What You'll Do
Come join Principal’s Workplace Benefits, Sales Internship Program (Summer 2027)! As a sales intern, you’ll be teaming up with our Workplace Benefits sales team to provide sales support, assist with projects, and collaborate with other sales interns across the organization. This role is given the opportunity to assist our regional sales offices, while learning how we distribute and support our group insurance customers. By partnering on these tasks, we anticipate you will be directly impacting territory sales and overall business unit success! In this role, you'll get a first-hand look at what it takes to be successful in a sales-minded career in the future.
This position partners with many areas within Principal which includes teams like underwriting, new business, marketing, administration, product, sales and compensation, among others. Getting to know the many areas in our organization is a great way to learn and develop your skills and build lasting professional relationships!
The right candidates will be working in the following Principal office locations:
- Midwest (West Des Moines, Denver, Omaha, or Minneapolis)
- Atlanta, GA
- Houston, TX
- Waltham, MA
- Chicago, IL
- Woodcliff Lake, NJ
Operating at the intersection of financial services and technology, Principal builds financial tools that help our customers live better lives. We take pride in being a purpose-led firm, motivated by our mission to make financial security accessible to all. Our mission, integrity, and customer focus have made us a trusted leader for more than 140 years!
Who You Are
- Currently pursuing or completed undergraduate or graduate level degree
- Involvement in extracurricular activities and/or involvement within the community
- Interest in a career in sales
- Preference will be given to students who have experience with sales either through a previous internship, involvement, or work experience
- Ability to build positive relationships with internal and external partners
- Strong communication skills (written and verbal)
- Travel will be required
Salary Range Information
Salary ranges below reflect targeted base salaries. Non-sales positions have the opportunity to participate in a bonus program. Sales positions are eligible for sales incentives, and in some instances a bonus plan, whereby total compensation may far exceed base salary depending on individual performance. Actual compensation for all roles will be based upon geographic location, work experience, education, licensure requirements and/or skill level and will be finalized at the time of offer.
Salary Range (Non-Exempt expressed as hourly; Exempt expressed as yearly)
$24 - $24 / hour
Time Off Program
Paid company holidays and any time off required in your state.
Pension Eligible
No
Our Internship Culture
Join an established program that provides hands-on experiences for 200+ interns each year! You'll learn new skills with dedicated teams and mentors, build your professional network and collaborate across a global Fortune 500 company. We care about offering you diverse experiences and exciting challenges that push you to reach for bigger life goals, all while enjoying our flexibility and work life balance. Join us for events such as our Executive Speaker Series, gain career direction, and much more! https://www.principal.com/about-us/careers/internships
Through your experience, here's what you can expect:
- Work alongside experienced professionals.
- Gain career direction to help you achieve your professional and personal goals.
- Contribute to work that helps more people and businesses around the world save enough, have enough and protect enough.
- Explore new perspectives in an inclusive, welcoming culture.
Internship Stipend
You will receive a lump sum stipend of $4,000. This amount is intended to support incidental expenses you may incur as part of your internship. The Company will provide a tax gross-up on this stipend as a financial benefit, but is not intended to compensate for all tax liabilities.
Location(s)
This internship will be spent in one of our sales offices within the Midwest (Des Moines, IA/Denver, CO/ Minneapolis, MN), Atlanta, GA, Houston, TX, Waltham, MA, Chicago, IL or Woodcliff Lake, NJ.
Work Authorization/Sponsorship
At this time, we're not considering applicants that need any type of immigration sponsorship (additional work authorization or permanent work authorization) now or in the future to work in the United States. This includes, but IS NOT LIMITED TO: F1-OPT, F1-CPT, H-1B, TN, L-1, J-1, etc. For additional information around work authorization needs please use the following links.
Investment Code of Ethics
For Principal Asset Management positions, you’ll need to follow an Investment Code of Ethics related to personal and business conduct as well as personal trading activities for you and members of your household. These same requirements may also apply to other positions across the organization.
Experience Principal
At Principal, we value connecting on both a personal and professional level. Together, we’re imagining a more purpose-led future for financial services – and that starts with you. Our success depends on the unique experiences, backgrounds, and talents of our interns.
Principal is an Equal Opportunity Employer
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.
Posting Window
We will accept applications for 3 full days following the Original Posting Date, after which the posting may remain open or be removed based upon applications received. If we choose to post the job again, we will accept additional applications for at least 1 full day following the Most Recently Posted Date. Please submit applications in a timely manner as there is no guarantee the posting will be available beyond the applicable deadline.
Original Posting Date
9/1/2026
Most Recently Posted Date
9/1/2026
Principal uses artificial intelligence tools to assist in reviewing and evaluating job applications, fraud prevention, and candidate matching and comparisons. These AI tools support our human recruiters in the initial review process but do not make final hiring decisions without human involvement. By submitting your application, you acknowledge this use of AI in our recruitment process. Please review our Workforce (U.S.) Privacy Notice for more details on our practices and your data privacy rights.
