Students Likely to Accept Offers From Internship Experiences

It’s well known that internships are a valuable talent pipeline for companies. But how do students view these experiences as they evaluate potential employers? The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) found that 62% of students that completed an internship indicated they would definitely (26%) or probably (36%) accept an offer for full-time employment from their most recent internship employer.

Not surprisingly, the internship experience that the student witnesses at the company sets the tone for their commitment level. “Typically, if the intern’s work experience is substantive and the individual is engaged in meaningful work, chances are greater that individual will want to join the organization on a full-time basis… regardless of whether the internship was offered by a for-profit, nonprofit, or government employer,” says Marilyn Mackes, Executive Director of NACE.

When recruiting for internship positions through On-Campus-Recruiting or at Career Fairs, it is important to have a plan of meaningful internship projects that are scoped appropriately. WPI employers have been known to provide training, exposure to management or mentors, and give students the ability to present their completed work to peers and supervisors.

For further information, the NACE and the 2011 Student Survey results can be found here.