The students were vying for internships with Dunedin businesses at Enterprise Dunedin's Sexy Summer Jobs speed dating event at the Otago Polytechnic's Hub.
Enterprise Dunedin business development adviser Chanel O'Brien said she was pleased with the turnout.
About 20 businesses were represented at the event where students were provided seven minute, one on one sit downs with business leaders.
''It's driven by business need,'' Ms O'Brien said.
''The idea behind it is to see what the needs are in the business community.''
Enterprise Dunedin's Sexy Summer Jobs programme offered 48 paid internships to students in the city.
''Since 2008 we've been linking businesses to students,'' she said.
''The majority of businesses involved are start ups or early growth stage companies where capital and talent are critical to growth.
''The city's investment in the programme allows these businesses to take the chance to employ a talented person in a cost effective, low risk way, resulting in the retention of skilled people and business needs being met.''
The programme allowed the city to retain the talent the University of Otago and Otago Polytechnic produced and created jobs in Dunedin, she said.
The event had grown since launching in 2008.
Several of those who landed internships last year were offered positions as a result, she said.
