{"id":4647,"date":"2026-04-15T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-15T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/entrepreneurship.asu.edu\/blog\/?p=4647"},"modified":"2026-04-13T19:04:55","modified_gmt":"2026-04-13T19:04:55","slug":"how-to-choose-the-best-summer-internship-for-aspiring-startup-founders","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/entrepreneurship.asu.edu\/blog\/2026\/04\/15\/how-to-choose-the-best-summer-internship-for-aspiring-startup-founders\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Choose the Best Summer Internship for Aspiring Startup Founders"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/entrepreneurship.asu.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/04\/ASU-Blog-Summer-Internships-1.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"573\" src=\"https:\/\/entrepreneurship.asu.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/04\/ASU-Blog-Summer-Internships-1-1024x573.jpg\" alt=\"Four students walking outside on campus wearing backpacks.\" class=\"wp-image-4648\" srcset=\"https:\/\/entrepreneurship.asu.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/04\/ASU-Blog-Summer-Internships-1-1024x573.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/entrepreneurship.asu.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/04\/ASU-Blog-Summer-Internships-1-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/entrepreneurship.asu.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/04\/ASU-Blog-Summer-Internships-1-768x429.jpg 768w, https:\/\/entrepreneurship.asu.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/04\/ASU-Blog-Summer-Internships-1.jpg 1125w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Photo by ASU Media<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">For many students, a summer internship is seen as a resume booster or simply a way to gain industry exposure. But if you\u2019re interested in entrepreneurship or starting your own venture someday, an internship can be much more. It can be a testing ground for the skills, mindset and experiences that future founders rely on.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The key is choosing your internship with intention.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Whether you\u2019re still searching or already committed to a role, here\u2019s how to make sure your summer experience actively contributes to your future startup journey.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Start With the Skills Your Future Startup Will Need<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Instead of focusing only on job titles or company names, think about the skills you want to build. Startups thrive on people who can adapt, solve problems and learn quickly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">According to CB Insights, one of the most widely cited startup research organizations, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.talentica.com\/blogs\/why-startups-fail\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">42% of startups fail because they build products that don\u2019t address a real market need.<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> This highlights a critical truth for aspiring founders: understanding users and identifying real problems early on is essential to building something that lasts.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Internships that provide exposure to customers, users and real operational challenges help students develop these problem\u2011discovery skills long before launching a venture.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Startup\u2011oriented skills to look for include:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Identifying and solving real\u2011world problems<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Understanding users and customer needs<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Working through ambiguity and uncertainty<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Collaborating across technical and non\u2011technical teams<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Ask yourself:<\/b> <i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Which of these skills do I want to strengthen this summer? Are they built into this internship role?<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/entrepreneurship.asu.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/04\/ASU-Blog-Summer-Internships-4.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"573\" src=\"https:\/\/entrepreneurship.asu.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/04\/ASU-Blog-Summer-Internships-4-1024x573.jpg\" alt=\"Two people examining an engineering project with wires and materials spread across the workspace.\" class=\"wp-image-4649\" srcset=\"https:\/\/entrepreneurship.asu.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/04\/ASU-Blog-Summer-Internships-4-1024x573.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/entrepreneurship.asu.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/04\/ASU-Blog-Summer-Internships-4-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/entrepreneurship.asu.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/04\/ASU-Blog-Summer-Internships-4-768x430.jpg 768w, https:\/\/entrepreneurship.asu.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/04\/ASU-Blog-Summer-Internships-4.jpg 1346w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Photo by ASU Media<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<h3><b>Look for Internships That Offer Real Ownership<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">One of the biggest advantages of internships, especially in smaller teams or innovation-focused environments, is the opportunity to take ownership. Ownership means being trusted with meaningful work, not just completing assigned tasks.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">This kind of responsibility builds skills that matter beyond a resume, from problem-scoping and decision-making to seeing an idea through execution capabilities that are just as critical when building a venture of your own.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Signs of a high-ownership internship include:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Responsibility for a project from start to finish<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Opportunities to suggest ideas or improvements<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Exposure to decision-making processes<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">These experiences closely mirror startup life, where initiative matters more than hierarchy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><i>Ask yourself:<\/i><\/b><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Does my role allow me to influence outcomes, or am I mostly executing instructions?<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<h3><b>Choose Environments That Encourage Learning and Experimentation<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship are rooted in experimentation: trying ideas, learning from failure and iterating quickly. Internships that encourage questions, feedback and exploration help you develop this mindset early, whether you\u2019re working at a startup or within a larger organization.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Look for environments where:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Mistakes are treated as learning opportunities<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Feedback is frequent and constructive<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Curiosity and initiative are encouraged<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">These are the same environments where startup founders and intrapreneurs learn, grow and create impact.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><i>Ask yourself: <\/i><\/b><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Will this role encourage me to think outside of the job description, or will I be following a repetitive set of instructions?<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<h3><b>Prioritize Exposure Over Comfort<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Growth often happens outside your comfort zone. Internships that stretch you, whether through new responsibilities, unfamiliar industries or cross\u2011functional work, can significantly shape your entrepreneurial thinking.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>For example:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A technical student working closer to customers or product decisions<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A business student collaborating with engineers or designers<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">This exposure helps you see how different parts of a venture come together.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Ask yourself:<\/b> <i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">What\u2019s one uncomfortable but valuable skill this internship could help me build?<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<h3><b>Learn From Builders: A Founder\u2019s Perspective<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">To reinforce the importance of learning through experience, consider watching <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=rrkrvAUbU9Y\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cThe Puzzle of Motivation\u201d<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> by Dan Pink<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. The talk explores autonomy, mastery and purpose, three drivers behind meaningful work and innovation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>As you watch, reflect on:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">How autonomy impacts creativity<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Why ownership leads to better outcomes<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">How purpose shapes long\u2011term motivation<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">This mindset applies directly to both internships and startups.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/entrepreneurship.asu.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/04\/ASU-Blog-Summer-Internships-3.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"573\" src=\"https:\/\/entrepreneurship.asu.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/04\/ASU-Blog-Summer-Internships-3-1024x573.jpg\" alt=\"A mentor helping a student practice videography in a production studio, with a cityscape shown on a screen behind them.\" class=\"wp-image-4650\" srcset=\"https:\/\/entrepreneurship.asu.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/04\/ASU-Blog-Summer-Internships-3-1024x573.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/entrepreneurship.asu.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/04\/ASU-Blog-Summer-Internships-3-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/entrepreneurship.asu.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/04\/ASU-Blog-Summer-Internships-3-768x429.jpg 768w, https:\/\/entrepreneurship.asu.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/04\/ASU-Blog-Summer-Internships-3.jpg 1125w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Photo by ASU Media<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<h3><b>Mentorship Matters More Than the Company Name<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">While brand names can be appealing, the people you learn from often matter more. Working closely with mentors who are builders, founders or experienced operators can shape how you think and make decisions.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Great mentors:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Explain the <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">why<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> behind decisions<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Invite questions and discussion<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Share lessons from real\u2011world experience<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Learning how people think is just as valuable as learning what they do.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><i>Ask yourself: <\/i><\/b><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">How can I build mentor relationships with experienced managers and team members that I will be working with?<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<h3><b>Turning Everyday Work Into Entrepreneurial Insight<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Your internship can be a powerful source of future ideas if you pay attention. Many startups begin with a simple observation: <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cThere has to be a better way to do this.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Internships give you a front\u2011row seat to inefficiencies, unmet needs and frustrated users, often the seeds of future ventures.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cMy internship at AdviNOW gave me the opportunity to work on high\u2011impact projects where I had real technical ownership. Being trusted with responsibility made this an incredibly rewarding experience and helped me better understand how products are built in a real\u2011world setting.\u201d<\/span><\/i><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/><\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8211; <\/span><b>Aakash, Summer 2025 ASU Blackstone LaunchPad Intern<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Employers echo this value when interns are given meaningful work.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cWorking with our intern allowed us to build new strategies and map out portfolios that directly supported our company\u2019s growth. The experience was so impactful that we ultimately hired him.\u201d<\/span><\/i><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/><\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8211; <\/span><b>BreatheEV, Summer 2025 ASU Blackstone LaunchPad Intern Host<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Together, these perspectives highlight why internships that emphasize ownership, learning and real\u2011world exposure are especially valuable for students interested in entrepreneurship.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/entrepreneurship.asu.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/04\/ASU-Blog-Summer-Internships-2.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"573\" src=\"https:\/\/entrepreneurship.asu.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/04\/ASU-Blog-Summer-Internships-2-1024x573.jpg\" alt=\"A student smiles at someone seated across the table, a laptop in front of them and people in the background.\" class=\"wp-image-4651\" srcset=\"https:\/\/entrepreneurship.asu.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/04\/ASU-Blog-Summer-Internships-2-1024x573.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/entrepreneurship.asu.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/04\/ASU-Blog-Summer-Internships-2-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/entrepreneurship.asu.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/04\/ASU-Blog-Summer-Internships-2-768x430.jpg 768w, https:\/\/entrepreneurship.asu.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/04\/ASU-Blog-Summer-Internships-2.jpg 1346w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Photo by ASU Media<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<h3><b>Using ASU Resources to Land the Right Internship<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">To find the right internship, you need to do more than a simple online search. It helps to know where to look and how to stay intentional.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Platforms like <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/asu.joinhandshake.com\/explore\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Handshake<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> connect students directly with employers hiring ASU talent, while <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/career.asu.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">ASU Career Services<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> offers resume reviews, mock interviews and career guidance. Even your professors can open doors through industry connections, research projects or referrals.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Create a System That Works for You<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Instead of applying randomly, build a consistent routine. You might apply to three positions per week, adjusting based on your schedule.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Some students prefer quantity, submitting more applications with a general resume. Others focus on quality, tailoring their resume slightly for each role. Choose the approach that works best for you.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>One student shared that making small, intentional tweaks to their resume helped them better understand each role and led to more meaningful conversations during interviews.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Using a simple spreadsheet to track applications, interviews and follow\u2011ups can help you stay organized and confident throughout the process.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>The Red Car Theory: What You Focus on Expands<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Red Car Theory suggests that once you focus on something, like a red car, you start noticing it everywhere. The same applies to internships. When you clearly define the skills you want to build and the problems you\u2019re interested in, opportunities become easier to recognize.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Strengthen Your Journey With Edson E+I Mentorship<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Beyond applications and interviews, <\/span><b>Edson E+I Mentoring<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> offers experience\u2011based guidance that helps students turn internships and early ideas into meaningful next steps.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Through program\u2011based mentorship (such as<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/entrepreneurship.asu.edu\/programs\/blackstone-launchpad\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Blackstone LaunchPad <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">and<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/entrepreneurship.asu.edu\/programs\/venture-devils\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Venture Devils<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">) or open mentorship via the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.worldlabs.org\/c\/ASUEdsonE+I\/mkt\/openmentoring?size=n_24_n\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Edson E+I Mentor Hub<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, students can connect with founders, industry professionals and innovators who understand how ideas grow in real\u2011world settings.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pairing internship experience with mentorship helps students reflect more deeply, recognize problems worth solving and move forward with confidence.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Embrace Feedback and Keep the Relationship Going<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Not every project will go perfectly, and that\u2019s okay. Startups are built through testing, feedback and iteration. Treat feedback as information, not criticism; each challenge is a learning opportunity.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">When the internship ends, don\u2019t let the relationship end with it. Staying in touch with managers, mentors and teammates through occasional check-ins and connecting on LinkedIn can lead to future roles, collaborations or recommendations.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Your Next Step: Choose With Intention<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">After reading this, take one small step:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Identify one startup skill you want to build<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Ask your manager or mentor for ownership of a project<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Start an idea journal based on what you observe at work<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Explore Edson E+I programs, events or workshops<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Your internship is not just a job. It\u2019s an opportunity to shape how you think, build and create. Choose it with intention, and let it work for your future startup.<\/span><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"For many students, a summer internship is seen as a resume booster or simply a way to gain industry exposure. 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