Addressing the Growing Internship Gap: Challenges and Solutions

A recent article in Inside Higher Ed highlighted a significant and growing problem: there simply aren’t enough internships to meet the demand. According to the article, only 56% of students who wanted internships in 2023 were able to secure one, leaving millions of students without the hands-on learning experiences they need to launch successful careers. The shortage of internships is even more pronounced for students of color, first-generation students, and those from low-income backgrounds.

This gap exists largely because many companies struggle to design, scale, and manage internship programs that align with both their operational goals and the needs of students. Barriers such as finding staff to supervise interns, designing meaningful tasks, and ensuring compliance with labor laws are common hurdles that prevent employers from expanding their programs. These operational challenges leave both students and employers frustrated, ultimately limiting opportunities for talent development and industry growth.

At GPS Education Partners, we’ve been tackling these issues head-on for years by focusing on high school students through career pathways, youth apprenticeships, and work-based learning experiences. We understand that talent development is a lifelong journey, which is why we’ve expanded our efforts to help companies strengthen their post-secondary internship programs. Whether it’s redesigning an existing program or building one from scratch, we’ve partnered with companies across various industries to stand up impactful, scalable internship and apprenticeship models that benefit both students and employers.

If your company is navigating the complexities of internship programs, let’s connect! Together, we can collaborate with your local colleges to create programs that serve your business, your community, and the next generation of talent.

Interested in learning more? Let’s chat!