I want to share something we experienced at Eppler Capital that really drove home how competitive the internship market has become, and why that intensity is increasingly shaping full-time hiring.
Our Hiring Snapshot
- Last week, we posted an internship role for an investment analyst intern in summer 2026. In just three days, we received 155 applications, nearly all from very strong candidates.
- Applicants ranged from top-tier university students to individuals with prior finance internships, technical coursework, and demonstrated grit.
It was impressive, but not surprising once you look at the broader data.
What the Data Shows
- Internship Hiring Remains a Strategic Priority
- Over 70% of organizations plan to maintain or increase intern hiring in
2025, according to NACE. - Still, overall intern hiring is expected to dip 3.1%, driven mostly by large
companies scaling back.
- Over 70% of organizations plan to maintain or increase intern hiring in
- Intern → Full-Time Conversion Is Becoming Tougher
- Employers extended full-time offers to only 62% of 2024 interns, the
lowest in years. - Actual conversion came in at 52.7%. Both numbers have trended
downward.
- Employers extended full-time offers to only 62% of 2024 interns, the
- Internships Are Now Core Talent Pipelines
- 90.5% of employers say their intern hiring plans reflect real organizational
needs, not temporary labor. - Only 22.9% tie those decisions to the broader economy.
- 90.5% of employers say their intern hiring plans reflect real organizational
- Format Matters: In-Person Internships Win
- In-person interns receive full-time offers at a 72% rate, versus 56% for
hybrid programs. In-person interns receive full-time offers at a 72% rate, versus 56% for - Conversion also favors in-person: 58.5% vs. about 46% for hybrid.
- In-person interns receive full-time offers at a 72% rate, versus 56% for
- Students Are Pursuing Internships at Much Higher Rates
- The Business–Higher Education Forum reports that the percentage of
students completing at least one internship has more than doubled since
the mid-1990s. - Today, over 60% of graduating seniors report having internship
experience, making internships far closer to a baseline expectation than
an optional add-on
- The Business–Higher Education Forum reports that the percentage of
Bringing It All Together
When you combine these trends; fewer roles, more applicants, lower conversion rates, and internships becoming the primary doorway into finance careers, it’s clear why our single posting attracted so much high-caliber interest so quickly. The internship market isn’t just competitive; it’s becoming the proving ground for early-career professionals. And the intensity we’re seeing on the hiring side reflects a broader shift in how talent is entering the industry.
If these insights are helpful and you’d like me to break down more trends we’re seeing from, feel free to reach out anytime.
