Joanne,
Thank you for sharing this. One never knows how the skills learned in the classroom and on the job will contribute to future success!
Dr. James Willis III
As future interior designers, there are many career paths or specialties that each of my students might choose. The internship experience, when carefully selected, can help direct the student. They get a chance to experience a particular aspect of design and may find they like or dislike the experience. Either way, it helps them to clarify their individual strengths and passions as they move forward into the "real world".
Student who become involve in internship have a greater understanding of their soon to be profession. This will allow them to excel faster when employed and can potentially enhance their chances of moving up the career ladder quickly because they are so familiar with the job task.
I manage a Massage Therapy training program. Internship/Clinical experience is vital to the development of professionals in the field. The exposure to the general public and the variety of issues that come through our clinic door, provides the essential soft skills (that so many students are weak in) and opportunity to apply the theory taught in the classroom. The Internship portion of their education is where the refinement happens. The students are always under supervision and can come to us and ask, but it also promotes critical thinking and makes the learning more dimensional. Some of the challenges that arise are the best teachable moments of their entire education.
Ellie,
This is very well stated! You are very right that the challenges of the actual practice (as opposed to theory in a classroom) are often the most "teachable moments." Great point!
Dr. James Willis III
Internships impact students by allowing them to develop communication skills or soft skill with potential employers which allow them to develop into leaders in organizations or develop interpersonal skill to be successful in the work place.
Internships allow students to apply practical skills & academic knowledge simultaneously while giving them the opportunities to build workplace social & human relations skills. It also gives the student a glimpse into the real life work settings, daily work problems/issues (and problem solving), negotiations, and professionalism.
I feel the sooner a student gets exposure to the real career word, they will understand and remember why they made the educational choice that they did. If it happens early in the process it can also allow them to see if the choice they made is the correct one before years of commitment and money, maybe the career is more hands on than they imagined or less than they hoped.
Simply having the knowledge required to perform the necessary tasks is not enough to allow a new employee to adjust to a sometimes confusing and hostile environment. An internship can open eyes to the reality of a career making the shock a little less drastic.
Clinical performance on site is a valuable tool to gauge how well the student will perform in the workpalce in the future. I always assess their motivation to learn, attendance and attitude towards patients as potential clients. Those with great motivation to learn always ends up finding a job sometimes on area of clinical practice.
