Indian students studying in the United States are encountering difficulties in securing internships this summer amidst a slowdown in job growth in the country. Even students from prestigious Ivy League universities are struggling to obtain internship offers, which are crucial for gaining on-the-job experience in a highly competitive job market.
According to various sources, the global economic slowdown has significantly reduced entry-level job opportunities, exacerbating the challenges faced by Indian students. Additionally, several companies are prioritizing the hiring of local students, particularly in an election year, further limiting opportunities for international students. Factors such as high inflation, rising living costs, local unemployment rates, and sponsorship issues are compounding the woes of Indian students graduating in the US this year.
AdarshKhandelwal, co-founder of Collegify, an education consulting company, revealed that approximately 400 undergraduate students from the East Coast and West Coast, including Ivy League institutions, have failed to secure internship offers this summer. The Ivy League, consisting of prestigious universities like Harvard, Yale, and the University of Pennsylvania, is renowned for its academic excellence and social prestige.
Khandelwal highlighted the struggles of Indian students, even those attending top US colleges like NYU Stern, UC Berkeley, Brown University, University of Pennsylvania, and University of Texas at Austin. Many students have sought assistance to secure placements in India due to the challenging job market in the US.
For instance, Khandelwal mentioned a 22-year-old undergraduate student from Harvard University majoring in economics and psychology who has been unsuccessful in obtaining a summer internship despite applying to numerous companies over the past six months.
The situation is particularly challenging for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) students, who were previously in high demand. However, due to layoffs and hiring freezes in technology, consulting, and new-age companies, even STEM students are facing limited opportunities.
Khandelwal noted that traditional coding skills are no longer sufficient, as companies now prioritize candidates with expertise in artificial intelligence (AI) or emerging technologies.
Additionally, an Indian American professional working at a leading consulting firm admitted that their firm prefers to hire Americans over Indians, further illustrating the difficulties faced by Indian students in the job market.
Despite these challenges, American colleges continue to attract foreign students, including Indians, with the number of Indian students studying in the US at an all-time high.
