Undergraduate Internships, Degree Completion, and the Matthew Effect
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| Title: | Undergraduate Internships, Degree Completion, and the Matthew Effect |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Samuel Neylon, Paul Attewell |
| Source: | Journal of Postsecondary Student Success. 2026 5(2):111-134. |
| Availability: | Center for Postsecondary Success at Florida State University. 1114 W Call Street, Tallahassee, FL 32306. Web site: https://journals.flvc.org/jpss/ |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 24 |
| Publication Date: | 2026 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | Higher Education Postsecondary Education |
| Descriptors: | Undergraduate Students, Internship Programs, Economically Disadvantaged, Service Learning, Educational Benefits, Academic Achievement, Achievement Gains, Program Effectiveness, Outcomes of Education |
| ISSN: | 2769-4879 2769-4887 |
| Abstract: | Internships--short-term placements where students work while enrolled in college--are widespread among American undergraduates. However, researchers disagree whether internships are valuable forms of skill acquisition or conversely offer false promises and are exploitative. This paper evaluates a large multi-campus internship program with a paid community service focus, examining academic spillovers such as degree completion. We find positive academic spillovers across students, but also observe a "Matthew Effect:" The largest benefits occur for academically and socioeconomically marginalized undergraduates, those who are less likely to undertake an internship. The current tendency to use internships as a reward for the academically deserving therefore contrasts with an efficiency perspective that would target those who gain the largest benefit. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1502433 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Internships--short-term placements where students work while enrolled in college--are widespread among American undergraduates. However, researchers disagree whether internships are valuable forms of skill acquisition or conversely offer false promises and are exploitative. This paper evaluates a large multi-campus internship program with a paid community service focus, examining academic spillovers such as degree completion. We find positive academic spillovers across students, but also observe a "Matthew Effect:" The largest benefits occur for academically and socioeconomically marginalized undergraduates, those who are less likely to undertake an internship. The current tendency to use internships as a reward for the academically deserving therefore contrasts with an efficiency perspective that would target those who gain the largest benefit. |
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| ISSN: | 2769-4879 2769-4887 |
