What is National Intern Day?
Launched by WayUp in 2017, National Intern Day has served as an opportunity for thousands of employers to commemorate and thank their hardworking interns. The holiday has brought national attention to the challenges and inequalities faced by entry-level candidates, inspiring investments into internship programs and interns themselves.
National Intern Day also marks the release of WayUp's annual coveted 100 Top Internship Programs List, which showcases the employers who went above and beyond for their interns this year.
After all, the interns of today are truly the leaders of tomorrow—and what companies do today will directly shape our future.
Award Categories for 2025
This year, we’re excited to spotlight internship programs that excel in the following areas in addition to the Top 100 List.
#1 Program Winner
The #1 spot on the Top 100 List is awarded to the organization that stands out most when it comes to prioritizing their internship program, intern development & engagement, and workplace growth - an all-around stand-out program.
Public Service Award
The Public Service Award recognizes an internship program that demonstrates exceptional commitment to fostering meaningful intern engagement that significantly benefits the public good.
Intern Growth Award
This award recognizes the employer that best creates opportunities over the course of the internship program for interns to become more confident and well-prepared early career professionals.
Innovation Award
Approaching your internship program in a new and creative way? This award recognizes the team that is pushing the boundaries of a conventional internship program to provide an innovative experience for their interns.
Small But Mighty Award
Small internship programs deserve recognition too! This award is reserved for an organization with fewer than 1,000 employees.
Top 100 Internship Programs of 2025
Congratulations to the 2025 #1 Internship Program winner, Kimley-Horn.
Top Interns
A special congratulations to 2023’s Top Intern of the Year, Morgan Young! This list is determined by an expert panel and thousands of public votes.
Morgan Young
2023
Interned at The Walt Disney Company
Travion Crutcher
2022
Interned at The Boeing Company
Maria Sitkovets
2021
Interned at Shopify and Twitch
Dorien Baker
2020
Interned at the Office of the Director for Department of the Treasury/ Financial Crimes Enforcement Network
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