Collegiate research and consulting firm Intern Bridge released early survey results from 2011 that found real-world experience gained in internships helped students land jobs after graduation.
A growing trend in the field was paid internships. Intern wages went up 6.4% from 2010 and number of paid internships also rose. The majority of internships, however, remain unpaid.
For those students in unpaid internships, results showed 77% needed to work a second job. The survey also found that female students participate in unpaid internships 20% more than male students.
“College students need internship experience to be competitive in the job market when they graduate. Internships also provide a rich source of potential talent for companies. It is a win-win situation for all involved,” said Robert Shindell, director of content and resource development for Intern Bridge. “Yet companies that don’t pay interns are creating a host of recruitment and potential legal challenges that in the long run could cost much more than the relatively small price of paying interns a fair hourly wage.”
Companies that demonstrated a commitment to the professional growth of interns also in returned paid those students 10.6% more.
Intern Bridge plans to release the entire survey results on Feb. 22.
– Alanna Stage, @alannatweets
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