Study

Billy Odell Tucker-Robinson Founder & Host — Banking With Billy Network • Intelligence Network • Data Science • AI Research • World News
Published: 2026-09-30T14:45:46.692Z • Permanent link

A new national study co-authored by UW–Madison School of Education professor Mindi Thompson, who directs the university's Center for Research on College-Workforce Transitions (CCWT), offers evidence that paid internships are increasingly being used as a recruitment tool by major companies across the United States. According to the study, over 70% of Fortune 500 companies now use paid internships to attract top talent, with many firms citing the benefits of providing a stipend to attract and retain high-achieving students. Mindi Thompson's research team analyzed data from over 1,000 companies, including tech giants like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon, as well as major financial institutions like Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase.

The study's findings are significant because they suggest that paid internships are becoming an essential component of corporate recruitment strategies. Many companies are recognizing that providing a stipend to interns not only helps to attract top talent but also reduces the financial burden on the interns themselves. This approach has been particularly effective in industries where high-skilled workers are in short supply, such as technology and finance. For example, a recent survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers found that 75% of employers plan to increase their internship budgets in the coming year, with many firms citing the benefits of providing paid internships as a key driver of this trend.

Thompson's research also highlights the importance of paid internships in promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace. The study found that companies that offer paid internships are more likely to have diverse workforces, with women and minority students being particularly well-represented. This is a key finding because it suggests that paid internships can help to address the underrepresentation of underrepresented groups in the tech industry, where women and minorities are severely underrepresented. The study's findings have important implications for companies looking to build diverse and inclusive workforces, and for policymakers seeking to promote greater diversity in the tech industry.

The impact of paid internships on the Global Infrastructure domain cannot be overstated. Many companies in the sector are already using paid internships to attract top talent, and the study's findings suggest that this trend is likely to continue. For example, companies like Siemens and GE are already offering paid internships to students in fields like engineering and data science. The benefits of paid internships are clear: they help to attract top talent, reduce the financial burden on interns, and promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

The study's findings also have important implications for research communities and policymakers. The data used in the study highlights the need for more research on the effectiveness of paid internships in promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Policymakers are also likely to be interested in the study's findings, as they seek to promote greater diversity in the tech industry. The study's recommendations for companies looking to implement paid internships are also likely to be of interest to policymakers, who can use them to inform their own policies and initiatives.

Furthermore, the study's findings have significant implications for the broader Global Infrastructure sector. As companies continue to compete for top talent, the use of paid internships is likely to become an increasingly important recruitment tool. This has important implications for companies looking to build diverse and inclusive workforces, and for policymakers seeking to promote greater diversity in the sector.