An Op-Ed: The Value of Experience: Why Florida Atlantic is Ending the Era of the Unpaid Internship

At Florida Atlantic University, we believe a degree should be more than a credential — it must be a powerful launchpad into a career. Yet for too many students, their trajectory is determined less by talent and more by whether they can afford to work for free as unpaid interns. We are working to change that calculus.

By leveraging Florida Atlantic's unique geographic position and our unwavering commitment to social mobility, we are ensuring that a student's financial background never dictates their professional future.

The data is unequivocal: internships are the most effective bridge between classroom and career. Students who complete internships are significantly more likely to secure employment within a year of graduation and earn higher starting salaries. However, a quiet crisis persists in higher education where unpaid or underpaid internships function as barriers, not bridges, for students who cannot afford to work without income.

At Florida Atlantic, we take our identity as an "Opportunity University" seriously. Approximately 40% of our students come from Pell Grant-eligible, low-income households. They are strivers in the truest sense, with many working one or two jobs to cover tuition and housing. When faced with the choice between a paid shift and an unpaid internship that could propel their career, immediate necessity often outweighs future potential.

To bridge this gap, I launched the President's Internship Program for Community and Civic Impact, built on the belief that talent is universal, but opportunity is not. Dartmouth College recently announced a $30 million donor-funded initiative to eliminate financial barriers to internships, signaling a national shift toward the model we are already building here in South Florida. Our decision to fund these life-changing experiences represents a strategic commitment to expanding opportunity for our students.

The President's Internship Program is uniquely Florida Atlantic. While students at universities in isolated locales are often limited to summer internships, our students enjoy a distinct geographic advantage. Embedded in one of the most dynamic economic regions in the country, our students can intern year-round, seamlessly integrating professional experience into their academic schedules.

The results speak for themselves. Our Spring 2026 pilot program created nearly 100 internship opportunities in the public and nonprofit sectors that otherwise would not have existed.

To scale this vision university-wide, my first President's Gala is dedicated to raising funds for expanded student-success initiatives such as the Community and Civic Internship Program. Learn more at www.gala.fau.edu.

This program is not merely an academic exercise; it is a regional economic imperative. When students engage in meaningful internships, they stay on track academically and professionally while building the talent pipeline our regional industries urgently need.

Eighty percent of Florida Atlantic students remain in South Florida after graduation, meaning their success is directly tied to our local economy's future. When we invest in their professional development today, we cultivate the executives, public servants, and innovators who will lead our region tomorrow.

As your Hometown University, we are calling on regional businesses, community partners, and alumni to join us in building a workforce that is both homegrown and world-class.