Given the shifting labor market landscape, it can be a confusing time to navigate your job and internship search.

During a recent discussion with our Employer and Alumni Relations (EAR) team at a Fridays for Your Future event, they shared what employers are saying about their current and future internship and full-time hiring plans.

Read on to learn more about…

Use the trends and tips from the event to help guide you in your search and your next steps

Summer 2020 Trends

Summer Internships

  • ~80% of summer internships are moving forward, with or without changes. Changes includes pivots like transitions to virtual internships or delayed start dates.
  • Some internships have been canceled in industries that were especially hard hit by the COVID-19 outbreak, like hospitality and travel.
  • Our team is continuing to gather information on this constantly changing landscape.  If you had an internship that was cancelled, we want to hear from you.

Full-Time Hires

  • ~67% of full-time hires are proceeding, with or without changes. Changes may involved adaptations like delayed start dates and virtual on-boarding.
  • ~3% of offers have been rescinded. Employers have rescinded offers in industries, like leisure, hospitality, and travel.
  • Offers in many industries, such as finance, are still intact.

Fall 2020 – 2021 Trends

  • ~50% of our employer partners are proceeding as planned, while about 10% have suspended on-campus recruiting and are recruiting virtually.
  • Our employer partners in finance are implementing their usual timelines, with some delays in full-time onboarding and full-time offers. Previous offers are confirmed.
  • Overall, our employers are eager to work closely with CCE and are planning to be flexible so that they have the opportunity to meet you.

Industry Trends

  • Organization size is a factor. Our employer partners who are larger, multinational corporations in some industries, like big tech, finance, and consulting, are moving forward. Smaller, mid-level organizations are following their lead if possible, while small businesses are suffering and may be reducing their workforces.
  • Things are looking promising for consulting in areas like change management and healthcare.
  • There are various scenarios for startups.
    • Startups in the tech space and those that have already received funding are not being impacted. Some of these companies are already growing.
    • Startups that haven’t secured any of their seed funding, are just starting their investing process, or are smaller and less-established, are suffering.
  • Marketing, public relations, and advertising have been affected. Similarly, publishing has been in decline; however, there are related opportunities in digital media.
  • The nonprofit arts industry is especially challenging now. One way to enter this field is to leverage your relationship-building and communication skills to secure a position in development and fundraising.

Connecting with Employers

The EAR team works closely with career counselors at CCE, sharing information about employer partners’ full-time needs, last-minute hires, and full-time roles for graduating seniors. We encourage you to schedule an appointment with a career counselor to help you navigate your search.

Check out LionSHARE if you have a target company in mind, and review their career pages frequently. If you have questions, please let us know, since we’re able to contact employers to see if positions are still open.

LinkedIn is a valuable resource. It is especially helpful for on-demand hires, positions that employers need to hire for immediately.

You can follow campus recruiters or position contacts by using the research feature on LinkedIn. Even if you can’t connect with them, you can follow them to see their postings.

Developing Relationships with Alumni

Next Steps for Current Students or Recent Grads…

  • If you have a canceled summer internship, employers understand the situation, and you are encouraged to put it on your resume with a note that it was canceled due to COVID. Focus on your building your transferrable skills through activities like volunteering in your community.
  • If you have an internship that is starting later in the summer, you can put in your LinkedIn profile that you are an Incoming Intern with an organization.
  • When you begin remote internships or jobs, remember that your primary relationship is with your supervisor. It’s important to over-communicate in a virtual space. We encourage you to be proactive and helpful by anticipating needs and asking questions of your supervisor.
  • Remember that you’re connected, even when socially distancing. Your network, the Columbia alumni network, LionSHARE, industry-specific job boards, and experiences like micro-internships are sources to support your search for opportunities now.

Remember, We’re Here to Help

We encourage you to work closely with CCE in your search to help you build your networkprepare for virtual interviews, or perfect your digital brand

We’re here for you throughout the summer and beyond! Schedule an appointment with a career counselor to discuss your career planning needs.