BY: ELIZABETH LOUGHLIN, STAFF WRITER
This article was produced in last semester’s JMC202 News Writing class
Getting an internship in college has become more difficult than many students anticipate. Internships are often viewed as necessary for securing a job after graduation. In some cases, they are required to complete a degree. However, the process can be overwhelming.
Students apply to multiple positions and revise their resumes. Even then, they may face rejection or receive no response. Unpaid internships or those located far from campus can also be difficult to access. As a result, many students say the pressure to gain experience is one of the most stressful parts of preparing for life after college.
Another challenge is the growing competitiveness of internships. Many companies expect applicants to already have experience, strong connections, or an impressive resume. This can be difficult for students who are just starting out. Students attend career fairs, network, and seek advice from professors. However, there is no guarantee of being hired.
Some students say the process can feel unfair, as those with more resources often have an advantage. Because of this, many students accept internships that do not align with their major or long-term career goals just to gain experience.
Catherine Woodhouse, a marketing alumna from St. Bonaventure University, said finding an internship was challenging because she lived in Horseheads, New York, where there were limited opportunities in her field. She did not secure her first internship until the summer after her junior year and applied to about three positions before being accepted. She said the Career Center and professors were somewhat helpful, but she mostly found her internship online rather than through networking.
Woodhouse also pointed to programs like Bonathon as an alternative way for students to gain experience when traditional internships are not available. Looking back, she said the process was easier than expected.
She emphasized that internships are still valuable saying, “Any experience is good experience even if you don’t end up liking the work you’re doing.” She said that these experiences help students better understand their strengths and career interests.
Sophomore Lizzy Hassett, an accounting major at St. Bonaventure University from Hilton, New York, said she started searching for internships early to gain real-world experience. She said that finding opportunities as a sophomore has been difficult because many firms prefer students closer to graduation. Hassett also noted that although she has leadership experience and strong soft skills, she does not feel fully competitive due to limited technical accounting knowledge.
Hassett said not completing major-specific accounting courses yet has made the internship search more difficult. While she feels confident in her leadership experience and soft skills, she explained that she still lacks some of the technical accounting knowledge firms want. She also noted that accounting internships are very competitive because many firms prefer upperclassmen and are hiring fewer interns due to the growing use of AI. Even with pressure from professors and peers, Hassett said starting the process as a sophomore has helped her feel more prepared.
As Hassett stated, “It has been difficult finding internship opportunities as a sophomore because firms are often looking for students that are closer to graduation.” She added that gaining more coursework experience and increased recruiting from accounting firms on campus would help students become stronger candidates.
Senior Auna Bland, a marketing major from Catskill, New York, said finding an internship was not very difficult because she knew where she wanted to work and had connections through peers. Bland began searching at the end of her junior year and only applied to one position before being accepted. However, she noted that starting earlier could have been helpful. Her biggest challenge was balancing her internship schedule with her classes.
Bland also emphasized that networking is very important in finding opportunities. She said the Career Center and professors were helpful with resume and interview preparation, but she believes there should be stronger networking support for students. While location did not impact her as much, she said connections played a major role in her success. “Networking helps open up a lot of doors and some can place you into your career positions,” she said building relationships early can make the internship search process earlier.
Alyssa Fedrau, a marketing alumna from St. Bonaventure University, said she secured her internship through Bonathon, which counted toward her internship requirement. Originally from Fairport, New York, she explained that she also searched on Handshake but found limited opportunities. She said that without Bonathon, she would have been in a difficult position. Fedrau completed her requirement by the end of her junior year and noted that finding internships in Olean was challenging due to high competition for limited spots.
Fedrau also said networking was not important for securing her internship, but became more valuable when searching for jobs for graduation. She used the Career Center and advisors but found them only somewhat helpful, while the alumni network was the most useful resource. Looking back, she described the process as stressful and said students often had to figure things out on their own. “You will find something if you network,” she said while emphasizing the importance of building connections.
Senior Lauren Pichany, a marketing major from Penfield, New York, explained that the search was somewhat difficult, mainly because she was unsure of what she wanted to do at first. Even though she started early in the fall of her sophomore year, it was still hard to narrow down roles and figure out where to apply. She applied to over 250 internships, which shows how competitive the process can be.
Pichany also said the Career Center and professors were helpful with resume building and interview preparation, even if they did not directly connect her to internships. She emphasized that networking is very important and said she believes it could have helped more if she focused on it earlier. She also mentioned that being in a rural area can limit opportunities, but alumni connections and remote positions help make up for it. As Pichany stated, “It was somewhat difficult, mainly because I didn’t have a clear idea of what I was looking for at the beginning.” She said that applying to more than 250 internships showed her how competitive the process can be and taught her the importance of starting early and staying consistent. These experiences show that the internship search process can vary for students, but it is often challenging and competitive.
While some students benefit from strong connections or clear career goals, others often struggle with limited opportunities or lack of experience. Resources like Career Center, alumni networks, and programs such as Bonathon can help, but many students still feel pressure to figure things out on their own. Despite these challenges, internships remain an important step in helping students gain experiences and better understand their future career paths.
