Internships: An Established Mechanism for Increasing Employability

Abstract

In their lead article, Hogan, Chamorro-Premuzic, and Kaiser (2013) suggested that the topic of employability has been below the radar of most, if not all, industrial–organizational (I–O) psychologists' research activities. Although we agree that research addressing employability is scarce in the mainstream I–O journals, we argue that I–O psychologists involved in the training of future I–O psychologists have addressed the employability of their graduates as a sustainability factor for I–O graduate programs (Munson, Phillips, Clark, & Mueller-Hanson, 2004). In addition, those who teach undergraduates, including undergraduates with an interest in the I–O area, also establish internships to enhance the employability of their graduates (e.g., Bott, Stuhlmacher, & Powaser, 2006; Carducci et al., 1987).

Developing generic skills for students via extra-curricular activities in Vietnamese universities: Practices and influential factors

“…They can be categorised into the domain of extra-curricular activities in a sense that students can look for an unpaid position which may be relevant or irrelevant to their major to gain more work skills, experiences and connections with professionals (Barrie et al, 2009). Internships have been reported to help students develop a variety of GS, consolidate their specialised knowledge and skills and increase their employment opportunities (Shoenfelt, Stone, & Kottke, 2013;Tse, 2010). However, except for work placement organised by universities, there are not enough internship opportunities, as extra-curricular activities, available for all students to participate (Barrie et al, 2009); thus, they must compete for such precious opportunities.…”

‘Because Sometimes Your Failures Can Also Teach You Certain Skills’: Lecturer and Student Perceptions of Employability Skills at a Transnational University

“…The internship experiences of students appear to confirm notions that internships are an effective way of developing employability (Shoenfelt, Stone, & Kottke, 2013). As well as trying to improve their future employment prospects through gaining valuable work experience, students expressed how engaging in extracurricular activities (specifically those organised through the university) could enhance their employability skills.…”

Full Issue 6(3)

“…The subject knowledge was applicable when you were faced with practice. Usual theories may not work in real practice, even if your subject knowledge is not very deep you can learn a lot from working.The internship experiences of students appear to confirm notions that internships are an effective way of developing employability (Shoenfelt, Stone, & Kottke, 2013). As well as trying to improve their future employment prospects through gaining valuable work experience, students expressed how engaging in extracurricular activities (specifically those organised through the university) could enhance their employability skills.…”