Atlanta is the spot to kickstart your career while soaking in everything the city has to offer. This is a place where culture meets innovation. As one of the fastest-growing business hubs in the U.S., Atlanta offers an exciting blend of career advancement, culture, and innovation.
Imagine grabbing coffee at a trendy café one minute and then stepping into the headquarters of industry-leading companies like Delta, Coca-Cola, or Mailchimp the next. Sound like a dream? It’s real life in Atlanta. This city is the perfect launchpad for your career.
For go-getters like you who value purpose-driven work and companies that care about their impact, ATL is a goldmine. Many of the companies here are big on diversity, sustainability, and creating meaningful changes—things that actually matter. From tech startups to Fortune 500 giants, the opportunities here are limitless. Plus, you’ll get hands-on experience in fields like tech, media, fashion, and finance, all while exploring a city full of creativity, music, and incredible food.
So, meet your future, Atlanta’s waiting.
Why Choose Atlanta for Your Internship?
Atlanta has become one of the most sought-after locations for Gen-Zer’s thanks to its booming business ecosystem, diverse industries, and vibrant cultural scene. Here are some of the reasons why Atlanta stands out for interns:
- A Hub for Innovation: Atlanta is buzzing with opportunities in cutting-edge industries like tech startups, entertainment, and social media. For a generation that thrives on creativity and innovation, there’s no better place to kickstart your career.
- Access to Leading Companies: Atlanta is home to numerous Fortune 500 and 1000 companies, offering interns invaluable exposure to top-tier industries.
- Professional Networking: Atlanta is home to major companies like Coca-Cola, Delta Airlines, and fast-growing startups. It’s the perfect spot to connect with mentors, industry leaders, and peers who share your drive to make an impact.
- Balanced Lifestyle: Thanks to its dynamic mix of urban attractions and green spaces, Atlanta fosters a perfect balance between work and play.
- Diversity That Inspires: Gen Z values inclusivity, and Atlanta delivers with its rich blend of cultures, backgrounds, and ideas. It's a city where different perspectives come together to create something extraordinary—and you can be part of that movement.
- Big City Vibes on a Budget: Who says you can’t live your best life and stay on budget? Unlike other major cities like New York or San Francisco, Atlanta gives you affordability without sacrificing the excitement. From trendy coffee shops to art festivals, you’ll have endless options for exploring during your downtime. Perfect for students living on a budget.
- Social Media-Worthy Adventures: Whether you're snapping pics at the BeltLine, catching live music in Midtown, or trying that viral food spot everyone’s talking about, Atlanta is packed with Instagrammable and TikTok-worthy moments to share with your friends.
Your internship isn’t just a job—it’s an experience, and Atlanta is the place where work meets play for interns.
Here are four key companies headquartered in Atlanta offering exceptional internship opportunities, and what makes them stand out.
1. Delta Air Lines
Website: Delta Air Lines Internships
If you’re all about flying high and chasing innovation, Delta Air Lines should be on your radar. An internship here means you’ll be leveling up your skills in one of the most exciting industries out there. Plus, you get to appreciate working with a major global airline and experience the fast-paced, dynamic world of aviation like a pro.
- Internship Areas to Explore: Whether you're into marketing, aerospace engineering, customer insights, or crushing it in supply chain management, Delta's got internships that fit your niche.
- Perks: Interns don’t just get a behind-the-scenes look at the aviation world—they might even score those sweet travel benefits. Yes, free flights could be a thing!
- Why Delta Stands Out: Delta is all about pushing boundaries with innovation, championing sustainability, and keeping things inclusive. It’s a workplace where your ideas matter, the culture is welcoming, and you can truly grow as a young professional.
2. Chick-fil-A
Website: Chick-fil-A Internships and Co-Ops
If you're all about making a real impact while crushing your career goals, Chick-fil-A is where it's at. Known for their "culture of care," this company hooks interns up with next-level learning experiences across a bunch of business areas while fostering an inclusive environment. It’s a workplace where your ideas pop and you can level up big time as a young professional.
- Internship Areas to Explore: Opportunities include accounting, IT business analysis, marketing, software engineering, restaurant development and design, and more.
- Flexible Duration Options:
- Internship: An 11-week summer program at their corporate headquarters.
- Co-op: A rotational, multi-semester work experience.
- Mentorship Focus: Interns are paired with a mentor for the duration of their program, fostering both professional and personal growth.
- Why Chick-fil-A Stands Out:
- Chick-fil-A offers a strong emphasis on hospitality and individual success. The workplace fosters a fun, collaborative culture where interns contribute to meaningful projects.
3. Cox Enterprises
Website: Cox Enterprises Internships
Cox Enterprises is where innovation meets opportunity. Whether you're into media, tech, or automotive trends, their internships are all about getting real-world experience that actually matters. From coding to creative content, you'll find a role that vibes with your passions and helps kickstart your career. Plus, you'll be joining a company that values giving back, so you can make a difference in more ways than one.
- Internship Areas to Explore: Media production, business analysis, technology, and sustainability initiatives.
- Program Options:
- Internship: A classic summer internship packed with hands-on learning and impact-driven projects.
- Co-op: Three action-packed semesters where you’ll rotate through real-world projects and gain next-level experience.
- Why Cox Stands Out: You’ll team up with supportive coworkers to tackle real-life challenges, sharpen your skills, and make a difference from day one. Cox provides extensive professional development resources and a people-first culture to ensure that interns feel supported and challenged. Recognized by Forbes as one of the Best Employers for New Grads in 2024 because of its inclusivity and focus on helping you grow your career.
4. UPS Headquarters
Website: UPS Internships in Atlanta
Think UPS is just about brown trucks and packages? It’s way more than that! Based in Atlanta, UPS is a legit powerhouse in supply chain and logistics. Interning here means getting a behind-the-scenes pass to one of the coolest (and most important) industries out there.
- What You'll Be Doing: Think business operations, crunching data, working with IT, closing sales deals, and, of course, leveling up supply chain logistics.
- Why UPS Stands Out: It's challenging (in a good way!) and the range of roles means you'll gain exposure to global business strategies, hands-on learning, logistical practices, and career acceleration opportunities.
How to Land Your Dream Internship in Atlanta
Optimize Your Resume & LinkedIn:
Update your resume and LinkedIn to reflect your unique skills, experiences, and achievements that match the gist of the role you’re going for. Don't be afraid to stand out – authenticity is key!
Network Like a Pro:
Hit up local job fairs, industry meetups, and social media platforms to make connections in Atlanta. Slide into DMs professionally on LinkedIn or join relevant online communities to get on people’s radar.
Do Your Homework on Companies:
Dig deep into each company’s website, social media, and content to understand their goals, work culture, and hiring process. Many companies even offer online tips for applicants, so use what’s out there to your advantage.
Speed Is Everything:
Internships with big-name companies get tons of applications, so don’t wait. Stay ahead of the curve by getting your applications submitted early – first impressions matter!
Final Thoughts
Atlanta is the ultimate city for interns looking to kickstart their careers. Experiences at iconic companies like Delta, Chick-fil-A, Cox Enterprises, or UPS isn’t just about building your professional skills—it’s about discovering your authentic self and showing the world what you’re capable of.
Take the leap and go for it. Landing one of these internships means not only leveling up your resume but also joining a community of trailblazers who are shaping the future. Your dream career starts now—go show them what you’ve got, and good luck!
Oh, and if you are re-locating to ATL, Intern Housing Hub has a proven list of intern housing in Atlanta hosts that are affordable and convenient.