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

[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.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm freaking out that my rising senior hasn't secured an internship yet. (Internally freaking out-- I know it doesn't help him to see me freaking out-- I think he is pretty demoralized already and doesn't need me to add to it.)

He applied to many places but evidently not enough. He is super friendly and loves to chat with people so if he could just get an interview I'm sure it would go well. But he has had zero interviews.

I don't think he did the shotgun blast of applications, but instead considered each employer individually and wrote cover letters specifically targetting that employer. His GPA is OK but not great-- like 3.3.

He is thinking that he will instead get the ball rolling with getting a co-op position during his senior year. He knows he is supposed to have a real internship this summer, but I'm feeling like it may not happen and instead he will be waiting tables. It's not the end of the world-- it's just tough to see him struggling so much, especially as I'm sure he would be a great employee.

Has his school’s career center been of any help? Can he tell them to reach out to some of their contacts? Schools oftentimes work with a myriad of employers (businesses, nonprofits, government) to place interns. Even if the opportunity isn’t paid there could be some grant funding that can supplement or function solely as full wage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are these all paid?

My kids have always been lucky enough to secure paid internships. DD's internship this year is $20.25/hr. DS's internship was $20 or $23/hr last year. He's a Sr. Intern this year which comes with a pay bump. He didn't say how much, though, just that he'll make more and he's happy about it. He really wants to be invited to keep the position during his final year in college because that is another pay bump and almost guarantees an official job offer upon graduation.

My neighbor's son has an internship this summer that has no pay but he gets a $5k stipend from his university. He's able to live with a relative close to the internship so he can use the stipend as pay instead of for housing. And yes, he checked that it was allowed.

I don't know how kids without university/parent support can do unpaid internships.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

+1 I hire interns for my teams and always like to see some basic retail, camp counselor, waiter jobs on the resume. Shows me you can work hard and deal with people.

DD told me she was really glad she'd done the counselor job for the last two summers because she was able to draw on that experience when interviewing for non-counselor jobs. Ended up with two job offers.

[Anonymous]

Yes. Applied in November, I think. Working in a hospital in an eight-week program in one department. Paid.
From what I have been reading, and heard from people whose companies offer internships, apply early and for multiple opportunities.

[Anonymous]

DC is a rising senior and secured 2024 consulting summer internship in September 2023 after applying, interviewing and networking all summer, not sure when the process started - April or May?

It’s insanity.