STUDENTS AND INTERNSHIPS

Explore or launch a federal government career with a paid summer internship or full-time, entry-level developmental job! Hiring bonuses, tuition assistance and other financial incentives may be available.

Army Student Intern Program

The Student Intern Program is a paid summer internship that enables participants to explore the civilian workforce of the Army. With a focus on civilian training and development programs, new hires are set up for a successful career path to support the Army and its mission.

• One- to three-year internships occur during the summer months for up to 12 weeks.
• Up to $10,000 towards tuition per academic year.
• Hiring bonuses for some difficult-to-fill positions.
• Potential conversion into full-time positions such as the Army Fellows Program after graduation (without further competition).

Internship career fields:

• Architecture
• Biology
• Business communications
• Computer science
• Engineering
• Finance/accounting
• Geology
• Information technology
• Instructional design/methods
• Logistics management
• Mathematics
• Physical sciences
• And more.

Starting salaries

• GS-03: Approximately $15–$20.60 per hour upon completion of one full academic year of post-high school study.
• GS-04: Approximately $15–$23.12 per hour upon completion of two full academic years of post-high school study or an associate's degree.

Salaries vary depending on location and position. Learn more about federal salaries.

Continue your career with the Army

Once you successfully complete the Student Intern Program, you will have a unique opportunity to continue your Army civilian career in the Army Fellows Program.

Army Fellows Program (AFP)

The Army Fellows Program is a two-year program that provides you the opportunity to embark on a developmental, accelerated career path as an Army civilian employee. Upon successful completion of the program, we will promote you into a permanent position.

Typical entry is at the GS-07 level, with promotion to GS-09 after successful completion of one year and placement into a permanent GS-11 position upon successful completion of the program and recommendation by supervisor. You will receive paid job-related training that may include rotational assignments.

You will benefit from a competitive salary and benefits package with annual pay increases, generous annual and sick leave, flexible schedules and worldwide locations. Fellows also benefit from health, dental and vision insurance, as well as a retirement pension and 401(k)-like Thrift Savings Plan.

To apply, you must have:

• an undergraduate degree (for most positions).
• a mobility agreement.
• U.S. citizenship.
• a clear background check or security clearance (varies by position).

We are looking for fellows across a variety of fields including computer science, information technology, operations research, educational instructional design/methods, logistics management, physical science, financial management, engineering, architecture, biology, geology, contracting, public affairs/communications and many more.

Search for AFP vacancies.

Department of Defense (DoD) John S. McCain Strategic Defense Fellows Program

The John S. McCain Strategic Defense Fellows Program is managed by the Washington Headquarters Service and is a one-year leadership development program at the GS-10 level to begin a career track toward senior leadership in the DoD. Specific vacancies vary.

To apply, you must have:

• a graduate degree.
• a mobility agreement.
• U.S. citizenship.
• a security clearance (varies by position).

Learn more and apply.

Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) Program

The Presidential Management Fellows Program is a two-year program to attract, recruit and hire top talent for enterprise needs. Typical entry is at the GS-09 level, with promotion to GS-11 after successful completion of one year, and placement into a permanent GS-12 position upon successful completion of the program. Specific vacancies vary.

To apply, you must have:

• a graduate degree or nearing completion of a graduate degree.
• a mobility agreement.
• U.S. citizenship.
• a security clearance (varies by position).

Learn more and apply to the PMF program.

Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship-for-Service Program

The SMART Scholarship-for-Service Program is a DoD-funded combined educational and workforce development opportunity for undergraduate and graduate-level students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

In this program, you will serve a 10-week internship each year alongside scientists and engineers at the sponsoring facility; these experiences prepare students for full-time employment and working within the DoD. The program pays your tuition and fees while providing a monthly stipend. After you graduate, you must work for the sponsoring organization in a permanent position.

You may also be eligible for the SMART program if you're a current DoD employee enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate STEM program.

The National Ground Intelligence Center (NGIC) has been a SMART sponsoring facility since 2018 and hosted a record eight new SMART interns in 2023, with expected graduation and placement in 2024 and 2025. NGIC selected an additional 12 interns during the FY23 selection cycle. A highly diverse and well-represented group, many interns come from universities that NGIC has not traditionally recruited, such as Notre Dame and the University of Michigan. The SMART program is critical to filling future permanent STEM positions across the AISE.

When filling out your application, make sure you enter Army Intelligence and Security organizations as your employer of choice.

Learn more about the SMART Scholarship Program and how to apply.

Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP)

Experience and mentorship for the Nation's future STEM workforce.

Advance your education and career by joining a team making the scientific discoveries and inventing the technologies that support America's innovation goals. AEOP apprentices (high school, undergraduate) and AEOP fellows (graduate, post-doctoral) conduct real-world, U.S. Army-sponsored research alongside scientists and engineers in world-class facilities. Whether you are seeking a summer, semester, or long-term science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) research and career development opportunity, AEOP has a program for you.

Learn more about the AEOP program.