Choosing an internship is a huge milestone for a college student. Just like choosing a college, the possibilities seem endless – even daunting. With so many factors to consider, it’s important to find the right fit not just for your current lifestyle, but for your future one.

Here, we’ve been recognized four years in a row by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) and the Virginia Talent + Opportunity Partnership (V-TOP) as a Top Employer for Interns in the state of Virginia.

“Dollar Tree prioritizes the needs of its interns and creates a premium, well-rounded internship experience,” explains Verlaine Quinniey, our College Recruiting Manager and internship program lead.

As an intern here, you’re able to dive into the retail industry across departments, apply your classroom learning to real projects, and get paid – after all, you’re contributing meaningful work.

Networking and mentoring are key experiences in the program. “We provide networking opportunities that allow interns to connect with executives, managers, and other associates to help them gain insights into the industry, build relationships, and expand their professional network,” Verlaine says. You connect with a dedicated mentor weekly and sponsor bimonthly for feedback and questions. You'll have mid-summer check-ins and weekly group meetings for shared learning and feedback. At the program's end, you'll share insights with Dollar Tree.

There’s even a career day during orientation week – in addition to their structured onboarding – where interns participate in lunch-and-learns with senior company leaders, interview preparation, and explore other roles within their intern team or other departments.

“Throughout the summer, we also conduct professional development workshops to help interns set goals and identify skills to develop, including Excel, Power BI, public speaking, team building, and communication,” Verlaine says. The consistent support ensures they are able to use this time to their best advantage.

“Some of the qualities that we see in interns who are most successful are those who are excited to learn, inquisitive, strive for excellence, and apply what they are learning in real-time,” adds Verlaine. “They are also not afraid to set themselves apart by networking within and outside of their departments, exploring career opportunities, and finding ways to add value to the company.”

Those interns are the ones we see take charge of their journey and continue their career with Dollar Tree.

“Dollar Tree is a great place to build a long-term career ,” says Cole Cowling, a current Assortment Planner and former Merchandising Intern.“Once you get your foot in the door, you’ll find a wide range of opportunities and career paths to explore.”

Cole has certainly explored the paths available to make his career his own. Since interning in 2022, he became a full-time associate as an Allocation Analyst before moving to Replenishment Analyst, ultimately taking on his current position in January 2026. “My internship prepared me for my role by providing opportunities to collaborate with diverse teams across the organization,” he continues. “Shadowing and working across multiple departments was especially beneficial, as it highlighted how all the cross-functional teams work together to achieve a common goal.

“My advice is to stay open to different directions and use your internship as a chance to learn as much as you can about the various departments in the organization,” Cole counsels.

We value and encourage growth across the company, which means our internships aren’t only open to those who are new to the team. “I felt the program was a great opportunity to learn more about the financial side of the business and develop skills that align with my long-term career goals,” says Amarion Winters, a current Assistant Store Manager and this summer’s Budget Forecasting Intern. “I see this internship as an important step toward building a long-term career with Dollar Tree in accounting or finance,” Amarion adds.

"I believe the experience will help me grow professionally, expand my knowledge of the business, and prepare me for future leadership opportunities within the company.”

No matter the department – from merchandising to operations to human resources – you hit the ground running with an internship at Dollar Tree.

It isn’t just about amazing growth, owning your role, or the connections you make through our internships. You also get tons of personal growth opportunities, including team-building outings, culture and belonging events, and community impact days. Spend your free time relaxing on the sand – both Virginia Beach and the Outer Banks are just a short drive away. We provide opportunities to explore what Hampton Roads has to offer, with limited housing available on a first-come basis. Your chance at winning a scholarship at the program’s end and career opportunities at graduation makes each summer even more rewarding.

Whether you’re a freshman or already in the retail industry, we have a role for you with endless career growth. Learn more about our program at careers.dollartree.com/us/en/internships.

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