An internship after graduation is not a step back. It can be a quick way to turn a degree into the experience employers ask for.
This guide is for anyone who has finished a degree or college course and does not have the job they want yet. It covers why a graduate internship makes sense right now, what to look for, what to send, and how the process works, using our own careers page as the worked example.
Key Takeaways
- The job market for new graduates is tough: the New York Fed says their unemployment rate stayed elevated at about 5.6 percent.
- An internship turns a degree into experience, and employers weigh internship experience heavily.
- Look for paid, on-site work: New York Fed economists note it is harder to teach new graduates from afar.
- Apply with finished work, a clear area and a start date you can keep.
Is It Worth Doing an Internship After Graduation?
Yes, if it is paid and gives you real work. It is a direct way to get the experience that entry-level job ads ask for.
It also fits the market you are graduating into. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York reports that for recent graduates “The unemployment rate stayed elevated at about 5.6 percent, and the underemployment rate edged up to 42 percent.”
Underemployment means a graduate working in a job that typically does not require a degree. The same source adds that many of them “transition into better roles after gaining some work experience”, and an internship in your own field is a shorter route to that experience.
Why Does In-Person Work Help New Graduates?
Because it is easier to teach someone new in person. Economists at the New York Fed put it directly: “Employers may not want to hire fresh graduates onto distributed teams because it is more difficult to teach them the requisite skills from afar.”
They estimate that remote work “can explain 64 percent of the recent increase in unemployment among young college graduates”. That does not make every remote role a bad choice, but it is a good reason to value on-site training early on.
Our roles are on-site: you work alongside the team in person rather than remotely. Our internship card puts it simply: “Fresh degree. Real agency experience starts right here.”
What Should You Look for in a Graduate Internship?
Look for pay, real work and someone to learn from. Those three things decide whether the months count on your CV.
| Check | Why it matters | Ours |
|---|---|---|
| Is it paid? | NACE notes that paid interns can be given real work | yes, paid positions |
| Is it real work? | you need projects to show at the end | real agency work rather than observation |
| Where is the team? | you learn faster beside experienced people | on-site, alongside the team |
| How long is it? | long enough to finish something | one, three or six months, your choice on the form |
What Should a Recent Graduate Send?
Send your best finished work and a clear reason for the area you chose. Our internship application asks for an internship area, a portfolio or website link, your most recent grade, when you can start, how long you want to stay, and a short “Why You?” answer.
- Lead with finished work. A final year project, a live site or a real client piece beats a list of tools.
- Pick one area. The form lists seven, from UI/UX Design and WordPress Development to SEO & Content and Sales.
- Give a start date you can keep. If you can start now, say so; it is one less thing to plan around.
- Use “Why You?” to connect your degree to the area. Say what you studied and what you now want to do with it.
Internship or Full-Time Job: Which Should You Apply For?
Apply for the internship if you have little or no work experience; apply for a job if you already have it. Our careers page sets the paths out that way: internships for recent graduates, and full-time jobs for experienced individuals.
If your portfolio is thin, a course can come first. Our courses are practical sessions built around your schedule, and top performers are contacted when the right position opens, with no interviews or tests required.
Ready to Apply?
Start on our careers page, choose Internship and select “Recent graduate” as your stage. For the interviews and the assessment, read how to get hired at a digital agency.
Still studying, or in your final year? See an internship while you are still studying and a final year internship.
FAQs
How Long After Graduation Can You Do an Internship?
There is no single rule, so check each listing. Our careers page offers internships to recent graduates, and in the assessment we look at your attitude and how quickly you pick new things up.
Is an Internship After Graduation Paid?
It depends on the employer, so ask before you accept. Ours are paid positions with real agency work rather than observation.
What If You Are Not Selected?
Reapply once you have updated your CV or learned new skills. New positions and internship slots open regularly.
