Recent research conducted by the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation (EDC), in partnership with Junior Achievement of San Diego County (JA San Diego), highlights the significant organizational advantages for employers who host high school and post-secondary summer interns.

Boosting Productivity, Collaboration, and Company Culture

Student internship programs led to positive improvements in internal company culture and workplace dynamics.

• Leadership Development: 74% of employers noted an increase in leadership and coaching skills among their employees.
• Cross-Department Collaboration: 62% of employers reported an increase in collaboration across teams, strengthening internal culture and communication, and enabling employees to work together in new ways, reinforcing a culture of teamwork.
• Employee Engagement: 74% of employers noted there was higher enthusiasm and energy at work after hosting interns.

Student internships are not only about developing future talent. They create opportunities for current employees to grow as mentors, leaders, and cross-functional contributors. This leads to a more engaged workforce and a stronger organizational culture.

Strengthening Community Engagement and Corporate Impact

For many organizations, community impact is a core component of their mission or corporate social responsibility goals. Hosting interns can be a powerful way to create an impact in their community, with many employers citing this as a primary reason for participating in youth internship experiences.

• Meaningful Contribution: 67% of employers stated the greatest benefit to hosting interns was the community connection and impact they made in supporting young people.
• Connection to Community: 72% of employers felt more connected to the San Diego community.

Employers consistently shared the personal and professional value of the experience.

William Rivera, Division Coordinator of Strategic Partnerships at San Diego State University Division of Research and Innovation, shared, “Being an employer partner with JA SYEP was genuinely special both personally and professionally. Getting to see the students grow, watching their confidence build, practical skills take off, and just seeing their excitement as they connected what they learned in class to real work — was incredibly rewarding for me. The whole experience reminded me why it’s so important to support youth programs and invest in mentorship.”

Experiences like these exemplify the power of student internship programs in strengthening local ties, shaping future talent, and providing a clear pathway for community investment and impact for businesses.

Building a More Inclusive and Future-Ready Talent Pipeline

As employers continue to navigate workforce shortages, skills gaps, and evolving industry needs, developing a diverse and future-ready talent pipeline has become a strategic priority.

• Retaining Talent: 50% of employers extended internships or offered students full-time employment, and an additional 25% wished to retain interns but faced budget limitations.
• Recruitment: Over 90% of employers viewed internship participation as a way to diversify or expand their recruitment pipeline.

By offering real-world experiences to young people, organizations help cultivate future professionals who are prepared, connected, and aligned with regional workforce needs. At the same time, employers gain early access to emerging talent and can shape their skills to meet organizational and industry demands.

Be a Part of the Solution

Hosting student interns provides a unique opportunity to make a real impact, driving growth for your organization while empowering the next generation of talent:

Employers who host student interns have the unique opportunity to:

• Support the next generation of San Diego talent
• Strengthen employee engagement and leadership
• Diversify and expand recruitment pipelines
• Advance community impact and regional prosperity

By participating, your organization plays a direct role in shaping the future workforce, while benefiting from fresh perspectives, stronger teams, and expanding your reach in San Diego.

Are you an employer interested in hosting student interns? Get in touch with the JA Summer Youth Employment Program team by completing our Site Host Interest Form or contacting Pana Hap at phap@jasandiego.org.

The post Research Shows Student Internship Programs Help Drive Business Outcomes appeared first on Junior Achievement of San Diego County.

SYEP in Action

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Thank You To Our Partners

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