Internship Return on Investment
Paid internships ($15-$50 per hour, $6,000-$20,000 for summer) provide immediate financial value plus long-term career benefits.
Research shows internship experience increases full-time job offer rates by 30-50% and starting salaries by 5-10%.
A student earning $20,000 during a summer internship at a tech company gains both immediate income and potential full-time offer ($80,000-$120,000) with $5,000-$10,000 higher starting salary than non-interns.
Unpaid internships involve opportunity costs—working retail at $15/hour for 400 summer hours earns $6,000.
Unpaid internships in competitive fields (finance, entertainment, politics) may still offer positive ROI if they lead to coveted positions.
Calculate value by comparing: immediate earnings, skill development (equivalent education value), networking (future opportunities), and increased hiring probability.
A prestigious internship at Google or Goldman Sachs significantly improves full-time hiring odds (20-40% conversion rates) and provides credential value for the entire career.
Geographic considerations matter: high-cost internships (NYC, SF) may net less after expenses than lower-cost locations.
Virtual internships reduce location costs but may provide less networking value.
Evaluate total package: hourly pay, housing assistance, transportation, meals, and conversion potential.