Outside of programming, many companies won't take people without the completed degree. Many people just don't work during college, and many who do, don't work in a field at all related to what they want to do. I was able to get jobs and internships that helped me gain valuable experience and lead to more job opportunities, but few students are willing to look for and hustle into opportunities outside a few job listings. The best, most valuable experiences I gained were simply by asking for a job that wasn't there yet.

Also, I was mandated to do an internship that related to my major (paid or unpaid) for at least one semester, so I presume some other people are in the same boat.