According to the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AACU) there are several High Impact Practices (HIP) that have been proven to enhance students’ experience – https://www.aacu.org/trending-topics/high-impact.
At Commonwealth University, Internships have proven invaluable to our students learning. Students who participate in internships are twice as likely to have a job offer in their chosen field at the time of graduation. Beyond better career launch/employability prospects, internships provide benefits are incredibly valuable. Among these are:
Practical Experience: Internships provide hands-on experience in a real-world work environment. While classroom learning is essential for building foundational knowledge, internships allow students to apply course work material to actual tasks, problems, and projects in their field of study.
Personal and Professional Growth: Internships help students develop a wide range of transferable skills that are highly valued by employers. These include:
- Technical Skills: Depending on the field, students can gain experience with specific tools, software, or equipment used in their industry.
- Soft Skills: Interns can improve communication, teamwork, time management, problem-solving, and adaptability—skills that are important in any professional setting.
- Workplace Etiquette: Internships help students learn the ins and outs of professional environments.
- Developing professionalism: Internships help students develop professional etiquette, workplace ethics, and time management skills.
- Building confidence: Successfully completing an internship can boost a student’s confidence in their abilities and prepare them for future challenges.
Conclusion
Internships are a pivotal part of an undergraduate student’s education, offering invaluable opportunities for personal and professional growth. By providing real-world experience, skill development, and networking opportunities, internships help students transition from the academic world to the professional world.