From College to Career: Increasing Access to Quality Internships – Highlights from Inside Higher Ed Webinar

By Sarah-Peace Sowho , Summer 2024 Marketing & Communications Intern at The Washington Center

The transition from college to career is a pivotal phase in a student’s life, and internships can play a crucial role in this journey. In a recent webinar hosted by Inside Higher Ed and sponsored by the Strada Education Foundation , key insights were shared on how to enhance access to quality internships.

Tina S. Gaddy , Executive Director of Employer Relations at The Washington Center (TWC), along with other esteemed panelists, provided valuable perspectives on this topic.

What Constitutes a Quality Internship?

Tina Gaddy emphasized the importance of learning from peers and expanding professional networks as core elements of a quality internship. She highlighted that gaining practical experience is paramount.

Shawn VanDerziel , President & Chief Executive Officer of National Association of Colleges and Employers added that a quality internship should offer compensation. He noted that internships allow students to gain hands-on experience and develop skills not typically covered in the classroom.

Boosting Access to Internships

Matthew Hora , Associate Professor in Adult and Higher Education at 美国威斯康星大学麦迪逊分校 pointed out that building new relationships with employers is essential, especially given that 63% of students have not had internship experiences.

Shawn Vanderziel suggested several strategies to boost internship access:

• Integrating employers into the classroom to work on real-world projects.
• Addressing the funding issues associated with internships.
• Allowing Federal Work-Study funds to be used for internships.

Tina Gaddy shared that organizations with dedicated teams to recruit students are more successful. She highlighted TWC's efforts in working with over 300 universities across the country, partnering with career centers and a variety of organizations to bridge the gap between employers and students.

Equity in Work-Based Learning

Equity is a critical factor in discussions about work-based learning. Shawn VanDerziel noted that 50% of students with paid internships eventually work for those employers, while less than 25% of unpaid interns return to their employers, indicating that unpaid internships are not as beneficial.

Matthew Hora supported the idea of banning unpaid internships but stressed the need to address the supply issue first by creating more internship positions and providing better support for students.

Successful Partnerships with Employers

Shawn VanDerziel highlighted that employers are increasingly recognizing the value of community colleges, as these institutions are adept at providing practical experience.

Tina Gaddy agreed, noting that two-year colleges often offer more targeted programs, allowing students to apply what they learn more quickly.

Conclusion

The insights from the webinar underscore the need for quality internships that offer practical experience, compensation, and strong support systems. Institutions and employers must collaborate to create equitable and accessible internship opportunities for all students. At The Washington Center, we remain committed to bridging the gap between education and career, ensuring that students are well-prepared for their professional journeys.

About the Author:

Sarah-Peace Sowho is a rising senior at Towson University studying Law. She completed an internship with TWC's marketing and communications team as part of the Summer 2024 Academic Internship Program in Washington, D.C.