Ai product & business innovation - summer 2027 internship pathway

Lumen is the trusted network for the AI‑powered world, connecting people, data, and applications through our expansive fiber network and connected ecosystem. We enable secure, high‑performance connectivity across cloud, edge, and AI workloads for enterprises, governments, and communities.

At Lumen, you’ll work on infrastructure customers rely on today and build for what’s next, where performance, security, and resilience matter.

This is a high accountability environment where bold ideas drive real innovation for our customers, partners, and industry. The work is challenging, expectations are clear, and trust is built into how we operate. If you’re ready to take ownership, deliver meaningful impact, and help shape the future of AI‑ready connectivity, join us today.

Build What's Next at Lumen

Lumen’s paid, 10-week summer internship program gives you meaningful work, mentorship, professional development, and connections with peers and leaders.

To help you find the best fit, explore the pathway roles:

• AI & Automation Builders
• AI Product & Business Innovation
• Cybersecurity, Risk & Digital Trust
• Data, Analytics & Decision Science
• Enterprise Knowledge & Intelligence Systems

Each pathway connects you with multiple roles that share related skills and interests, so you can discover more ways to build what’s next at Lumen.

One Application, Multiple Opportunities

Apply once to be considered for multiple internships focused on turning customer and business needs into products, experiences, strategies, and AI-enabled solutions. As you move through the process, you’ll meet hiring teams and explore assignments aligned with your interests and strengths.

Your Impact

Great products and experiences start with understanding people and turning meaningful opportunities into action. In the roles you may be considered for, you’ll connect customer needs, business strategy, technology, and execution to help shape what comes next.

Assignments may span product management and strategy, customer experience, market research, business strategy, process innovation, solution design, marketing, sales, or AI-enabled business solutions—giving you a chance to test ideas and translate insights into value.

What You May Work On

• Research customer needs, market trends, business challenges, and emerging technologies to identify opportunities
• Support product strategy, roadmaps, requirements, business cases, or go-to-market planning
• Help design or improve products, services, processes, and customer or employee experiences
• Explore how AI can solve business problems, improve workflows, or create new value
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to test ideas, measure outcomes, and translate recommendations into actionable plans

What You'll Bring

We're seeking students who are energized by solving problems, asking questions, and continuously learning.

Successful candidates often demonstrate:

• Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills
• Curiosity about customers, markets, technology, and how businesses create value
• Creativity, innovative thinking, and a willingness to test new ideas
• Effective communication, storytelling, and collaboration skills
• Comfort navigating ambiguity and balancing multiple perspectives
• Interest in product development, business strategy, customer experience, AI, marketing, or innovation
• Initiative, adaptability, and a growth mindset

Prior experience with product development, market research, customer analysis, innovation projects, business strategy, design thinking, or entrepreneurial activities will be especially beneficial to candidates in this pathway.

Education & Eligibility

You must be enrolled at an accredited college or university at the time of the internship. We primarily seek rising seniors graduating between August 2027 and June 2028; students graduating in 2029 may also be considered.

Students from a variety of academic backgrounds may be a strong fit, including:

• Business Administration, Management, Entrepreneurship, or Strategy
• Marketing, Economics, Finance, or Communications
• Information Systems, Computer Science, Product Design, or Engineering

Students from other disciplines with demonstrated business curiosity and an interest in innovation, customers, products, or emerging technology are also encouraged to apply.

Compensation

Intern pay ranges: $26–$46 per hour.

Compensation is based on your academic level, role classification (technical vs. non-technical), experience, and geographic location.

Learn more about Lumen's:

• Benefits
• Bonus Structure
• Selection Process

We believe potential matters as much as experience. During the selection process, we’ll consider how you approach problems, communicate ideas, learn, collaborate, show business curiosity, and demonstrate initiative and growth potential.

Life at Lumen

Life at Lumen is human and connected, even in a fast moving, AI‑focused organization. We set clear expectations and trust people to meet them. With real support and shared accountability, teams collaborate better, move faster, and deliver meaningful outcomes.

Our Lumen 8 behaviors guide how we interact, make decisions, and work together, shaping a culture built to perform and win.

Background Screening

If you are selected for a position, there will be a background screen, which may include checks for criminal records and/or motor vehicle reports and/or drug screening, depending on the position requirements. For more information on these checks, please refer to the Post Offer section of our FAQ page. Job-related concerns identified during the background screening may disqualify you from the new position or your current role. Background results will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Equal Employment Opportunities

We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all persons regardless of race, color, ancestry, citizenship, national origin, religion, veteran status, disability, genetic characteristic or information, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, family status, pregnancy, or other legally protected status (collectively, “protected statuses”). We do not tolerate unlawful discrimination in any employment decisions, including recruiting, hiring, compensation, promotion, benefits, discipline, termination, job assignments or training.

Privacy Notice

Lumen is committed to protecting the privacy and security of personal information collected during the recruitment and hiring process. Our Applicant Privacy Notice explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect applicant information, as well as how individuals may request access to or deletion of their personal data.

To review Lumen’s Global Employment Applicant and Talent Community Privacy Notice, please visit: https://jobs.lumen.com/global/en/privacy-notice

Disclaimer

The job responsibilities described above indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not intended to include a comprehensive inventory of all duties and responsibilities for this job. Job duties and responsibilities are subject to change based on evolving business needs and conditions.

In any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

Please be advised that Lumen does not require any form of payment from job applicants during the recruitment process. All legitimate job openings will be posted on our official website or communicated through official company email addresses. If you encounter any job offers that request payment in exchange for employment at Lumen, they are not for employment with us, but may relate to another company with a similar name.