Spotlight for Recruiting Professionals, April 11, 2012 

Employers converted 58.6 percent of their Class of 2011 interns into full-time hires, according to results of NACE’s 2012 Internship & Co-op Survey. 

That’s an all-time high since NACE began reporting conversion rates in the early part of the century, and up from the previous high—57.7 percent—reported in last year’s survey. 

Driving that higher rate were lower offer rates coupled with a stable acceptance rate. Employers extended offers to 61.2 percent of their Class of 2011 interns, compared to 66.7 percent of their Class of 2010 interns, but both classes accepted at the same rate—86.5 percent. 

Additional highlights from the survey are available in the executive summary.  For details about the full survey report, see www.naceweb.org/research/intern-co-op/2012-survey/. (Also available: 2012 Guide to Compensation for Interns & Co-ops.) 

The 2012 Internship & Co-op Survey was conducted November 11, 2011, through January 13, 2012; 280 organizations holding NACE membership, representing more than 20 industries, took part, for a 29.4 percent response rate. (Note: Participants can access a complimentary copy of the full report, plus the full 2012 Guide to Compensation for Interns & Co-ops by using the “participant’s access” link at www.naceweb.org/intern-co-op-survey/ .)