An internship is often the real front door into urbanism. It's where you turn a degree into experience, meet the people who'll later recommend you, and find out which corner of the field actually fits you. This guide covers how to find good internships, what to know about the most-searched of them all (the UN-Habitat internship), how to fund an unpaid placement, and how to give yourself the best chance of getting in.
Why an internship is worth the effort
In a field as broad and relationship-driven as urbanism, an internship does three things a classroom can't. It gives you proof, real projects you can point to in future applications. It gives you people, mentors and peers who become your network for decades. And it gives you clarity, a few months inside a planning department or an NGO tells you more about whether you'd thrive there than any amount of reading. Even an unglamorous internship is rarely wasted.
What UN-Habitat internships are like
UN-Habitat, the United Nations agency for human settlements based in Nairobi, runs one of the most sought-after internships in the field, which is exactly why so many people search for it and so few know how it works. A few things worth knowing:
- It's substantive. Interns support real programmes, planning, housing, climate resilience, urban policy, not coffee runs.
- It's competitive and specific. Openings are posted on the official UN careers portal (and the UN-Habitat website) with fixed windows and clear requirements, usually current students or recent graduates in a relevant field, with strong writing and often a second language.
- It is typically unpaid, which is an honest thing to plan for. More on funding below.
- Timing matters. Positions open on a rolling but limited basis. Set an alert and apply the moment a relevant one appears; strong applications go in fast.
- The location is flexible in practice. Some roles are based in Nairobi, others in regional or country offices, and remote arrangements have become more common, worth checking per posting.
The practical takeaway: don't wait to stumble on the UN-Habitat internship page one day. Monitor it, and be ready with a tailored application when a role opens.
Beyond UN-Habitat: where else to look
UN-Habitat is one door; there are many. Strong internship and early-career programmes also run at:
- International networks and NGOs, C40 Cities, ICLEI, Cities Alliance, the World Resources Institute (WRI Ross Center), and similar mission-driven organisations. Competitive, international, and brilliant for your network.
- City governments and planning departments, often the most hands-on experience you can get, and a direct line into public-sector careers. Don't overlook smaller cities, they frequently offer more responsibility than big-name agencies.
- Consultancies and design studios, from global firms to small practices, where you'll build range quickly and see many project types.
- Universities and research centres, if you're drawn to the evidence side of the field, and a natural route if you're considering further study.
- Urban tech and mobility startups, fast, messy, and a great place to learn if you like data and pace.
- Foundations and development banks, for those interested in how cities get financed and funded.
You'll find internships and junior roles across many of these on the All Things Urban board, so you don't have to check twenty portals by hand.
How to fund an unpaid internship
The honest hurdle with many prestige internships, UN-Habitat included, is that they're unpaid, which risks limiting them to people who can already afford to work for free. It doesn't have to. Options worth investigating early:
- University grants and credit. Many programmes offer internship stipends, travel bursaries, or academic credit that makes a placement count toward your degree.
- National and regional schemes. Some governments and EU-style programmes co-fund international placements for students.
- Professional bodies and foundations. Planning institutes and urbanism foundations sometimes offer scholarships or fellowships.
- Shorter or remote placements. A remote or part-time internship can make an unpaid role viable alongside other work.
Start the funding search at the same time as the internship search, not after you've been offered a place.
How to stand out as an intern applicant
You won't have decades of experience, and that's fine, nobody expects it. What sets strong candidates apart:
- A genuine point of view about cities. Read a few of the field's best books, follow the debates, and let your application show that you think, not just that you studied.
- One thing you made. A map, a short analysis of your own neighbourhood, a studio project, a policy memo. Proof beats promises, and interns rarely bring any, so it stands out.
- A tailored letter. Name the programme's actual work and connect it to something specific you've done or care about. Generic letters are invisible.
- A useful skill. GIS is the clearest edge for an intern, it shows up in a huge share of urban roles. A short course can make your CV jump the queue (we run one here).
- Speed and persistence. Apply early in each window, and apply to several. Internships are a numbers game as much as a merit one.
What to do if you don't get in
Rejection from a competitive programme is the norm, not a verdict. If UN-Habitat or your first choice says no: ask (politely) for any feedback, take a smaller or local placement to build proof, keep one personal project going, and reapply in the next cycle with a stronger case. Many people land the "dream" internship on the second or third try, precisely because they used the gap to get better.
Make it easier on yourself
The hardest part of internships is simply catching them when they open. Instead of refreshing career pages, let the openings come to you: subscribe to the All Things Urban newsletter and we'll send fresh internships, jobs, courses and events a few times a month, from organisations shaping cities worldwide.
Ready to start? Browse current internships and roles here.