As the face of the workplace changes with the increase of college graduates, evolving technology, and use of social media so will the nature of the internship. Below are four of the biggest trends discussed in that survey as well as what we expect to see in the internship sector in the United States.
1. Increase in Demand for Internships
In 2014, 56% of employers plan to hire more interns compared to 2013. Employers are looking for interns to vet and train possible candidates for full-time employment or assist with projects. Last year, 67% of the 2013 graduating class completed an internship which is a 6% increase from 2012. The demand for internships is increasing by student as well as employers for 2014.
2. What Employers Look for in Interns
According to the employer study by internships.com, employers are most interested in interview performance and relevant experience of an internship candidate. This trend is why Global Experiences focuses heavily on professional development and interview preparation to help our interns ace their internship interviews. Out of the six most important qualities of a potential intern, employers cared the least about attendance at preferred schools.
3. Filtering Candidates
Employers are no longer just looking at resumes before making a decision to hire for an internship or job. In 2013, 85% of employers used social media to vet candidates for a position. Now more than ever, employers want to see a candidate's online presence before accepting that person for a position. If you need some advice about your own web footprint you can check out our blog about creating a digital brand.
4. Age Range of Interns
The age group of interns is slightly shifting with students obtaining internships earlier in their college careers as well as completing more than one internship. In 2013, 48% of university students surveyed completed their first internship prior to their third year in university. 32% of those students completed two or more internships before graduating. Though the job market is steadily improving, the unemployment rate in the United States is still expected to remain around 8%. Those who are unable to obtain full-time employment after graduation are looking to continue to gain more experience through part-time positions and international internships.
