A Win-Win Dual Internship Model for Turning Graduates Employable

Abstract

There seems to be a growing concern about the skill set needed in university graduates which is a factor inhibiting numerous students from acquiring proper employment. This has drawn the attention of employers and universities to work hand in hand to provide real time work exposure to students in developing the required skill set by way of internship. While most universities still follow the traditional method of offering single internship, Botho College, Botswana has gone an extra mile in introducing dual Internship for its students. This enables students to identify their lacking skills from their first internship experience and develop them through customized support sessions offered by the tutors. This is believed to prepare them for the second internship. Some employers also found that the interns on second internship were of better quality due to the impact of first internship and support sessions empowering them with the necessary employability skills. Most students also found this to help them in identifying an area for final year project and focus in developing the skills required to accomplish the project work and towards future job. It also enabled them to make future decision in terms of their career prospects and higher education. This article discusses on the impact of dual internship on academic performance and employability factor in University graduates. Authors believe from the lessons learnt that dual internship promotes both the employability and technical skills in students transforming them as well rounded graduates for immediate job market.