Students who are facing difficulties in securing internships.

As the competition in the various fields becomes higher, many university students are having trouble finding internships.

This picture conveys that student internships are a challenge. resource:       https://technologyengineeringblog.mystrikingly.com/blog/common-challeng es-during-internships-read-more-arya-college

Internships are not only a requirement for the final year students, but also an important step towards their professional life. But many students complain that it took longer and is more stressful to find appropriate placements than it used to be.

A final year student(Xu Jinze) from the Digital Media department of Taylor's University said he had sent out resumes to over 20 companies but had not yet received a response.

“Most companies did not respond or needed prior experience,” he continued. “It was very frustrating because there was a rule that internships are required for graduation.”

One student(Song Ci) reported that there are business entities that provide internships without pay, even though they require their interns to work full-time.Some students opt for internships because they believe they will otherwise fall behind in their studies,” he said.

As the applicant pool grows, so does the competition for internship positions, particularly in sought-after industries like media, marketing, and business, several students said.

This picture shows the proportion of various reasons for students' difficulties in their internships.

resource:https://technologyengineeringblog.mystrikingly.com/blog/common-challeng es-during-internships-read-more-arya-college

Economic uncertainty and changing expectations of the industry could also be a factor in the issue, according to career experts(Sunny). Employers are increasingly looking for students to have extra qualifications before applying.

Importantly, a career advisor from a university said that numerous companies are seeking students who have project experience, communication skills, and technical skills, she said.

“Today's students are facing a much tougher environment to compete in,” the advisor(Sunny) added. “Academic achievement is not necessarily sufficient.”

The advisor also encouraged the students to put in the work before they entered their final semester, by creating their portfolios, engaging in other extracurricular activities, and polishing their resumes.

In addition to competition, transportation expenses and work load are also impacting students' internship search. However, some students indicated that they were not able to cover costly distances to participate in interviews or internships off campus.

Some reported also that assigning while looking for internships introduced even more stress in their lives.

Although it is challenging, many students consider internships as beneficial experiences to help them acquire practical skills and build professional networks.

Industry professionals are saying internships are helping to educate students about what is expected in the workplace and preparing them for future employment. They also think that universities and companies should do more to support the students when they are applying to the universities.

Some students proposed that the university should arrange more internship fairs and have more cooperation with enterprises to expand the opportunities for internships.

In recent years, social media sites like LinkedIn and JobStreet have additionally included competition among students. These platforms make it easy to gain access to internships, but they also enable hundreds of applicants to apply for the same internship in a short time.

This is a thought that many students have and it is especially for those with less experience or poorer portfolios.

A second-year communication student(Ji Xinyan) said she felt discouraged by the amount of students applying online.

Often she finds herself with more than 200 applicants for one internship. “It gives me a sense of hopelessness to compete.”

There have also been concerns raised by some students related to job descriptions that are not clear, and unrealistic expectations from employers. There are several internships listed that ask for high-level experience or technical skills – even though they are listed as entry-level positions.

This, the students said, leads to a confusion about what the companies expect from interns.

Additionally, there are some students who have trouble due to poor networking opportunities. Students may have less success in getting interviews than those who have industry contacts.

Networking is a growing aspect of the current job market, according to experts(Linda). Career fairs, workshops, and college events may provide opportunities for students to enhance their internships resumes.

Meanwhile, the mental strain arising from searching for internships shouldn't be overlooked. A few students confessed that they were nervous about competing with other students who had been accepted.

“It's like when everyone's doing an internship, you wonder if it's something you'd like to do, too,” said another. Can impact your confidence, “can really affect your confidence.”

Despite the difficulties, a lot of students are still applying and enhancing their skills in an attempt to gain opportunities even before graduation.

The number of students entering the competitive job market every year will only continue to increase, and internship access will continue to be a concern for university students.

Earning an internship is no longer simply a matter of experience, but a more difficult transition for many students to make towards graduation and employment.