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Introduction
The practice of gaining supervised practical experience is nothing new. In fact, it's ancient: references are found to apprenticeships thousands of years ago. Known as internships today, it is a rite of passage for students in recent years. As common as internships were a generation ago, these days have seen an explosion among students and employers alike in the popularity and perceived importance of internship programs. Currently, three out of four students complete internships before graduation; up from one in 36 in 1980. Moreover, internships are a real differentiator, a symbol of maturity and competence. Students who have had meaningful, substantive work assignments without standing companies are at a very significant advantage (Volpi, 1998).
The purpose of the internship is to provide a planned transition from the classroom to the job, and internships are a natural bridge between college and the work world. Students, educational institutions, and businesses believe that internships complement the student's academic work (Farinelli & Mann, 1994). Exposure to real-world problems and issues that are usually not as well defined or assessed as those normally contained in textbooks is a valuable, out-of-the-classroom learning opportunity. Internships also offer businesses an opportunity to recruit future employees who have proven themselves as interns. This paper describes the role and benefits of internships and reports the results of a national survey of the use of internships in schools that are members of the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).
Why Internships?
Students, employers, and schools all benefit from the internship experience. Perhaps the term "synergy" best describes the mutual benefit that the sponsors and the intern bring to one another. The program is designed to provide mutual benefits to all parties (Piskurich, 1997).
In these uneven economic times, internships are becoming increasingly valuable to students and employers. Internship programs can reinforce technical competencies, improve analytical skills, and, most important, foster an awareness of the constant need for adaptability and creativity in a changing world. The right internship can be the key to a great job, because it gives the student a chance to take on real responsibilities while working side-by-side with seasoned professionals.
Competition is fierce for internships. Despite the competition and regardless of whether the internship ignites interest, internships are a crucial...