Instructional Design Consultant Internships
Instructional design consultant internships give university students, recent graduates, and early-career switchers hands-on project experience developing real learning solutions, mentorship from working instructional design consultants, and, at many employers, a path toward a full-time offer. Openings are concentrated across Education, with Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling, Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, and SAS among the employers posting roles now.
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Showing 5 of 12+ Instructional Design Consultant Internships
This is a one-year, full-time, paid Internship Program.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Arlington County requires all applicants to thoroughly complete each section of the application, including prior job responsibilities, duties, and supplemental questions. While you may attach a resume, it will not replace a completed application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
The Arlington County Department of Human Services (DHS) is seeking an Instructional Design and Training Management Intern to join our team! DHS provides public health, behavioral health, and social services to more than 50,000 clients annually through its Public Health, Behavioral Healthcare, Aging and Disability Services, Child and Family Services, Economic Independence, Quality and Administration, and Finance and Information Systems divisions and the Director’s Office. The selected candidate will support DHS staff training and organizational development, working alongside the department’s Organizational Development Specialist and Workforce Development Specialist.
Arlington County DHS is committed to delivering client services in an effective, equitable, respectful, and trauma-informed manner. Our staff is dedicated to ensuring our clients are approached, engaged, and cared for in ways that demonstrate competency, sensitivity, and awareness of factors that impact the client experience, including but not limited to cultural identity, gender, racial, and ethnic diversity, religious/spiritual ascription, physical capability, cognitive and literacy levels, sexual orientation, and linguistic needs.
Major Job Duties:
- Creating engaging, interactive learning experiences for staff, such as online courses, videos, in-person classes, job aids, training presentations, and announcements, using tools such as PowerPoint, iSpring, and video editing software;
- Assigning and maintaining trainings in PRISM+, the County’s Oracle-based Learning Management System (LMS);
- Updating and maintaining content on SharePoint sites; and
- Participating in special projects, including creating and administering surveys, analyzing data, and presenting results to a variety of audiences.
The ideal candidate will have the ability to quickly learn new technology, apply new skills to projects, think creatively and put ideas into action. They will also have strong skills in organization and planning, presentation, and analyzing data.
Location: 2100 Washington Blvd., Arlington, VA 22201
Arlington County
Arlington County is an innovative local government in Northern Virginia seeking motivated candidates for one-year internship opportunities across multiple departments. These roles are ideal for recent graduates and current graduate students with limited professional experience who are looking to kickstart their careers.
Interns gain hands-on experience supporting key County initiatives while participating in a structured cohort-based development program. Throughout the year, interns work under the mentorship of senior staff, contributing fresh ideas, improving processes, and leveraging technology to enhance organizational effectiveness, all while familiarizing themselves with a public-sector environment.
Minimum Qualifications: Recent, 2025 and/or 2026 college graduates earning either a Bachelor’s or a Master’s degree in the area of consideration prior to December 31, 2026 must have:
- No professional-level work experience (less than one year) in the internship field; and
- You may be a currently enrolled student in a Master’s degree program related to the internship, but you must not have significant professional-level work experience in the internship area and must be available to work during designated hours.
Degree Requirements: Instructional Design, Education, Organizational Psychology, Organizational Development, Communication, Human Resources, Media, Marketing, or a related discipline.
Desirable Qualifications: Preference may be given to applicants with one or more of the following:
- G.P.A. of 3.0 or above is preferred and applicants may be asked to provide certified official transcripts;
- Proficiency in PowerPoint;
- Proficiency in Clipchamp or other video editing software;
- Experience with data analysis; and/or Experience developing trainings, particularly online training or training videos.
Special Requirements
Background Check: A pre-employment criminal records check will be conducted. It will include checks of the following: criminal record, driving record, education, professional licensure, and credit history. You will be required to sign a release authorizing the County to obtain your background information.
Driver's License: Applicant must possess, or obtain by time of appointment, a valid driver’s license, and must provide or authorize Arlington County to obtain a copy of official driving record. Any offer of employment may be contingent upon favorable review of the applicant’s driving record. Alternatively, the applicant must have the ability and willingness to use alternative methods of transportation to perform assigned duties and responsibilities at locations other than the primary worksite.
Resume Requirement: A complete application includes a resume. Please attach your resume to the application and verify that the details of your application provide further evidence of your experience and qualifications as displayed on your resume.
Please complete each section of the application including the supplemental questions. Your responses to the supplemental questions are required because they provide us with specific information necessary to evaluate your qualifications for this position. These responses are considered part of the selection process. A resume may be attached; however, it will not substitute for a completed application. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please do not write "see resume" as a response to the questions. In accordance with § 19.2-392.15, applicants are not required to provide information regarding sealed arrests, charges, or convictions in response to any questions or inquiries during the hiring process.
Additional Information
Work Hours: This is a full-time position (40 hrs/week) Monday - Friday, [8:00am - 5:00pm] with some flexibility and telework opportunities available upon prior approval from the supervisor. This is not a fully remote opportunity. Employees will be expected to be in the office at the discretion of the Supervisor and needs of the agency as well as to attend in-person classroom training.
Applicants may be asked to provide certified official transcripts.
All Cohort Interns are eligible for County government employee benefits that include health, dental and leave.
Arlington County is committed to advancing diversity, equity, access, and inclusion across all our services, activities, and programs. Learn more about our commitment .
#LI-Onsite
This is a one-year, full-time, paid Internship Program.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Arlington County requires all applicants to thoroughly complete each section of the application, including prior job responsibilities, duties, and supplemental questions. While you may attach a resume, it will not replace a completed application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
The Arlington County Department of Human Services (DHS) is seeking an Instructional Design and Training Management Intern to join our team! DHS provides public health, behavioral health, and social services to more than 50,000 clients annually through its Public Health, Behavioral Healthcare, Aging and Disability Services, Child and Family Services, Economic Independence, Quality and Administration, and Finance and Information Systems divisions and the Director’s Office. The selected candidate will support DHS staff training and organizational development, working alongside the department’s Organizational Development Specialist and Workforce Development Specialist.
Arlington County DHS is committed to delivering client services in an effective, equitable, respectful, and trauma-informed manner. Our staff is dedicated to ensuring our clients are approached, engaged, and cared for in ways that demonstrate competency, sensitivity, and awareness of factors that impact the client experience, including but not limited to cultural identity, gender, racial, and ethnic diversity, religious/spiritual ascription, physical capability, cognitive and literacy levels, sexual orientation, and linguistic needs.
Major Job Duties:
- Creating engaging, interactive learning experiences for staff, such as online courses, videos, in-person classes, job aids, training presentations, and announcements, using tools such as PowerPoint, iSpring, and video editing software;
- Assigning and maintaining trainings in PRISM+, the County’s Oracle-based Learning Management System (LMS);
- Updating and maintaining content on SharePoint sites; and
- Participating in special projects, including creating and administering surveys, analyzing data, and presenting results to a variety of audiences.
The ideal candidate will have the ability to quickly learn new technology, apply new skills to projects, think creatively and put ideas into action. They will also have strong skills in organization and planning, presentation, and analyzing data.
Location: 2100 Washington Blvd., Arlington, VA 22201
Arlington County
Arlington County is an innovative local government in Northern Virginia seeking motivated candidates for one-year internship opportunities across multiple departments. These roles are ideal for recent graduates and current graduate students with limited professional experience who are looking to kickstart their careers.
Interns gain hands-on experience supporting key County initiatives while participating in a structured cohort-based development program. Throughout the year, interns work under the mentorship of senior staff, contributing fresh ideas, improving processes, and leveraging technology to enhance organizational effectiveness, all while familiarizing themselves with a public-sector environment.
Minimum Qualifications: Recent, 2025 and/or 2026 college graduates earning either a Bachelor’s or a Master’s degree in the area of consideration prior to December 31, 2026 must have:
- No professional-level work experience (less than one year) in the internship field; and
- You may be a currently enrolled student in a Master’s degree program related to the internship, but you must not have significant professional-level work experience in the internship area and must be available to work during designated hours.
Degree Requirements: Instructional Design, Education, Organizational Psychology, Organizational Development, Communication, Human Resources, Media, Marketing, or a related discipline.
Desirable Qualifications: Preference may be given to applicants with one or more of the following:
- G.P.A. of 3.0 or above is preferred and applicants may be asked to provide certified official transcripts;
- Proficiency in PowerPoint;
- Proficiency in Clipchamp or other video editing software;
- Experience with data analysis; and/or Experience developing trainings, particularly online training or training videos.
Special Requirements
Background Check: A pre-employment criminal records check will be conducted. It will include checks of the following: criminal record, driving record, education, professional licensure, and credit history. You will be required to sign a release authorizing the County to obtain your background information.
Driver's License: Applicant must possess, or obtain by time of appointment, a valid driver’s license, and must provide or authorize Arlington County to obtain a copy of official driving record. Any offer of employment may be contingent upon favorable review of the applicant’s driving record. Alternatively, the applicant must have the ability and willingness to use alternative methods of transportation to perform assigned duties and responsibilities at locations other than the primary worksite.
Resume Requirement: A complete application includes a resume. Please attach your resume to the application and verify that the details of your application provide further evidence of your experience and qualifications as displayed on your resume.
Please complete each section of the application including the supplemental questions. Your responses to the supplemental questions are required because they provide us with specific information necessary to evaluate your qualifications for this position. These responses are considered part of the selection process. A resume may be attached; however, it will not substitute for a completed application. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please do not write "see resume" as a response to the questions. In accordance with § 19.2-392.15, applicants are not required to provide information regarding sealed arrests, charges, or convictions in response to any questions or inquiries during the hiring process.
Additional Information
Work Hours: This is a full-time position (40 hrs/week) Monday - Friday, [8:00am - 5:00pm] with some flexibility and telework opportunities available upon prior approval from the supervisor. This is not a fully remote opportunity. Employees will be expected to be in the office at the discretion of the Supervisor and needs of the agency as well as to attend in-person classroom training.
Applicants may be asked to provide certified official transcripts.
All Cohort Interns are eligible for County government employee benefits that include health, dental and leave.
Arlington County is committed to advancing diversity, equity, access, and inclusion across all our services, activities, and programs. Learn more about our commitment .
#LI-Onsite
Instructional Design Consultant Internship Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Education
Tips for Your Instructional Design Consultant Internship Search
Apply earlier than the posting dates suggest
Large employers recruit instructional design consultant summer interns the preceding fall, often filling cohorts before spring semester starts. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to their start dates. Checking listings in September and October for summer roles puts you ahead of candidates who wait until January.
Build a portfolio before you apply
Hiring teams for instructional design consultant interns have limited work history to assess, so a portfolio carries the weight. Create two or three complete samples: an eLearning module, a facilitator guide, or a needs-analysis document built in tools like Articulate Storyline, Rise, or Adobe Captivate. Shareable links matter more than a long list of coursework.
Work your campus network alongside direct applications
Campus career fairs surface structured instructional design consultant programs tied to your university, and recruiters often move faster with students they meet in person. Professors with industry connections and career center staff frequently know which employers recruit from your school before roles post publicly. Applying directly to smaller cohorts at the same time widens your reach.
Practice your portfolio walkthrough out loud
Instructional design consultant intern interviews often include a portfolio review or a scenario-based exercise where you explain your design decisions. Practice narrating your process, the problem you were solving, the approach you chose, and what you would change, since interviewers weigh how you think through instructional problems as much as the finished artifact.
Target structured learning and development intern programs early
Larger consulting firms, healthcare systems, and technology companies run cohort-based instructional design intern programs built to train candidates new to the field. These programs recruit early in the fall semester and fill fast. Identify which organizations in your target industries run formal cohorts and get your application in during the first wave.
Set your work-type filter before you start searching
On-site roles are 40% of the instructional design consultant internships listed here. Decide what you can realistically commit to before you start sorting through openings. Filtering by location and work type upfront keeps you focused on roles you can actually accept and prevents you from pursuing options that fall apart at the offer stage.
Instructional Design Consultant Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an instructional design consultant internship?
Lead with coursework and personal projects rather than work history, since hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level. The concrete artifact that gets instructional design consultant candidates noticed is a portfolio showing completed eLearning modules, training materials, or instructional content you've built. Pair direct applications with campus career fairs, where recruiters often make faster decisions about students they meet in person.
Can an instructional design consultant internship turn into a full-time job?
Many employers extend return offers to strong interns, but conversion is never guaranteed. What drives it for instructional design consultant interns is consistent performance on real deliverables, available headcount on the team, and understanding when return-offer decisions happen. Treat the internship as an audition, deliver work that stands on its own, and stay engaged with your manager, without counting on a specific outcome.
When should I apply for instructional design consultant internships?
Earlier than most candidates expect. Large employers recruit summer instructional design consultant interns the preceding fall, often closing cohorts before spring semester begins. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to their start dates, so openings appear year-round. Checking listings regularly and applying as soon as a role opens gives you the best chance before cohorts fill.
Are instructional design consultant internships paid?
Most professional instructional design consultant internships in the U.S. are paid. Compensation varies by company size, industry, and location, and listings show pay where the employer chooses to disclose it. Unpaid arrangements are less common at established organizations and are worth scrutinizing carefully before accepting.
What should an instructional design consultant internship resume include?
Lead with two or three complete, documented projects rather than work history. For instructional design consultant candidates, that means eLearning modules, training plans, or instructional content with the authoring tools you used and links to the finished work, such as a portfolio site or shared drive. Add relevant coursework in instructional design, learning theory, or curriculum development, and keep the whole document to one page.
Are there remote instructional design consultant internships?
Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 60% of the instructional design consultant internship listings here, with the rest on-site. Remote cohorts fill quickly because they draw applicants from across the country, so apply early and filter by work type to see those openings before they close.
What is an instructional design consultant internship at a learning and development consultancy?
Some learning and development consultancies run structured intern cohorts designed specifically for candidates new to the field, placing interns on client-facing projects under senior consultant supervision. These programs target students in instructional design, education technology, or organizational learning, recruit early in the academic year, and are competitive. Identify which consultancies run formal cohorts and apply in the first wave of their recruiting cycle.
Can international students get instructional design consultant 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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