Student Intern Applications for Summer and Fall 2026 are now open!
The Career Exploration Internship Program is a paid program hosted by the Career & Employment Hub. These internships allow students to directly apply their classroom learning and build on-the-job skills in a professional setting. University of Southern Maine student interns gain valuable workplace experience and make connections in their field.
Students have the opportunity to apply for internships at Maine community partners. Student interns complete a minimum of 120 hours of work (min. 10 and max. 20 hours/week) over the course of a semester and are paid $18.50/hour. To be eligible, students must:
- Be matriculated at USM as full-time or part-time student
- Have at least a 2.7 overall GPA and a minimum of 30 credits prior to the internship
- Commit to the >120 hours and 10-20 hours/week outlined above
- Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the US (international students on F-1 visas may apply)
The Career Exploration Internship Program supports USM students from all backgrounds in building on their prior education, life experience, and skills through meaningful internship opportunities. All students who meet the above eligibility criteria are encouraged to apply.
Detailed information for students regarding the Career Exploration Internship Program can be found here.
For questions, please contact hubinterns@maine.edu
Program Timeline
| Student application deadline | February 19 |
| Peer Career Guide appointments | February 23 – March 12 |
| First-round interviews with Career & Employment Hub | March 23 – April 7 |
| Second-round interviews with host sites | April 13 – April 24 |
| Internship matches announced | May 1 |
| Summer internships start | May 18 |
| Summer internships end | August 28 |
| Fall internships start | August 31 |
| Fall Internships end | December 18 |
Applications for this program are being accepted through 11:59pm on Thursday, February 19th, 2026.
Applicants must complete the following steps IN ORDER:
1. Decide which positions you’d like to apply for (no more than 3 per semester).
2. Fill out and submit this form to indicate your intent to apply.
3. Applicants who complete the first two steps will be invited to meet with a Peer Career Guide to:
a) Develop/review your resume
b) Develop/review one cover letter tailored to each position (no more than 3)
4. Then, email your resume and cover letter(s) to hubinterns@maine.edu IN PDF FORMAT.
Note: completing this application does not guarantee that you will be matched with an internship through the program.
Advanced Technologies for Forestry and Agriculture
Cultivating Community – Youth Program Intern
Growing to Give – Farm Intern
Healthy Acadia – Food For All Intern
Lewiston-Auburn Community Market – Community Outreach Coordination Intern
Locker Project – Food Security Program Intern
Maine Farm & Sea Cooperative – Product Design/Marketing & Research Analyst Intern
Maine Food Convergence Project – Local Food Switchboard Intern
Maine TREE Foundation – Forest-Based Education Intern
Mousam Valley Mushrooms – Marketing & Digital Commerce Intern
Stone Farm – Organic Vegetable Gardening Intern
Aquaculture and Marine Technology
Aphrodite Oysters – Oyster Farm Intern
Bangs Island Mussels – Oyster Farm Intern
Kelson Marine – Computer Science: Virtual Reality Content Intern
Arts
240 Strings – Community Engagement Intern
Binnie Media – Programming/Promotions Intern
Children’s Museum and Theatre of Maine – Arts & Culture Intern
Children’s Museum and Theatre of Maine – STEM Intern
Children’s Museum and Theatre of Maine – Theatre Acting Intern
Classical Uprising – Arts Business Intern
Equal Measure Arts – Music Studio Production Intern
Mill Pond Ceramics Studio – Ceramics Studio Intern
Mill Pond Ceramics Studio – Marketing & Social Media Intern
Ogunquit Museum of American Art – Curatorial Research Intern
Opera Maine – Administrative Intern
Portland Pottery – Studio Tech Intern
Umbrella Cover Museum – Intern
Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts – Intern
Biotechnology
IDEXX – Mechanical Engineering Intern
IDEXX – Process Engineering Intern
IDEXX – Product Support Intern
IDEXX – Water R&D Intern
Marin Skincare – Biomedical Production Intern
Environmental Technology
Biodiversity Research Institute – Wildlife Biology Field Intern
E2Tech – Cleantech Intern
Humanities
Botanical Kitchen – Chronic Disease Research & Food Health Education Intern
Botanical Kitchen – Seaweed Industry Food-as-Medicine Impact & Education Intern
Botanical Kitchen – Social Communication and Food Education Content Creation Intern
City of Portland Sustainability Office – Arts and Media Intern
Cultural Alliance of Maine – Cultural Leadership Summit Planning Intern
Foreside Projects LLC – Social Media & Communications Intern
House of Languages – Translation & Interpreting Services Management Intern
Mark Foods LLC – Sales Operation Intern
Old York Historical Society – Object Collection Intern
South Portland Historical Society – Cataloger/Museum Intern
The Telling Room – Summer Programs Intern
Victoria Mansion – Intern
Information Technology
Foreside Projects LLC – Management Consulting & Product Development Intern
Gorham School Department – Technology Data Intern
IDEXX – Data Analyst Intern
IDEXX – Supply Chain Data Analyst Intern
Portland Fish Exchange – Social Media Intern
SoulBeing – Content & Marketing Intern
Sweetser – Information Systems for Human Resources Intern
Sweetser – IS Support Technician Intern
VividCloud – Software Developer/Engineer Intern
Nonprofits
3Rivers, Inc. – Community Case Management Intern
Democracy Maine – Youth Engagement Development Intern
Friends of Woodfords Corner – Non-Profit Community and Economic Development Intern
Green Curtain Roadshow – Outreach & Fundraising Intern
Hardy Girls – Nonprofit Operations Intern
Hope Acts – Direct Service Intern
Hope Acts – Strategic Communications Intern
John T. Gorman Foundation – Communications Intern
LearningWorks – Classroom Intern
Lewiston Auburn Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce – Career and Membership Projects Intern
Lewiston Auburn Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce – Human Resources Intern
Maine Connectivity Authority – Communications Intern
Maine Discovery Museum – Program Marketing Intern
Maine International Trade Center – International Trade Research Assistant Intern
Orange Bike Brewing – Community Impact & Storytelling Intern
Portland Buy Local – Communications Intern
Portland Empowered – Youth Program Intern
Portland Housing Authority – Resident Services Coordinator Intern
Portland Housing Authority – Youth Program Intern
Portland Public Schools – Multilingual Multicultural Center Intern
Portland Wheelers – Content & Marketing Intern
PSL Services/STRIVE – Finance and Human Resources Intern
PSL Services/STRIVE – Marketing and Development Intern
Southern Maine Agency on Aging – Volunteer Services Intern
Special Olympics Maine – Health and Wellness Program Camp Intern
Special Olympics Maine – Sports Program Intern
Sweetser – Communications Intern
Sweetser – Community Relations Intern
Sweetser – Human Resources Administrative Assistant Intern
Trinity Jubilee Center – Food Pantry & Diaper Bank Intern
Trinity Jubilee Center – Immigrant Integration Program Intern
Trinity Jubilee Center – Soup Kitchen Intern
United Way of Mid Coast Maine – Fundraising Intern
World Affairs Council of Maine – Communications and Social Media Intern
World Affairs Council of Maine – Research and Communications Intern
Precision Manufacturing Technology
Green Gean’s LLC – Grant Writing & Fundraising Intern
Green Gean’s LLC – Marketing & Content Creation Intern
Green Gean’s LLC – Training Intern
IDEXX – Industrial Engineering Intern
Remote-only Internships
Cultural Alliance of Maine – Cultural Leadership Summit Planning Intern
Democracy Maine – Youth Engagement Development Intern
Foreside Projects LLC – Management Consulting & Product Development Intern
Foreside Projects LLC – Social Media & Communications Intern
Hardy Girls – Nonprofit Operations Intern
Maine Connectivity Authority – Communications Intern
Muskie Resiliency Internships, a Maine Climate Corps Program
These internships are designed for Muskie School of Public Service students who have completed coursework on community resilience building and sustainability planning. Interns will enhance their skills, developing adaptive management expertise while also supporting Maine’s climate efforts and local organizations’ resilience needs.
Friends of the Presumpscot River – Resiliency Intern
Grandy Organics – Environmental and Community Impact & Business Resiliency Intern
GrowSmart Maine – AI Data Center Research Intern
GrowSmart Maine – Evaluation Analyst Intern
GrowSmart Maine – Legislative Research Intern
Mano en Mano – Seasonal Community Advocacy Intern
Advanced Technologies for Forestry and Agriculture
Lewiston-Auburn Community Market – Community Outreach Coordination Intern
Locker Project – Food Security Program Intern
Maine Farm & Sea Cooperative – Product Design/Marketing & Research Analyst Intern
Maine Food Convergence Project – Local Food Switchboard Intern
Maine TREE Foundation – Forest-Based Education Intern
Maine TREE Foundation – Holt Research Forest Data Management Intern
Mousam Valley Mushrooms – Marketing & Digital Commerce Intern
Aquaculture and Marine Technology
Aphrodite Oysters – Oyster Farm Intern
Bangs Island Mussels – Oyster Farm Intern
Kelson Marine – Computer Science: Virtual Reality Content Intern
Arts
240 Strings – Community Engagement Intern
Binnie Media – Programming/Promotions Intern
Children’s Museum and Theatre of Maine – Arts & Culture Intern
Children’s Museum and Theatre of Maine – STEM Intern
Children’s Museum and Theatre of Maine – Theatre Acting Intern
Equal Measure Arts – Music Studio Production Intern
Mill Pond Ceramics Studio – Ceramics Studio Intern
Mill Pond Ceramics Studio – Marketing & Social Media Intern
Opera Maine – Administrative Intern
Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts – Intern
Biotechnology
IDEXX – Mechanical Engineering Intern
IDEXX – Process Engineering Intern
IDEXX – Water R&D Intern
Marin Skincare – Biomedical Production Intern
PFAS Laboratories – Lab Technician Intern
Environmental Technology
Biodiversity Research Institute – Toxicology Lab Intern
Humanities
Botanical Kitchen – Chronic Disease Research & Food Health Education Intern
Botanical Kitchen – Seaweed Industry Food-as-Medicine Impact & Education Intern
Botanical Kitchen – Social Communication and Food Education Content Creation Intern
City of Portland Sustainability Office – Arts and Media Intern
Cultural Alliance of Maine – Cultural Leadership Summit Planning Intern
Foreside Projects LLC – Social Media & Communications Intern
House of Languages – Translation & Interpreting Services Management Intern
Mark Foods LLC – Sales Operation Intern
The Telling Room – Teaching Assistant Intern
Victoria Mansion – Intern
Information Technology
Foreside Projects LLC – Management Consulting & Product Development Intern
IDEXX – Data Analyst Intern
IDEXX – Supply Chain Data Analyst Intern
SoulBeing – Content & Marketing Intern
Sweetser – Information Systems for Human Resources Intern
Sweetser – IS Support Technician Intern
VividCloud – Software Developer/Engineer Intern
Nonprofits
3Rivers, Inc. – Community Case Management Intern
Democracy Maine – Youth Engagement Development Intern
Friends of Woodfords Corner – Non-Profit Community and Economic Development Intern
Green Curtain Roadshow – Outreach & Fundraising Intern
Hardy Girls – Nonprofit Operations Intern
Hope Acts – Direct Service Intern
Hope Acts – Strategic Communications Intern
John T. Gorman Foundation – Communications Intern
LearningWorks – Classroom Intern
Lewiston Auburn Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce – Career and Membership Projects Intern
Lewiston Auburn Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce – Human Resources Intern
Maine Connectivity Authority – Communications Intern
Maine Discovery Museum – Program Marketing Intern
Maine International Trade Center – International Trade Research Assistant Intern
MaineHealth Food Pantry Portland – MHFPP Intern
Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program – Community Kitchen Assistant Intern
Orange Bike Brewing – Community Impact & Storytelling Intern
Portland Buy Local – Communications Intern
Portland Empowered – Youth Program Intern
Portland Housing Authority – Resident Services Coordinator Intern
Portland Housing Authority – Youth Program Intern
Portland Public Schools – Multilingual Multicultural Center Intern
PSL Services/STRIVE – Finance and Human Resources Intern
PSL Services/STRIVE – Marketing and Development Intern
Southern Maine Agency on Aging – Volunteer Services Intern
Sweetser – Communications Intern
Sweetser – Community Relations Intern
Sweetser – Human Resources Administrative Assistant Intern
Trinity Jubilee Center – Food Pantry & Diaper Bank Intern
Trinity Jubilee Center – Immigrant Integration Program Intern
Trinity Jubilee Center – Soup Kitchen Intern
United Way of Mid Coast Maine – Fundraising Intern
USM Foundation – USM Foundation Intern
World Affairs Council of Maine – Communications and Social Media Intern
World Affairs Council of Maine – Research and Communications Intern
Precision Manufacturing Technology
Green Gean’s LLC – Grant Writing & Fundraising Intern
Green Gean’s LLC – Marketing & Content Creation Intern
Green Gean’s LLC – Training Intern
Remote-only Internships
Camoin Associates – Applied Research and Analysis Intern
Cultural Alliance of Maine – Cultural Leadership Summit Planning Intern
Democracy Maine – Youth Engagement Development Intern
Foreside Projects LLC – Social Media & Communications Intern
Hardy Girls – Nonprofit Operations Intern
Maine Connectivity Authority – Communications Intern
Maine TREE Foundation – Holt Research Forest Data Management Intern
Muskie Resiliency Internships, a Maine Climate Corps Program
These internships are designed for Muskie School of Public Service students who have completed coursework on community resilience building and sustainability planning. Interns will enhance their skills, developing adaptive management expertise while also supporting Maine’s climate efforts and local organizations’ resilience needs.
Camoin Associates – Applied Research and Analysis Intern
City of Saco – Development Services Intern
Friends of the Presumpscot River – Resiliency Intern
Grandy Organics – Environmental and Community Impact & Business Resiliency Intern
GrowSmart Maine – AI Data Center Research Intern
GrowSmart Maine – Legislative Research Intern
| Date | Event | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 21 | Tabling | 10 – 1 PM | McGoldrick Center (Portland) AND Upper Brooks (Gorham) |
| January 28 | Tabling | 10 – 1 PM | McGoldrick Center (Portland) AND Upper Brooks (Gorham) |
| January 29 | Virtual Info Session and Q&A | 5 – 6 PM | Zoom Registration Here |
| January 29 | ResLife Info Session | 6 -7 PM | Portland Commons |
| February 4 | Tabling | 10 – 1 PM | McGoldrick Center (Portland) AND Upper Brooks (Gorham) |
| February 4 | ResLife Info Session | 7 -8 PM | Upperclass Hall |
| February 5 | Virtual Info Session and Q&A | 5 – 6 PM | Zoom Registration Here |
| February 11 | Tabling | 10 – 1 PM | McGoldrick Center (Portland) AND Upper Brooks (Gorham) |
| February 12 | Virtual Info Session and Q&A | 5 – 6 PM | Zoom Registration Here |
The Career Exploration Internship Program is a USM-supported internship program hosted by the Career & Employment Hub.
To support the workforce needs of Maine, USM partially sponsors project- and research-based internships in industries and businesses in a range of fields. These internships allow students to directly apply their classroom learning and build on-the-job skills in a professional setting. Student interns gain valuable workplace experience and make connections in their field.
Becoming a host site for a Career Exploration student intern offers the host site community partner the opportunity to connect with, guide, and evaluate talent that may contribute to your business.
For more information, please contact Lindsey Freeman at lindsey.w.freeman@maine.edu or at (207) 228-8268.
Employer Application | Career Exploration Internship Guidelines for Host Site Community Partners
