Landing the Discover® Internship: Q&A with Emerging Talent Leader
Our 2025 Summer Internship Program at Discover is designed to ignite your curiosity, build your skills, and connect you to a team that’s invested in your future. We sat down with Kellie, a Senior Manager from our Emerging Talent Team to get answers straight from the source. Here’s what you need to know about interning at Discover in 2025.
Meet Kellie (she/her), Senior Manager, Emerging Talent Recruiting
As a recruiting leader on the Emerging Talent Team, Kellie gets hundreds of questions from students eager to learn more about our internship program. From what roles are offered to how to stand out as a candidate, she has heard it all. To make your search easier, she has rounded up the most common questions and provided insights to help you feel confident and ready to apply.
Q: What internship roles does Discover offer?
A: “Discover offers internships across several areas, like Technology, Analytics & Data Science, and General Business. Each one gives students real-world experience—you’re not just observing, you’re working on meaningful projects alongside talented teams. Whether you’re into coding, solving complex problems, or driving business decisions, there’s a place for you here. And it’s not just us saying that—our program earned national recognition this year with multiple Vault Top Internship Awards. It really shows how valuable the experience is for interns.”
Tip: Learn more about each role here
Q: How do I stand out as a candidate?
A: “Be yourself. We want to get to know you, not just your resume. Show us:
Curiosity—talk about what excites you about learning.
Preparation—do some digging and research on Discover, our values, and our culture.
Authenticity—connect your strengths and passions to our work and your past experiences.
Remember, a strong candidate doesn’t have to have all the answers. We’re looking for individuals who want to grow with us and make an impact.”
Q: What makes you stay at Discover? What makes Discover different?
A: “Hands down, it’s the people. Discover is a place where you feel supported and seen. The culture is collaborative, encouraging, and growth-focused. Unlike some companies, interns and employees alike feel like they're contributing to the goals of the company from Day 1. Whether it’s through mentorship, leadership support, or simply the team you work with, Discover invests in you – it is engrained in our brand values.”
Q: What is Discover’s culture like, and how is diversity represented?
A: “Diversity, equity and inclusion are part of Discover’s DNA. We have Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) to connect people from all backgrounds, leadership initiatives that champion diverse voices, and events designed to build community. As an intern, you are encouraged to join these groups and connect with likeminded colleagues across the company.
Our teams are dedicated to fostering an environment where everyone feels a true sense of belonging and is empowered to bring their authentic selves to work every day.”
Snapshots from Our 2024 Interns
Q: What tech stack does Discover use?
A: “Interns have the opportunity to work with a variety of tools and technologies tailored to their program and department. Here’s a glimpse of what you might encounter:
- Data & Analytics: Tools like SQL, Python, SAS and visualization platforms help analyze and manage complex datasets.
- Business Technology: Technologies include Python, SQL, Node.js. React, Spring, AWS, Azure, Kubernetes, Ansible, GitHub, and more. Cybersecurity work also utilizes tools such as Nexus IQ, Okta, and MS Defender.
- General Business: Tools like Tableau and Excel are used for creating actionable insights and data visualization.
We believe technology is most powerful when paired with innovative and curious minds. That’s why we provide our people with cutting-edge resources and foster a culture of continuous learning so they are prepared to drive innovation and make a real impact.”
Q: What happens after the internship? Do I have to intern to join the full-time rotational program?
A: “The goal of the internship is to help you grow, succeed, and ultimately join us full-time in the full-time rotational program. We’re proud to share that from our 2024 internship class, 95% of eligible interns received full-time offers, and of those, 89% have already accepted to return to Discover full-time in 2025. At times we may also hire directly into our full-time rotational programs based on available positions, additional headcount, and evolving business needs. We encourage you to keep an eye on our careers site and job postings. Whether you join us as an intern or apply directly to our full-time rotational program, we’re excited about the possibility of you bringing your talent and perspective to Discover.”
Q: Is the internship virtual, remote, or hybrid?
A: “Our internships are hybrid, offering the best of both worlds. You’ll get opportunities for in-person collaboration, connection, and networking—while still maintaining flexibility to work remotely when needed.”
Q: How do interns get connected to the Discover community during the summer?
A: “Building connections is a huge part of our program. Interns will participate in networking events with leaders and teams, mentorship opportunities to help guide their summer journey, and intern-led activities where you’ll collaborate, connect, and have fun with peers.
From team lunches to leadership panels, there are endless ways to build your network here.”
Q: What does compensation look like? Is housing provided for the summer?
A: “We are proud to offer competitive hourly rates for interns and salaries for rotational program participants. Additionally, some positions may offer things like housing for interns and bonuses for full-time program participants as part of the overall compensation structure. For the most accurate information, review the job posting details, as compensation can vary by role and location.”
Final thoughts from Kellie: “The Internship Program at Discover isn’t just about gaining experience—it’s about building a foundation for your career. Whether you continue growing with us through a full-time role or take what you’ve learned to a new opportunity, this program sets you up for success. You’ll develop skills, shape your future, build your network, and explore where your passions can take you.”
If you’re ready to grow, learn, and make an impact, our Summer Internship Program is where you need to be. Applications are now open. Search Discover Internships Opportunities here.