Student Perceptions Of The Value Of Internships In Business Education

Abstract

Internships are an increasingly popular element of higher education in business and provide many potential benefits to students.  An internship experience can help students make the connection between their academic studies and the world of business.  They can also create valuable connections and networking opportunities to improve the employment and career prospects for students.  This study analyzes the internships of 114 undergraduate and graduate students to determine what factors account for the most valuable internship experience.  The results show a strong statistical correlation between the perceived value of the internship and the student’s demographic profile, the structure of the internship, and the connection to the students’ career plans.  These findings provide a basis for designing successful internship programs in business education.