Work Simplr’s Post

When I thought about paid internships, I thought of a gateway to strong post-graduation employment outcomes that are accessible to historically marginalized populations. But then we asked working community college students how they saw these opportunities. And the answer was shocking. The question is now, how can we further equity by providing this population with the benefits of paid internship opportunities? Read more and stay tuned to more analyses in the coming months: https://lnkd.in/ezmrtu5R

Internships are key. A key question students should be asking during college tours is how many/what percentage of students complete internships. Some colleges require internships for graduation. I love that idea because the institution also has skin in the game. In my opinion, simply giving students access to the Hand Shake app does not constitute internship support and career counseling. Just saying. #collegecounseling #careercounselling

👩🏫✨This is an insightful article. According to Seligno, “Black and Latino students are significantly less likely to participate in internships than their white peers.” This is an issue that must be addressed to provide equal opportunity to all students. The question is, why do we see this disparity? Looking at the data collected through NACE’s annual student survey indicates “that racial/ethnic minorities, women, and first-generation students are all underrepresented in paid internships. This door, figuratively speaking, to a first job post-graduation is shut.” Multiple sources suggest a lack of a definitive explanation, which may be challenging to accept. However, there are recommendations coming from NACE (National Association of Colleges and Employers). 1) Track internship demographics provided by your institution. 2) Consider how you source interns. 3) Work with career centers. Consider providing bilingual information. 4) Work to identify barriers in your systems. 5) Identify ways to remove those barriers.

Another plug for paid internships as a game changer for young people. There at least two things many of us can do to support in this realm. If we work at a company or organization, we can advocate for interns being paid if they are not paid already. (For entrepreneurs-We have the opportunity to create their paid internships ourselves.) We can also get paid internships on the radar of the young people that we support, including making them aware of deadlines in December and January for paid opportunities for the summer. This is particularly important for “opportunity youth” who often do not have the connections that their peers have to paid internship opportunities through their parents’ work and the networks that their parents might not have. By May when colleges let out for the summer, often the paid intenrships have been filled for months. #internships #payyourinterns #careers #careercounselling #paidinternship #socialmobility #opportunityyouth

"We believe internships are a crucial component of translating the college experience into a career. One year after graduation, students who completed a paid internship, for instance, earn $3,000 more than those who didn’t have one. Grads who participated in paid internships during college are far more likely to be satisfied with their careers and report higher annual income. They’re also more likely to believe the investment they made in their college education was worth the price. In addition, evidence suggests that internships are associated with improved academic outcomes, including higher grade point averages and increases in interpersonal skills, general knowledge, and critical thinking." #access #equity #workforcedevelopment #highereducation #internships

Internships matter more than ever — but not everyone can get one The Hechinger Report https://lnkd.in/eA-WWXmg MDRC P-TECH 9-14 Evaluation New findings in this report indicate that the P-TECH model increased students' postsecondary degree completion, particularly for male students, and boosted internship and dual enrollment rates, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. #weareptech #skillsbuild #skillsfirst #skills2030

Internships are a critical cog in wheel of student success (that is "what is the purpose of why I'm in college?") and moving into workforce. "One year after graduation, students who completed a paid internship, for instance, earn $3,000 more than those who didn’t have one. Grads who participated in paid internships during college are far more likely to be satisfied with their careers and report higher annual income." According to recent Strada Education Foundation research, nearly three-quarters of first-year students expect to have internship experiences before they graduate. Yet, not enough students have access to internships: Fewer than half of students complete an internship by their senior year. Stephen Moret, CEO of Strada and I collaborated on this Fast Company piece about what to do to get more students internships. https://lnkd.in/ev4pcNdi

Of the 8.2 million students in 2023 who wanted an internship - 56% did not have one at all, 13% completed a low-quality one, and 31% had a higher-quality one. Community college and Latinx students fared the worst. Peer advisor roles, that include training and close supervision, offer high quality, accessible internships to college students. They are one important pathway to help close this vast gap. https://lnkd.in/dzRbR3ae

Elevating this research from the Strada Education Foundation, looking at data from the National Survey of College Internships from Center for Research on College-Workforce Transitions (CCWT) at UW-Madison. The report highlights issues in access (there are too few great internships, and more obstacles to getting and maintaining them for economically disadvantaged students like our Scholars) and underscores the benefits of internships for long-term career outcomes (students gain exposure to careers and relevant experience they can use to distinguish themselves on the job market). If you can provide internships, do it! If you can make your internships better, do it! If you can support students to better access internships, do it!

I wanted to share this Fast Company article that resonated with me. The piece explores the transformative potential of paid internships. As the proud leader of the American Heart Association's paid internship program, I've witnessed firsthand how internships can be a game-changer for college students, not just as a stepping stone but a powerful bridge to securing full-time positions. This article dives into why paid internships are more than just compensation—they're investments in the future. It aligns perfectly with our mission to provide meaningful opportunities for students to grow, learn, and contribute to our vital work. Let's keep championing the cause of paid internships and recognize their role in shaping the next generation of leaders. What do you think about the article? Share them in the comments—I'd love to hear your perspective! #Internships