New Survey From RippleMatch Reveals How College Students Are Navigating Entry-Level Jobs and Internships During COVID-19

RippleMatch, a leading university recruitment platform, has released new research that reveals how college students are navigating jobs and internships during COVID-19.

RippleMatch has student users enrolled at 1,000+ top colleges and universities across the country, serving as the link between talented candidates and high-quality jobs & internships. Working mostly with Fortune 2000 companies and late-stage startups, RippleMatch is uniquely positioned to collect data on how entry-level candidates are beginning their careers and navigating these uncertain times.

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In the largest survey published so far on how COVID-19 is impacting entry-level jobs and internships, RippleMatch uncovered the challenges students are facing in their current job search, as well as how students with existing job & internship offers have been affected by program adaptations and cancellations.

Read on for highlights of the data:

Navigating Entry-Level Jobs & Internships During COVID-19: Data from 2,210 Students

Uncertainty caused by COVID-19 exacerbates normal challenges of job search

  • 83% of students say knowing which companies are still hiring is top challenge
  • 74% say companies are unresponsive to applications
  • 72% say the stress and uncertainty from COVID-19 had made the job search even more difficult to navigate

COVID-19 is pushing student job seekers to expand career preferences

  • 72% of students are looking outside of their preferred role type to find a job during COVID-19
  • 68% are looking outside of their preferred industry

Most employers are honoring their commitments to entry-level hires and interns

  • In total, 60% of full-time and internship programs are set to move forward despite complications from COVID-19

–Of that 60%, 46% of programs will move to a remote setting, while 14% will have a delayed start date or shortened program duration for internships

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  • 16% of respondents reported that their job offer had been rescinded or internship program had been canceled due to COVID-19
  • 24% of students have yet to hear about concrete plans for their programs

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