Key Factors Leading to Intern Conversion

January 13, 2025 | By Kevin Gray

Internships
An intern bonds with her teammates.

TAGS: Internships, nace insights, student attitudes, surveys, talent acquisition,

Although 53.3% of interns graduating in the Class of 2024 intended to convert to full-time roles, nearly two-thirds said they would accept an employment offer from their internship employer if they received one, according to NACE’s 2024 Student Survey. 

There are several factors linked to the decision to convert for Class of 2024 graduating seniors. Overall, 79.9% of graduating students reported being satisfied with their internship experience.

Furthermore, 81.6% of respondents felt a sense of belonging at their internship employer and 85.1% felt as though they had enough supervisory support.

They also saw value in the experience as 77.5% said their work required complex skills and 87.8% indicated they learned skills they wouldn’t have learned in the classroom.

These and other factors—such as location and pay—were key drivers in their decision to convert to full time with their internship employer.

NACE’s 2024 Student Survey, sponsored by Indeed, was conducted March 13 through May 15, 2024; a total of 20,482 college students took part, including 2,281 graduating seniors earning bachelor’s degrees. Participants can access the report and dashboard through MyNACE. The report and dashboard are also available in the NACE Store

blank default headshot of a user Kevin Gray is an associate editor at NACE. He can be reached at kgray@naceweb.org.

NACE JOBWIRE