The journey to a coveted internship program isn't easy.
For job seekers, an internship can be a great way to test the waters of a new company or industry, as well as gain invaluable experience; but opportunities are often competitive and can be elusive. It's important to go into the search with a clear idea about what you want to accomplish, the skills you'd like to cultivate and connections you hope to build.
Companies seeking to hone their internship offerings must take the talent pool, as well as other factors, into careful consideration. Not only is it crucial to craft the ideal program that will foster the next generation of workers, but also to consider elements like compensation and the skills that interns are looking to gain during their stint.
While the state of the internship has improved, steering the course into steady waters can still be rough — especially with the many lawsuits and critiques being brought against companies that don’t pay their interns.
The following infographic, compiled by InternMatch, an online platform connecting intern candidates and employers, showcases the map to better internships. Here are some key points for both job seekers and hiring managers to note:
37.8% of interns want better pay
47.3% of interns are interested in access to executives and mentorship
30.2% of interns want opportunities to do "real work"
New York City, San Francisco and Los Angeles are the top cities for internship opportunities
Check out the full infographic below.

Image: InternMatch InternMatch
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