I already did shadowing and placements at 16, while doing A levels.... while doing a 32 hour job.... at the time I most definitely had the right attitude....
The problem? Flash foward to 24, I'm too qualified for half the jobs I apply for, I've already been directly asked 5 times now why the hell I'm applying for the job as I'm overqualified. Sadly saying *because no-one else will give me an interview* is pretty much a way not to get a job.
Then the other half of jobs I apply for, despite work experience, because I haven't actually worked directly in those sectors, departments or environments as they see it, other older individuals are getting the jobs. This is despite them being entry level positions. So basically half the time I'm over qualified and the other half of the time my experience isn't specific enough.
I had one interview that stays in my mind, despite the agency saying the company would prefer someone who hadn't worked in purchasing (so they could mold them as it was an incredibly niche sector) I really needed to stress how my work experience in the past could apply. I ended the interview their favourite candidate so far, being told even by the agency that the company had pretty much stated they wanted me, seeing they didn't want someone who had already worked in that area. However despite me stating all my experience and how it was pretty much the same I remember the interviewer saying how good my interview was despite having never 'worked in the real world before'.... I'd been working full time for 3 years and part time the previous 6, even the co-interviewer gave him a funny look..... I lost the job to someone with 10 years experience, despite them bombing the interview purely based on the fact he had previous experience.... this was for an entry level 15k purchasing position....
A story repeated multiple times by my agency rep (who has been great tbh), friends and in other interviews. Internships specifically are incredibly niche and the vast, vast majority of student won't get on them, mostly due to the fact there are a ton more students than internships out there. I don't really even have a problem with this seeing it's more a supply and demand issue. What I do have a problem with is entry level jobs that realistically most student don't have a chance of getting straight out of uni because employers can be picky because of the amount of people out there who are stuck in part time work, all competing for the same full time jobs.
*Addition* to the first part... I presume you've never been rejected from work experience.... for not having enough experience?