Indian students pursuing studies in the United States are encountering significant hurdles in securing internships this summer, amidst a notable deceleration in job market expansion across the nation.
Internships have increasingly become essential for gaining practical experience prior to navigating the fiercely competitive job landscape. However, numerous students, including those enrolled in esteemed Ivy League institutions, are finding it challenging to secure internship opportunities, as per various sources.
The prevailing global economic downturn has led to a decline in entry-level job openings, a sentiment echoed by several students, educational advisors, and Indian American professionals residing in the US.
The current election year has seen companies exhibiting a preference for hiring local students, further exacerbating the situation. Moreover, factors such as heightened inflation, escalating living costs, local unemployment rates, and sponsorship complexities have compounded the difficulties faced by Indian students completing their studies in the US this year.
Adarsh Khandelwal, co-founder of Collegify, an education consulting firm, expressed his observations to the Economic Times, stating, “I have counseled approximately 400 undergraduate students, including those from Ivy League establishments on the East Coast and West Coast, who have yet to secure internship offers for this summer.”
The Ivy League, comprising eight prestigious private universities primarily located in the northeastern US, boasts a reputation for academic excellence and social distinction.
Khandelwal underscored, “Even Indian students enrolled in esteemed US institutions such as NYU Stern, UC Berkeley, Brown University, University of Pennsylvania, and University of Texas at Austin are encountering difficulties. Many of these students have reached out to us seeking assistance in securing placements in India.”
He cited the case of a 22-year-old final year undergraduate at Harvard University majoring in economics and psychology, who despite applying to numerous companies over the past six months, has yet to secure a summer internship.
Even students specializing in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, which previously held high demand, are facing hurdles.
Industries such as technology, consulting, and emerging sectors are either implementing layoffs or instituting hiring freezes. Khandelwal noted, “There is a noticeable scarcity of jobs for conventional coding skills, unless they incorporate elements of artificial intelligence (AI) or emerging technologies.”
Despite the continued allure of American colleges for foreign students, including those from India, the number of Indian students pursuing studies in the US has reached record highs.
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