How strategic networking helps students land roles

Internships have become one of the most direct pathways to full-time employment.

Data from the National Association of Colleges and Employers indicates that the conversion rate from internship to full-time job offer has risen to 63.1%. Meanwhile, Forbes reported in 2025 that although 8.2 million college students wanted internships, only 3.6 million landed one.

Internships are both invaluable and incredibly competitive, meaning students who apply strategically can set themselves apart.

What employers are really looking for

According to Barbara Marks, Senior Corporate Recruiter at McAfee, internship experience signals much more than technical ability and hands-on experience. 

Students who have experience working in a professional environment already understand workplace expectations and “how to take direction,” putting them “miles ahead” of applicants without internship experience.

To many students, however, the internship selection process seems opaque, with little understanding of how hiring decisions are made or how to make themselves memorable.

Even though applying for internships can be daunting, Marks encourages students to put themselves out there. “I think students today are much better prepared than they probably think they are, and they should apply for all the internships they can.”

Still, although internship candidates are often applying to dozens (if not hundreds!) of programs, proper preparation extends beyond simply turning in an application. In a hyper-competitive market, a fine-tuned portfolio can make a world of difference. 

The details that make or break an application

Anna Glenn Grove, who leads the Atlanta internship program at Seacrest Studios, says avoidable mistakes immediately stand out, and recommends careful attention to detail as a baseline.

 “I see a lot of resumes and cover letters come through to me that have typos or spelling errors,” Grove says. “I always put those in a separate pile of, ooh, this person doesn’t have the best attention to detail”.

For students juggling coursework, jobs, and extracurriculars, the search for an internship can quickly become overwhelming. Applications are time-consuming, and in many industries, selections for the following summer cohort begin as early as October.

Timing is everything

During a webinar for students and parents, College2Career.org founder Arthur Povlot warned that without understanding the nuances and deadlines of the internship search, the process is “not going to be the most pleasant experience.”

“I was a little bit behind the curve,” says University of South Carolina student Max Goldstein. “I don’t think I really realized what I needed to do”.

That’s where career consulting classes like College2Career make a difference by helping students optimize LinkedIn profiles and resumes, network effectively, and apply strategically. 

Goldstein credits College2Career with helping him strengthen his internship application and encouraging him to reach out to connections, eventually landing him a summer internship at InComm Payments. 

His advice to other students is simple:  “It’s always good to be early. Even if you don’t have a lot of experience, set up your résumé as well as you can… and just make connections”. 

As internship recruiting begins earlier and competition shows no sign of slowing, students need a structured approach to the internship search to help them confidently navigate the application process.

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