Intern & New Grad Job Market 2025: Data-Driven Guide

Navigating the early career job market can feel overwhelming, but data can cut through the noise. Whether you are still in school or targeting your first full-time role, understanding which companies are hiring, which roles are growing, and how to position your resume can give you a real edge.

This guide unpacks the latest hiring trends for interns and new grads and shows you how to act on them. You will learn which funding stages are most active, which employers and roles dominate early-career hiring, and how to adapt your job search and resume with the help of Fitly.

From Series A to IPO: Where Early-Career Hiring Is Strongest

Not all companies hire interns and new grads at the same pace. A company’s funding stage is often a strong signal of how aggressively it is hiring early-career talent.

The data shows that companies further along in their growth journey tend to offer far more openings for new graduates:

• Acquired companies lead with roughly 663 new grad roles.
• Post-IPO equity companies follow with around 333 roles.
• IPO-stage companies are close behind with about 317 roles.
• Series C companies offer roughly 205 roles.
• Series A companies post around 159 entry-level openings.
• Post-IPO debt and private equity backed firms still offer meaningful volume, with around 142 and 124 roles respectively.

The pattern is clear: larger, more established companies - especially those that have gone public or been acquired - are more likely to run structured hiring programs for interns and new grads and to hire in volume.

By contrast, early-stage startups at the Series A or C level may have appealing growth stories, but they generally post fewer entry-level roles. That means tighter competition, less predictable hiring cycles, and often less formalized onboarding or training.

How to use this insight: If you want higher odds of landing interviews and access to formal training programs, prioritize companies that are post-IPO, acquired, or at later funding stages. Then tailor your resume to each posting using Fitly so you closely match their requirements.

Which Companies Are Hiring New Grads and Interns in 2025?

Knowing which organizations hire the most early-career talent helps you focus your effort where there is proven demand. The following companies exclude staffing agencies and represent direct employers.

Top New-Grad Employers

Several employers stand out for the volume of entry-level positions they post:

• Canonical - approximately 809 new grad postings.
• NEOGOV - about 806 new grad roles.
• Epic - around 639 openings.
• TELUS Digital AI Data Solutions - about 539 roles.
• DataAnnotation - roughly 411 postings.

Most of these companies are tech-centric and several operate in software, data, or AI. The common thread is a systematic investment in junior talent, which often translates into better onboarding, clear career paths, and stronger mentorship.

If you are a new graduate seeking stability plus growth, adding these employers - or similar data and AI focused companies - to your target list is a smart move. Use Fitly to adapt your resume to each job description, emphasizing your technical projects, analytical skills, and any experience with AI or data tools.

Top Internship Employers

For students and career switchers, internships remain one of the most reliable paths into full-time work. Recent data highlights several standout internship employers:

• NEOGOV - around 396 internship roles.
• KBR - approximately 74 internships.
• Paycom - about 55 internships.
• Xometry - roughly 50 opportunities.
• Rocket Lab - around 30 internships.

These companies span diverse industries - from aerospace and defense to HR software and manufacturing. Despite the variety, they share a consistent commitment to internship programs, many of which are pipelines into full-time positions.

Action step: Treat internships at these types of organizations as strategic stepping stones. When applying, use Fitly to spotlight relevant coursework, projects, and skills that match each posting, even if you have limited professional experience.

Top Roles For Interns and New Grads

Beyond which companies are hiring, it is critical to understand which roles are most in demand at the entry level. That is where the competition - and opportunity - is highest.

According to recent data, the most in-demand roles for early-career talent include:

• Data Annotation / AI Tutor - around 493 new grad roles.
• Data Analyst - approximately 362 entry-level openings.
• Sales Development Representative (SDR) - about 241 opportunities.
• Machine Learning / AI Researcher - around 234 roles.

All of these roles, with the partial exception of SDR, are closely tied to AI and data. This reflects a broader trend: organizations across industries are investing heavily in AI and machine learning and are looking for early-career talent to power these initiatives.

What this means for you:

• If you are already in a data, AI, or analytics-oriented program, you are aligned with high-demand paths. Focus on showcasing projects and tools (Python, SQL, machine learning frameworks, prompt engineering, analytics dashboards) clearly on your resume.
• If you are in a different field, consider how your skills translate. Many students from math, economics, business, or even social sciences can pivot into analytics or AI-support roles with focused upskilling.
• SDR roles remain a strong option if you are interested in tech but prefer client-facing work. These roles often provide structured training and clear performance metrics.

In all cases, customizing your resume to each role is essential. Fitly analyzes both your resume and the job description, then rewrites and restructures your document to highlight the exact skills and achievements hiring managers expect for these roles.

Next Steps For Early-Career Job Seekers

Knowing where the opportunities are is only the beginning. You also need a clear, data-informed strategy for how to approach your search.

• Target companies by hiring volume
  Prioritize employers with proven histories of hiring interns and new grads. Companies like those highlighted earlier are more likely to have repeatable hiring processes and larger cohorts of junior talent. Build a short list and track these organizations consistently.
• Align your skills with high-demand roles
  If your current path is oversaturated, review the high-demand role list and identify where you can realistically pivot. Start small: take on projects, coursework, or self-guided learning that move you closer to data, AI-support roles, or SDR positions. Then, use Fitly to frame that experience in language that resonates with hiring teams.
• Use internships as deliberate stepping stones
  If you are still in school or early in your search, think of internships as experiments with a long-term goal. Favor programs with a track record of converting interns to full-time hires. Even if a specific internship does not turn into an offer, the skills, references, and portfolio pieces you gain can dramatically improve your odds on the next application.
• Turn your resume into a dynamic asset
  Sending the same generic resume to dozens of roles is a recipe for rejection. With Fitly, you can generate a tailored version of your resume for each posting, matching key skills, responsibilities, and keywords so applicant tracking systems and recruiters immediately see your fit.

Inside New Grads’ Mindset: Data On Expectations And Concerns

Beyond employer data, recent surveys of new grad job seekers reveal how this cohort is thinking about the market. Understanding these attitudes can help you set realistic expectations and design a more resilient strategy.

1. Job Searches Are Expected To Take Months

About 50 percent of new grads expect their job search to last three to six months, while roughly one third hope to land a role in under three months. Around 17 percent anticipate it may take up to a year.

Even these cautious timelines may be optimistic in today’s competitive market. Many job seekers now need several months of consistent, targeted applications before landing an offer.

Strategy tip: Plan for a longer search so you are not caught off guard. Build a sustainable weekly routine that includes researching roles, tailoring your resume with Fitly, networking, and interview prep.

2. Salary Floors Are High

Roughly 75 percent of surveyed grads would not accept less than 60,000 dollars in starting salary. The remaining 25 percent would consider offers between 40,000 and 60,000 dollars, while none were open to unpaid roles.

This firm salary floor reflects both rising living costs and increased expectations. It also sets up potential tension with employers that are trying to control entry-level compensation.

Strategy tip: Research realistic ranges for your role and region. Use that information to set a target range, but remain flexible on compensation if the role offers strong learning, growth potential, and clear advancement paths.

3. Belief In The Value Of A Degree Persists

Despite public debate about the cost of higher education, about 83 percent of respondents still believe their degree will pay off over time. Only around 17 percent are unsure.

Even in a difficult market, most grads remain confident that their education is a long-term asset, though they may need to be strategic about how they leverage it.

Strategy tip: Do not rely on your degree title alone. Translate academic experience into concrete skills and outcomes on your resume. Fitly can help you reframe theses, projects, labs, and coursework in the results-oriented language employers look for.

4. Financial Independence Timelines Vary Widely

About 60 percent of grads expect to be financially independent before age 30. Roughly a quarter believe it will happen after 35, while the rest fall somewhere in between or are unsure it will happen at all.

This 15-year spread highlights how unpredictable the path to financial stability has become, even for educated early-career professionals.

Strategy tip: Instead of fixating on a specific age, focus on building skills and experience that compound your earning potential: high-demand technical skills, strong communication, and proven impact in previous roles or internships.

5. Career Expectations Are Adjusting Downward

Nearly 58 percent of grads say their career expectations have slightly lowered over the past year, 25 percent report no change, and 17 percent say they have abandoned their original goals entirely.

The reality of the market is prompting many to recalibrate their ambitions early, sometimes before their careers have properly begun.

Strategy tip: Adjusting your first step does not mean giving up on long-term goals. Think in stages: secure a strong foundational role now, then use targeted upskilling and portfolio-building to move closer to your ideal path over time.

6. Growth Potential Is The Top Priority

When asked what matters most in a first role, 50 percent of respondents chose growth potential. Others prioritized paying bills, gaining experience, or landing a dream job immediately.

This focus on future promise suggests that many grads are realistic about starting points and willing to trade short-term comfort for long-term upside.

Strategy tip: When evaluating offers, look beyond title and salary. Pay close attention to mentorship, training, promotion paths, and the skill sets you will build. Use your resume, optimized with Fitly, to highlight your eagerness to grow and your track record of learning quickly.

7. Rejection Volumes Are Expected To Be High

More than 65 percent of new grads expect at least 50 rejections before landing a role, and many are mentally prepared for more than 100. That mindset reflects a realistic view of modern hiring funnels, where applicants often face automated screening and fierce competition.

Strategy tip: Focus on quality and fit, not just volume. Each application should be highly tailored. Fitly helps you quickly produce role-specific resumes so you can maintain quality across many applications without burning out.

8. Money Often Outweighs Passion In The Short Term

When asked whether they would take a job they dislike for high pay, half of respondents said it depends on the salary, while the remaining half split evenly between yes and no.

Many grads appear willing to compromise on passion in the short term if the compensation is compelling enough.

Strategy tip: If you take a role primarily for financial reasons, be intentional about the skills you gain there. Choose positions that still build valuable, transferable capabilities so you can pivot later into something more aligned with your interests.

9. Concern About Matching Parents’ Success Lingers

Around 42 percent strongly disagree that they worry about never achieving the lifestyle their parents had. About 25 percent agree or feel neutral, and roughly 8 percent outright disagree.

Even among the confident majority, the presence of this concern points to deeper generational anxiety about long-term stability and mobility.

Strategy tip: Instead of comparing yourself to previous generations, measure progress by your own growth: skills gained, responsibilities increased, and the quality of problems you are trusted to solve.

10. College Regrets Are Common, But Not About Attending

All surveyed grads say they would choose to attend college again if they could go back, but approximately 83 percent would select a different major.

This near-unanimous desire to change fields highlights a gap between academic choices and current labor market realities.

Strategy tip: Your major does not lock you into a single path. What matters is how you reposition your skills and experiences. With Fitly, you can reframe non-obvious projects, internships, and part-time work so they align with the roles you want now.

Bringing It All Together: A Practical Plan

The early-career job market in 2025 is challenging, but not unmanageable. The data paints a picture of longer search timelines, high rejection counts, and intense competition, but it also reveals clear pockets of opportunity.

To navigate this landscape effectively:

• Prioritize companies and funding stages that consistently invest in interns and new grads.
• Align your skills with high-demand roles in AI, data, and tech-adjacent paths, or with structured SDR positions.
• Use internships strategically as bridges to full-time work.
• Set realistic timelines and build a weekly routine you can sustain.
• Accept that your first role is a starting point, not your final destination.

Your resume is the core asset that carries you through this process. By using Fitly to align each version of your resume with a specific job description, you present a sharper, more relevant profile to every recruiter and hiring manager who sees your application.

In a market where most candidates expect dozens of rejections, being the applicant whose resume perfectly matches the role is a powerful advantage. With data-driven insights and a targeted resume strategy, you can move from overwhelmed to in control of your early-career journey.