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 and our nation's warfighters.

Our student internship programs

You are our future workforce; therefore, the work assigned to you is professional and conducted in a learning environment that provides you with real-world experience and an opportunity for potential long-term employment.

We offer both college and high school student internship opportunities. Student internship assignments are entry-level professional jobs, which involve a great deal of independent and team-oriented work under the guidance of a supervisor and mentors.

If you perform successfully and meet the program requirements, we may invite you to continue in the program during your entire degree program, or we may offer you a permanent employment position upon graduation.

High school student internship requirements

Application period: will open in August 2024

To participate, you must be:

• A U.S. citizen at least 16 years of age at time of application.
• Enrolled in an accredited high school, currently in good standing and possess a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• Able to obtain a security clearance.
• Able to pass a drug screening.
• Able to work 40 hours per week during the summer for 8 consecutive weeks at either NGA's Springfield, VA or St. Louis, Mo facilities. Must have reliable transportation getting to and from work.

College student internship requirements

Application period: will open in March 2024

To participate, you must be:

• A U.S. citizen and at least 18 years of age at time of application.
• Currently enrolled at least half-time in an accredited two-year or four-year college or university.
• Enrolled in an associate, bachelor's, graduate or post-graduate degree program with coursework related to NGA's mission.
• Able to obtain and retain a Top Secret/SCI security clearance.
• Able to pass a mandatory pre-employment drug screening.
• Able to pass a mandatory counterintelligence polygraph.
• Willing to 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 position description.
2. Fill out the application. There is no place to attach a resume, but you will fill out the fields in the application based on your resume information. 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.
3. Applications submitted that meet the qualifications will be referred to a hiring manager for consideration of selection.

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR STUDENT INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Science, mathematics and research for transformation (SMART) program

• Open to: High School Senior, Undergraduate or Graduate students
• Majors/fields: STEM disciplines
• Application period: August 1— December 1, annually
• Benefits: You can receive a full scholarship, stipend for living expenses and employment in the federal government upon degree completion.

The SMART Program is a scholarship opportunity established by the Department of Defense (DoD) 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.

Undergraduate STOKES Scholarship Program

• Open to: High School Seniors, expecting to graduate with their high school diploma prior to August 1, 2025 AND/OR students pursuing their first bachelor's degree with no more than 45 completed credit hours by August 1, 2025. AP credits will not be counted toward credit hours.
• Majors/fields: STEM or regional studies
• Application period: will open in August 2024
• Benefits: You can receive a tuition payment, annual salary, top secret security clearance and employment at NGA upon degree completion.

The Undergraduate Stokes Scholarship targets graduating high school seniors and degree seeking college students with less than 45 credits majoring in STEM or regional studies. NGA offers tuition payment, a book stipend, and a summer internship for all scholars. Some scholars may also qualify for a travel stipend. All selected scholars are required to commit to a 1.5-year continuing service agreement post-graduation. This agreement states for every year NGA pays tuition, that scholar will commit 1.5-years of service post-graduation.

To participate, you must be:

• 18 years old by 1 July, 2025.
• Currently enrolled or seeking enrollment in a baccalaureate degree program at a regionally accredited US college or university.
• A Student in good standing with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• Able to obtain and retain a Top-secret/SCI security clearance.
• Able to pass a mandatory pre-employment drug screening.
• Able to pass a mandatory counterintelligence polygraph.
• Willing to commit to at least 10 consecutive weeks of work during the summer break starting in summer 2026 and for each subsequent summer until your graduation.
• Willing to accept post-graduation employment with NGA for 1.5 years times the length of the paid academic pursuit. (Example- Obtaining Bachelor's Degree in 4 years would require a 6-year employment commitment with NGA).

GEO Scholar Program

• Open to: High School Seniors, expecting to graduate with their high school diploma prior to August 1, 2025 AND/OR students pursuing their first bachelor's degree with no more than 45 completed credit hours by August 1, 2025. AP credits will not be counted toward credit hours.
• Majors/fields: Critical needs per the annual talent acquisition report
• Application period: will open in August 2024
• Benefits: You can receive a tuition payment, a paid internship, top secret security clearance and employment at NGA upon degree completion.

The GEO- Scholarship targets graduating high school seniors and degree seeking college students with less than 45 credits that are majoring in areas of study NGA deems as a critical need and are typically difficult to recruit. NGA offers tuition payment, a book stipend, and a paid summer internship for all scholars. Some scholars may also qualify for a travel stipend. All selected scholars are required to commit to a 1.5-year continuing service agreement postgraduation. This agreement states for every year NGA pays tuition, that scholar will commit 1.5-years of service post-graduation.

To participate, you must be:

• 18 years old by 1 July, 2025.
• Currently enrolled or seeking enrollment in a baccalaureate degree program at a regionally accredited US college or university.
• A Student in good standing with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• Able to obtain and retain a Top Secret/SCI security clearance.
• Able to pass a mandatory pre-employment drug screening.
• Able to pass a mandatory counterintelligence polygraph.
• Willing to commit to at least 10 consecutive weeks of work during the summer break starting in summer 2026 and for each subsequent summer until your graduation.
• Willing to accept post-graduation employment with NGA for 1.5 years times the length of the paid academic pursuit. (Example- Obtaining Bachelor's Degree in 4 years would require a 6-year employment commitment with NGA).