The Internship Black Hole: Why Getting Experience is Harder Than Landing a Job

by Keya Mediratta

Why Is It So Hard to Get an Internship?

You need an internship to get a job—but you need experience to get an internship. Sound familiar? You’re not alone. 30% of bachelor’s students struggle to find an internship (Skillademia, 2025), and the process is often more competitive than full-time job applications.

So, what’s making internships so difficult to secure, and how can you stand out?

📉 The Biggest Barriers to Landing an Internship

 Limited Availability – Only 60% of students graduate with internship experience, leaving many without critical work exposure (Hechinger Report, 2023).
Financial Hurdles67.3% of students face obstacles preventing them from interning, often due to unpaid roles or relocation costs (Flair HR, 2024).
High Competition – The average internship posting gets 250+ applications, with top firms hiring as little as 2-5% of applicants (Forbes, 2023).

💡 What This Means: It’s not just you—internships are harder to secure than ever.

🚀 How to Stand Out in the Crowd

 Apply Early & Often – Many companies fill internship spots months in advance.
Leverage University Career Services – Only 4 in 10 students use career centers, despite higher success rates (Gallup, 2023).
Use Platforms Like Windō – Discover companies with inclusive internship programs and set alerts for new openings.

 Windō helps students:
Compare internship opportunities across industries.
Track employer hiring trends & internship availability.
Set alerts for companies that value early career talent.

 Final Thought: Internships are competitive, but being proactive, strategic, and informed can set you apart