The Difficulties of Internships – Students Struggling to Get Work Experience

Internships are seen as an essential step for seeking entry-level positions, at least 72% of college students use internships as a guide for what they want to pursue in the future. However for the past few years, it has become increasingly difficult to find and secure an internship due to multiple technological, financial, and work experience-related hurdles. Other barriers like an increase in the hiring pool also contribute to the difficulties that students face.

Per The Washington Center, 41% of the class of 2025 have at least applied to one internship, a 7% increase from 2023’s figure of 34%. Alongside that, applications per internship have nearly doubled in the last two years. Experienced hirees are also being prioritized as well, causing it to be difficult to find employability as a first-time job seeker in a new field.

Zanab Ibrar, a 3rd year student at Rutgers–Camden discussed how mentally exhausting it can be to apply for several internships, “The most difficult part was the mental toll it took. It was very discouraging to see rejection letters after rejection letters…the ones I wanted to hear back from just never replied or said anything back, even though we had great conversations at career fairs.” Alongside trying to pass classes and engaging in non-school activities, finding an internship can be an additional burden for the average college student.

However, there are multiple resources to help with the search for internships, one of those is meeting with the Career Center. The center’s main goal is to aid students in finding employment and setting them up for success in the future. They can help with resumes, interviewing, and finding internships to make sure students are fully prepared.

Ibrar spoke on their experience with the Career Center, explaining how, “The Career Center helped a lot, going there helped offload a lot of stress that came with my search.” They also shared that, “Networking 100% plays a part… I made sure to create good professional relationships that probably helped me behind the scenes.” 

The Career Center aids students in networking. They host career fairs and other networking events frequently and they also put students in contact with alumni through Student Alumni Career Connect. SACC is an online platform that connects students with alumni from across all Rutgers campuses to promote networking and mentorship. 

While the search for internships can take a toll on students and applications are becoming much more competitive Rutgers offers many resources to aid students in their job search. Whether it is asking the career center for help or building a network, there are several ways to make acquiring an internship easier.

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