Get career-ready with a paid VA internship

Do work that makes a difference while gaining critical real-world experience with a VA internship. The federal Pathways Internship Program helps high school, undergraduate and post-graduate students across the country develop the career skills to succeed.

Pathways offers paid internships in all career fields – supply and logistics, health administration, chemistry, human resources, administration, and information systems, to name a few.

Full and part-time internships are available during the academic year and the summer. Length can vary from months to years and accommodate co-op schedules.

“Pathways provides an opportunity to participate in rewarding work serving Veterans in a meaningful way,” said Daisy Witherspoon, VA Pathways Program manager.

Search available internships on USAJobs, the federal jobs website.

Paid internships

You’ll gain valuable training and work experience in your chosen field during your Pathways internship at VA.

Earn a competitive salary while you learn about the variety of career paths available at VA and contribute to our mission of caring for the brave men and women who have served our country.

This internship will be a one-of-a-kind experience. You’ll serve in a medical facility or staff office in the nation’s only integrated health care system, which includes more than 1,250 facilities located in all 50 states and several U.S. territories.

Every year, we provide top-notch medical care and support services to more than 9 million Veterans. With integrity, commitment, advocacy, respect and excellence, we dedicate each day to showing how much we care.

We also pride ourselves on encouraging a culture of nonstop learning, support and innovation that helps our thousands of employees reach their career potential.

Kickstart your VA career

A VA internship can help you get a foot in the door to a rewarding career. Many of our interns go on to work at VA after graduation.

If you successfully complete your internship, you may be eligible to convert to a full-time position outside of the competitive hiring process, meaning you simply switch from trainee to employee.

“While conversion is not guaranteed, it’s beneficial to VA to hire interns who successfully complete an internship,” said Witherspoon. Interns are perfect for VA jobs because they’re familiar with how VA operates, have begun to develop the skills that we seek and have made connections with coworkers.

If you’re hired at VA, you’ll work for one of the top, large employers in the nation, as ranked by Forbes magazine.

In addition to competitive salaries, we offer a benefits package that consistently outperforms the private sector. You’ll receive 36 to 49 days of paid time off per year, generous health insurance and robust retirement.

We also offer one of the most comprehensive education support programs in the nation. We offer loan repayment and reimbursement options, as well as scholarships, leadership training and mentoring programs to help you further your learning if you choose.

Work at VA

Apply for a Pathways internship and take your first step toward a satisfying career at VA.

• LEARN more about the Pathways Internship Program.
• SEARCH for an internship.
• HEAR from current VA employees.
• FOLLOW us on social media, including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and Glassdoor.

NOTE: Positions listed in this post were open at the time of publication. All current available positions are listed at USAJobs.gov.