Bentley University continues to have one of the strongest career placement rates in the country, with 99 percent of graduates employed or in graduate school within six months. But for many current students, the path to securing an internship is often an important first step toward a full-time offer, which can feel difficult and emotionally draining.
Sophomore Mila Tarrazo has applied to four internships so far and has been rejected from all of them.
“The hardest part is comparing myself to the standards Bentley has,” Tarrazo said. “I’ve worked really hard on my applications and interviews, and even my LinkedIn is strong, so it makes me wonder what I’m doing wrong.”
Those rejections have been a big challenge for her saying “It’s been discouraging at times,” she said. “You feel desperate when you put in so much effort and still don’t get a chance.”
Mila believes the search is becoming more competitive each year saying, “A lot of people are doing everything they can to stand out, and at the same time, there are fewer roles available,” she said.
Despite the notion that fewer opportunities exist she still says the experience has taught her a lot about patience and emotional resilience.
“It’s been a mix of emotions,” she said. “It’s humbled me and taught me to be more patient with myself.”
Other students share similar frustrations. Nicolas Ibarguen, Junior Data analytics major, said he has applied to more than 5 internships this semester and received only a handful of responses.
“It’s the silence that gets you questioning yourself,” Ibarguen said. “It’s hard to stay confident.”
It doesn’t help that Ibarguen believes the job market will keep getting tougher, partly because of changes in technology, like AI.
“Some tasks interns used to do are now getting done by AI,” Ibarguen said. “So companies are looking for even more skills or experience.”
For students without internships, Bentley’s own statistics can add pressure. Nearly 40 percent of graduates secure full-time jobs by converting an internship, a number that can feel intimidating for those still searching.
Despite the stress, both students plan to keep applying. And while Bentley’s career numbers remain high, their experiences reveal a more complicated reality, one shaped by persistence, anxiety, and resilience behind the scenes.
