College summer 2020 internships going virtual due to COVID-19 pandemic

(Updated April 14) Summer internships for college students are undergoing major changes in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, according to data collected by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).

NACE began polling employers in March and has seen a steady push toward moving internships online, rather than holding them at employers’ sites during the summer, as is typical, or limiting them in length and size.

Initially, 90 percent of responding employers expected to maintain their internship programs without change; by the last week in March though, that number was down to 74 percent. By the morning of April 2, results were even more dramatic: Just 35 percent reported moving forward with on-site internships as planned.

Instead, 29 percent of responding employers report they will conduct their internship programs virtually, up from 2.4 percent that reported such plans in the last week in March. In addition, 35 percent will reduce the length of their internship programs by delaying the start date. Fifteen percent said they would cut back on the number of interns taking part in the internship program, either virtually or on site.

Additional results from NACE’s polls are available on the NACE website.

NACE is currently conducting a second poll through the end of April to delve into recruiting and hiring plans and track changes to internship programs. Preliminary results from the April poll will be posted each Friday, beginning April 3.

April 14 Update: Colleges Accommodating Students Affected by Changes to Summer Internships

Colleges and universities are taking steps to accommodate students affected by changes to their summer internships as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, according to recent research conducted NACE.

NACE’s April Coronavirus Quick Poll preliminary data released on April 10 shows that 36 percent of employers that are making changes to their internship programs are moving them to a virtual work environment. Other respondents (12 percent) are revoking their offers to summer 2020 interns, with another 22 percent are considering revoking their offers.

These shifts have prompted schools to respond. Forty-three percent of schools participating in the quick poll indicate that they will give credit as originally planned if a student’s internship is moved online, while 28 percent say the relevant academic department will evaluate the virtual internship and make a determination on the credit. 

In addition, 7 percent of responding institutions will compensate students whose paid internships have been revoked by providing them with financial support.

Also see:

• So you’re considering taking an online college course?
• The advantages of taking on-line college courses
• Disadvantages of taking on-line college courses

(Source: NACE)

Posted by: Richard Webster, Ace News Today   /   Follow Richard on Facebook and Twitter