As internship season continues and the career fair approaches, career advisers said students should prioritize learning, networking and self-reflection over comparing timelines between their peers.
“It feels like if you don’t have an internship lined up by first semester sophomore year, you’re already behind,” said Alex Clarkson, a sophomore business major, who has already begun applications for this summer. “Seeing people post their internship acceptances on LinkedIn makes it stressful, and it sometimes feels like there isn’t enough time to figure things out before you’re expected to choose a career path.”
More than two-thirds of graduating seniors completed an internship while earning their undergraduate degree, according to a 2024 survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers. Students reported often feeling pressure to secure internships to gain real-world experience, build professional networks and remain competitive in an increasingly tight job market.
With internship deadlines approaching and TCU’s Spring Career & Intern Expo set to take place on Feb. 18, career advisors said students should focus on preparation and exploration, rather than feeling pressured to commit to a specific career path too early.
The Center for Career and Professional Development office is located on the first floor of Jarvis Hall. (Photo by Brandon Ucker) (TCU School of Journalism)
The Center for Career & Professional Development encouraged students to engage with career planning early in their college experience, but advisors emphasized that early involvement does not necessarily mean securing an internship immediately.
Career consultants said misconceptions about recruiting timelines and heightened visibility of peers’ achievements can create unnecessary urgency.
“I feel like a big misconception students have with the recruiting timeline is, specifically in Schieffer, is that their timeline must match those in the Neeley School of Business. I feel like this can be a bit discouraging to see their peers already having a job lined up post-grad,” Shelby Giammattei, a career consultant for the Bob Schieffer College of Communication, said. “I just try to help my students understand that if they’re looking for a PR internship or a job in sports marketing, they’re not going to find it immediately and it’s more common to find that later in the semester.”
The upcoming Career & Intern Expo is intended to serve students at all stages, according to advisors, whether they are actively applying for internships or simply learning about industries and employers.
Career consultants said attending career fairs can help students understand expectations, practice networking skills and identify interests without the pressure of leaving with a job offer.
‘Hire a Frog’ sign welcomes students to the TCU Career & Intern Expo, setting the stage for networking and job opportunities. (Bailey Bates)
Career readiness messaging across campus encourages students to start developing their resumes early. While career resources are designed to support long-term success, career advisors said students should view them as tools that can be used flexibly, rather than benchmarks they must meet by a certain time.
Despite this guidance, students said the competitive job market and early recruiting cycles make it difficult to not feel like they are falling behind. Students say social media can further amplify the pressure because LinkedIn posts announcing new roles or internships often highlight outcomes without showing the full process behind them.
“I’m stressed because it feels like our generation is expected to have everything figured out by graduation, even though the job market keeps changing,” said Mims Hammond, a junior fashion merchandising major who delayed applying for internships until this year. “It’s harder to know what the right path is when opportunities are so competitive.”
Career advisors said that while internships can be valuable, career paths are rarely linear. Changing majors, taking gap summers or pursuing nontraditional work experiences can still provide transferable skills and clarity.
“I applied to work at The Lair, a family camp near Yosemite that’s run by UC Berkeley alumni, because it’s a really cool environment and a lot of people my age work there,” said Trey Collins, a sophomore communication studies major. “I’m not overly stressed about finding an internship for my major yet, because I know I still have time to figure out what I want to do, and this feels like a good experience for where I am right now.”
Advisors emphasized that career development unfolds differently for everyone and that using campus resources at any stage can help students gain clarity, confidence and direction even if the path ahead is still taking shape.