The Importance of Internships During the COVID-19 Pandemic
by Tom Kipp
Who could have guessed the changes we have experienced within the last six months? COVID-19 has impacted the way we work, the way we play, and the way we socialize. With as different as life has become, some things remain constant: organizations need well trained, engaged and adaptable people to remain competitive.
This is occurring at a point in history when businesses are frustrated by the ‘skills gap’ challenge. The perception is that too many new college grads enter the work force underprepared, and lacking the professional skills needed to begin their professional careers. At the same time, new graduates are overwhelmed by the ‘experience’ expectations employers identify in their job postings. They are frustrated and question how they can build their experience if no one gives them a chance.
The impact of the pandemic exacerbates this dilemma. According to a current National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) poll, although a majority (61 percent) of responding employers indicated they will be recruiting next year’s graduates at similar levels as they recruited Class of 2020 graduates, and 6 percent are planning to increase hiring for next year, 22 percent of reported summer internship offers have been revoked and 41 percent of those remaining summer internships have been shortened.
As companies continue to adapt and adjust to the changes we are facing, now might be a great time increase efforts to expand on-site and virtual internship opportunities. We know the benefit of internships.
For Students, internships provide real world training. Interns gain insight into how industries operate, how organizations work, the importance of professional relationships, and determine what professional and interpersonal strategies are most likely to pay off. They build their real-world experience in ways that help them connect theory with reality. It builds their responsibility and accountability, teaching them how to navigate problems by helping them understand systems, how to build trust, and how to demonstrate initiative.
For Employers, internships are a way to bring in new energy and new perspectives. It’s a way of building engagement of current employees who take on the responsibility of building trust, training and evaluating these students. Internships also provide employers with the opportunity to test and customize the training for students who may eventually become future employees, and opens possible pipelines to better and more qualified candidates.
For Colleges and Universities, internships provide relationships and partnerships that ensure schools stay current on market trends and workforce challenges. Internships allow students to test and apply theory learned in class and share their findings with their fellow students and professors, creating an environment that reinforces continuous improvement. When colleges and universities can capitalize on robust relationships with corporate and non-profit partners that foster strong and satisfied placements upon graduation, it supports ongoing enrollment efforts.
As we continue to adapt to the reality of this global pandemic, it is important to reflect on the many benefits of internship programs. We cannot forget that insight and professionalism needs to be learned through understanding and experience and that when students can test their academic theories in a real world experience, they develop into stronger, more insightful, and more prepared workers. Strong internships are an investment in prosperous futures for all.
Tom Kipp is the assistant director of Internships and Career Engagement at Cardinal Stritch University.
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