Intern in New York

Internship Work Experience New York City

Guide to Interning in NYC

New York City is also internationally known. It is estimated that over 40 million people visit New York City in one month. New York City has a deep rich culture that cannot be found anywhere else. Tourists typically enjoy the fascinating plays that are featured on Broadway. Famous plays on Broadway give one a chance to see some of the most talented actors in person. New York City also offers tourists an opportunity to enjoy some of the hottest night clubs, cafes, and restaurants.

There are structured work experience placements and also paid internships in New York for both US citizens and international citizens. Internships are open to students, graduates and anyone just seeking hands on experience in this popular city. On our guide we have put together useful information about where and how to apply, and also top tips for interning in New York on a budget. View our featured programs and apply today.

Top Reasons to Intern in New York

One of the most exciting cities in the world
Large multinational companies based here
Learn new skills and experience a different working culture and environment
Benefit your future career - having this experience on your CV will look great to future employers
Make new professional contacts
See world famous sights in your spare time

Types of Internships Available to Join in New York

Architecture
Arts & Culture
Accounting
Advertising
Business Management
Engineering
Finance
Hospitality & Tourism
Hotel Management
Information Technology
Law & Public Administration
Marketing
Media & Communications
Sales

Requirements

If you are a United States citizen you can contact employers direct but if you are applying internationally to be eligible you must be:

Between the ages of 18 and 38
Involved in an internship or training program related to your studies (Interns) or professional experience (Trainees)
Applying for the J-1 Visa from outside the USA
Proficient in English
Highly motivated

Applying through an Agency

One of the easiest ways to apply to intern in New York is by applying through an agency. Repubtable agencies have been designated by the U.S. Department of State to sponsor interns and will match you to relevant placements. For this process you will need to pay a fee.

Recommended Agencies Include:

BUNAC
InterExchange

Cost of Living in New York City

New York is one of the most expensive cities in the world to intern, rent here can be astronomical. The average rent for a one bedroom flat in Manhattan is around $3,000 a month but there ways to keep your costs down. You will also need to consider transport, food and going out - this city can soon eat away your funds. There are ways to keep costs down throughh, consider a room/flat share, buy food at supermarkets instead of eating out and avoid drinking out too much.

Best Time to Apply

New York is an all year round travel destination and there is no best time to intern. When to apply really comes down to personal preference, some people opt for holiday over the Christmas period which can be exciting. Manhattan will be lit up which looks spectacular but expect this time to be freezing cold and possibly snow! Summer, around June, July and August is the most popular time to visit New York but it is also the hottest. Accommodation during this time can also be really expensive compared to other times of the year too.

Safety

This might surprise you but New York is one of the safest cities to visit in the world. As an intern you are very very unlikely to come across any problems. Just try not to flash any valuables and avoid certain area's in Harlem, Queens and Brooklyn which you probably wouldn't visit anyway. Also expect people to be very friendly and talk to you on the subway, this is something that doesn't happen in many cities around the world.

Transport

Getting around New York is incredibly easy; streets run east and west while avenues go north to south, so finding your way somewhere should never prove problematic. Walking is recommended for shorter distances as you will save time getting to and from the bus stop or subway, not to mention the time waiting for the specific mode of transport. For travellers from London, you will be pleased to know that New York has the Metro Card, the equivalent of the London Oyster card. Be warned, though, that unlike London, you need the MetroCard to enter the subway, and not having one on a bus means you need the exact change to purchase a ticket.

If you are tired of walking, the subway is without doubt the best way to travel. Offering a 24-hour, comprehensive, reliable and safe travel solution, you can get wherever you need to be very quickly while avoiding all the traffic you would endure on the bus. That said, the subway won’t allow you to take in the sights of the city as you travel through, so it’s really a personal choice that is dictated by how much time you can afford. Also ask which subway trains run an express service. There are quick Subway train numbers which can cut a lot of time off your journey because they only stop are certain stops.

Depending on your budget you can also hail a yellow taxi cab, this is charged on the meter and is a fun way to see the city especially driving through Times Square. This can all eat into your budget though. You can also get a bus map to try and navigate the city on bus, this can be complicated though.

Food and Drink

Eating out is very cheap in New York, you can eat a slice of pizza for around $2 which is great if you are travelling on a buget.. There are also hotdog stalls and newsagent stands which sell cheap food, hot dogs are usually around $2. For cheap drinks try to get to bars during happy hour and search around for the best deals, sometimes as low as $1 per drink! Korronets Pizza on around 112 & Broadway has the largest slice of pizza you will struggle to finish it or for nightlife we recommend the East Village or Greenwich Village, both have lots of bars and restaurants. Sometimes it can be difficult to eat healthy in New York, cafes and restaurants usually have huge portions and sometimes the food can be quite greasy / fatty. An alternative is to find a supermarket and stock up with break, fillings and fruit. You can then carry these with you and stop off to eat during the day - this will save you a lot of money too.

What to Do in Your Spare Time

Explore the city and see places like Central Park, Times Square, Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building. There is so much to so in this city, you won't want to leave!

Shopping & Entertainment

If you enjoy shopping, or even just like admiring the various items for sale, then you may want to set aside an entire day or two to make your way around the shopping district feeling rushed or like you’re leaving anything out. For cheap clothes shopping we recommend Old Navy which has really cheap clothing and is located close to the expensive Macy's store. You could also visit Century 21 for cheap designer clothing, there is one store located near to Wall Street. If you don't mind about an hour journey there is a bus from Penn Station which goes to Jersey Gardens, this is a huge discount outlet shopping center with really cheap prices. To get cheap theatre tickets head to TKTS stand which is located in Times Sqaure. Its easy to find but you will need to head here early to get tickets, expect to que even if you arrive before 8:00am but the discounts are really good, sometimes around 50% off normal prices.