Every year, the USC Career Center surveys undergraduate students for their summer break plans to better understand how students are preparing for their careers. Whether it’s internships, research, auditions, or volunteering, student responses help us better design programming that will meet your needs and support your career goals.
Key Insights from the Summer 2025 Survey
Insights from our 2025 Summer Experience Survey show that internships are top of mind for students. Based on 2,538 undergraduate responses from last year’s survey, we found that:
- 60% of Trojans had an internship
- 80% of internships were paid opportunities
Top 5 Industries Trojans are Interested In
Based on Summer 2025 responses, the following industries were the top industries of interest among students:
- Accounting, Consulting & Finance
- Business Development & Management
- Data Analysis, Engineering & Technology
- Education, Non-Profit & Social Justice
- Communication, Entertainment & Media
Internship Recruitment Timelines
Beyond helping us identify how we can be supporting you in your summer planning, Summer Experience Survey data also reveals important information about when students are starting their search, interviewing, and receiving offers.
Recruiting timelines vary widely by industry, so it is important to be as informed as possible to ensure you are starting your search at the right time.
See below for the latest industry timeline information:
Preparing for Summer 2026
The USC Career Center offers programs intentionally designed around industry recruiting timelines to help you prepare and succeed with your internship search. Be sure to check out the following events:
- Participate in our Industry Insiders workshops! These sessions are industry specific and are led by a student who has obtained one or more internships within the field.
- Attend our Industry Insights panels. These sessions also follow industry timelines and invite industry professionals to share their perspectives and career advice.
Learn more about our industry-based programming.
