10 most popular industries for interns

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Internships can be a person's first real workplace experience, making them a critical part of their career-building journey. Young people should be selective when choosing where to start

In 2023, there were reportedly 4.1 million internships across the U.S., lasting around 18 weeks, according to Internship Statistics. Nearly 70% of interns are eventually offered a full-time paid role at the company they interned for. To help young talent find work placements, financial planning company Eton Venture Services ranked internships across several industries from most to least desirable. 

"If you are a recent graduate or a college student looking to spruce up your resume, internships are a fantastic way to earn some experience in your chosen field," said Chris Walton, president and CEO of Eton Venture Services, in a release. "Internships can help you figure out if a job is right for you, without having to fully commit yourself to the position." 

Read more: Later, LinkedIn: Gen Z is using TikTok to find jobs

Tech continues to be the most attractive industry for prospective interns, despite waves of layoffs that have led to 57,505 workers losing their jobs in 2024 alone. Internships in information technology topped the list, with over 10,000 average monthly searches for job posts related to the field. An internship in IT would include hands-on experience in tech support, data entry or coding. 

Close behind, the arts and entertainment industry — which can be hard to break into without experience — came in as the second most desirable internship opportunity, with an average of 8,850 monthly searches, followed by construction and healthcare. 

While it's tempting to imagine an internship leading immediately to a dream career, it's important for interns to keep their expectations in check, and ask the right questions during the recruiting process. 

"There are a few key factors that you want to keep in mind when applying for an internship," Walton said. "For example, how much work you will be expected to complete and whether the employer understands your prior academic commitments and can accommodate them to ensure you aren't stretched too thin." 

See what other industries are on internship seekers' radars:

Administrative and support and waste management services

Monthly Google searches: 972

Management of companies and enterprises

Monthly Google searches: 1,428

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

Monthly Google searches: 2,040

Real estate, rental and leasing

Monthly Google searches: 3,163

Professional, scientific and technical services

Monthly Google searches: 4,158

Finance and insurance

Monthly Google searches: 6,148

Healthcare and social assistance

Monthly Google searches: 7,285

Construction

Monthly Google searches: 8,384

Art, entertainment and recreation

Monthly Google searches: 8,850

Information technology

Monthly Google searches: 10,392
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