Abstract
Internships have traditionally been seen as a valuable way for university students to get preliminary job knowledge and experience, increasing their employability in a competitive labor market. The purpose of this study was to ascertain the internship program and its perceived effect on the employability readiness of selected graduating University students. Three individual factors (academic preparedness, positive attitude, and self-initiative) and four organizational factors (challenging job, effective supervision, task clarity, and compensation) were identified as critical ingredients of a practical internship based on a literature review. To investigate this further, a quantitative study involving 88 student interns was conducted. The results showed that the internship was generally assessed as highly effective and has positive effects on the employability skills development and the attitude towards future career. The results of the study proved that the academic internship programs and internship placement access are both necessary structural elements of successful internship programs that result in positive experiences for students and employers. The results of this study can be an input to the University and partner organizations.
Highlights
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Memorandum Order 2017-104, Article III, defines internship as the practical application of classroom learning to the actual in a regular work environment
In terms of the employability skills, the highest rated was problem solving with 4.74 weighted mean
Recent research by Chhinzer and Russo (2018) on the talents required by hiring businesses demonstrate that "generic skills, general mental capacity, subject-specific knowledge, willingness to work, and attitudes and while some studies emphasize the value of soft skills over academic credentials, e.g. academic repute, other research emphasize the relevance of soft skills over academic credentials (Finch et al, 2013). This descriptive study evaluated the effects of internship program to the employability readiness of the 88 intern students at a public university in San Pablo City in the Philippines
Summary
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Memorandum Order 2017-104, Article III, defines internship as the practical application of classroom learning to the actual in a regular work environment. A college internship is a sort of experiential learning outside the classroom that serves as on-the-job training for various professions. These are typically temporary occupations that may be compensated or uncompensated, with or without college credit. While internships are typically reserved for college seniors as a capstone educational experience with an organization related to their major field of study, some students begin as early as their freshman or sophomore year to explore and determine their interest in a particular career, earn college credit, and connect with potential employers for paid permanent employment (Capek, Klein, & Gassman, 2017; Cates-McIver, 1998; Getzel, Briel, & Kregel, 2000; Giles & Ryan, 2002). Over the last several decades, the critical nature of internships in finding full-time employment following graduation has become a reality and more of a requirement than an opportunity (Baert, et al, 2021; Haire & Oloffson, 2009)
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