Financial Support for Internships Can ‘Level the Playing Field’ - Misty Evans, Insight into Diversity

Research by interdisciplinary scholars and the Strada Education Foundation “Building Better Internships” report has shown that paid internships significantly improve labor market outcomes for college graduates. Those who complete paid internships tend to secure higher-paying jobs after graduation, regardless of differences in field of study, gender, or race/ethnicity. They are also more likely to report that their first job required a degree and express greater satisfaction with that job compared to peers without internship experience. Despite the clear benefits, accessibility remains an issue. Although 70% of first-year students plan to complete an internship, less than half do so, and only a quarter secure paid opportunities. This discrepancy is often due to financial challenges, time constraints from course loads or other jobs, and difficulties in finding internships, especially within specific fields of study.

https://www.insightintodiversity.com/financial-support-for-internships-can-level-the-playing-field/