Interns Belong in Baldwin: Why Your Company Should Start an Internship Program

Jan 2024

In a recent analysis of LinkedIn job postings, a significant shift has been identified in the hiring landscape. The study indicates that a noteworthy 35% of entry-level positions now mandate a minimum of three or more years of prior experience. This trend underscores the growing importance of internships as a crucial pathway for college students and recent graduates aiming to secure these roles.

The strategy of converting interns into full-time employees has emerged as a successful hiring approach. Impressively, a staggering 75.5% of interns choose to stay on after their first year. In contrast, only 51.5% of non-intern employees exhibit a similar level of commitment. With retention becoming a top priority for employers, internships are increasingly recognized as an effective means to access a pool of talented individuals.

According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), a substantial 76.8% of graduating seniors have engaged in work-based learning, including internships, co-ops, and apprenticeships. Among these individuals, 68% express the intention to pursue careers in their studied industry, influenced by valuable internship experiences. Moreover, a significant 42% received job offers from their intern employers, with 59% likely to accept.

When assessing what work-based learning means to young professionals, internships prove to be invaluable, with a staggering 90% acknowledging that they gained extensive knowledge about their chosen field. Additionally, 87% highlight unique learning experiences not attainable in a traditional classroom setting, emphasizing the crucial role of work-based learning in bridging academics and real-world application.

When analyzing whether your team should take on a student for work-based learning, consider the following benefits an intern brings to the organization:

• Increased Workforce: Interns provide essential support to current employees, freeing them to focus on more advanced projects.

• Mentorship: Internship programs foster mentorship, enhancing work culture, boosting morale, and developing future leaders.

• Fresh Perspective: Interns bring new ideas and perspectives, contributing to a company’s operations, strategy, plans, and policies.

• Positive Publicity: Offering internships earns companies recognition for supporting future professionals and strengthening ties with communities and industries.

• Employee Pipeline: Internships serve as a talent pipeline, identifying and nurturing potential future employees, boosting retention rates, and facilitating smooth transitions to full-time roles.

If you’re looking to start an internship or looking to become an intern, check out our Internship page.