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What is an information systems internship and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted experts
Professor David Sanford,
Alexey Kolmogorov Ph.D.
introduction image

An Information Systems Intern is a part-time position; usually, a role played by students of the field, in which the trainee gains knowledge and experience by working on various projects with senior employees of the company and more experienced industry professionals.

These projects involve installing, designing, maintaining, and repairing various information systems, computer networks, and other hardware and software. They may provide technical support to other personnel as well as customers and patrons and create and maintain databases. They may perform a number of clerical tasks, too, such as drafting documents and reports and cleaning. The Intern is meant to gain knowledge of how to use various tools, supplies, and software.

A person seeking to become an Intern generally needs to be enrolled in an undergraduate program in a subject to do with Computer Science and IT. They should already have some proficiency in certain software and even programming languages, such as SQL. Interpersonal and analytical skills are important as well. An Information Systems Intern earns an average of $17.04 an hour.

What general advice would you give to an information systems internship?

Professor David Sanford

Associate Professor an Department Chair (MIS, CS, CYB MGT, IS CYB), Northwood University

Workers like that they are challenged to solve problems and lead technological innovations.
They appreciate the diversity of projects
They enjoy the need for continuous improvement and education
Many see the global impact of their work.
They also desire and appreciate the need for versatile skills
A competitive salary is also an item that employees like

Workers dislike that the work can be stressful
Dealing with tight deadlines and/ or cybersecurity concerns.
This is a positive and a negative: The need to constantly stay up to date with technology can be a bit overwhelming for some.
There may be times of isolation, and
The unexpected system failures can be frustrating as they often require extra hours or the need to be on-call.
The multiple responsibilities and managing repetitive tasks are also issues workers point out in this field.

In short, the workplace offers exciting opportunities but comes with its fair share of pressures and challenges. Different people have different experiences based on their roles and personal preferences.
ScoreInformation Systems InternshipUS Average
Salary
2.5

Avg. Salary $31,643

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
6.7

Growth rate 10%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
6.0
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.41%

Asian 14.75%

Black or African American 10.31%

Hispanic or Latino 14.72%

Unknown 5.28%

White 54.54%

Gender

female 34.81%

male 65.19%

Age - 41
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 41
Stress level
6.7

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
6.5

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
7.4

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Information systems internship career paths

Key steps to become an information systems internship

  1. Explore information systems internship education requirements

    Most common information systems internship degrees

    Bachelor's

    71.7 %

    Associate

    12.5 %

    Master's

    10.9 %
  2. Start to develop specific information systems internship skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Python11.15%
    C++6.32%
    Patients5.61%
    Java5.24%
    Customer Service4.69%
  3. Complete relevant information systems internship training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New information systems interns learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an information systems internship based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real information systems internship resumes.
  4. Gain additional information systems internship certifications

    Information systems internship certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific information systems internship certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

    The most common certifications for information systems interns include Geographic Information Systems Professional (GISP) and Certified Information Technology Professional (CITP).

    More About Certifications
  5. Research information systems internship duties and responsibilities

    • Manage backup for SAN unit, security and user help systems.
    • Manage the security provisioning of the claims system used by the organization.
    • Demonstrate professionalism and the ability to manage projects independently, performing facility layouts within AutoCAD to forecast customer costs.
    • Administer CISCO VOIP phone system.
  6. Prepare your information systems internship resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your information systems internship resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an information systems internship resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable information systems internship resume templates

    Build a professional information systems internship resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your information systems internship resume.
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    Information Systems Internship Resume
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    Information Systems Internship Resume
  7. Apply for information systems internship jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for an information systems internship job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first information systems internship job

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Average information systems internship salary

The average information systems internship salary in the United States is $31,643 per year or $15 per hour. Information systems internship salaries range between $24,000 and $40,000 per year.

Average information systems internship salary
$31,643 Yearly
$15.21 hourly

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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