Matt Wilkerson’s Post

Gen Z is one of the most educated, digitally fluent generations ever, and yet landing a middle-class job is harder than ever. A recent The Wall Street Journal article highlights what many students and grads are already feeling: a college degree alone isn’t the golden ticket. The job market is crowded, costs are high, and landing a job doesn’t always mean financial stability. Here’s my advice for students and grads: • Don’t rely only on your diploma—explore internships, apprenticeships, and technical programs. • Build skills outside the classroom, side projects, certifications, or entrepreneurial ventures count. • Focus on industries that value creativity, adaptability, and problem-solving, not just credentials. I post job opportunities for students and recent grads here, and it’s been amazing seeing so many of you apply and land interviews, proof that taking action works! 💡 What’s one nontraditional step you’re taking to stand out in your career? #Graduates #CareerAdvice #EarlyCareer #JobSearch #SkillsMatter #Internships #Innovation #FutureOfWork

We need to talk about the internship crisis. After working with hundreds of interns, we've noticed a troubling pattern: Many students approach internships with the wrong mindset. The focus has shifted from "What can I learn?" to "How much will I get paid?" And once they're in, it becomes less about productivity and more about just clocking hours arriving on time, leaving on time, but not really being there. Here's what we're seeing: Skills gaps that should be filled during internships are widening The willingness to learn is overshadowed by the desire for easy money "Just getting through the day" has replaced genuine curiosity and growth And here's the hard truth: This approach gets them nowhere. But we refuse to accept this as the norm. At Interns Bee, we're reimagining what internships should be—experiences that genuinely transform students into professionals. Not just resume fillers. Not just stipend collectors. But real learning journeys that prepare them for meaningful careers. We're building internships where: - Learning comes first, growth follows naturally - Mentorship replaces micromanagement - Real projects replace busywork - Skills development is measured, not just hours logged - Students leave with capabilities, not just certificates Because the future of work deserves better than disengaged interns going through the motions. It's time to make internships matter again. Are you a student ready to invest in your actual growth? Or an organization tired of the "just here for the stipend" culture? Let's connect. Let's change this together. #InternshipCulture #CareerDevelopment #StudentSuccess #InternsBee #FutureOfWork #SkillsDevelopment #Internships

Many people think an internship program is simply “hiring interns and calling it a day.” But it’s much more than that a truly great program: • Identifies top talent early • Provides structure, mentorship, and curriculum • Sets clear performance goals and growth pathways • Creates experiences that go beyond “intern work” In my time as Program Manager for Early Careers at Mr. Cooper, the bulk of my work was designing curriculum and crafting meaningful intern experiences. During peak recruiting seasons, I focused on attracting diverse, high-potential talent eager to learn and grow. I’m proud that last year we set company records: ✅ The highest number of interns identifying as Hispanic/Latino ✅ The most women ever in tech internship roles Why this matters: • Over 70% of organizations plan to keep or expand intern hiring in 2025, according to NACE. • The majority of interns (often 57–70%) convert to full-time roles. • Paid internships are 32% more likely to lead to full-time offers than unpaid ones. • Only 24% of Latino students and ~20% of Black students land paid internships, indicating serious opportunity for improvement. If your organization is looking to build or scale an early careers program with the structure, vision, and results to attract and retain top early talent I’d love to connect and explore how I can help.

💭 “How do I get experience if no one’s willing to give me a chance?” That’s what my siblings said to me recently. And honestly, they’re right. So many entry-level roles today still ask for experience. But if it’s truly entry-level, shouldn’t it be the starting point? 🎓 To those still studying, stay active. Join clubs, volunteer, take part in projects or events. When I handled internship applications before, the first thing I looked at was how active a student was. It shows curiosity, initiative, and the willingness to learn, which matter just as much as grades. I wouldn’t say CGPA is everything, but do your best. Good grades can open doors, but once that door opens, your attitude and willingness to learn are what truly make the difference. Some interns come in just to talk, without asking questions or showing effort to learn. Be the one who’s curious, who asks, and who’s eager to grow. That’s what people will remember. 💼 And to companies, an entry-level job shouldn’t demand prior experience. Yes, it takes time and effort to teach someone new. But from my experience, some people just need you to open the door for them, and once they step in, they might surprise you with their full potential. Who knows? They could even become your biggest miracle. 🌱 #EntryLevel #CareerGrowth #FreshGraduates #TalentDevelopment #CareerAdvice #InternshipJourney #HumanResources

To all my students and grads, You DON’T need: 🚫 A 1st Class Degree 🚫 To be from a Russell Group uni 🚫 A shiny internship/placement year …to land a graduate job! These are some of the biggest misconceptions I hear all the time (and they are holding you back right now😓) Let’s break it down: 1️⃣ A 1st Class Degree → 95% of employers genuinely don’t care (hence, more are now accepting 2:2s!) 2️⃣ Graduating from a Russell Group Uni → We’ve been taught to pedestal 24 universities. But honestly… it’s more about clout 3️⃣ A shiny internship/placement year → Internships are useful (more so than the 1st or RG uni) BUT they’re not make or break!! Here’s what actually matters MORE: 1️⃣ Work experience and quantifiable results > academic achievements 2️⃣ Sell what you’ve achieved in and out of uni - no matter where you went! 3️⃣ If you have an internship → milk it for all it’s worth on your CV (results, numbers, strategy). If you don’t → double down on other experiences (e.g. part-time retail/hospitality jobs, side projects or campus roles to transferable skills like client service, data handling or project management) Most students and grads overestimate the value of prestige… And underestimate their value 💔 Your grades, university or internships are just one piece of the puzzle. You have plenty of experience and skills that make you a strong fit for that grad role. Stop underselling yourself 💪🏻 ♻️ Repost to help your students and grads in your network. Follow me → Farrah Morgan - The Grad Coach 🎓 for more on careers.

Reposting my answer to a question my incredible boss Zara Nanu MBE at WorkVue asked me, as I think it will resonate. Also I think it's nice to know that employers are thinking these things, even if our applications are getting ignored / automatic AI rejections ( mine at least 🙄). Honestly it can be a lot. The market has become so much more demanding, and it can be frustrating to explain that to people who worked just as hard - but in such a different climate. Previously the market was much less global, and jobs and career paths were more secure. I understand the elimination of entry level jobs by AI is of course efficient - but at what cost, if you don’t let us in at entry and expect us to be entering above that, you have to understand we haven't had as many chances to learn and develop the skills you gain on entry, but we are working hard to develop them ourselves.    It's not all bad - it's just a bit more difficult. You have to be someone who can balance succeeding in education, working for income, and finding experience relevant to careers, then trying to have life outside of all that! But time management, being efficient and getting it done are things I think my generation are actually very good at. It's tough because if you aren't someone who can do it all, and do it all well, you are already basically out of the running. I firmly believe that when given the chance, my generation will impress you with how many plates they can have spinning at once.    I think we have to remember the market is bad right now, and just because you haven't had a reply from the 80 jobs you applied too, doesn’t meant you aren't worthy of work. I am so so grateful to Zara and Sabina for giving me the chance to show them what I can do, and understanding that entry level cannot have it all already, but trust that we will work very hard to get there.    Do not discount my generation for being lazy or complaining. We are not. We are seeing a drastic restructuring of a market that has remained pretty predictable in the past, and trying to navigate it with the limited life skills we have. Pressure to succeed in your career isn't anything new I know, but the market is, and understanding and adjusting to that will take time.  The majority of my generation will blow you away with the range of skills they have developed from trying to cover all their bases, you just have to let us show you.

I’m incredibly proud to share the launch of the completely redesigned CareerBridge, the curriculum that supports every guaranteed internship at Virtual Internships. While we’ve always had a strong curriculum guiding our learners, the world of work has changed dramatically. With the rise of remote work, AI in the workplace, and shifting global skill demands, we knew it was time to rebuild, thoughtfully, from the ground up. Over the past several months, I led the full redesign, creating every lesson, video, and graphic, and reimagining how learning design best practices could meet the realities of modern internships. The result is a five-course curriculum that mirrors the internship journey: from landing the role, to thriving in the workplace, to launching a career. Each course blends videos, interactive scenarios, AI-supported activities, and practical templates, designed to help learners apply what they’re learning in real time. I drew on years of learner and employer feedback to ensure the curriculum stayed relevant, actionable, and globally adaptable. I’m proud that it reflects the voices of learners themselves. In fact, our intern survey inspired an entire course: 💡The Entrepreneurial Edge: Building Your Personal Brand, showing how initiative, adaptability, and storytelling drive success in every career path. CareerBridge isn’t just about employability, it’s about confidence, clarity, and the ability to succeed in today’s evolving world of work. 🎥 You can watch a short demo here:

💥 Is it really fair to expect young professionals to work for free in order to start their careers? On one hand, internships can be a great learning experience and a genuine way to break into a tough industry. But the reality is, not everyone can afford to work unpaid. For many, this creates a huge barrier to entry and means we’re missing out on talented people who simply can’t take that risk. As business leaders or hiring managers, I think we owe it to the next generation to ask ourselves tough questions: ➡️ Are we offering real value in exchange for their time and effort? ➡️ Are our opportunities accessible to everyone, or just those with enough privilege to “get by” without a paycheck? ➡️ How might unpaid roles shape our company culture and reputation in the long run? Personally, I’m leaning toward the idea that all internships should be paid, at least enough to cover basic living expenses. If we truly value future talent, shouldn’t we support them from the very start? 👉 Curious to hear your take: Are unpaid internships ever justified? How can companies create pathways that are open to all? #Ethics #Internships #YoungProfessionals #PayItForward #WorkplaceEquality

America’s talent pipeline is under strain — and we can’t afford to ignore it. A new report from the The College Board and U.S. Chamber of Commerce surveyed 500 hiring managers from small, mid-size and large corporations — and the findings are striking: ▪️84% say most high school graduates aren’t ready for the #workforce. They view #tradeschool or #fouryearcollege graduates as much more prepared to enter the workforce. Yet, today the majority of high school students are not pursuing additional education directly after graduation. ▪️89% say real-world experience — #internships, #technicaltraining, or on-the-job exposure — matters more than anything else. ▪️96% cite #financialliteracy as critical for entry-level success. The nature of work is evolving rapidly in response to #Al, shifting economic demands, and newly emerging industries. Employers today are looking for more than foundational academic credentials in candidates. Employers are asking for what the future demands: critical thinkers, clear communicators, adaptable problem-solvers. This is more than a #skillsgap — it’s a connection gap. Between #classroom and #career. Between potential and opportunity. Early exposure through #internship, #mentorship, and real-world practice turn abstract learning into confidence — and help young people see who they can become. If we can close that gap, we can unlock an entire generation’s potential. Check out the full report below. https://lnkd.in/gnqcZMPd

🍁 Every fall, we meet hundreds of students — bright, ambitious, and ready to make an impact. But here’s the truth: the ones who stand out aren’t just the most qualified — they’re the most intentional. They’ve reflected on what they’ve learned, not just what they’ve done. They’ve researched the companies they’re meeting. They know what value they bring and where they want to grow. So if you’re in recruiting season right now, here’s my advice 👇 💡 Talk about your internship learnings — how you grew, what challenged you, and how you adapted. 🤖 Highlight how you’ve used AI to think smarter or work faster. 💭 Be clear about what makes you different. 📅 Include your graduation date and visa details — help recruiters move quickly. ⚡ Keep your LinkedIn fresh — tell your story, not just your skills. 🗣️ And ask curious questions — that’s how you build real connections. Campus season isn’t about perfection — it’s about preparation and authenticity. So show up curious, confident, and ready to learn. That’s what gets remembered. ✨ #CampusRecruiting #EarlyCareers #Internships #CareerTips #FutureTalent #AI #GenZCareers Malvika Singh Sarah Raza Connor Healey Aleksandra Prusko Zuzanna S. Tatiana Manzanares-Arroyo Nikolas Kouknas Veronika Torres Corey Wilson