Information Security Specialist Internships
Information security specialist internships give university students, recent graduates, and early-career switchers hands-on project experience protecting real systems, mentorship from working security engineers, and, at many employers, a path toward a full-time offer. Openings cover {{top_industries_phrase}}, with Tesla, Oracle, and State of North Carolina Department of Information Technology among the employers posting roles now.
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Department of Information TechnologyDivision
Job Classification Title
S-Information Technology (NS)Position Number
Grade
TSAbout Us
The N.C. Department of Information Technology (NCDIT) serves as the Technology Center for the State of NC. Services that NCDIT provides reach a client base of state and local government agencies, as well as schools, colleges and universities. NCDIT’s mission is to enable trusted business-driven solutions that meet the needs of North Carolinians. NCDIT provides technology services to state agencies and is charged with closing the digital divide by expanding availability of broadband services and promoting the adoption of affordable, high-speed internet.
Description of Work
NC Department of Information Technology Internship Program Fall/Winter 2026The NC Department of Information Technology offers two (2) internship programs designed for people at all stages looking to enter the technology field. Interns are paid $20 per hour and work 20 to 40 hours a week in both programs, either fully onsite or on a hybrid schedule, depending on the position requirements and location. While providing "real-world" work experience, ensuring interns contribute to the day-to-day operations of the NC Department of Information Technology.
Preference is given to candidates who either reside in North Carolina or are within a three-hour commute of the assigned duty station for the internship.
The Fall/Winter 2026 internship will start on September 28, 2026 and will conclude on March 26, 2027.
Future Technologist
- People who do not yet have technology-related education or experience
- High school students and candidates with limited IT-related education and experience
- Individuals who may be seeking a new career path in an IT-related field but with limited education and experience
NCDIT Tech Internship
- Students in IT-related degree programs attending a North Carolina college or university
- North Carolina residents attending equivalent out-of-state institutions in IT-related degree programs
Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences
Intern – DAC/DPS Information Security Officer
The intern will support software validation activities, assist with creating security awareness and educational materials, and contribute to IT Security Office services awareness and professional development efforts.
Minimum Education and Experience
Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.
EEO Statement
T he State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.
Recruiter:
Anaja Lakeiya McClintonRecruiter Email:
dit_hr_recruitment@nc.gov
Information Security Specialist Internship Market
Who's Hiring
Tips for Your Information Security Specialist Internship Search
Apply in the fall for summer roles
Large employers open summer information security specialist internship applications as early as August or September the year before. If you wait until spring, many structured cohorts are already closed. Set reminders to check company careers pages in early fall and submit applications before recruiting windows close.
Build a portfolio recruiters can actually assess
Work history matters less than evidence at the intern level. Document two or three security projects with the tools you used and outcomes you achieved. Linked GitHub repositories, capture-the-flag writeups, or home lab documentation give information security specialist hiring teams something concrete to evaluate before your first interview.
Work your campus network and apply directly at the same time
Campus career fairs surface structured programs tied to your university, and professors or career center staff often know which security employers recruit from your school before roles post publicly. Apply directly to companies running smaller cohorts at the same time so you are reaching employers your campus network does not cover.
Practice your technical screen out loud before you apply
Information security specialist intern screens typically include a technical component covering network fundamentals, threat identification, or a short scenario-based exercise. Practice explaining your reasoning aloud, not just arriving at an answer, because interviewers weigh how you think through a problem as much as the final response you give.
Target structured security internship programs early
Larger employers and government contractors run cohort-based security internship programs, including SOC analyst tracks and cybersecurity rotational programs, built to train candidates new to the field. These programs recruit in the first wave of fall recruiting, fill faster than general internship postings, and often have dedicated application portals separate from the main careers page.
Set your work-type filter before you start searching
On-site roles are 100% of the information security specialist internships listed here. Decide what location and work arrangement you can commit to before you start applying, then filter by work type on Migrate Mate so you are not sorting through roles you cannot take.
Information Security Specialist Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an information security specialist internship?
Lead with coursework and personal projects rather than work history, since hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level. Build a portfolio that gives recruiters something concrete to assess: documented labs, capture-the-flag writeups, or a GitHub repository showing your tools and methodology. Combine direct applications with campus career fairs, where security recruiters often move faster for students they meet in person.
Can an information security specialist internship turn into a full-time job?
Many employers extend return offers to strong interns, but conversion is never guaranteed. What drives it for information security specialist interns is consistent performance on real work, available headcount on the team, and understanding when the return-offer decision happens so you can ask about it early. Position yourself for one, but keep applying to full-time roles independently rather than counting on it.
When should I apply for information security specialist internships?
Earlier than most expect. Large employers recruit summer cohorts the preceding fall, meaning applications open in August or September for roles that start the following June. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to their actual start dates, so openings appear year-round. Checking listings regularly and acting quickly when a match appears is more effective than waiting for a single application season.
Are information security specialist internships paid?
Most professional information security specialist internships in the U.S. are paid. Compensation varies by company size, industry, and location, and listings show it where the employer discloses it. Smaller organizations and some nonprofit or government programs may offer stipends or academic credit in place of a salary, so read each listing carefully before applying.
What should an information security specialist internship resume include?
Lead with two or three complete, documented projects rather than work history. Each project should name the tools and frameworks used and link to something reviewers can assess, such as a GitHub repository, a published vulnerability writeup, or a capture-the-flag solution. Add relevant coursework, certifications like CompTIA Security+ or Google Cybersecurity, and keep the entire resume to one page.
Are there remote information security specialist internships?
Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 0% of the information security specialist internship listings here, with the rest on-site. Remote cohorts fill fast because they attract applicants from across the country, so apply early and filter by work type to see them before they close.
What is a Security Operations Center (SOC) analyst internship?
A SOC analyst internship is a structured program at larger security-focused employers and managed service providers that places interns directly in a security operations environment, monitoring threats and triaging alerts alongside full-time analysts. These programs target candidates new to the field, recruit early in the fall semester, and are competitive, so identify the ones that fit your timeline and apply in the first wave.
Can international students get information security specialist internships?
Yes. F-1 students can intern through CPT while enrolled or through OPT work authorization after finishing a degree, and the employer does not have to file anything for either, so many companies are open to international interns. Confirm your eligibility and timing with your university's international student office before accepting an offer.
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