Thanks for helping us celebrate National Intern Day 2026!
Please click the link below to view The Top 100 Internship Programs List of 2026 and click HERE to view the Top 100 Interns List!
We can't wait to recognize even more outstanding interns and internship programs next year on July 29, 2027.
Top 100 Internship Programs of 2026
What is National Intern Day?
Launched by WayUp in 2017, National Intern Day has served as an opportunity for thousands of employers to commemorate and thank their hardworking interns. The holiday has brought national attention to the challenges and inequalities faced by entry-level candidates, inspiring investments into internship programs and interns themselves.
National Intern Day also marks the release of WayUp's annual coveted 100 Top Internship Programs List, which showcases the employers who went above and beyond for their interns this year.
After all, the interns of today are truly the leaders of tomorrow—and what companies do today will directly shape our future.
Top 100 Internship Programs of 2026
Award Categories for 2026
This year, we’re excited to spotlight internship programs that excel in the following areas in addition to the Top 100 List.
#1 Program Winner
The #1 spot on the Top 100 List is awarded to the organization that stands out most when it comes to prioritizing their internship program, intern development & engagement, and workplace growth - an all-around stand-out program.
Public Service Award
The Public Service Award recognizes an internship program that demonstrates exceptional commitment to fostering meaningful intern engagement that significantly benefits the public good.
Intern Growth Award
This award recognizes the employer that best creates opportunities over the course of the internship program for interns to become more confident and well-prepared early career professionals.
Innovation Award
Approaching your internship program in a new and creative way? This award recognizes the team that is pushing the boundaries of a conventional internship program to provide an innovative experience for their interns.
Small But Mighty Award
Small internship programs deserve recognition too! This award is reserved for an organization with fewer than 1,000 employees.
Top 100 Internship Programs of 2026
Congratulations to the 2026 #1 Internship Program winner, The Aerospace Corporation.
Top Interns
A special congratulations to 2026’s Top Intern of the Year, Tomas Santos Yciano! This list is determined by an expert panel and thousands of public votes.
Justin Harper2025Interned at CNN
Ciara Cade2024Interned at Uber
Morgan Young2023Interned at The Walt Disney Company
Travion Crutcher2022Interned at The Boeing Company