Internship competition turns fierce
Summer internships have always been competitive, but a tight labor market and artificial intelligence are changing the game for college students today
The following article appeared in the March 13, 2026, edition of The Charlotte Ledger, an e-newsletter with smart and original local news for Charlotte. We offer free and paid subscription plans. More info here.
At Charlotte’s biggest companies, summer intern timelines are shifting earlier, with more applicants than ever; Help wanted — for summer 2027
by Ashley Fahey
UNC Chapel Hill student Susanna Mann started looking for summer internships in October. In January, when applications for marketing internships typically open, she began applying — ultimately submitting for more than 80 positions.
Even though she has what most employers would probably consider a strong resume — dean’s list grades, leadership positions and relevant experience, including a current social media internship — she heard back from only three companies.
Mann finally landed an internship — in brand marketing at Credit Karma’s Charlotte office — but the process to get there required her to cast a wide net, across cities, companies, industries and types of internships.
“I was kind of looking everywhere. Especially these days, you can’t prioritize a specific location,” said Mann, a sophomore majoring in advertising and public relations.
For many college students, applying for an internship has become a numbers game — submit as many applications as you can and hope you hear back from someone, anyone. This has always been true to an extent, but students, company HR leaders and college career counselors say the market is fiercer now — and extends to industries beyond banking and consulting, which have always been ultra-competitive.