CPT Research Intern Jobs
Research Intern roles on CPT give F-1 students hands-on lab, field, or data work that must connect directly to your degree program. Your DSO authorizes each position individually, so the employer's job description needs to match your curriculum before CPT begins. Part-time CPT (under 20 hours weekly) keeps your full-year OPT eligibility intact.
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Are you looking for an exciting job where you can put your skills and talents to work at a company you can feel proud to be a part of? Do you want a workplace that will challenge you and offer you opportunities to learn and grow? A position at Xcel Energy could be just what you’re looking for.
At Xcel Energy, our employees are the driving force behind our success. So we make sure that, here, you can be your best. Doing work that makes a difference for neighbors and communities. Working with a team you can count on to push you. Expanding skills, staying ready for change, and capturing opportunities to grow. All with the support, rewards and recognition you need to thrive – during your internship and beyond.
Position Summary
Xcel Energy is seeking candidates to support our CFO Organization, specifically, within our Load Research or Energy and Demand Forecasting teams. These teams develop load profiles, forecasts, and analytical studies that support Xcel Energy’s resource planning, budgeting, regulatory filings, rate cases, and generation development decisions. Together, the teams work across the company on high-impact research and modeling efforts, including interval meter data analysis, weather-normalized load modeling, typical-load-year forecasts, class-level load studies, climate and emerging-technology impact analysis, EV adoption forecasting, and migration of analytics into Databricks. Interns may contribute to research, technical development, statistical modeling, or data analysis projects based on their interests and skill sets, with work that directly informs planning processes and ongoing business needs.
Typical intern responsibilities may include but are not limited to:
- Support load research and forecasting projects by gathering, reviewing, and summarizing data.
- Assist with analysis used for planning, budgeting, regulatory, and business decision-making.
- Help improve tools, reports, and processes that support recurring forecasting and research work.
- Explore how customer behavior, weather, and new technologies may affect energy use.
- Learn forecasting concepts and contribute to projects that strengthen future forecasting capabilities.
- Document work and share findings with team members and internal stakeholders.
This position is for a May 24, 2027 start date. This position may have the possibility to extend beyond the internship’s initial term based on the candidate’s successful performance and Xcel Energy’s business needs.
Minimum Requirements
- Current Student, Junior status (as of fall 2027) or higher
- Enrolled in an accredited college or university and pursuing a degree in Statistics, Data Science, Economics/Econometrics, Applied Mathematics, Mathematics, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Environmental Studies, Public Policy, or a related quantitative, technical, or policy-focused field.
- Able to work full-time during the summer (up to 40 hours a week)/ part time during the school year (up to 20 hours a week) and commuting to the designated work location in-person, per our hybrid work policy.
- Good organizational, communication and problem-solving skills
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with Python (pandas) or R, SQL, and/or Databricks
- Interest in the energy/utility sector
- Comfort working with large datasets and strong attention to detail
- Familiarity with Microsoft Excel required
- Exposure to statistics or statistical modeling
As a leading combination electricity and natural gas energy company, Xcel Energy offers a comprehensive portfolio of energy-related products and services to 3.4 million electricity and 1.9 million natural gas customers across eight Western and Midwestern states. At Xcel Energy, we strive to be the preferred and trusted provider of the energy our customers need. If you’re ready to be a part of something big, we invite you to join our team.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
Individuals with a disability who need an accommodation to apply please contact us at recruiting@xcelenergy.com.
Non-Bargaining
The anticipated starting base pay for this position is: $19.50 to $24.00 per hour
This position is eligible for the following benefits: Pension, 401(k) plan, Paid time off (PTO), Holidays
Benefit plans are subject to change and Xcel Energy has the right to end, suspend, or amend any of its plans, at any time, in whole or in part.
In any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information including but not limited to dates of school attendance and graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.
Deadline to Apply: 10/16/26
EEO is the Law | EEO is the Law Supplement | Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination | Equal Opportunity Policy (PDF) | Employee Rights (PDF)
All Xcel Energy employees and contractors share responsibility for protecting the company's information and systems by adhering to cybersecurity policies, standards, and best practices, recognizing that cybersecurity is everyone's responsibility.
ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT
Xcel Energy endeavors to make https://www.xcelenergy.com/ accessible to any and all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact Xcel Energy Talent Acquisition at recruiting@xcelenergy.com. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.
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Get Access To All JobsResearch Intern CPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a research intern role qualify for CPT authorization?
It qualifies if the work is an integral part of your established curriculum, meaning the research duties must connect directly to your degree program, not just your general field of study. Your DSO makes the final determination, so you'll need the employer's written job description and, in many cases, a faculty sponsor or advisor who can confirm the academic connection before your I-20 is updated.
Can I do CPT as a research intern at a national lab or federal agency?
Yes, federal agencies and national labs hire F-1 students on CPT regularly, but hiring timelines run longer than the private sector, often eight to twelve weeks from application to start date. Some positions also require you to be enrolled in a specific number of credit hours linked to the internship. Confirm E-Verify enrollment and any security clearance requirements before applying, since clearance processes can extend beyond a single CPT term.
What happens to my CPT authorization if the research project changes mid-term?
CPT is authorized for a specific employer and a specific set of duties tied to your curriculum. If the project scope shifts significantly, your DSO may require a new authorization before you continue working in the revised role. Contact your DSO as soon as you know about the change, not after the fact, because working outside your authorized CPT terms puts your F-1 status at risk.
How do I find research intern roles where employers already understand CPT?
Search Migrate Mate to identify employers with a history of hiring F-1 students on CPT. Employers already familiar with the authorization process move faster through the offer and onboarding steps, which matters when your CPT window is tied to a specific academic term with a fixed start date.
Does part-time CPT as a research intern affect my STEM OPT extension later?
Part-time CPT, defined as fewer than 20 hours per week, has no effect on your OPT or STEM OPT eligibility regardless of how many terms you use it. Full-time CPT totaling 12 months or more eliminates OPT entirely, so if you're considering multiple full-time research terms across different semesters, track your cumulative hours carefully with your DSO.