56%
56%
say internships are essential to career progress
From Experience to Impact: The Internship Advantage
When students make an investment in education, they’re making an investment in themselves. It only makes sense that they want meaningful proof that they’re getting a good return on their significant investment of time and money.
However, it’s important to note that they not only need skills to conquer an ambiguous and hyper-competitive business landscape. They also want (and expect) their schools to help them acquire the life skills necessary to thrive in an increasingly complex world where they succeed academically, professionally and personally.1
That’s where good student internship programs weigh heavily in college and university selections.
Internships as a Path to Success
According to a recent survey of college-aged students, more than half said that internships are essential to career progress. Even students not currently participating in internship programs reported that they see them as critical for career clarity and direction.2 They are hungry for programs that prioritize experiential learning and real-world experience that show value for their education dollars.
In short, students see effective internship programs as a critical bridge from college to career…and they’re depending on leaders in higher ed to help them build the foundational skills necessary to strengthen that bridge.
Fulfilling the Promise
Sodexo’s priority has always been to support our college and university partners in delivering on their institutional mission to develop confident, career-ready graduates who thrive in college and beyond. And just like successful resident dining services, Sodexo believes that the best internship programs provide opportunities for students to learn and grow from experiences that help them live, work and play in a world that is more complex and nuanced than ever.
Fortunately, campus dining and facility operations are the ideal environments for students to learn marketable skills like effective time management, financial literacy and customer service. At the same time, campus operations can serve as the perfect platform to practice and refine critical interpersonal skills like effective communication, conflict resolution and cultural awareness — all attributes they’ll need to succeed in today’s diverse, dynamic world.
