Students And Internships

If you're looking for an opportunity to develop your skills, enhance your career potential and make a global difference each day, apply to become a member of NGA's (National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency) elite student workforce. You will see firsthand how your work supports homeland security, disaster relief, safety of navigation, and our nation's warfighters.

Our student programs

You are the future of our workforce. We seek out students who want more than a job; they want a mission. The work assigned to you is professional to give you real-world experience and an opportunity for a permanent job. Whether you're analyzing data, conducting imagery analysis or supporting the mission, an NGA career helps protect our nation and our world through timely, relevant, accurate and actionable geospatial intelligence (GEOINT).

Student internship assignments are entry-level professional jobs, involving independent and team-oriented work under supervisors and mentors.

If you successfully perform the job duties and meet program requirements, we may invite you to continue your internship while you finish your degree and may eventually offer you a permanent job when you graduate.

College student internship requirements

Application period: Typically, March - May each year

To participate, you must be:

• A U.S. citizen and at least 18 years of age when you apply.
• Enrolled at least half-time in an accredited college or university when you apply.
• Enrolled in a bachelor's, graduate or post-graduate degree program with courses related to NGA's mission.
• Able to obtain and retain a Top Secret/SCI security clearance.
• Pass a pre-employment drug screening.
• Pass a mandatory counterintelligence polygraph.
• Commit to at least 10 consecutive weeks of work during the summer break.

How to apply to student internships

The application process for internships is the same as applying for a job announcement.

SEARCH AND APPLY FOR OPEN NGA INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES IN OUR JOB SEARCH PORTAL

Tips when applying:

When you find an internship that you want to apply for:

1. Tailor your resume to the qualifications in the job description.
2. Fill out the application. Your application should include your objective, prior and current education (include if you are enrolled in an accredited college or university), current GPA, work experience, relevant skills, awards, achievements and languages. Your resume must be two pages or less. Cover letters are not required as part of the application.
3. If you meet the qualifications, we will refer you to a hiring manager for consideration.

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR STUDENT INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Science, mathematics and research for transformation (SMART) program

• Open to: Undergraduate or graduate students
• Majors/fields: STEM disciplines
• Application period: August 1 - December 1 each year
• Benefits: You can receive a full scholarship, stipend for living expenses and a job in the federal government when you finish your degree.

The SMART Program is a scholarship opportunity to support high school seniors, undergraduate and graduate students who are pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines.

Learn more about DoD SMART Scholarship-for-Service program opportunities.

For more information, email SMARTScholarship@nga.mil.