The Internship Arms Race: How College Students are Racing to Land Internships Before Junior Year

Strategic Insights -

As college freshmen set foot on campus, they're not just thinking about classes and dorm life. Many are racing to land internships, aiming to get a head start in a tough job market reshaped by artificial intelligence. A growing number of students are applying for internships as early as their freshman year, driven by anxiety about AI's impact on entry-level work and the need to stand out in a competitive job market.

Key Takeaways:

  • Almost 15% of the Class of 2028 had applied to at least one internship by the midpoint of their freshman year, compared to less than 3% of the Class of 2024 at the same stage.
  • Students are seeking career guidance from early-career coaches, with some families hiring coaches as early as freshman year to help their children navigate the compressed timeline.
  • Coaching fees typically range from $350 to more than $5,000, depending on the time involved and the specific services requested.
  • Parents are helping their children navigate the process, recognizing the importance of gaining experience early to stay ahead in the job market.
  • Students are prioritizing gaining hands-on experience over adding a brand name to their resume, with over 60% of the Class of 2026 reporting feeling pessimistic about their career prospects.
  • The job market is becoming increasingly competitive, with job postings on Handshake down more than 16% from last year as of August.
  • The average number of applications per posting rose 26% in the same period.
  • Nearly half of the Class of 2026 cite generative AI as part of their worry, with AI already changing the nature of entry-level work in some fields.
  • A recent study by researchers at Stanford University found that employment has dropped 13% among young people getting started in careers most exposed to AI, like software development or customer service.

Statistics:

  • 15% of the Class of 2028 had applied to at least one internship by the midpoint of their freshman year.
  • 3% of the Class of 2024 had applied to at least one internship by the midpoint of their freshman year.
  • 60% of the Class of 2026 report feeling pessimistic about their career prospects.
  • 26% increase in the average number of applications per job posting on Handshake.
  • 16% decrease in job postings on Handshake from last year.
  • 13% drop in employment among young people getting started in careers most exposed to AI, like software development or customer service.

Sources:

  • Handshake
  • Lesley Mitler, career coach
  • Jill Tipograph, early-career adviser
  • Naila Ahsan, Santa Clara University sophomore
  • Eduardo Amaral Viana, Notre Dame sophomore
  • Krish Sastry, Bay Area parent
  • Julia Hicks de Peyster, entry-level career coach
  • Monne Williams, Handshake's chief impact officer
  • Researchers at Stanford University