Skip to main content

Internships for Students Interested in Food or Grocery Careers

If you’re a college student interested in food or grocery careers, there are three main ways to gain experience:

   • Paid internships with structured training and mentorship

   • Externships focused on hands-on skill building

   • Part-time roles that let you learn while working

At Wegmans, students can explore all three depending on their schedule and interests. 

The right option depends on what you’re looking for. Some students want a formal summer internship. Others build the same foundational skills through part-time roles during the school year.

Internship vs. externship vs. job—what’s the difference?

Many students search for “internships,” but in the food and grocery industry, experience doesn’t come in just one format.

Internships

Internships at Wegmans are paid, structured programs for college students.
• Typically offered during the summer
• Include training, mentorship, and real business exposure
• May continue across multiple summers depending on the role 

about [title]

Externships

Externships are shorter, hands-on experiences.
• Can take place during the school year or summer
• Focus on building practical skills in stores or kitchens
• Often used by students studying culinary, bakery or store operations


about [title]

Part-time student roles

Part-time jobs are one of the most common ways students gain experience.
• Flexible scheduling based on your availability
• Work directly with customers and team members
• Build real skills in a fast-paced store environment  about [title]

What makes a strong food or grocery internship?

Not all internships are equal. In the food and grocery industry, the most useful experiences include:
• Direct involvement in daily operations, not just observation
• Interaction with customers or food preparation
• Exposure to how stores or kitchens actually run
• Opportunities to learn from experienced team members


Wegmans designs its early career programs so students are actively contributing, not just watching.

What you’ll actually do in these roles

Experience in the food or grocery industry is hands-on.


Depending on the role, students at Wegmans may:
• Help customers find products, answer questions and make recommendations
• Prepare and package fresh foods in store kitchens
• Stock shelves and organize displays to keep departments running
• Work alongside chefs, department managers or store teams
• Learn how inventory, food quality and service come together day to day 


These are practical skills you can use across culinary, retail and business careers.

How Wegmans supports students and early careers

Wegmans offers multiple paths for students to gain experience.


Paid internships
• Structured summer programs with mentorship
• Opportunities to connect with leaders and teams
• Real responsibilities across store or corporate functions 

• Full-time, 40-hour-per-week experience during the internship program
• Successful interns may receive full-time placement opportunities after graduation


Externships
• Shorter, skill-focused learning experiences
• Available in areas like culinary, bakery and store operations

• Built around hands-on work, not observation 


Part-time roles during school
• Flexible scheduling designed around classes
• Team-based work in store environments
• A common starting point for long-term opportunities 


Many students move between these pathways over time—starting in part-time roles, then exploring internships or full-time opportunities after graduation.

Who this is a good fit for

Food and grocery work is a strong fit if you:
• Enjoy working with people and helping customers
• Are interested in food, cooking or retail operations
• Prefer learning by doing rather than only in a classroom
• Want to explore career options while still in school

You don’t need to have everything figured out to get started.

How to get started

Opportunities vary by location, season and business needs.

The best way to find internships, externships, or student roles is to explore current openings on the Wegmans careers site.

Explore student jobs and internships at Wegmans

FAQs

  • Do grocery stores offer internships?

    Yes. Some grocery companies, including Wegmans, offer paid internships and externships that provide hands-on experience. 

  • Are Wegmans internships paid?

    Yes. Wegmans offers paid internships, with details depending on the role and program.

  • What is a culinary externship?

    A culinary externship is a hands-on experience where students work in a real kitchen environment to build practical skills.

  • Can a part-time grocery job count as experience?

    Yes. Part-time roles can help you build customer service, food handling and teamwork skills that are relevant to many careers.

  • Do I need experience to apply for these roles?

    Not always. Many student roles and some early career opportunities are designed for people who are still learning.

  • What types of internships are available in the grocery or food industry?

    Common areas include store operations, culinary, supply chain and corporate functions like IT or marketing.

get job alerts

Want to be the first to know when a job you are interested in opens up? Join our Talent Community to receive email alerts.