Who This Helps: College students, recent graduates, and young professionals in NYC looking for summer internships with city government, upcoming job fairs, and affordable ways to build a career in New York.
Summer Internship Applications Are Open — And Some Deadlines Are This Month
If you are a college student or recent graduate in New York City, right now is the moment to lock in a summer internship. Several major NYC government internship programs have application windows closing in April, and the paid positions offer real experience — not coffee runs.
Here is a roundup of the best opportunities still accepting applications, plus job fairs and career events happening this month.
NYC Government Summer Internship Program (DCAS)
The NYC Summer Internship Program, run by the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS), places students in paid positions across dozens of city agencies. The program runs up to 13 weeks and is open to both undergraduate and graduate students.
Who is eligible: Undergraduate students currently enrolled in a college or university, or graduates within one year of the current program year. Graduate interns must be enrolled in a graduate or law degree program.
How to apply: Visit the DCAS Available Internship Positions page to view all open roles. Submit your resume and cover letter directly to the agency listed in each posting. Some agencies have already closed applications, so check individual listings now.
NYCEDC Summer Internship Program
The New York City Economic Development Corporation runs a paid 10-week summer internship for students and emerging professionals interested in public service and economic development. Interns work on projects across NYCEDC departments and participate in training programs, networking events, and professional development sessions.
How to apply: Applications are managed through NYCEDC’s website. Check edc.nyc for current status and deadlines.
New York State Summer Internship Program
The NYS Summer Internship Program places students in executive branch agencies across the state, with many positions based in New York City. The application period runs through April 24, 2026.
Who is eligible: Undergraduate and graduate students studying in New York State.
How to apply: Apply online at nysinternships.cs.ny.gov before April 24, 2026.
April Job Fairs and Career Events in NYC
Beyond internships, several hiring events are happening in NYC this month:
NYC Hiring Hall — Today, April 8, 2026: Walk-in hiring event at Salem United Methodist Church, 2190 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd, Harlem. 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. No registration required. Multiple employers on site. Check nyc.gov/employment/events for details.
NYU Just-In-Time Career Fair — April 9, 2026: At the NYU Wasserman Center for Career Development, 133 E. 13th Street. Open to undergraduate, graduate, and PhD students looking for internships and full-time positions starting summer 2026.
HireNewYork Multi-University Alumni Career Fair — April 22, 2026: At The Prince George Ballroom. Over 60 companies and 1,500+ verified alumni expected. Alumni attend free and gain access to job listings, workshops, and career tools. Register at events.bizzabo.com/newyork2026.
NYC Job Fairs: Free hiring events are held throughout the month at locations across the five boroughs. Register for upcoming events at nycjobfairs.com or check Eventbrite NYC free networking events.
Affordable Living Resources for Young Professionals
Landing a job or internship in NYC is only half the challenge — affording to live here is the other half. Here are verified resources:
NYC Housing Connect (Affordable Housing Lottery): All HPD-financed affordable housing lotteries are posted at housingconnect.nyc.gov. You must be at least 18, live or work in NYC, and earn within the income range for each specific lottery. Most lotteries target households earning between 30 and 130 percent of Area Median Income. Create a profile and apply to every lottery you qualify for — it is free.
NYC Career Pathways: The city’s workforce development programs connect young adults to training and employment. Visit Jobs NYC for upcoming hiring events, workshops, and career counseling.
NYS Career Centers: The New York State Department of Labor Career Centers offer free resume reviews, interview prep, and direct connections to employers. Walk-in services are available at locations throughout NYC.
How to Take Action
Apply to government internships this week: The NYS deadline is April 24, and many DCAS positions are filling on a rolling basis. Do not wait.
Attend a hiring event: Today’s walk-in Hiring Hall in Harlem requires no registration. The HireNewYork fair on April 22 is free for alumni.
Sign up for Housing Connect: Create a profile at housingconnect.nyc.gov and start applying to lotteries. Every application is free and there is no limit on how many you can submit.
Use free career services: NYS Career Centers and NYC Workforce1 centers offer professional development at no cost.
For more tips on navigating NYC as a student or young professional, check out our spring 2026 student guide.
Frequently Asked Questions About NYC internships
Where can I find paid NYC internships in 2026?
Paid NYC internships in 2026 are listed at nyc.gov/jobs (the NYC DCAS Internship Program), edc.nyc/careers (NYC Economic Development Corporation), nychealthandhospitals.org/careers (NYC Health + Hospitals), nycgovparks.org (NYC Parks summer programs), and statejobs.civil.service.ny.gov (New York State internships). The NYC Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) is the largest paid program for young adults 14 to 24. Federal opportunities for NYC residents are listed at usajobs.gov.
Are NYC government internships still hiring in 2026?
Yes. Several NYC government internship programs have rolling deadlines or have not yet closed for summer 2026. The NYC DCAS Internship Program, NYCEDC summer internship, NYC Parks summer programs, NYC Health + Hospitals positions, and several federal NYC-based programs at USA Jobs typically accept applications through April and May. Late-season applicants who missed private-sector deadlines often find better odds in government programs because public agencies hire on rolling timelines and prioritize stability over prestige.
What NYC job fairs are happening in 2026?
NYC Workforce1 Career Centers host monthly hiring events across all five boroughs throughout 2026, with current schedules at nyc.gov/sbs. Major recurring NYC job fairs include the NYC Career Fair (multiple dates per year), the NYC Department of Education hiring events, NYC Health + Hospitals nursing and clinical fairs, and CUNY-hosted career events. Borough-specific fairs are listed on each Workforce1 Career Center calendar. Sign up in advance — most fairs require pre-registration.
Do I have to be a college student to apply for NYC internships?
No. Many NYC internship programs accept current college students, recent graduates within one to two years of degree completion, and career changers returning to work. NYC SYEP serves ages 14 to 24 regardless of student status. Workforce1 Career Centers serve all job seekers including non-students. Government programs are typically more flexible than private-sector internships about applicant age, prior experience, and academic status.
Are NYC internships paid?
Most NYC government internships are paid. The NYC DCAS Internship Program pays a stipend or hourly wage depending on placement. NYC SYEP pays minimum wage or higher for 25 hours per week. NYC Health + Hospitals, NYCEDC, and NYC Parks pay competitive hourly rates for their internship positions. Federal NYC internships at USA Jobs are paid. Some specialized fellowships pay above $20 per hour. Check each program listing for the exact compensation.
How do I get free resume help in NYC?
NYC Workforce1 Career Centers provide free resume help, interview coaching, and job search assistance in all five boroughs. Find your local center at nyc.gov/sbs. CUNY students access free career services through their college’s career center. NYC Public Library branches host periodic free resume workshops — schedules are posted at nypl.org for Manhattan, Bronx, and Staten Island and bklynlibrary.org for Brooklyn and Queens. NYC Department of Education adult education programs also offer career planning services.
