Adam Hawf’s Post

For most college students, an internship is the most important step they can take as an undergrad to prepare for entering the workforce after graduating. Our research has shown over and over that internships lead to increased skills, expanded professional networks, and enhanced social capital. This is especially true of paid internships, which allow students to complete professional tasks and gain real-world experience. With this in mind, NACE encourages employers to pay their interns and encourages legislators to work to provide support for employers in converting unpaid internships to paid internships. https://lnkd.in/g-FwE2s8 #NationalInternDay

As it is important as an employer to value your employees with living wages and compensation, it’s also important to value your interns in the same manner.

Students: Thousands of new PAID internships posted, to name a few - https://lnkd.in/gVsHEZxz & https://lnkd.in/gRKmr7QE & https://lnkd.in/gmMH5myb. What do internships pay (never work for free)? The going rate appears to be $20-30/hr. See: https://lnkd.in/g6CH_pYv & https://lnkd.in/g4znXYHu. Being job ready in the post covid market & beyond. https://lnkd.in/eZGZbkP & https://lnkd.in/g8cAcBh3. Mapped: Average Internship Salary By U.S. State in 2022: https://lnkd.in/gTK2hSN6. Goals of an internship (it’s not job shadowing): https://lnkd.in/gGRU_4Rz. https://lnkd.in/gARup7zr Prepping for a job interview? Here's how to answer 'What is my biggest weakness?' Demonstrating self-awareness during an interview is huge. I tell my students to always answer the “what is your weakness” question in the context of having a strategy to fix it (explain what you have done about it, actual RESULTS). For example: https://lnkd.in/gMtdr92u. Is Delaying Your Graduation Worth It? The Importance of Internships/Co-Op Opportunities: https://lnkd.in/ekDHdnWG. How many internships should you do in College: https://lnkd.in/egTy3MkF. Co-ops vs. Internships: 7 Major Differences: https://lnkd.in/erhN65YT. Can you get an internship after college: Yes, and here’s how https://lnkd.in/euE7PSDC. WHY DO AN INTERNSHIP: https://lnkd.in/ef_Vty3h. Is Co-op Worth Delaying Your Graduation: https://lnkd.in/eitRtwux. ___ A related great read…Half of College Grads Are Working Jobs That Don’t Use Their Degrees: https://lnkd.in/efcJQEXJ. Translation: Success = Pick the right major (i.e., demand > supply) + Get work experience (i.e., internships related to major) + Pick the right first job (i.e., they pay a premium for your major because of supply/demand conditions and you are job ready day one because you have professional work experience). Notice: “More than any other factor analyzed—including race, gender and choice of university—what a person studies determines their odds of getting on a college-level career track. Internships are also critical.” “Bachelor’s degree holders in college-level jobs earn nearly 90% more than people with just a high-school diploma in their 20s.” “…most of the graduates who don’t find work reflecting their degrees are what they call “severely underemployed, meaning they’re in jobs that only require a high school education or less.” Picking a college major: https://lnkd.in/eX8XUHxj

As summer begins, so do summer jobs for many young people and #college students. I was struck by some of the findings in the most recent report from Strada Education Foundation about #internships. "Building Better Internships" looks at data from the National Survey of College Internships which is administered by the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Some key findings: 💡 Nearly every student participating in an #internship -- 96% -- sought a way to connect education with career opportunities, either to gain relevant experience in a career or explore a potential career. 😁 Nearly 75% of students are extremely or very satisfied with their internship, which is tied to supervisor support and mentoring, career development value and opportunities to develop #durableskills. ⏰ Most students who did not participate in an internship reported they wanted to, but faced a lack of time due to heavy course loads or other jobs. Take a look at the full report -- and recommendations. What findings struck you? Do the recommendations align with opportunities in your state, or with your institution? Tell me more! https://lnkd.in/gNM6zFqv #workbasedlearning #internships #workexperience #highered #workforcedevelopment #job

For #internationalinternday, it is important to remember equity in pay. NACE has done wonderful research showing that paid interns are most successful in the job market, at nearly 2x the hire rate as students who don't go into internships while they are in college/university. The Shoreline Community College Career Center supports paid internships and celebrates the work that students, colleges, and internship sites do to create pathways to employment for America's graduates. #interns #internships #equity #pay #highereducation

We're proud to partner with leading companies like First Financial Bank and Fidelity Investments to provide paid work-based learning opportunities for college students across the country. Paid internships are a critical lever to expanding economic mobility and tapping into diverse early career talent pools. How have paid internships and work-based learning programs transformed your talent strategies? #NationalInternDay

Paid internships open doors for students and employers. "Overall, there are three primary reasons supporting the idea that all internships should be paid: Requiring internship to be paid would 1) promote equity and access by removing barriers that limit who can take part, 2) recognize that interns perform work—and all work should be paid, and 3) support diversifying the workforce by creating an inclusive pool of entry-level candidates who have the experience and competencies employers seek."

Did you know that only 7.9% of paid internships are currently secured by Hispanic students? This statistic highlights a significant opportunity gap that we have to fix to build a more inclusive and diverse workforce. As employers, we have a unique opportunity to make a tangible impact. By offering paid internships, we can create better opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds and ensure that economic barriers do not hinder their professional growth. By making these changes, we can bridge the gap and ensure that Hispanic students, and all students from diverse backgrounds, have equal opportunities to thrive in their careers. Let’s work together to create a future where diversity is not just an aspiration but a reality. Your efforts in offering paid internships can help shape a more inclusive and equitable workforce. #PaidInternships #HispanicStudents #FutureWorkforce #wearethefuture #CareerGrowth #latinos

This is one of the reasons we will be launching managed internships for students in the Spring 2025 semester. Internships can be an extraordinary component in allowing students to get comfortable in the field and hit the ground running post graduation. It’s also an amazing way to vent candidates before they graduate and makes the full time employment transition easier for companies. However it can be hard for all students to participate not just because of the application process but they might have personal issues that prevent them from taking an internship. Transportation, childcare, and financial considerations might prevent students from even applying in the first place. Students with an interest in working in the tech field (both technical and non-technical majors) at Maryville University of Saint Louis will have the opportunity this coming spring semester to participate in on campus managed internships building, designing and developing technical tools for faculty, staff and our community. #internships #technology #highereducation #artificialintelligence https://lnkd.in/ghpVcZeG

Despite growing interest in internships among students, educators, and employers, participation remains low. Only 25% of students at 4-year universities participate in a paid internship (the gold standard in terms of career outcomes), and that number drops to 10% for community college students. These are some of the statistics I've been reflecting on in my first month at Strada Education Foundation. What's standing in the way? This week, we released a new report investigating some of the barriers students face in accessing and participating in paid internships. They include: 1) A lack of awareness of relevant opportunities 2) Financial constraints 3) Lack of time due to heavy course loads and other responsibilities Employers and institutions can work collaboratively to reduce these barriers, but stronger alignment and coordination is needed. I invite you to read the full report for further action steps we as a field can take to reduce barriers and improve the internship experience. I'd love to know your thoughts!