1 Popular internship programs at Staples
Whether you are working with cutting-edge data analytics, streamlining supply chain networks, or assisting in the design of new merchandising strategies, Staples internships are structured to provide students with real business exposure. These programs are not designed around routine support tasks. Instead, interns step into meaningful projects, collaborate directly with full-time teams, and contribute to decisions that influence one of the largest office supply and business solutions companies in North America.
1.1 Summer Internship Program
Staples flagship summer internship is an 11-week program, typically running from June through August. It is open to students across multiple fields including technology, engineering, supply chain, human resources, finance, marketing, and merchandising. From day one, interns are assigned projects that address real business needs, whether it is designing a digital dashboard for e-commerce performance or analyzing customer data to guide marketing campaigns. The program also includes leadership sessions, structured mentorship, and exposure to Staples’ broader corporate strategy.
1.2 Co-op Program
For students enrolled in cooperative education universities, Staples provides a six-month co-op program that integrates classroom learning with professional practice. Unlike the shorter summer program, co-ops allow interns to take on long-cycle projects with measurable outcomes. Co-op students may work on continuous improvement initiatives in supply chain operations, long-term marketing strategies, or data-heavy financial forecasting models. The extended duration makes this program particularly valuable for students who want a deeper immersion and the chance to contribute solutions that evolve over time.
1.3 Rotational Program
The rotational program is a unique pathway for students and recent graduates who want to explore multiple functions before committing to a specialization. Spanning two years and divided into four six-month rotations, this program is ideal for those interested in careers that touch multiple aspects of Staples’ business. Rotations can cover finance, operations, technology, and merchandising, giving participants a panoramic view of how a large retailer operates. While technically an early-career program, it builds upon internship experience and is often open to those who previously interned or co-oped at Staples.
1.4 Merchandising Training Academy
Retail success depends heavily on effective merchandising, and Staples addresses this through its six-month Merchandising Training Academy. Interns and trainees in this program dive into category management, product assortment strategies, pricing models, and vendor negotiations. They gain hands-on exposure to the decisions that shape what products customers see on Staples’ shelves and online platforms. The academy also emphasizes data-driven merchandising, teaching participants how to interpret performance metrics and apply them to category growth strategies.
1.5 Micro-Internships
Through its partnership with Parker Dewey, Staples offers short-term, paid micro-internships designed for students who want flexibility or quick exposure to professional tasks. These projects can last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks and may include activities like competitive analysis, vendor research, social media audits, or marketing content creation. While shorter in scope, these internships are an excellent way to build a resume, develop new skills, and get a foot in the door at a major corporation without committing to a long-term program.
2 Popular roles for interns at Staples
1. Software Engineer Intern: Software Engineer interns at Staples are embedded within technology and product development teams, where they work on building and improving enterprise-scale applications. Their responsibilities may include writing and testing code, debugging software, designing APIs, and supporting cloud-based solutions that power Staples’ e-commerce and B2B platforms.
2. Data Science Intern: Data Science interns focus on analytics and business intelligence projects. They may develop predictive models to understand customer purchasing behavior, create dashboards for sales tracking, or design algorithms to improve inventory forecasting. This role gives students practical exposure to enterprise data tools and methodologies, showing how insights derived from data directly influence business decisions
3. Marketing Intern: Marketing interns support both digital and traditional marketing initiatives at Staples. Their work might include analyzing campaign performance, conducting market research, creating promotional content, or helping execute social media strategies. They learn how to blend creative storytelling with data-driven decision-making, while gaining practical experience in how marketing directly supports brand growth and customer engagement.
4. Merchandising Intern: Merchandising interns are involved in product strategy and category management. They may help select product assortments, evaluate vendor proposals, assist with pricing models, and track category performance metrics. This role exposes students to the behind-the-scenes decisions that determine what products are offered in Staples stores and online, making it an excellent starting point for those interested in retail strategy and consumer behavior.
5. Supply Chain Intern: Supply chain interns dive into logistics and process optimization. They may work on analyzing delivery routes, optimizing warehouse operations, or identifying bottlenecks in inventory management. This role gives students an inside view of how a company the size of Staples ensures products move efficiently from suppliers to customers, providing valuable insights into global logistics and operations strategy.
6. Operations Intern: Operations interns focus on improving workflows across Staples’ business units. They may assist with project management tasks, process documentation, or performance tracking. Interns often contribute to initiatives aimed at boosting efficiency, reducing costs, and improving customer satisfaction. This role suits students who are detail-oriented and interested in learning how large-scale operations are managed and improved over time.
7. Finance Intern: Finance interns work on financial planning and analysis projects. They may help with budget forecasting, KPI tracking, and quarterly financial reporting. Interns also get exposure to tools like SAP, Power BI, and advanced Excel modeling. This role provides hands-on experience in corporate finance and equips students with skills highly relevant to careers in accounting, consulting, or financial analysis.
8. Accounting Intern: Accounting interns assist with audits, journal entries, reconciliations, and compliance checks. They also support month-end closing activities and prepare financial documents that are reviewed by leadership. This role gives students a practical grounding in corporate accounting, exposing them to real-world financial management processes and compliance requirements.
9. Human Resources Intern: HR interns support recruiting, onboarding, training, and employee engagement initiatives. They may assist with career fairs, diversity and inclusion programs, or workforce analytics. The role gives students direct insight into how HR helps build and maintain company culture, making it ideal for those interested in people management and organizational development.
10. Social Media Marketing Intern: Social Media Marketing interns help Staples strengthen its presence across platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and X. They assist in creating engaging posts, monitoring performance analytics, and tracking competitor activity. A big part of the role involves coordinating with external digital agencies on campaign execution and paid promotions, ensuring consistency with brand guidelines.
11. Communications Intern: Communications interns are involved in both internal and external communications. They may draft employee newsletters, support corporate announcements, or help coordinate branding initiatives. The role emphasizes clarity, creativity, and audience engagement, giving students exposure to how communication strategies strengthen company identity and employee alignment.
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