Internships, the 'salary' stops at 600 euro. For 7 out of 10 new graduates unrecognised talent

Slightly more than half of those with at least one internship experience (6 out of 10) received compensation, with an average of 607 euro per month, a slight increase compared to 2025, when the average was 565 euro.

Only 14% of interns received more than EUR 800 per month, up from 9% in 2025. The priorities when choosing an internship are learning and training opportunities (55%), the possibility of employment (48%) and the amount of expense reimbursement (47%).

Half of the young graduates have turned down at least one internship and, among those who did, the main reason (36%) was that their expenses were too low.

The survey highlights a widespread perception: 70% of young people believe that talent is not adequately recognised in Italia.

In particular, companies do not seem to be able to guarantee the three main factors that new graduates consider to enhance talent, namely: adequate financial recognition (56%), opportunities for professional growth (53%), work-life balance, flexibility and smart working (48%).

It should be noted that growth opportunities are especially important for women (63%), a sign of the greater difficulty still being felt in career paths.

If salary has also become an important factor in the choice of an internship, it is easy to expect that it will be even more so in the choice between Italy and abroad to work: and indeed 62% of young people indicate salary as the main factor in staying in Italia.

This is followed by the possibility of employment (40%) and learning and training opportunities (35%). Those who have already done an internship also attach particular importance to flexible working hours (32%) and smart working (27%).

In the perception of the young people, the internship remains a useful experience above all for training purposes: half of the young people (50%) who have done it say they have acquired interpersonal and team-working skills, and the same percentage also recognise that they have gained technical skills.

Despite this, minority shares of interns, one in four, have expectations about the possibility of the internship turning into a job. There is more optimism among those with a scientific degree who have done a paid internship.

In order to overcome the criticalities that emerged from the research, ING Italia chose to take concrete action to enhance talent, help make the Italian market more attractive and encourage a 'return of brains'.

In practice, on the economic recognition front, the bank in 2025 raised the expense reimbursement for internships to EUR 1,500 net per month, coupled with a welfare package that includes EUR 7 meal vouchers for each day worked (also in smart working) and access to wellbeing programmes.

For flexibility and work-life balance, ING adopts a smart working model that provides 4 days a month in the office, with additional flexibility in July and August or for those with special personal or health needs. On growth opportunities, the bank promotes structured paths for new graduates such as the International Talent Programme and other initiatives dedicated to professional development.