12% of college students won’t participate in an internship

Why trainee? A majority of trainees claimed they go after internships to develop valuable skills (87 percent), to identify possible occupation possibilities (72 percent), to make professional connections (70 percent) or to get an upper hand in their future task hunt (70 percent). Concerning 59 percent state participating in an internship is a necessary action towards clarifying their occupation goals.

Likewise, pay was a factor that influenced students’ consideration of a permanent duty at their company. Eighty-two percent of trainees who had a fairly made up duty would likely accept a full-time offer from their internship company, contrasted to 63 percent of those that really did not feel their pay was reasonable.

A bulk of trainees said they seek internships to develop beneficial skills (87 percent), to identify feasible job chances (72 percent), to make professional links (70 percent) or to get a leg up in their future work search (70 percent). Amongst trainees who have actually finished an internship, even more than 80 percent state the experience shaped their preferences for markets and job duties. Around 54 percent of pupils stated their internship made them more confident in their career goals, and 56 percent said it was essential for making progression towards career objectives. Even among students that do land an internship, time continues to be restricted, with 56 percent of interns all at once taking classes and 36 percent working a part-time work. A majority of students that got involved in a teaching fellowship had a hourly wage (57 percent) or a fixed wage or stipend (24 percent).

Inner information reveals need for opportunities among students that is exceeding the supply. The number of internship posts on Handshake decreased 15 percent from January 2023 to January 2025, but applications rose, with 41 percent of the Course of 2025 having actually related to a minimum of one teaching fellowship with Handshake, contrasted to 34 percent of the Class of 2023.

Amongst pupils that have completed an internship, more than 80 percent say the experience shaped their preferences for markets and work duties. Around 54 percent of trainees stated their teaching fellowship made them a lot more certain in their job goals, and 56 percent claimed it was necessary for making progress towards occupation objectives. One-quarter claimed it influenced them to establish brand-new job objectives, which can be similarly useful.

What prevents teaching fellowships: Around 12 percent of pupils in the Handshake study have actually not participated in an internship and do not expect to do so prior to finishing their degree. The best share of these students claim they’re limited by time (33 percent)– overwhelmed by coursework and other dedications– or they’ve requested roles and have not been selected (33 percent).

“Students may feel locked out of internships for a selection of factors, varying from stuffed timetables to geographic and financial constraints,” the report claims. “Also for pupils who have ample time and sources, landing an opportunity has ended up being more difficult as employing agreements and competitors increases, and the application process might really feel overwhelming offered the variation in hiring timelines across companies and markets.”

A talent pipe: Internships can be an excellent means for a pupil to obtain a first step of a firm and for the company to supply training and a career pathway for early talent. Handshake’s information shows that the social experiences students have while in their internships can influence their wish to hold a full-time function in that company.

Three in five interns claimed the mentorship they received or didn’t obtain had a significant effect on their level of rate of interest in functioning full-time for their internship employer.About 89 percent of pupils claimed team culture at least rather effected on their interest in working full-time for their internship employer, and 90 percent said the very same of their interactions with colleagues.

Among the patterns present: Even more interns are participating in paid internships and gaining above base pay while doing so, and company culture can affect trainees’ desire to return for a full-time placement.

A new record from Handshake, released Feb. 20, highlights trends across students who have and have actually not joined internships, the impact on their goals beyond college, and the obstacles that prevent interaction.

Only fifty percent of recent university graduates took part in a teaching fellowship while enrolled in an undergraduate program. Also amongst trainees who do land an internship, time remains to be restricted, with 56 percent of trainees at the same time taking courses and 36 percent functioning a part-time job. Around one in eight trainees said that their teaching fellowship required them to function 40 hours a week or more.

The worth of teaching fellowships for students’ career navigation and future employment possibility is clear for colleges and lots of employers. However what do students consider teaching fellowship experiences, and exactly how do they benefit them in their future planning?

Handshake’s Teaching fellowship Index was put together with information from a November 2024 survey of more than 5,605 trainees and 834 recent grads, in addition to task posting and application information from the platform. Recent grads are those who finished their level in 2022, 2023 or 2024.

A bulk of pupils who participated in an internship had a hourly wage (57 percent) or a dealt with wage or gratuity (24 percent). The greatest ordinary price was for trainee trainees operating in professional services ($35 an hour) or financial solutions ($31 per hour). Pupils operating in hospitality or education and learning received the lowest average rate of $17.50 an hour.

After finishing their internship, 59 percent of trainees stated their experience affected their interest in working for their employer a minimum of reasonably, but only 30 percent stated they would certainly accept a permanent offer from their employer.