From NACE Press Room
Sixty-two percent of students who completed an internship indicated they “definitely would” (36 percent) or “probably would” (26 percent) accept an offer for a full-time position from their most recent internship employers, according to results of a recent survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). On the other side, just 18.7 percent of students who had an internship and responded to NACE’s 2011 Student Survey noted they would likely turn down an offer of full-time employment with their latest employers. “Typically, if the intern’s work experience is substantive and the individual is engaged in meaningful work, chances are greater that individual will want to join the organization on a full-time basis,” explains Marilyn Mackes, NACE executive director. “If the work is more clerical or not related to professional goals, it is more likely the intern will reject the job offer and look for work elsewhere, regardless of whether the internship was offered by a for-profit, nonprofit, federal government, or state/local government employer.”
For example, on average, those rejecting offers of full-time employment with for-profit employers spent more than one-third of their time on clerical or nonprofessional tasks, while those who accepted offers spent an average of just over one-fifth of their time in such undertakings.
About the 2011 Student Survey: Each spring, the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) surveys college students on their job search, career plans, and other issues related to employment. This year, the survey was conducted mid-February through April 30, 2011. More than 50,000 students nationwide, including nearly 20,000 graduating seniors, took part in this year’s survey. Information in this release is based on data gathered from graduating senior respondents.
About NACE: Since 1956, the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) has been the leading source of information about the employment of college graduates. For more information, visit www.naceweb.org.