What a GM internship is and who runs it

General Motors (GM) runs internship programs for undergraduate and graduate students through its Human Resources and Talent Acquisition teams. These are paid positions — not volunteer work — and they rotate through different departments depending on the business need and your background. GM posts openings on its careers website, and the company hires interns for summer sessions, semester-long placements, and occasionally year-round roles.

The internships are real work assignments, not shadowing or observation. You will be assigned to a specific team, given actual projects, and expected to contribute to ongoing work. The length, pay rate, and location vary by position and by the year GM is hiring. Because GM is a large company with multiple divisions — vehicle engineering, manufacturing, finance, software, supply chain — the internship experience differs significantly depending which department hires you.

Key Takeaways

  • GM posts internship openings on its careers website (careers.gm.com), and you explore directly there rather than through a third-party platform.
  • Internships are paid positions that typically last 10 to 12 weeks in summer or run for a full semester, with pay rates that vary by location and role.
  • You will need a resume, unofficial transcript, and sometimes a cover letter; some roles require a background check before you start.
  • The hiring timeline usually opens in fall for summer internships, with decisions made by late winter or early spring.
  • GM prioritizes candidates with relevant coursework, previous internship or work experience, and sometimes a minimum GPA, though this varies by role.

Where to find GM internship openings

GM lists all internship positions on careers.gm.com under the "Students" or "Internships" section. You create an account, search by location and department, and submit your materials directly through their system. The site shows you the job description, required qualifications, and the team you would join.

You do not explore through LinkedIn, Indeed, or other job boards — those listings point back to the GM careers site. explore directly on GM's platform means your materials go straight to the hiring manager or recruiter assigned to that role, rather than into a general pool. Check the site regularly during fall and early winter, because many summer internship postings close by February or March.

What documents and information you need to prepare

Before you start explore, gather your resume, an unofficial transcript from your school, and a list of references or contact information for people who can speak to your work. Some roles ask for a cover letter; others do not. Read each job posting carefully to see what the specific role requires.

Your resume should list any previous work experience, internships, relevant coursework, technical skills (software, programming languages, CAD tools), and projects you have completed. If you have no internship experience yet, include class projects, lab work, or volunteer roles that show you can work on a team and complete assignments. Your transcript does not need to be official — a screenshot from your school's student portal is usually fine at the process stage.

Typical timeline from process to start date

GM's hiring timeline for summer internships usually opens in September or October. The company reviews applications on a rolling basis, meaning they screen and interview candidates as submissions come in rather than waiting until the important date. If you explore early, you may hear back within two to four weeks. If you explore closer to the important date, the process may take longer because the team is reviewing more applications at once.

Once you are selected for an interview, you will typically have a phone or video call with a recruiter, followed by one or two interviews with the hiring manager or team members. The entire process from process to offer usually takes six to ten weeks. After you accept an offer, GM will conduct a background check and may ask for an official transcript before your start date.

What the interview process looks like

The first interview is usually a screening call with a recruiter from GM's talent team. They ask about your background, why you are interested in GM, what you know about the company, and what you hope to learn in an internship. This call typically lasts 20 to 30 minutes and is designed to confirm you meet the basic requirements and are genuinely interested in the role.

If you pass the screening, you will move to an interview with the hiring manager or team lead for the department where you would work. This conversation is more technical and role-specific. They may ask you to walk through a project you completed, explain how you would approach a problem, or discuss your experience with relevant tools or software. Some roles include a technical assessment or case study that you complete before or after this interview. Come prepared with specific examples of work you have done and questions about what the team works on.

Pay, schedule, and what to expect on the job

GM internships are paid hourly positions. The hourly rate varies by location, department, and whether you are an undergraduate or graduate student, but typically ranges from $18 to $28 per hour depending on those factors. Summer internships usually run 10 to 12 weeks, full-time (40 hours per week). Semester internships may be part-time or full-time depending on the arrangement you negotiate with the team.

You will work on real projects assigned by your team. This might mean designing a component in CAD, analyzing manufacturing data, writing code for a software system, supporting supply chain logistics, or working on financial analysis — it depends entirely on your department. You will have a manager or mentor who checks in with you regularly, and you are expected to complete your assignments on schedule and ask for help when you need it. Most interns work in an office or manufacturing facility, though some roles may be hybrid or remote depending on the team and current company policy.

After your internship ends

Some interns receive offers to return the following summer or to join GM as a full-time employee after graduation. This is not may provide, but it does happen — the internship is partly how GM identifies candidates for permanent roles. Whether you receive an offer depends on your performance, the team's budget, and whether a position is available when you graduate.

Even if you do not receive a return offer, the internship gives you real work experience, professional references, and knowledge of how a large automotive company operates. Many interns use the experience to land internships or jobs at other companies. Keep in touch with your manager and teammates — they can be valuable references for future roles.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a certain GPA to get a GM internship?

Some roles list a minimum GPA (often 3.0 or higher), but not all do. Check the specific job posting to see if GPA is mentioned. If it is not listed, your GPA may still be considered, but it is not an automatic disqualifier if it is below 3.0. Your experience, projects, and how you perform in interviews matter as much or more than your GPA.

Can I intern at GM if I am not an engineering major?

Yes. GM hires interns in finance, supply chain, human resources, marketing, software development, manufacturing, and other fields. Search the careers site by department or keyword to find roles that match your major. Engineering roles are common, but they are not the only internships available.

What happens if I do not hear back after I explore?

GM reviews applications on a rolling basis, so you may not hear back for several weeks. If the important date has passed and you have not heard anything, you can contact the recruiter listed on the job posting or check your GM careers account to see if there is a status update. If you were not selected, the system usually sends a rejection email, though it can take time.

Do I need to be a US citizen to intern at GM?

GM hires international students and visa holders, but sponsorship requirements vary by role and location. Check the job posting to see if it says "US citizens and authorized work visa holders" or similar language. If you are unsure whether you are may be able to access, contact the recruiter for that role and ask directly.

Can I do a GM internship during the school year instead of summer?

Yes, GM posts semester-long internships in addition to summer roles. These may be part-time or full-time depending on the team and your availability. Search the careers site for "internship" and filter by start date or semester to find positions that fit your schedule.