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Addressing the Shortage of Quality Internships for Students
Concerns are mounting over the shortfall of apprenticeships to meet workforce needs, but equally troubling is the scarcity of internships, a vital component of professional training.
According to the Business-Higher Education Forum (BHEF), last year saw a shortfall of approximately 5.7 million high-quality internships compared to the number of learners seeking such opportunities. Employers offered just 2.5 million high-quality internships, a stark contrast to the 8.2 million individuals eager to gain experience. Additionally, about one million submitted internships failed to meet the necessary standards for quality and skills development.
“Coordinating internships incurs significant costs,” stated Jennifer Thornton, BHEF’s senior vice president and chief program officer. “Thus, available resources play a critical role in the effectiveness of these programs.”
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The disparity in internship access is significant, particularly among marginalized demographics. The BHEF’s findings indicate that Black and Hispanic students, along with those who are first-generation college attendees or from low-income backgrounds, faced the most challenges in securing internships. Conversely, Asian students enrolled in four-year institutions were often the most frequently denied opportunities.
Another analysis by California Competes revealed that women in the state were also less likely to complete paid internships compared to their male counterparts. Furthermore, students with parents who attended college were three times more likely to complete internships than those whose parents did not attend higher education.
“Access to informal networks is typically associated with socioeconomic status and social capital,” Thornton elaborated. “Institutions with better resources tend to maintain stronger connections with their alumni, who can provide invaluable support in securing internships.”
Related: Internships matter but not everyone can get one
Experts warn that ongoing legal challenges against internship programs that favor applicants from underrepresented groups could exacerbate the existing internship disparity. For instance, under pressure from a conservative group, PwC recently ceased prioritizing applicants based on their racial identity for a student internship program. This change highlights the growing tensions surrounding diversity initiatives in internship recruitment.
This analysis regarding the quest for internships was conducted by The Hechinger Report, a nonprofit news organization focused on educational inequality and innovation.
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hechingerreport.org