2026 Summer Corporate Intern - Human Resources

About Caterpillar
Caterpillar Inc. is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, off-highway diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives. For nearly 100 years, we’ve been helping customers build a better, more sustainable world and are committed and contributing to a reduced-carbon future. Our innovative products and services, backed by our global dealer network, provide exceptional value that helps customers succeed.

Job Summary

HR interns at Caterpillar will perform challenging work while being exposed to a variety of HR functions within CAT. We work with our teams to ensure that every intern gains the appropriate professional and personal growth necessary to be successful in the corporate environment. Our interns are placed in a variety of HR specialties and locations.

Session Dates: May 18, 2026 to August 7, 2026

What You Will Do:

• Talent Acquisition

• Talent Management

• Learning & Development

• Labor Relations

• Total Rewards

• HR Generalist

• New Hire Orientation

• People Analytics

• Process Standardization

• Building Inclusive Culture

What You Have:

Effective Communications: Understanding of effective communication concepts, tools and techniques; ability to effectively transmit, receive, and accurately interpret ideas, information, and needs through the application of appropriate communication behaviors.

Level Basic Understanding:

• Describes non-verbal behaviors that influence the interpretation of the message.
• Cites examples of effective and ineffective communications.
• Explains the importance of effective business communication.
• Speaks/writes using correct language, mechanics, and gestures
• Interpersonal Relationships: Knowledge of the techniques and the ability to work with a variety of individuals and groups in a constructive and collaborative manner.

Interpersonal Relationships: Knowledge of the techniques and the ability to work with a variety of individuals and groups in a constructive and collaborative manner.

Level Basic Understanding:

• Describes the organizational culture for interacting with others.

• Provides examples of individuals with good interpersonal skills and their specific skills.

• Explains the benefits of maintaining positive working relationships with associates.

• States the basic characteristics of good working relationships.

Decision Making and Critical Thinking: Knowledge of the decision-making process and associated tools and techniques; ability to accurately analyze situations and reach productive decisions based on informed judgment.

Level Basic Understanding:

• Explains characteristics and steps in an effective decision-making process.

• Identifies issues and communicates with others when a decision needs to be made.

• Names decision makers in own environment and cites examples of past decisions.

• Describes types of decisions incumbent may and may not make in own job or function.

Flexibility and Adaptability: Knowledge of successful approaches and techniques for dealing with change; ability to adapt to a changing environment and be comfortable with change.

Level Basic Understanding:

• Explains the perspective that change is inevitable.

• Seeks value in new ways of doing things.

• Easily copes with day-to-day frustrations, adversities and uncertainties.

• Provides examples of flexible and inflexible behavior in the face of change.

Growth and Agility: Knowledge of the necessity of businesses and individuals to experiment, learn continuously, and achieve value for the organization; ability to embrace challenges, show resilience, and proactively seek improvement and innovation to improve an organization's competitive advantage.

Level Basic Understanding:

• Knows how to access and use available learning and development resources.

• Identifies and welcomes changes and ambiguities that arise in the business environment.

• Asks questions and listens to and embraces feedback non-defensively for personal growth.

• Collects necessary information, learning resources, and best practices used to resolve ambiguous situations.

Data Gathering and Reporting: Knowledge of tools, techniques and processes for gathering and reporting data; ability to practice them in a particular department or division of a company.

Level Basic Understanding:

• Identifies the key objectives of gathering data.

• Describes alternative data-gathering techniques and tools.

• Applies basic data-gathering methodologies.

• Identifies key sources of needed information.

Current Locations Available:

Include, but not limited to: Illinois (Peoria Area); Texas (Irving/Global HQ, Fort Worth, Houston, Seguin); North Little Rock, AR; Brooklyn Park, MN; Corinth, MS​

Internship Program Qualifications:

• Must be enrolled full time at a 4-year University/College pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree Human Resources, Business with an emphasis in HR, or related degree at the time of application and throughout the program.

• Minimum 3.0/4.0 Cumulative GPA (no rounding).

• 12 completed semester hours at a 4-year university before the start of internship or currently participating in a Caterpillar student program.
• Must be able to relocate to indicated work location for the duration of the internship and complete daily work commute using reliable transportation

Additional Information:

• This is a 40-hour-per-week assignment, Monday through Friday, lasting 12 weeks in the summer. This position requires working onsite five days a week.
• Please attach your resume and an unofficial copy of your transcript to your application.
• Applicants will be considered for positions throughout the United States.
• Sponsorship is NOT available for this position.
• Placement locations vary as needed, but could include: Peoria, IL, Mossville, IL, Griffin, GA, Little Rock, AK, Corinth, MS, Irving, TX, Lafayette, IN,
• The position requires working onsite five days a week