Rising Juniors/Seniors: Have They Secured Summer Internships or Are They Still Looking?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It really depends on the field. Finance (and I believe consulting) applications go in the fall and the kids know by winter break generally if they have any bites. But more policy oriented ones don’t go in until December and they hear in March. Then I think the smaller nonprofit, university based internships etc can be picked up anytime along the way. I hate that the kids have so much stress about this! it’s great to have a meaningful summer internship, especially if it turns into a job after graduation, but it’s certainly not a requirement for a successful adult life and I know they put so much pressure on themselves. Hope your kid finds his way through it.

If you don't secure a summer internship there are other ways to beef up your resume -- on campus internships, research experiences, major class projects especially capstone classes that give real-world-style experience.

[Anonymous]

It is stressful; a lot of competition for summer internships. Is it common for students to get internships during their college school year ? Especially if they are in an urban area. I would think they would be easier to obtain if they can foot in with their class schedule. I read PP post regarding her child may work an internship during the school year. Going to suggest this to my son for next year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is stressful; a lot of competition for summer internships. Is it common for students to get internships during their college school year ? Especially if they are in an urban area. I would think they would be easier to obtain if they can foot in with their class schedule. I read PP post regarding her child may work an internship during the school year. Going to suggest this to my son for next year.

Another option, depending on the school, is on-campus "internships". I've seen them listed at both my kids' colleges. Here's the page for VT about their on-campus internship program https://career.vt.edu/experience/campus-intern-exp.html My son hasn't taken advantage of it but did get some good experience through an undergrad research program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is stressful; a lot of competition for summer internships. Is it common for students to get internships during their college school year ? Especially if they are in an urban area. I would think they would be easier to obtain if they can foot in with their class schedule. I read PP post regarding her child may work an internship during the school year. Going to suggest this to my son for next year.

As far as common during the school year, definitely common if it’s a big city/capitol. Some schools even provide funding for academic year internships that are unpaid.

[Anonymous]

Are these all paid?

[Anonymous]

At first I thought you all were frantic about high schoolers trying to get summer internships and was about to quit DCUM for a while.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are these all paid?

My kids' are -- rising senior @$30/hr, rising sophomore @$16.50/hr

[Anonymous]

My rising junior doing research at their mid-level Big 10 U. $15.75 an hour.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One alternative to consider is summer study abroad programs that include an internship. My DD's college listed a few of these programs in their study abroad info.

I'd hired an intern a few years ago who had done this and had some interesting experience to talk about.

Basically you do some pre-summer academic work, a few weeks of classes once in-country, get placed in a 6-8 week internship while continuing to have regular meetings, social events etc, maybe have to write a paper.

The one DD considered was in Ireland, the student I hired had done hers in France. DD ended up getting a good local internship so ultimately didn't do it.

Too late for this summer but something to look into for younger students for next year.

Sounds nice but $$$

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is stressful; a lot of competition for summer internships. Is it common for students to get internships during their college school year ? Especially if they are in an urban area. I would think they would be easier to obtain if they can foot in with their class schedule. I read PP post regarding her child may work an internship during the school year. Going to suggest this to my son for next year.

As far as common during the school year, definitely common if it’s a big city/capitol. Some schools even provide funding for academic year internships that are unpaid.

Good to know, thanks!

[Anonymous]

My DC is a current sophomore and was fortunate to get a summer internship last year as rising sophomore albeit with a non-public company. This summer (rising junior) got an internship at a Fortune 50 company through extensive networking. Both summers, didn't get the position until spring.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DC is a current sophomore and was fortunate to get a summer internship last year as rising sophomore albeit with a non-public company. This summer (rising junior) got an internship at a Fortune 50 company through extensive networking. Both summers, didn't get the position until spring.

Most of the most coveted internships are with non-public companies…not sure why you are making the distinction.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are these all paid?

Most of the big boys pay 20-55+ per hour, 10 weeks. Some provide corporate housing as well or stipend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DC is a current sophomore and was fortunate to get a summer internship last year as rising sophomore albeit with a non-public company. This summer (rising junior) got an internship at a Fortune 50 company through extensive networking. Both summers, didn't get the position until spring.

Most of the most coveted internships are with non-public companies…not sure why you are making the distinction.

I wouldn’t say most of the most

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At first I thought you all were frantic about high schoolers trying to get summer internships and was about to quit DCUM for a while.

I thought that too at first but in all seriousness having jobs in HS or right after really helps with getting the coveted summer (paid) internships. My dd waited tables for 2 summers and now has a summer 2025 internship at a top bank.