Perspectives: Reducing Internship Inequity

Perspectives: Reducing Internship Inequity: Summer internships remain a popular subject of conversation. Not everyone, however, can participate in these conversations. Why? Because many college students cannot afford to hold internships, even as employers increasingly expect them to do so.

Internships have become a critical component of students’ resumes. More than three-quarters of college students at four-year institutions complete at least one internship before graduation (Edwards and Hertel-Fernandez 2010, 2). Internships have numerous benefits, including skills training and exposure to a network of professionals. They are an important stepping stone when applying for jobs after college, with 76 percent of employers citing relevant work experience as the primary factor in hiring decisions (Edwards and Hertel-Fernandez 2010, 5).