(INDIANAPOLIS) - The impact and benefits of an internship can be far-reaching for both Hoosier students and companies according to statewide findings released today from a national internship survey.

Data in the State of Indiana Internships was compiled by national expert Richard Bottner, founder and president of Intern Bridge, on behalf of Indiana INTERNnet, an employer-intern matching program managed by the Indiana Chamber.  It is the state's first comprehensive look at internship expectations and realities from students' perspectives. A total of 1,652 Hoosier students from more than 20 Indiana colleges and universities participated.

A majority (52.8%) of college students surveyed for the report said they had taken part in an internship by their fourth year (with more internships being of the summer variety than during the academic term).

Where are the internships? Some 59% of internships are found in the for-profit business world, while 26% are with non-profit organizations and 15% with government agencies.  When it comes to specific industries, manufacturing, health care, education, technology and engineering were identified as the most popular.

A paid versus non-paid internship is a frequent debate.  While both are acceptable, 72% of Indiana respondents received monetary compensation at some level.  When comparing with national stats, Indiana students are 10% more likely to get paid, but 5% less likely to receive academic credit.  The average internship wage in Indiana is $12.60 per hour.

One sentiment abundantly clear in the study was how much the students enjoyed their internship experiences.  Approximately 75% of the interns said they would return to their host organization for another internship, while 85% would recommend the position to a friend.

"Students understand that internships provide them with valuable real-life work experience and allow them to test the waters of potential careers," surmises Pam Norman, executive director of Indiana INTERNnet.

"For employers, internships are a valuable way to bring innovation and enthusiasm into the workplace, not to mention a pipeline for future talent, and this report will further assist in that area," she notes.

"It provides Indiana employers with information so they can build internship programs with student goals in mind and allows them to implement programs that move beyond completing project work to attaining talent."

Nearly one-quarter (23%) of respondents said they received full-time job offers from their internship employers; however, that number is likely much higher, explains Norman.

"Previous work by Dr. Bottner and others puts that number at very close to 50%.  Unfortunately, the timing of this survey, which was conducted last fall, didn't allow us to get an accurate assessment of how many internships really turn into full-time employment," she stresses.

"This would have been better revealed in the spring when many students are graduating and interviewing for professional positions."

Interactive Intelligence of Indianapolis, Indiana INTERNnet 2008 employer of the year, started its internship program in 2007 with seven interns.  Last year, the program grew to see 22 interns participating and is currently hosting 20 college students.

"As an organization, our overriding mission with our internship program is to acquire new talent. Five of the seven graduating seniors from the inaugural summer 2007 intern class were offered full-time work, and four students accepted the offers," shares Debbie Linville, corporate recruiter for Interactive Intelligence.

"Internships are a great way to find the best and brightest new professionals that fit your company and its needs."

Indiana INTERNnet will use the information in the State of Indiana Internships to form benchmarks, says Norman, as the group continues "to work with the business and education communities to increase the quality and quantity of Indiana internships."

The report is available online at www.indianaintern.net/newsroom.asp.

###

The Indiana Chamber of Commerce has been the state's largest broad-based business advocacy organization for over 85 years. The more than 4,900 member companies employ 800,000 Hoosier workers.