Common Questions for Summer Internships

Our start dates are flexible and can depend on your schedule and the hiring team's needs. Most interns start between May and July, and their internships end after 12 weeks.

Most of our internships are offered during the summer. However, we occasionally seek and place exceptional students for internships at other times of the year. Candidates interested in fall or spring internships should submit their resumé to university@esri.com and note the dates they are available in their cover letter.

Yes, internships at Esri are paid positions. Our pay scale is comparable to that of other software development companies.

Students enrolled at any university are welcome to apply, but typical Esri interns are at least in their junior year, since we look for the most qualified students. When you apply, make sure to highlight any academic or professional experience you have.

No, but if you are not a citizen and are selected for an internship, you will need to obtain a valid work visa for the summer through your university. Esri does not pay for students' work visas for internships, although we can help with any documentation your university might need from us.

Yes, but if you are selected for an internship, you will need to obtain a valid work visa for the summer through your university.

Applications are typically due mid-March. However, we fill internships as qualified candidates are identified, so the earlier you apply the better.

Yes. A cover letter can help differentiate you from the other applicants vying for an Esri internship. Our program is extremely competitive, and setting yourself apart is important. Your cover letter should outline the following:

1. Why you would like to spend the summer with Esri
2. The department at Esri in which you'd like to work
3. What distinguishes you from other candidates

Yes, you should solicit a recommendation from a professor or past supervisor who can endorse your work. A letter submitted directly by them carries more value than one attached to your application. Ask them to e-mail it to university@esri.com. Otherwise, you can upload a letter of recommendation when you apply online.

Most of our internships are located at our headquarters in Redlands, California. Opportunities at our regional offices vary from year to year. In your cover letter, indicate the locations and departments in which you would be willing to work.

It is only necessary to apply to one of the 10 areas in which we offer internships. We suggest you start by visiting our website to learn more about each area and determine which one most closely matches your interests and career goals. When reviewing your application, we think carefully about where we feel you would be the best fit; however, it helps us if you specify your interests in your cover letter.

Contact an Esri international distributor directly regarding their internship opportunities.

If after reviewing your application we feel that your qualifications make you a good candidate, we will send your application to relevant hiring managers. If they are interested in learning more about you, they will contact you to set up a phone interview. This process can take several weeks. If you don't hear from us, you can always check the status of your application online.

Log in to the account you created when you applied online.

The timing of your application does factor into being considered for an internship. Positions are filled on a rolling basis and closed once a student accepts an internship offer, so it is better to apply early. Many opportunities are filled before we receive applications from other students who want to work in the same department.

Esri provides interns access to internhousing.com, where they can easily search for affordable temporary housing. Lodging and relocation expenses are the responsibility of the intern.