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Freshman Internship Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Sonoco

Operations- Internship

Oakdale, CA · On-site

$5.1K/mo

Sonoco's internship program immerses students in the manufacturing and packaging industries ... Freshman $3,700 Monthly base salary for Undergraduate Engineering/Technical Degrees: * Senior $4 ...

New

SONOCO CANADA

Operations- Internship

Oakdale, CA · On-site

$52 - $68/hr

Sonoco's internship program immerses students in the manufacturing and packaging industries ... Senior $4,800 Junior $4,600 Sophomore $4,300 Freshman $4,100 Monthly base salary for Graduate ...

Posted today

SpaceX

$30/hr

Engineering Intern/Freshman/Sophomore: $28.00/hour Engineering Intern/Junior/Senior: $30.00/hour ... Interns are also eligible for paid company holidays. SpaceX offers 10 or more paid holidays per ...

SpaceX

$30/hr

Engineering Intern/Freshman/Sophomore: $28.00/hour Engineering Intern/Junior/Senior: $30.00/hour ... Interns are also eligible for paid company holidays. SpaceX offers 10 or more paid holidays per ...

SpaceX

$30/hr

Engineering Intern/Freshman/Sophomore: $28.00/hour Engineering Intern/Junior/Senior: $30.00/hour ... Interns are also eligible for paid company holidays. SpaceX offers 10 or more paid holidays per ...

SpaceX

$30/hr

Engineering Intern/Freshman/Sophomore: $28.00/hour Engineering Intern/Junior/Senior: $30.00/hour ... Interns are also eligible for paid company holidays. SpaceX offers 10 or more paid holidays per ...

SpaceX

$30/hr

Engineering Intern/Freshman/Sophomore: $28.00/hour Engineering Intern/Junior/Senior: $30.00/hour ... Interns are also eligible for paid company holidays. SpaceX offers 10 or more paid holidays per ...

SpaceX

$30/hr

Engineering Intern/Freshman/Sophomore: $28.00/hour Engineering Intern/Junior/Senior: $30.00/hour ... Interns are also eligible for paid company holidays. SpaceX offers 10 or more paid holidays per ...

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Freshman Internship information

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How much do freshman internship jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average hourly pay for freshman internship in California is $16.43, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.23 and $18.27 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a freshman internship?

A Freshman Internship is an entry-level opportunity designed for first-year college students to gain hands-on experience in a professional setting. It helps students explore career interests, develop relevant skills, and build their resumes early in their academic journey. These internships may be paid or unpaid and can be part-time or full-time, depending on the employer. They often involve assisting with projects, conducting research, or supporting teams in various tasks.

What kinds of projects or tasks can I expect to work on during a freshman internship?

As a Freshman Intern, you can expect to assist with entry-level tasks such as data entry, research, attending team meetings, and supporting ongoing projects. Depending on the department and industry, you might also help with event organization, collaborate on group assignments, or shadow experienced professionals to learn different job functions. Supervisors usually provide guidance and regular feedback, allowing you to build key professional skills in a supportive environment. You will gain exposure to real-world work processes while developing the competencies needed for future internships and career growth.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the freshman internship position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Freshman Intern, you need a willingness to learn, solid time management, and a basic understanding of the industry or field you are interning in, typically demonstrated through coursework or extracurricular experience. Familiarity with common office software like Microsoft Office, Google Suite, or specialized tools relevant to the industry can be helpful but is often taught on the job. Standout interns often bring strong communication skills, adaptability, and a proactive attitude toward taking on new tasks. These qualities help freshmen maximize learning opportunities, contribute effectively to teams, and build a valuable professional foundation.

Can I do internships as a freshman?

Freshman internships are available in many fields and can provide valuable work experience early in a student's academic career. These internships often focus on developing basic skills, and some may require a minimum GPA or specific coursework; availability varies by industry and organization.

What are popular job titles related to Freshman Internship jobs in California?

For Freshman Internship jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Freshman Internship jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Freshman Internship jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Freshman Internship jobs?

Cities in California with the most Freshman Internship job openings:

Freshman Internship jobs near you
Infographic showing various Freshman Internship job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 10% Internship, 61% Full Time, 26% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $34,171 per year, or $16.4 per hour.

Operations- Internship

Sonoco Products Company

Oakdale, CA • On-site

$5.1K/mo

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 3 days ago

New

Sonoco rating

7.4

Company rating: 7.4 out of 10

Based on 106 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

52nd of 122 rated packaging manufacturers

Job description

From a small family business to a multi-billion-dollar global company, Sonoco has been changing the face of products and packaging since 1899 - all while keeping the heart of "People Build Businesses" alive.
Our talented people are at the core of our growth, constantly reinventing the Sonoco wheel with brilliant solutions every year. Today we are a world leader in global packaging solutions with diversified operations in over 34 countries. We're extremely proud of our portfolio of brands, our achievements in sustainability and industrialization and the groundbreaking work accomplished by our people.
Sonoco's internship program immerses students in the manufacturing and packaging industries, providing a hands-on experience that fosters both personal and professional growth. Available in approximately 25 U.S locations, Sonoco's internship program will equip you with on-the-job learning experiences, plant tours, engagement with Sonoco leadership, and real-time feedback and networking opportunities. Preparing you for your next career steps, a Sonoco internship provides opportunities to work alongside industry experts and peers in manufacturing, process engineering, quality, safety, commercial/sales, finance/accounting, supply chain management and other fields.
In a Sonoco internship, you can expect:
  • 12 week paid internship: salary, monthly
  • Hands-on projects alongside industry experts
  • Business knowledge from across Sonoco's enterprise
  • Valuable networking opportunities with business leaders
  • Activities with other interns and Emerging Leader associates
  • Housing and activity stipend provided
  • Relocation assistance provided (mileage reimbursement and U-Haul trailer)

This internship role will be a part of our Consumer Packaging America Division, located in Oakdale, California.
To become an intern with Sonoco, here are a few things we're looking for:
  • Currently enrolled in a Bachelor's degree or master's degree program with a concentration in Engineering or Business.
  • Previous internship experience (preferably in Manufacturing or functional area)
  • Proven leadership experience
  • Technical aptitude
  • Strong communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills

Compensation:
Monthly base salary for Undergraduate Business/Non-Technical Degrees:
  • Senior $4,350
  • Junior $4,100
  • Sophomore $3,900
  • Freshman $3,700

Monthly base salary for Undergraduate Engineering/Technical Degrees:
  • Senior $4,800
  • Junior $4,600
  • Sophomore $4,300
  • Freshman $4,100

Monthly base salary for Graduate Degree Business/Non-Technical:
  • Senior $5,100

Monthly base salary for Graduate Degree Engineering/Technical:
  • Senior $5,700

At Sonoco Products Company, we offer a comprehensive total rewards package, including competitive pay and benefits. *Benefits listed below are for employees located in the U.S. Specific benefits and wellbeing programs may vary depending on your location (within the U.S. or global), or if you are a union employee.
Benefits
  • Medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your dependents, including FSA and HSA options
  • 401(k) retirement plan with company match
  • Wellbeing tools and resources to support holistic health, including an Employee Assistance Program with a variety of services
  • Paid time off and holidays to recreate, rejuvenate and care for the health of yourself and family
  • Variety of company paid and voluntary employee-paid insurance plans including life, personal accident, and disability insurance
  • Tuition reimbursement

We are an equal opportunity employer, and we strictly prohibit and do not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any legally protected characteristic.

What Sonoco employees say

Pay

Benefits

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About Sonoco

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Sonoco is a $5 billion global provider of consumer packaging, industrial products and packaging supply chain services. When collaborating with our customers, we leverage our deep knowledge of material science, our i6 Innovation ProcessTM, and our industry-leading packaging and services portfolio to create impactful customized solutions that build stronger brands. We produce packaging for many of the world's most recognized brands, in markets such as appliances and electronics, automotive, beverages, confection, construction, converted paperboard, fresh and natural food, frozen and refrigerated food, shaving, home, lawn and garden, medical/pharmaceutical, pet care, powdered beverages, recycling and snacks. Sonoco's operations consist of our global consumer packaging businesses (rigid paper and closures, flexibles and plastics); our display and packaging division (high-impact retail displays and packaging supply chain management); our industrial businesses (tubes and cores, reels and spools, uncoated recycled paperboard and Sonoco Recycling, one of the world's largest recyclers); and our Protective Solutions division (custom-designed protective, temperature-assurance and retail security packaging solutions and highly engineered components). From our headquarters in Hartsville, S.C., and more than 300 operations in 33 countries, we serve customers in 85 nations.

Industry

Manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Hartsville, SC, US

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