Dive Brief:

• The use of interns is on the rise, says Dona DeZube, who writes for Monster. This is the result of talent shortages in many STEM careers and lower than usual unemployment rates. Interns are often used to fill temporary roles and seasonal positions, but more are becoming a permanent solution for growing companies. DeZube gives 7 tactics that can help attract the best student talent.

• 57% of companies that use interns do so with the primary purpose of developing future full-time talent, based on a survey by Michigan State University's Collegiate Employment Research Institute.

• Some companies with talent shortages are pushing internships to their limits, even offering long-term work contracts to promising first and second year college students. 

Dive Insight:

The key for increasing an internship talent pipeline starts with understanding what interns want.

Interns are also looking for experiences that involve real-life projects and social activities that add to their knowledge in the industry. Recruiting their friends and classmates can support long term team building. 

If companies are struggling to find interns, particularly small businesses with limited HR resources, they should connect with local colleges and universities for assistance.