Oct. 17, 2012

Lupe Flores

HACU National Internship Program 20^th year survey results

The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) National Internship Program (HNIP) has a “fundamental and major role” in the career decisions of students who serve as interns for corporations and federal agencies, according to the report “An Analysis of the 20th year Alumni Survey: Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities National Internship Program.”

The report, based on data compiled from a web survey initiated in the spring of 2012, provides the most recent evaluation of the program from the perspective of the students themselves, with a resounding consensus on the

To download a pdf of the report, click the image

The most direct influence of the program was in the career track of the participating students, with an overwhelming majority (90 percent) reporting “the internship influenced their professional opportunities,” and that “the internship led to a better career decision.” The program gave the students an overview of possible careers as well as providing a sense of security in choosing the career best suited for them.

Of significance in the career track of HNIP alumni was the frequency of job offers from agencies that had previously hosted the student interns, with 57 percent of the students accepting the positions offered. HNIP’s proficiency at matching students to positions that reflected their career goals was cited as an influence in the high rate of acceptance. Additionally, forty-six percent of the respondents were currently employed with the federal government after current students were removed from the base. In the cases of job offers being turned down, the reasons were generally related to goals of working towards an advanced degree.

Another indicator of the quality of student participants in HNIP was apparent in the education level of the survey subjects. A majority of the 984 survey responders had 4-year college degrees or beyond: 64 percent held bachelor’s degree, an additional 27 percent had earned master’s degree, and another 4 percent had attained a doctorate.

The financial support provided was noted as a significant factor in student participation with HNIP, and is recognized as one of the most marketable aspects of the program. As federal funding for internships is declining, HNIP’s support for their interns will continue to be a factor in the program’s success.