It’s no surprise that internships are powerful career-launch tools. They are widely regarded as the gold standard for early career development, offering students exposure, experience, and access to social networks. But recent research and industry insights reveal an essential truth: not all internship experiences are equal, and many learners lack access to the opportunities that can truly launch their careers.
In 2024, the Business Higher Education Forum (BHEF) estimated that U.S. employers offered around 3.6 million internships. Yet, 8.2 million learners were seeking internships, meaning that 4.6 million missed out. Many of these missed opportunities result from limited access, a lack of structured support, or unequal opportunities, particularly for students from underrepresented backgrounds.
This gap highlights a critical question: how can we better support pathways into careers for all learners?
Recently, our team hosted a webinar with leaders from Handshake and BHEF to explore how embedding mentorship into internship programs can be a game-changer. Kate Urban, Staff Researcher at Handshake, explains, “Students enter internships with big ambitions—building skills, exploring careers, and making connections. But without structured mentorship, those goals often remain out of reach or only partly fulfilled.”
Research from the AAC&U High-Impact Educational Practices confirms that “well-structured internships involve mentoring, supervision, and opportunities for feedback and reflection—essential components that elevate them to high-impact experiences.” When mentorship is embedded, students consistently report higher satisfaction, increased confidence, and clearer pathways to their careers. These relationships foster trust and engagement, critical foundations for long-term success.
The 2023 NACE Internship & Co-op Survey reinforces this: students with formal mentoring relationships during internships are more likely to report greater clarity about their goals and stronger confidence in their workplace abilities. NACE states, “Mentorship increases intern satisfaction and perceived career preparedness”—critical drivers of long-term success.
Embedding mentorship into internship programs provides that human connection that helps learners build confidence, clarify their goals, and develop a true sense of belonging. Learners most frequently cite the qualities they value most in a mentor—deep expertise in their field, shared values, relatability, and a similar definition of success—because these qualities foster authenticity and trust. These elements are fundamental to creating strong, lasting relationships that support learners’ growth amidst the complexities of internship management.
The benefits of this practice are exemplified like Braven’s model, which focuses on near-peer mentorship to support underrepresented groups, including first-generation students and those from low-income backgrounds. Their results demonstrate significantly higher post-graduation employment rates and stronger networks, thanks to deliberate, structured relationship-building.
“Structured mentorship adds accountability and supports skills development,” explains the Braven model. “Near-peer mentors, who understand the unique needs of underrepresented students, help create stronger, more effective networks.”
Jennifer Thornton, Senior Vice President and Chief Program Officer at BHEF, emphasizes how mentorship is a win for both learners and employers: “Mentorship benefits the student and the organization—strengthening loyalty, creating diverse talent pipelines, and transforming internships into meaningful journeys of development.”
Want to hear the full conversation featuring Handshake, BHEF and Mentor Collective on this topic?
Watch the webinar here!
The takeaways:
The evidence shows that embedding mentorship into internship programs isn’t just best practice—it’s a strategic necessity. It forms the foundation for scalable, equitable talent pipelines that support both individual success and workforce resilience. Building programs grounded in mentorship transforms internships into long-term investments, driving retention, engagement, and genuine professional growth for every learner.
Annemieke Rice, VP of Partner Success at Mentor Collective, emphasizes the broader goal: “Mentorship isn’t just about helping students succeed during their internship; it’s about shaping their identity, expanding social capital, and preparing them for future leadership.”
Source: AAC&U High-Impact Educational Practices: What They Are, Who Has Access to Them, and Why They Matter
If you’re ready to build scalable, impactful internship programs powered by mentorship, contact us today.
Let’s work together to support learners and foster resilient, diverse talent pipelines for the future.