Anonymous
02/27/2026 08:19
Subject: Are Internship Opportunities Drying Up for College Students?
I'm a fed in an area that usually has pretty competitive internship programs to bring new folks into the field. Our numbers are way, way down this year. My office usually has at least a couple interns and we're not hiring any for the second year in a row. I really feel for students and new grads right now.
Anonymous
02/27/2026 08:07
Subject: Are Internship Opportunities Drying Up for College Students?
Anonymous wrote:I think, these days, kids need a combination of qualifications and connections. My daughter, a communications major, saw on LinkedIn that a company was hiring interns. She noticed a family friend worked at the company and asked if he would introduce her via email to the department head. She followed up with a cover letter and resume, and the department head responded a few days later. During the interview, he mentioned that he was glad our family friend gave him a heads up because he gets 1000+ emails per day. My daughter has been interning there all year and just received an offer for employment when she graduates.
Agree. My junior son has had an internship each summer and they have all been gotten through DH's connections. He's an amazing student at a top university so he's certainly qualified, but we are very grateful for these opportunities because I know it would be so much more difficult for him if he didn't have this help.
Anonymous
02/27/2026 07:57
Subject: Re:Are Internship Opportunities Drying Up for College Students?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:One of the PP back again with a rising junior. Still nothing. It is Spring Break already and DC has basically lost hope though is still applying and networking. I guess DC will go abroad and get a class out of the way but it sucks b/c how will they possibly get a job next summer if no internship this summer. Do companies ever hire rising seniors for internship with no real internship experience? Seems like all is lost if you can't get an internship after sophomore year (humanities major not CS/engineering).
Does their school offer stipends for kids who do unpaid, non-profit internships? Look upthread. Sounds like some schools do, though they may have to do some digging (including through the major or advisors etc.)
New poster. My college junior doesn’t have an internship yet and at this point, I’d be happy if he gets an unpaid internship. He wouldn’t, but I think it’d definitely be worth it for the opportunity.
Please no. Only chuds allow themselves to be exploited with unpaid internships. Chads value their labor and their time. If I were a hiring manager, seeing an unpaid internship on a resume would be an instant turn-off. Screams low T.
And those kids dodge a massive bullet not having to work for you!
Anonymous
02/27/2026 07:55
Subject: Are Internship Opportunities Drying Up for College Students?
DC and every classmate she knows have internships lined up. Most did last year as well.
Anonymous
02/26/2026 21:04
Subject: Are Internship Opportunities Drying Up for College Students?
I think, these days, kids need a combination of qualifications and connections. My daughter, a communications major, saw on LinkedIn that a company was hiring interns. She noticed a family friend worked at the company and asked if he would introduce her via email to the department head. She followed up with a cover letter and resume, and the department head responded a few days later. During the interview, he mentioned that he was glad our family friend gave him a heads up because he gets 1000+ emails per day. My daughter has been interning there all year and just received an offer for employment when she graduates.
Anonymous
02/26/2026 17:34
Subject: Are Internship Opportunities Drying Up for College Students?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:For econ and social science majors, are any freshmen or sophomores looking at nonprofits? Unpaid, likely. But potentially very good experience that could help on the resume for next year.
If nothing paid comes through, DC is considering pitching specific non-profits on 20 hours a week, unpaid. Could fill in the other hours at last year’s summer job (retail - paid.)
Mine is trying everything and not getting any bites. Totally despondent at this point. Even my connections haven’t helped. They are not great but even the connections kids are competing against each other
+1 Feel like some of these stories are fake. DD and some of her friends are getting nothing despite fantastic resumes.
Anonymous
02/26/2026 17:25
Subject: Re:Are Internship Opportunities Drying Up for College Students?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:One of the PP back again with a rising junior. Still nothing. It is Spring Break already and DC has basically lost hope though is still applying and networking. I guess DC will go abroad and get a class out of the way but it sucks b/c how will they possibly get a job next summer if no internship this summer. Do companies ever hire rising seniors for internship with no real internship experience? Seems like all is lost if you can't get an internship after sophomore year (humanities major not CS/engineering).
Does their school offer stipends for kids who do unpaid, non-profit internships? Look upthread. Sounds like some schools do, though they may have to do some digging (including through the major or advisors etc.)
New poster. My college junior doesn’t have an internship yet and at this point, I’d be happy if he gets an unpaid internship. He wouldn’t, but I think it’d definitely be worth it for the opportunity.
Please no. Only chuds allow themselves to be exploited with unpaid internships. Chads value their labor and their time. If I were a hiring manager, seeing an unpaid internship on a resume would be an instant turn-off. Screams low T.
Chuds? Chads? Low T? Who are you???
Anonymous
02/26/2026 16:52
Subject: Re:Are Internship Opportunities Drying Up for College Students?
My college sophomore has one offer for this summer so far but it is unpaid. The acceptance email said they had almost 1000 apps for 10 spots. It's insane. They also said that they understand and expect interns to have a second position (paid or unpaid).
I'm hopeful a paid opportunity related to major pans out, but the current offer had a 4 day turn around to accept or decline.
I'm hopeful a paid opportunity related to major pans out, but the current offer had a 4 day turn around to accept or decline.
Anonymous
02/26/2026 16:47
Subject: Re:Are Internship Opportunities Drying Up for College Students?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:One of the PP back again with a rising junior. Still nothing. It is Spring Break already and DC has basically lost hope though is still applying and networking. I guess DC will go abroad and get a class out of the way but it sucks b/c how will they possibly get a job next summer if no internship this summer. Do companies ever hire rising seniors for internship with no real internship experience? Seems like all is lost if you can't get an internship after sophomore year (humanities major not CS/engineering).
Does their school offer stipends for kids who do unpaid, non-profit internships? Look upthread. Sounds like some schools do, though they may have to do some digging (including through the major or advisors etc.)
New poster. My college junior doesn’t have an internship yet and at this point, I’d be happy if he gets an unpaid internship. He wouldn’t, but I think it’d definitely be worth it for the opportunity.
Please no. Only chuds allow themselves to be exploited with unpaid internships. Chads value their labor and their time. If I were a hiring manager, seeing an unpaid internship on a resume would be an instant turn-off. Screams low T.
It often is not even listed on a resume (paid v unpaid).