Toy and game manufacturers are invited to participate in the “Toy Tips 2026 Internship Program,” which connects companies with university students for summer and fall internships in the toy industry.
Organized by Marianne Szymanski, who teaches toy-focused entrepreneurship courses at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles and Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the program connects companies with a curated group of students prepared to contribute across product development, engineering, design, and business operations. These students have gained practical experience through a curriculum that includes insights on manufacturing, supply chains, global toy industry performance, product management, and have worked on toy testing and research projects, explored entrepreneurial start-ups, and developed skills in areas such as data analysis, marketing, and content creation.
Companies can decide if they’d like to structure internships as in-person, remote, or hybrid opportunities. Internships typically run eight to ten weeks between late May and July, with interns working full-time in paid roles. Fall internships offer more flexibility and can be tailored around students’ academic schedules.
For in-person summer roles, companies are encouraged to provide housing or a stipend for relocating interns, as well as transportation support in major markets like New York City and Los Angeles. At the end of each internship, supervisors are asked to complete an evaluation to support student development.
Interested companies may contact Marianne Szymanski for more information.
The Toy Association™ is a proud supporter of the up-and-coming talent at the University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business in Los Angeles and Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin through student memberships in the Association so toy students may take advantage of industry networking and other professional development opportunities.