Report Points to Dwindling Interest in Internships

  • By Dian Schaffhauser
  • 03/30/20

Internship programs are imploding, but not just because employers aren't looking for interns. Student interest has also dropped, as a result of the continued fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. According to a new analysis by Indeed Hiring Lab, interest among job seekers for internships has fallen 21 percent compared to this time last year.

Share of internship clicks per million clicks on Indeed through March 24, 2020

Share of internship clicks per million clicks on Indeed through March 24, 2020. Source: Indeed Hiring Lab

The measurement was done by reviewing the number of internships posted to the Indeed job listing site and the number of clicks they have received. While internship postings typically peak in late March, the peak of students clicking on those postings usually takes place in late April, the company explained. This year, the number of employers seeking interns "has dwindled." And Indeed predicts the same to occur with student interest in internships.

Number of internship job postings per million jobs on Indeed through March 24, 2020

Number of internship job postings per million jobs on Indeed through March 24, 2020. Source: Indeed Hiring Lab

Calling it "an unprecedented era with summer internship opportunities in limbo," Indeed suggested that employers needed to shift their internship strategies to "virtual opportunities" to get the talent they want. As an example, in the last year just a tenth of a percent of internship listings mentioned "remote" or "virtual" work in their titles. Broadcasting the use of remote work options "can help employers attract intern talent," the company advised.

As for students, while there are "still internships out there," Indeed recommended that they may wish to build their professional skills in other ways, such as by taking online courses or doing virtual networking.

About the Author

Dian Schaffhauser is a former senior contributing editor for 1105 Media's education publications THE Journal, Campus Technology and Spaces4Learning.

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