Are Internship Opportunities Drying Up for College Students?

[Anonymous]

Getting into the top schools is going to matter more and more. Japan has seen this pressure develop over the last few decades. Recruitment for internships and 1st jobs is getting far more competitive.

[Anonymous]

To everyone who claims that attending an Ivy League or top school matters more than ever: within those institutions, the so-called networks or secret societies aren’t merit-based—they’re filtered and exclusionary. Are we really telling kids to grind through high school just to get into elite colleges so they can socialize and beg for jobs through networking rather than earn them on merit? No wonder no one cares about classes anymore; students are too busy chasing internships and job leads. And honestly, how do you convince kids that college is about learning, innovation, and helping humanity? That narrative sounds like total BS.

[Anonymous]

My kid is at VT and has had 3 offers for this summer. No connections, just applied. Her good friend already has one lined up for the summer as well. they are out there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To everyone who claims that attending an Ivy League or top school matters more than ever: within those institutions, the so-called networks or secret societies aren’t merit-based—they’re filtered and exclusionary. Are we really telling kids to grind through high school just to get into elite colleges so they can socialize and beg for jobs through networking rather than earn them on merit? No wonder no one cares about classes anymore; students are too busy chasing internships and job leads. And honestly, how do you convince kids that college is about learning, innovation, and helping humanity? That narrative sounds like total BS.

That is not how the ivy helps. I have two at different ones, no hooks. The professors help connect every student. Certain companies preferentially recruit at ivies and a few other top schools. There are many opportunities for funded research or other programs that help their resumes build fast so that they can compete for summer internships as sophomores. They do not need to be in certain cubs and definitely no secret societies needed to get the advantages of an ivy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think most kids are getting internships through personal connections. Instead of blindly applying on LinkedIn, successful students are finding companies that interest them, figuring out who they know there, and asking for a warm hand-off.

Just wanted to report that my DS just landed an internship and I think the personal connection definitely helped. He reached out to an alum via LinkedIn at a company where he wanted to work. The alum happened to be very high up in the company and agreed to a "coffee chat." The alum must have liked DS because after talking the company and careers, the conversation switched to campus bars, and sports. The alum passed his name to the head of recruiting who then passed him onto a hiring manager which led to the offer.

[Anonymous]

There seem to be a lot more internships that don't really have any chance of converting to fulltime jobs--the companies are pretty clear about that, too, that even a great candidate probably won't get a return offer unless the economy picks up like crazy right before their grad date and they need a new grad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, senior DD at Pomona is taking a gap year because no internships and no grad school in science.

Same for friends DD at Stanford

[Anonymous]

In some fields, kids are increasingly competing with graduate students, especially fields like data science or science fields. Even consulting is hiring more and more grad students as first year analysts--at MBB, a master's degree that's not a MBA with less than 3 years of work experience enters as an analyst.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In some fields, kids are increasingly competing with graduate students, especially fields like data science or science fields. Even consulting is hiring more and more grad students as first year analysts--at MBB, a master's degree that's not a MBA with less than 3 years of work experience enters as an analyst.

I got an internship in finance at a well-known investment bank for the summer between my undergrad and grad program, and my full time analyst offer was actually conditional on my finishing my Master's program.

I went to a T20 for undergrad and grad school, but my undergrad courses were not super duper rigorous, so that may be why.

[Anonymous]

PP here. It was actually conditional on both finishing and a review of my grades in the Master's programs. I did well in the Master's program so I don't know what would have happened if I didn't do well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m curious about internship opportunities overall. Parents of college students—can you share your experiences? I know the entry-level job market is tough, but are companies also cutting back on paid internships or return offers? It feels like the degree-to-job pipeline is broken right now, leaving many students with little choice but to pursue graduate school or switch tracks, often toward med schools.

There still out there. Keep plugging away. My CS jr. was able to land a summer 26 internship back in October. They’ve even labeled him as a PT employee (guess that's a requirement) so they can conduct the clearance process. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

My rising sophomore has had no luck and has been trying since August. Econ major at T50 school - not trying for anything competitive. Just really anything at this point and only a handful of interviews that did not lead anywhere.

I am silently freaking out for DC b/c if they can't get an internship this summer, how are they going to have anything on their resume to get an internship rising into senior year?

Personal contacts of parents, school contacts, career center, 50+ well tailored-applications have led no where.

I think DC will return to last year's regular job and do a short study abroad. It sucks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My rising sophomore has had no luck and has been trying since August. Econ major at T50 school - not trying for anything competitive. Just really anything at this point and only a handful of interviews that did not lead anywhere.

I am silently freaking out for DC b/c if they can't get an internship this summer, how are they going to have anything on their resume to get an internship rising into senior year?

Personal contacts of parents, school contacts, career center, 50+ well tailored-applications have led no where.

I think DC will return to last year's regular job and do a short study abroad. It sucks.

most places want rising seniors, not rising sophomores. But, yes, keep plugging away.

[Anonymous]

Anybody's kids gunning for investment banking or other high finance internships? My DD at a target school (T15) has been working hard trying to land a summer analyst (2027) position in high finance but so far no luck. Has had 3 first round interviews and a super day coming up next week but no offers yet. I'm just wondering if this year is tougher than previous years.

[Anonymous]

Dh's company hasn't cut back, but the opportunities have always been nepotistic.