More Mature Workers Compete for Internships

Wet behind the ears does not describe every applicant seeking an internship this fall, with many employers seeing applications from experienced workers and even applicants over 50 years old.

Those observations were made in an employer survey by CareerBuilder, which says the end result will be stiff competition for internships this fall.

It says 23 percent of employers surveyed report they are seeing internship applications from workers with more than 10 years experience or workers age 50 or older.

“The last 18 months have reshaped internships as more than an experience-builder for college students. Now they are also a way for experienced workers to explore new opportunities,” said Rosemary Haefner, vice president of human resources at CareerBuilder.

“Internships can act as an extended, full-time job interview, and potentially lead to more opportunities for college students and more seasoned employees.”

CareerBuilder says 27 percent of companies surveyed plan to hire interns during the remainder of 2010.

Since the recession began, competition for internships in several industries has become fierce.

When the Birmingham Business Journal looked at trends in law firm internships earlier this year, local firms said the application process had become more competitive, since many firms across the nation have cut back on their programs.

Source: Birmingham Business Journal