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Undergraduate Internships, Degree Completion, and the Matthew Effect

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Title: Undergraduate Internships, Degree Completion, and the Matthew Effect
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
FullText Text:
  Availability: 0
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  Data: Undergraduate Internships, Degree Completion, and the Matthew Effect
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Journal+of+Postsecondary+Student+Success%22"><i>Journal of Postsecondary Student Success</i></searchLink>. 2026 5(2):111-134.
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  Data: Center for Postsecondary Success at Florida State University. 1114 W Call Street, Tallahassee, FL 32306. Web site: https://journals.flvc.org/jpss/
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Undergraduate+Students%22">Undergraduate Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Internship+Programs%22">Internship Programs</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Economically+Disadvantaged%22">Economically Disadvantaged</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Service+Learning%22">Service Learning</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+Benefits%22">Educational Benefits</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Academic+Achievement%22">Academic Achievement</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Achievement+Gains%22">Achievement Gains</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Program+Effectiveness%22">Program Effectiveness</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Outcomes+of+Education%22">Outcomes of Education</searchLink>
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  Data: 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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      – SubjectFull: Undergraduate Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Internship Programs
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Economically Disadvantaged
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      – SubjectFull: Service Learning
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      – SubjectFull: Educational Benefits
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      – SubjectFull: Academic Achievement
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      – SubjectFull: Achievement Gains
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      – SubjectFull: Outcomes of Education
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      – TitleFull: Undergraduate Internships, Degree Completion, and the Matthew Effect
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