Emerging Technology Intern – Summer 2027

Shape What’s Next in Technology

Join Synchrony’s Emerging Technology Center (ETC) and gain real-world experience at the #1 Best Company to Work for in the U.S. At the ETC you won’t just observe how technology is used – you’ll work alongside experienced professionals to explore, build, and apply solutions to real business and customer challenges.

Located at the University of Illinois Research Park, ETC brings students and Synchrony teams together to advance work across artificial intelligence, data science, engineering, human-centered design, and other emerging technologies. Interns have partnered with teams across Synchrony on projects that support business growth and customer experience, making the center both an innovation hub and an early-career talent pipeline.

From your first day, you’ll be part of the team. Your experience will depend on your interests, skills, and project assignment, giving you the opportunity to apply what you’re learning in the classroom while seeing how ideas move from exploration to practical solutions.

What You’ll Experience

As an ETC intern, you may:

• Own project work and contribute to deliverables for real business stakeholders
• Collaborate with engineers, data scientists, designers, product teams, subject-matter experts, and technology leaders
• Research new technologies, evaluate opportunities, and help turn ideas into prototypes or solutions
• Present your work, recommendations, and results to leaders and stakeholders
• Participate in innovation initiatives, hackathons, demonstrations, and project showcases
• Build your network through mentorship, professional development, and cross-functional collaboration
• Strengthen your communication, problem-solving, technical, and leadership skills through hands on work

What You Could Work On

Depending on your interests, background, and team assignment, opportunities may include:

• Software Engineering & Development: API, software, systems, mobile (Android/iOS), and quality engineering
• Data, AI & Emerging Technology: Data engineering, artificial intelligence, machine learning, analytics, innovation, and emerging technologies
• Cloud, Infrastructure & Reliability: DevOps, reliability engineering, systems infrastructure, and related technologies
• Cybersecurity & Information Security: Security, forensics, incident management, and related areas
• Product, UX & Project Management: User experience, human-centered design, user research, product development, project management, and Agile delivery

More Than Just a Project

The ETC experience is designed to connect what you learn in school with how technology operates inside a large organization. You’ll have opportunities to learn from professionals and senior leaders, work with other interns, and understand how technical decisions connect to customers and business outcomes.

More than 400 University of Illinois students have gained experience through Synchrony’s ETC internship program, and former interns have gone on to full-time opportunities across technology, analytics, credit, and other areas of Synchrony.

To support a meaningful internship experience, new interns are expected to commit to intern with us for at least two consecutive terms. Opportunities to continue beyond the initial commitment may be available based on performance, interest, availability, and business needs.

Qualifications

We’re looking for students who can:

• Communicate ideas clearly in writing and conversation
• Apply critical thinking and analytical skills to solve problems
• Organize work, manage priorities, and meet deadlines with attention to detail
• Take initiative, adapt to new situations, and show curiosity about new concepts and technologies
• Work independently while collaborating effectively with teammates
• Use Microsoft Office tools proficiently, including Outlook, Teams, PowerPoint, Excel, and Word
• Familiarity with Agile methodologies and project management practices is a plus
• Academic projects, research, hackathons, student organizations, previous internships, or other experience in technology, data, innovation, design, or related areas is also a plus

Eligibility Requirements

• Be enrolled as a full-time student at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 2027 and beyond.
• A minimum overall GPA of 3.0; submit a transcript with your application.
• Commit to at least two consecutive terms.
• Commit to 40 hours of work per week during the summer at Synchrony’s Research Park office in Champaign, Illinois.
• Be 18 years of age or older.
• Be authorized to work in the US on a permanent basis without requiring sponsorship now or in the future
• Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a required background investigation and drug screening
• Be able to satisfy the requirements of Section 19 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act

How to apply

Send your resume, cover letter, and transcripts to etc@syf.com.

In your cover letter, tell us what interests you about technology and share an example of something you’ve built, explored, analyzed, or improved. We’re interested not only in what you’ve done, but in how you think, learn, and approach problems.

Please name your application documents using the following format:

First Last Document
Example: First Last Resume

Reasonable Accommodation Notice

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment. If you need special accommodation, please call our Career Support Line so that we can discuss your specific situation. We can be reached at 1-866-301-5627. Representatives are available from 8am – 5pm Monday to Friday, Central Standard Time.