Internship Opportunities and Outcomes

I'm seeing TWO types of #DoDSkillBridge programs + let's talk outcomes! ➡️ WORKFORCE-ALIGNED SKILLBRIDGE Internship-type opportunities at host employers that are **DIRECTLY ALIGNED** to specific resourced & funded headcount at that employer on the backend. Does this guarantee full-time employment? NO. Does it make full-time employment much more doable if there is a good fit? YES. BTW - kudos to the employers (& 3rd Party Facilitators!) that are doing this very hard work internally BEFORE they open #DoDSkillBridge opportunities! ❤️ ➡️ TRAINING & EDUCATION SKILLBRIDGE Training/upskilling/experience opportunities that are **NOT DIRECTLY ALIGNED** to specific resourced & funded headcount on the backend at an employer. Are these generally "easier" for service members to get accepted into? YES. Are they always aligned to actual workforce needs? NO. 😟 ********* Y'all, both of these are allowed by #DoDSkillBridge. But outcomes may be very different for YOU. So highlighting here because I want YOU to know the difference NOW b/c there may be an impact to YOU based on which route YOU choose. ps - This why we have "SkillBridge Types" called out in the ~5100 #DoDSkillBridge listings at 50strong. Thoughts on these two "buckets"? Should they be called something else? Something simpler or more relevant to military language perhaps? #veteranemployment

When should you start applying for Fall 2025 and Summer 2026 opportunities? Today. Companies are slowly but surely releasing their applications for programs. I've seen a few on Linkedin over the last few weeks. You'll see an influx of applications go live between late July - October. Don't wait until Winter break to get those applications in. Here's a recruiting timeline curated by Princeton that shows when industries tend to release their internship applications. ⭐ You can find a version for full-time roles here (https://lnkd.in/g5KrMD3j) 👀 I have a little homework assignment for you. 1. Identify your industry in the timeline. Grab your calendar and enter the 1st date of the month that your desired industry’s hiring begins and ends. For example, Tech companies start recruiting for the next semester in July. Create a daily calendar reminder from today to December 1st to keep track of openings. 2. Create a list of 10 companies you’d love to work for. Create a spreadsheet that includes: 1) Company name, 2)The early career program you’re interested in, 3) A link to their early career website, 4) The date applications open (if they provide a hiring timeline on their website) This is the start of your job application tracker. (and a little secret between me and you: I’m working on an application tracker template for you – stay tuned!) You’ll check their site once a week during the timeline period to see when applications drop. You can even go a step further and follow their hiring team on LinkedIn to see when they make an announcement post about roles going live. Don't get left behind next Fall/Summer! Good luck! #internships #earlycareerprograms #jobhunting #fall2025internships #summer2026internships

The data is clear - Our latest research proves that internships and other experiential learning opportunities are among the most significant predictors of early career success - benefiting the learners, employers, and colleges. Our analysis of Gen Z working professionals reveals a strong correlation between participation in hands-on learning and accelerated career progression, job satisfaction, and higher starting salaries—making experiential learning not just beneficial, but essential. Key Findings: Career Trajectory: Nearly 70% of Gen Z working professionals who participated in experiential learning during college report that their careers are progressing on track or ahead of expectations. Without Experience: By contrast, nearly half of those who lacked such experiences say their careers are moving slower than expected. Earning Potential: Experiential learners earn an average of $15,000 more per year, even after adjusting for industry differences—highlighting a substantial economic return on investment. Taken together, these findings underscore a clear conclusion: students who engage in internships, co-ops, or similar programs have a measurable advantage in the job market. They are more likely to receive job offers, land roles that meet or exceed expectations, and command higher salaries from the start. To learn more: https://lnkd.in/eEunbpPC National Association of Colleges and Employers #DataDriven #CareerOutcomes #ExperientialLearning #InternshipsMatter #GenZCareers #NACEInsights #WorkforceDevelopment #internships #earlycareers #earlytalent