GITNUXREPORT 2025

Internships Statistics

Internships boost employment prospects, skill development, and diversity globally.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

Internships increase the likelihood of securing full-time employment by 70%

Statistic 2

65% of interns report gaining new skills during their internship

Statistic 3

45% of internships lead to a full-time job offer

Statistic 4

90% of students say internships helped them develop professional networks

Statistic 5

Interns report a 50% increase in confidence after completing an internship

Statistic 6

Internships increase employability skills in communication, teamwork, and problem-solving by 65%

Statistic 7

72% of internship programs offer mentorship opportunities

Statistic 8

62% of interns receive feedback at least once a week, which correlates with higher satisfaction

Statistic 9

50% of interns work on a project-based basis, increasing project ownership skills

Statistic 10

74% of students report that internships increased their understanding of career pathways

Statistic 11

65% of internship programs include professional development workshops

Statistic 12

52% of employers prefer to offer internships to students who have relevant coursework completed

Statistic 13

67% of internship experiences are rated as valuable or very valuable by interns

Statistic 14

85% of interns in tech internships report improved technical skills

Statistic 15

Internships lead to a 54% higher chance of securing a full-time position in the same company

Statistic 16

44% of interns would recommend their internship experience to others, citing skill development and networking

Statistic 17

The top reason students seek internships is to gain work experience (82%), followed by networking opportunities (45%)

Statistic 18

78% of interns agree that internships helped clarify their career goals

Statistic 19

55% of students who intern report an increase in soft skills such as adaptability and leadership

Statistic 20

67% of interns say their internship experience helped them develop professional confidence

Statistic 21

75% of employers say internships are a key source for new hires

Statistic 22

81% of employers believe internships provide valuable work experience

Statistic 23

83% of hiring managers believe internships are effective for assessing candidates

Statistic 24

68% of supervisors feel interns contribute meaningfully to their teams

Statistic 25

77% of employers see internships as a cost-effective recruitment method

Statistic 26

69% of employers have a formal internship program, indicating widespread adoption

Statistic 27

58% of internship supervisors are satisfied with the performance of their interns

Statistic 28

60% of internship programs report a positive ROI through increased applicant pools

Statistic 29

70% of internship managers believe internships improve organizational culture by bringing in new ideas

Statistic 30

65% of organizations use internship programs for employer branding efforts, influencing company reputation

Statistic 31

60% of internship positions are paid

Statistic 32

The average hourly pay for interns in the U.S. is $20.07

Statistic 33

Internships in STEM fields tend to pay more, with an average of $25.00/hour

Statistic 34

The average duration of an internship is 10 weeks

Statistic 35

The most common internship duration is 10-12 weeks, with 80% fitting this timeframe

Statistic 36

80% of internships are paid in the private sector, compared to 45% in the public sector

Statistic 37

Organizations offering unpaid internships tend to have higher turnover of interns, often between 50-70%

Statistic 38

The average starting salary for recent graduates who completed an internship is $55,000

Statistic 39

70% of college students have completed at least one internship by the time they graduate

Statistic 40

55% of college students complete internships to explore career options

Statistic 41

40% of internship programs are offered through university partnerships

Statistic 42

66% of internships are completed in the summer months

Statistic 43

58% of interns are from underrepresented backgrounds

Statistic 44

Women make up 55% of internship participants

Statistic 45

60% of students opt for internships abroad, seeking global experience

Statistic 46

The median age of interns is 22 years old

Statistic 47

85% of internship programs are advertised online, mainly on company websites and job boards

Statistic 48

40% of international students participate in internships to improve language skills

Statistic 49

48% of interns find their internship via social media platforms, mainly LinkedIn

Statistic 50

32% of internship programs are targeted at underrepresented students, aiming to increase diversity

Statistic 51

60% of companies increased their internship intake in the last five years, reflecting growing importance

Statistic 52

50% of internship offers are made to students within their own university, indicating strong campus collaboration

Statistic 53

50% of internships are now virtual, especially after 2020

Statistic 54

The top sectors for internships are technology, finance, healthcare, and engineering

Statistic 55

Internships in non-profit organizations account for about 20% of all internships

Statistic 56

46% of internships focus on technology and digital skills development

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Key Highlights

70% of college students have completed at least one internship by the time they graduate
Internships increase the likelihood of securing full-time employment by 70%
60% of internship positions are paid
75% of employers say internships are a key source for new hires
The average hourly pay for interns in the U.S. is $20.07
81% of employers believe internships provide valuable work experience
65% of interns report gaining new skills during their internship
Internships in STEM fields tend to pay more, with an average of $25.00/hour
55% of college students complete internships to explore career options
45% of internships lead to a full-time job offer
40% of internship programs are offered through university partnerships
83% of hiring managers believe internships are effective for assessing candidates
The average duration of an internship is 10 weeks

Did you know that 70% of college students complete internships before graduation—boosting their chances of landing a full-time job by 70%—making internships an essential stepping stone in today’s competitive job market?

Educational Impact and Outcomes

Internships increase the likelihood of securing full-time employment by 70%
65% of interns report gaining new skills during their internship
45% of internships lead to a full-time job offer
90% of students say internships helped them develop professional networks
Interns report a 50% increase in confidence after completing an internship
Internships increase employability skills in communication, teamwork, and problem-solving by 65%
72% of internship programs offer mentorship opportunities
62% of interns receive feedback at least once a week, which correlates with higher satisfaction
50% of interns work on a project-based basis, increasing project ownership skills
74% of students report that internships increased their understanding of career pathways
65% of internship programs include professional development workshops
52% of employers prefer to offer internships to students who have relevant coursework completed
67% of internship experiences are rated as valuable or very valuable by interns
85% of interns in tech internships report improved technical skills
Internships lead to a 54% higher chance of securing a full-time position in the same company
44% of interns would recommend their internship experience to others, citing skill development and networking
The top reason students seek internships is to gain work experience (82%), followed by networking opportunities (45%)
78% of interns agree that internships helped clarify their career goals
55% of students who intern report an increase in soft skills such as adaptability and leadership
67% of interns say their internship experience helped them develop professional confidence

Educational Impact and Outcomes Interpretation

Internships not only boost your employability prospects by up to 70% but also serve as your career GPS—sharpening skills, expanding networks, and even steering you toward full-time roles—with over two-thirds rating their value as truly worthwhile.

Employer Perspectives and Program Trends

75% of employers say internships are a key source for new hires
81% of employers believe internships provide valuable work experience
83% of hiring managers believe internships are effective for assessing candidates
68% of supervisors feel interns contribute meaningfully to their teams
77% of employers see internships as a cost-effective recruitment method
69% of employers have a formal internship program, indicating widespread adoption
58% of internship supervisors are satisfied with the performance of their interns
60% of internship programs report a positive ROI through increased applicant pools
70% of internship managers believe internships improve organizational culture by bringing in new ideas
65% of organizations use internship programs for employer branding efforts, influencing company reputation

Employer Perspectives and Program Trends Interpretation

With nearly all employers valuing internships—from talent pipelines and candidate assessment to brand enhancement—it's clear that internships are not just educational opportunities but strategic tools shaping the workforce and corporate reputation alike.

Internship Compensation and Duration

60% of internship positions are paid
The average hourly pay for interns in the U.S. is $20.07
Internships in STEM fields tend to pay more, with an average of $25.00/hour
The average duration of an internship is 10 weeks
The most common internship duration is 10-12 weeks, with 80% fitting this timeframe
80% of internships are paid in the private sector, compared to 45% in the public sector
Organizations offering unpaid internships tend to have higher turnover of interns, often between 50-70%
The average starting salary for recent graduates who completed an internship is $55,000

Internship Compensation and Duration Interpretation

While a majority of internships—especially in the private sector—offer compensation averaging around $20 per hour and tend to last about 10 weeks, the stark discrepancy in unpaid internships and the higher turnover rates highlight that, despite the promising average starting salary of $55,000 for recent grads, unpaid and ephemeral internship experiences may do more to test commitment than secure the most bountiful returns.

Internship Demographics and Participation

70% of college students have completed at least one internship by the time they graduate
55% of college students complete internships to explore career options
40% of internship programs are offered through university partnerships
66% of internships are completed in the summer months
58% of interns are from underrepresented backgrounds
Women make up 55% of internship participants
60% of students opt for internships abroad, seeking global experience
The median age of interns is 22 years old
85% of internship programs are advertised online, mainly on company websites and job boards
40% of international students participate in internships to improve language skills
48% of interns find their internship via social media platforms, mainly LinkedIn
32% of internship programs are targeted at underrepresented students, aiming to increase diversity
60% of companies increased their internship intake in the last five years, reflecting growing importance
50% of internship offers are made to students within their own university, indicating strong campus collaboration

Internship Demographics and Participation Interpretation

With a majority of students seeking internships, especially abroad, through online means and university partnerships, it's clear that while opportunities are expanding and diversifying—reflecting a push for global experience and inclusion—the internship landscape is also increasingly digital, competitive, and campus-connected, underscoring the vital role of early career exposure in shaping tomorrow's workforce.

Internship Sectors and Opportunities

50% of internships are now virtual, especially after 2020
The top sectors for internships are technology, finance, healthcare, and engineering
Internships in non-profit organizations account for about 20% of all internships
46% of internships focus on technology and digital skills development

Internship Sectors and Opportunities Interpretation

As the internship landscape shifts towards virtual platforms, with nearly half emphasizing digital skills in fields like tech, finance, healthcare, and engineering—while non-profits carve out their 20% niche—it's clear that today's aspiring professionals must navigate a digital maze where adaptability and specialization are the keys to success.