the majors showing increased employer outreach in Handshake's 2025 data.
Education administration: These internships can involve student services, program coordination, scheduling, communications, event planning, and other administrative responsibilities within schools or educational organizations.
Curriculum development: Students may assist with creating lesson materials, researching educational topics, organizing instructional resources, or developing digital learning content.
Educational nonprofits: Interns may work with organizations focused on literacy, tutoring, college access, youth development, educational equity, or community education.
Summer education programs: Summer camps, academic enrichment programs, tutoring programs, and youth organizations may provide opportunities to work with children and teenagers while developing teaching and program coordination skills.
Some education internships combine several of these areas. A student working for an educational nonprofit, for example, may assist with tutoring programs while also helping develop curriculum materials and coordinate events.
Read internship descriptions carefully to understand what you would actually be doing rather than relying only on the job title.
Where Education Students Can Find Internships
Education internships can be found through college career centers, internship platforms, school districts, educational organizations, and professional networking connections.
Students can search for opportunities through:
- Handshake, LinkedIn, and Indeed
- College career centers, career fairs, and internship databases
- Local school districts and individual schools
- Educational nonprofits and youth organizations
- Tutoring and academic support programs
- Professors, alumni, and professional contacts
- Education clubs and student organizations
According to NACE's 2026 Student Survey, Education and Educational Services accounted for 16.7% of internship opportunities, making it the second-largest industry category in the report. This highlights the range of potential organizations students can explore when searching for education-related internships.
Don't limit your search to schools with traditional teaching positions. Colleges and universities, nonprofits, educational technology companies, tutoring organizations, museums, government agencies, and youth programs may also have opportunities for students interested in education.
What Employers Look For in Education Interns
Education employers generally look for a combination of communication, organization, and interpersonal skills.
Depending on the position, useful skills can include lesson planning, classroom management, research, writing, technology, public speaking, and working with children or teenagers.
Strong communication is important as well. Education interns may need to explain information to students, communicate with teachers and supervisors, work with parents, or collaborate with other professionals.
Other skills that can strengthen your application include:
- Communication and active listening
- Organization and time management
- Patience and adaptability
- Writing and editing
- Creativity
- Problem-solving
- Teamwork
- Ability to learn new technology
You don't need to have experience with every skill listed in an internship description. Class projects, tutoring, volunteering, student organizations, childcare experience, part-time jobs, and previous internships can all demonstrate relevant abilities.
Education Internship Opportunities in Major Cities
Where you complete an internship can affect the types of education opportunities available to you. Large cities often have concentrations of schools, universities, nonprofits, educational organizations, museums, and youth programs.
Some cities with a variety of education-related opportunities include:
- New York City: Public and private schools, higher education, educational nonprofits, museums, youth programs, and education technology
- Chicago: Schools, higher education, community organizations, nonprofits, youth programs, and educational services
- Los Angeles: Schools, universities, museums, youth organizations, nonprofits, and educational programs
- Boston: Schools, higher education, educational nonprofits, museums, research organizations, and education technology
These are only a few examples. Education internships are also available in smaller cities and regional communities, so don't limit your search to the largest metropolitan areas.
What to Consider Before Relocating for a Summer Education Internship
A summer internship in another city can provide professional experience while allowing you to explore a new place. However, relocating for a few months involves more than accepting the position.
Before accepting an internship outside your hometown, consider the full cost and logistics of the experience.
Look at the internship's compensation, work schedule, transportation options, and cost of living. If you will need to relocate, research the costs of temporary housing, transportation, food, and other everyday expenses.
You should also consider how you will get to work each day. An internship may be more difficult if you need an expensive daily commute or do not have reliable transportation.
Ask the employer whether the organization offers housing assistance, relocation support, or information about local accommodations. If it does not, research housing options before committing to the internship.
How to Find Summer Housing Near an Education Internship
If you accept a summer education internship in another city, finding temporary housing should be one of your first priorities.
Start by determining your exact internship dates and the area where you will be working. Then look for housing that fits the length of your stay and your budget.
College students can consider several types of temporary housing, including university-based summer intern housing, furnished apartments, and short-term rentals.
Intern Housing Hub can help students search for temporary housing near internship opportunities in different cities. Begin researching options soon after accepting an offer so you have time to compare locations, prices, amenities, and transportation options.
If you are moving to a new city you have never lived in before, research the surrounding neighborhoods as well. Consider commuting time, access to public transportation, grocery stores, and other everyday needs.
Start Your Education Internship Search Early
Because internship recruiting is beginning earlier, students should not assume they need to wait until the spring semester to begin searching.
Start by identifying the areas of education that interest you, then research schools, organizations, cities, and internship requirements. Update your resume, connect with your college career center, attend relevant career events, and apply to opportunities that match your interests and qualifications.
If an internship requires relocation, include housing and other living expenses in your planning. Thinking through those details early can make the transition to a new city easier.
An education internship can help you learn what different areas of the field are actually like while building experience for future opportunities. By exploring different roles, developing relevant skills, and planning for the practical details, you can make more informed choices as you prepare for a career in education.
When you're ready to book your housing, search on Intern Housing Hub to find safe, affordable summer intern housing.