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Design Internship Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

MSI Mold Builders

CNC Internship

Cedar Rapids, IA · On-site

$20/hr

We also design and build aluminum injection molds for limited production runs. Today MSI serves customers in the computer, business machine, medical diagnostics, material handling, sporting goods ...

MSI Mold Builders

CNC Internship

Cedar Rapids, IA

We also design and build aluminum injection molds for limited production runs. Today MSI serves customers in the computer, business machine, medical diagnostics, material handling, sporting goods ...

MSI Mold Builders

Internship

Cedar Rapids, IA · On-site

$20/hr

We also design and build aluminum injection molds for limited production runs. Today MSI serves customers in the computer, business machine, medical diagnostics, material handling, sporting goods ...

WesTech Engineering

Student Drafter

Ames, IA · On-site +1

$22 - $29.50/hr

Currently enrolled and active in Sophomore or Junior year of CAD related 4-year degree * 0-1 years of experience in CAD design (internships or co-op experience considered) * Knowledge of the function ...

Menard, Inc

Distribution Internship

Shelby, IA

$14 - $18.50/hr

The Management Internship is a 12-week PAID hands on training experience at our Shelby Distribution Center. If selected for the Program, you will be placed in one of our departments to work directly ...

WesTech Engineering

Student Drafter

Ames, IA · On-site

$22 - $29.50/hr

Currently enrolled and active in Sophomore or Junior year of CAD related 4-year degree * 0-1 years of experience in CAD design (internships or co-op experience considered) * Knowledge of the function ...

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All JobsDesign Internship JobsDesign Internship Jobs in Iowa

Design Internship information

See Iowa salary details

$8

$18

$34

How much do design internship jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 2, 2026, the average hourly pay for design internship in Iowa is $18.20, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.56 and $20.34 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What types of projects and responsibilities can a design intern typically expect during their internship?

As a design intern, you can expect to work on a variety of projects, such as assisting with branding materials, creating digital assets for social media, participating in brainstorming sessions, and supporting senior designers with ongoing client work. Interns often handle tasks like layout design, image editing, and preparing files for print or digital distribution. You’ll likely collaborate closely with other team members, including designers, marketing staff, and project managers, gaining exposure to the full design process in a professional environment. This hands-on experience provides an excellent opportunity to build your portfolio and develop practical skills that can help advance your career.

What is the difference between Design Internship vs Graphic Design Assistant?

AspectDesign InternshipGraphic Design Assistant
Required CredentialsEnrolled in or recent graduate of design-related programsSome experience or coursework in graphic design
Work EnvironmentTemporary, learning-focused, often in creative agencies or companiesSupport role within a design team, often in office settings
Employer & Industry UsageInternships are common for gaining experience in design fieldsAssistants support ongoing projects in graphic design departments

In summary, a Design Internship is typically a temporary, educational position for students or recent graduates to gain experience, while a Graphic Design Assistant is a support role for those with some background in design, assisting with ongoing projects within a professional environment.

What is a design internship?

A design internship is a temporary position, often held by students or recent graduates, that provides practical experience in various design fields such as graphic, industrial, interior, or web design. Interns work under the supervision of experienced designers, assisting with real projects, learning industry tools, and developing their portfolios. This hands-on experience helps interns build valuable skills, gain industry insights, and make professional connections that can aid their future careers.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Design Intern, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Design Intern, you need a foundational understanding of design principles, proficiency in graphic design software, and typically a portfolio demonstrating creative work. Familiarity with tools like Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) and collaborative platforms such as Figma or Sketch is often required. Strong communication, openness to feedback, and time management skills help interns stand out in collaborative, fast-paced environments. These abilities are crucial for effectively contributing to design projects and learning from real-world design challenges.
What are the most commonly searched types of Design jobs in Iowa? The most popular types of Design jobs in Iowa are:
What are popular job titles related to Design Internship jobs in Iowa? For Design Internship jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Design Internship jobs in Iowa look for? The top searched job categories for Design Internship jobs in Iowa are:
What cities in Iowa are hiring for Design Internship jobs? Cities in Iowa with the most Design Internship job openings:
Design Internship jobs near you
Infographic showing various Design Internship job openings in Iowa as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 47% Full Time, 47% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $37,857 per year, or $18.2 per hour.
CNC Internship

CNC Internship

MSI Mold Builders

Cedar Rapids, IA • On-site

$20/hr

Other

Posted 26 days ago

Job description

Discover how an internship with MSI could challenge you to explore new possibilities.
Company Overview:
Since 1971, industries around the world have turned to MSI to design and build molds of exceptional accuracy and durability. Our dedication to the highest quality mold design and building standards is part of our mission to lead the industry in the design and production of value added plastic molds.
Our customers rely on us to design and build various types of steel and aluminum molds for injection, structural foam, rim, blow, gas assist and structural web processes. We also design and build aluminum injection molds for limited production runs.
Today MSI serves customers in the computer, business machine, medical diagnostics, material handling, sporting goods, lawn and garden, appliance, consumer electronics, heavy equipment and transportation industries.
Student Qualifications
  • High School: Students entering their senior year in high school and older are eligible to apply for an internship. Interns under age 18 must have a parent co-sign the internship agreement.

  • College: Students accepted into an approved Advanced Manufacturing related program

Program Overview
MSI believes that one of the strongest components to our future success lies in the development of new talent. The goal of our internship program is to provide students with an opportunity to explore careers in the field of Advanced Manufacturing; and, to help them determine their interest and capabilities in the various careers in this field. The internship will provide hands-on learning experiences for students at the company facilities as well as help them develop interpersonal and technical skill sets that are necessary to be successful in today's workforce.
Internships are paid and the hours are flexible based on school work load and extra- curricular school programs. Participation in MSI's internship program does not guarantee regular employment will be offered at the completion of the internship. An internship can be terminated at any time, for example, if an intern does not show advancement in skills, demonstrates poor interpersonal skills, has poor attendance and/or punctuality, or if business conditions change.,.
  • High School interns
    • Exposed to all areas of MSI's production and engineering areas. The intern will be assigned tasks that are not directly related to operating machinery but will be of value to the organization. Examples may include electrode mounting, helping with set ups, maintenance work, print scanning, etc.
    • The goal of this first year is to evaluate the intern's work ethic and basic abilities as they relate to the skills needed in Advanced Manufacturing.

  • College interns
  • First year students will begin training in the components and manual machining areas, such as lathes and mills. Duties may also include saw cutting, benching, and maintenance work. Engineering students will begin color coding wire frame models, gain exposure to the manufacturing process and machining.

  • Second year students will have the opportunity to begin training on 2D machines. Detailing work will be added to the duties of engineering students. It will also be critical at this level for the intern to develop an understanding of mold making and the manufacturing process that MSI follows.

  • The goal of this year is to expand the intern's knowledge of Advanced Manufacturing opportunities, the mold making industry, and develop their base machine operator skills.

The level of tasks that are initially assigned to an intern will be based on schooling and background. Further advancement to more difficult tasks will be based on growth of skill set and the attitude that is demonstrated. MSI places equal importance on technical abilities and attitude. A positive "can do" attitude, punctuality, ability to stay on task, ability to communicate effectively and a willingness to learn and ask questions are critical attributes of a successful employee.
Accountability
Intern:
  1. Adhere to company work hours, policies, procedures and safety rules.
  2. Adhere to company policies governing confidentiality.
  3. Assume personal responsibility for his/her actions and activities.
  4. Maintain professional relationships with company employees, customers, etc.
  5. Utilize a courteous, enthusiastic, open-minded approach to the policies, procedures and work.
  6. Develop a self-awareness in regard to attitudes, values, behaviors, etc. that influence your work and relationships.
  7. Demonstrate a team player attitude and a willingness to assist with all tasks assigned.

Employer:
  1. Orient the student intern to the company's operations.
  2. Orient the student to the company's work and safety policies and procedures.
  3. Assign and supervise the completion of tasks.
  4. Provide regular feedback. During the 1st year, an intern will receive monthly reviews to inform them of their progression and any gaps that may exist. In subsequent years, the reviews will occur every 90 days.
  5. Provide exposure and opportunity for learning in various departments and positions in the organization.

Educational Assistance
MSI believes that a formal education is important to a successful career in Advanced Manufacturing. To reinforce this belief, interns have the opportunity to receive assistance for their college education.
Students who are accepted into an MSI approved Advanced Manufacturing related program may be eligible for:
  1. Educational benefits including payments for tuition, fees and books. Students should obtain eligibility verification before enrolling in any classes for which they will seek reimbursement.
  2. Reimbursement will be issued at the completion of a class for which eligibility was verified IF the student achieved a grade of a "B" or above and attended at least 90% of classroom instruction.
  3. Valid receipts and transcripts will be required for reimbursement. A student will be eligible for reimbursement of expenses actually incurred'any grants , scholarships or other financial assistance will be deducted prior to calculation of the reimbursement amount.
  4. The annual reimbursement is limited to $5,250 for undergraduate degrees. Any reimbursement above this must be classified as wages. This is subject to change in accordance with IRS guidelines.

Such responsibilities will be assigned only to interns who are age 18 and over.

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