FA1 - Student Internships as A Pathway to Social and Economic Mobility
SCURS Disciplines
Education
Document Type
General Presentation (Oral)
Invited Presentation Choice
Not Applicable
Abstract
Expanding equitable pathways to social and economic mobility remains a central challenge in higher education, and student internships play an increasingly pivotal role in meeting that challenge. This presentation examines how well-designed experiential learning opportunities function as catalysts for mobility by connecting students—particularly those from historically marginalized or economically constrained backgrounds—to professional networks, skill-building environments, and career-advancing credentials. Drawing on cross-institutional research, employer interviews, and student narratives, the session highlights the mechanisms through which internships translate into improved employment outcomes, enhanced confidence, and longer-term socioeconomic gains.
The presentation also interrogates persistent inequities in access to internships, including financial, geographic, and social-capital barriers that can limit participation. It evaluates emerging models—such as paid micro-internships, community-engaged placements, and hybrid or remote formats—that offer more flexible and inclusive pathways. By mapping the structural supports needed to sustain these models, the talk provides actionable insights for universities, employers, and policy leaders seeking to scale high-impact practices.
Ultimately, the session argues that internships must be treated not as peripheral enrichment activities but as integral components of mobility-oriented education. When embedded within coherent pathways that include mentoring, reflective learning, and career navigation support, internships can significantly narrow opportunity gaps and expand students’ capacity to access meaningful, upwardly mobile careers. Attendees will leave with a framework for designing ecosystem partnerships and institutional strategies that ensure all students can leverage experiential learning as a powerful lever of social and economic mobility.
Keywords
equitable pathways, social and economic mobility, higher education
Start Date
10-4-2026 2:10 PM
Location
CASB 103
End Date
10-4-2026 2:25 PM
FA1 - Student Internships as A Pathway to Social and Economic Mobility
CASB 103
Expanding equitable pathways to social and economic mobility remains a central challenge in higher education, and student internships play an increasingly pivotal role in meeting that challenge. This presentation examines how well-designed experiential learning opportunities function as catalysts for mobility by connecting students—particularly those from historically marginalized or economically constrained backgrounds—to professional networks, skill-building environments, and career-advancing credentials. Drawing on cross-institutional research, employer interviews, and student narratives, the session highlights the mechanisms through which internships translate into improved employment outcomes, enhanced confidence, and longer-term socioeconomic gains.
The presentation also interrogates persistent inequities in access to internships, including financial, geographic, and social-capital barriers that can limit participation. It evaluates emerging models—such as paid micro-internships, community-engaged placements, and hybrid or remote formats—that offer more flexible and inclusive pathways. By mapping the structural supports needed to sustain these models, the talk provides actionable insights for universities, employers, and policy leaders seeking to scale high-impact practices.
Ultimately, the session argues that internships must be treated not as peripheral enrichment activities but as integral components of mobility-oriented education. When embedded within coherent pathways that include mentoring, reflective learning, and career navigation support, internships can significantly narrow opportunity gaps and expand students’ capacity to access meaningful, upwardly mobile careers. Attendees will leave with a framework for designing ecosystem partnerships and institutional strategies that ensure all students can leverage experiential learning as a powerful lever of social and economic mobility.