Internships Surge as Career Development Becomes 2025's Top Priority

According to NACE’s 2025 Internship & Co-op Report, more than 70% of organizations expect to increase or maintain intern hiring despite an overall dip. 

On the other hand, overall intern hiring is expected to fall 3.1%, driven mainly by the largest companies across industries reporting plans to trim their intern roles. 

It’s giving “The economy is fine!” but also “We’re cutting back!” vibes.

Interest in internships is sky high right now! A recent analysis of GoAbroad.com’s internship search data reveals a dramatic increase in interest among students and early-career professionals in international internships aligned with career goals. Comparing first-quarter data from 2024 to 2025, the study highlights significant shifts in preferred industries and destinations, signaling a broader transformation in how young people approach professional development.

Most Popular Internship Fields

The report shows international internship searches are spiking, with students chasing hands-on experience in fields like business, psychology, tech, and even nutrition.

Business and Finance lead the way, with a 50–77% increase in views. The appeal lies in the chance to gain international exposure to global markets, trade, and economic strategy. Niche areas like fashion business and economics are also trending.

Tourism and Hospitality internships grew 68%, reflecting post-pandemic recovery and surging global travel. Interns are in demand in economies dependent on tourism, particularly where personalized service and cross-cultural understanding are vital.

Psychology internships rose 54%, highlighting a growing interest in human behavior across cultures. This supports careers in counseling, clinical work, and organizational psychology on a global scale.

Computer Science internships, up 48%, underscore the demand for tech talent in fields like AI, cybersecurity, and digital development. As businesses undergo digital transformation, international placements provide hands-on experience in the evolving tech space.

Nutrition also saw a 68% increase, driven by global attention to public health, food security, and preventative care. Internships in this field are increasingly pursued in underserved regions or cross-cultural settings to better understand global health challenges.

International Relations & Political Science gained 65% & 50% respectively, as young professionals seek real-world insights into complex geopolitical environments. These internships offer exposure to diplomacy, global policy, and intercultural communication.

Top Emerging Destinations

Short-term internships are booming, and destinations like the UAE, China, and Spain are trending upward the most.

The UAE showed a 54% increase in interest, with cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi attracting interns in business, tech, and culture. Neighboring countries Saudi Arabia and Qatar also saw notable spikes (80% and 56%, respectively).

China experienced a 69% surge, particularly in hospitality. Cities such as Shanghai and Chengdu offer professional growth and deep cultural immersion.

The U.K. recorded a 25% increase overall and 50% in London, making it a hotspot for global business internships.

Spain grew 43%, with students drawn to its culture, language, and the increasing diversity of internship opportunities in cities beyond Madrid and Barcelona.

Declining Trends

Interest in online internships is fading, likely because the pandemic no longer necessitates remote arrangements. Meanwhile, the United States saw a 50% drop in internship interest, despite retaining its top spot, due to concerns over visa accessibility and shifting policies. 

That's not a great talent prognosis for companies that are looking to attract top global talent. 

On the U.S. domestic intern side, according to our 2024 U.S. Domestic Intern Program Survey Report, here’s what was happening:

• Retention wins: 76% of interns who accept full-time offers stay for over a year. That's 25% higher than new hires without internship experience.
• Money talks (but timing talks louder): Lump sums averaged $3,665, with 48% of companies paying upfront—likely to help interns afford overpriced toast and first-last-month deposits.
• Housing = Headache: The top challenge cited? Intern housing costs. 53% of programs flagged this as their main pain point. Some companies offer housing support up to $7,200/month (and in one case, $8,700!). That’s basically intern rent in NYC…or a small castle in Iowa.
• Hybrid Hustle: 74% of companies use global mobility to support intern programs now. Work setups vary wildly—hybrid dominates, but in-office internships are making a comeback.

With fewer international applications, will we see a dramatic increase in domestic interns bopping around the country?

Short-Term Internship Boom

There is a 63% growth in short-term internships (1–3 months), driven by flexibility, academic scheduling, and the appeal of micro-experiential learning. These programs deliver compact, immersive experiences that help students explore career options efficiently.

What Lies Ahead

The data indicates a fundamental shift: global internships are not just about travel—they’re becoming integral to career development. Looking forward to the rest of 2025, fields such as AI, renewable energy, and mental health are poised for growth. Interns are seeking destinations that combine innovation and cultural depth, with Asia and the Middle East leading this expansion. Providers and participants must adapt to meet these evolving demands, shaping the next wave of global professional experiences.

Take our new intern survey today!

This survey, U.S. Domestic Intern Survey on Policy and Program Benefits (2025/2026) will focus on 5 major components, getting insights from corporate mobility programs to reveal:

1. How the intern experience has been structured;
2. Global mobility's involvement with and within their company's intern programs;
3. The types of benefits and allowances being offered to interns when relocation is and isn’t needed;
4. Various intern program challenges from a mobility team perspective; 
5. How companies are thinking about the future of U.S. domestic intern programming, particularly from a structure and benefits perspective;
6. Insights on other non-U.S. related intern programming and needs.

Details shared in the survey will not be connected back to your company and are considered confidential. All participants will receive a copy of the final data.