“Internship makes the department a more desirable option”: Experience in the internship program at the University of Iceland School of Business

• Main Authors: Óladóttir, Ásta Dís, Theodórsdóttir, Eydís Anna
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: Icelandic
• Published: Menntavísindasvið Háskóla Íslands 2023
• Subjects: education; internship; networking; knowledge; School of business; skills; færni; menntun; starfsþjálfun; tengslanet; Viðskiptafræðideild; þekking; Iceland
• Online Access: https://ojs.hi.is/index.php/netla/article/view/3658

Studies from abroad show that it can be a great benefit for students to go through an internship program in the field they are studying for. Students acquire more skills and are more likely to get the job they want after graduation than others, that’s why internship gives students an advantage on the labour market (Di Stasio, 2017; Galloway et al., 2014; Maertz et al., 2014; Masevi?i?t? et al., 2018; Silva et al., 2018). Mgaya and Mbekomize (2014) point out that the benefit for executives and companies consists of a stronger relationship with the university community and that the internship program results in a better image of the companies. Companies also ensure that they fulfil their corporate social responsibility when they hire interns. There is very little research when it comes to internship in Iceland, however the University of Iceland Business School began preparations for an internship program in 2018. Since then, close to a hundred students have completed the internship program at over forty companies, institutions, ministries and non-governmental organizations. The aim of this study is to explore whether internships and work placements facilitate further opportunities for students in the job market, after graduation. Qualitative research methods were used in the study to deepen the understanding of internships and how they can affect opportunities post-graduation. The study outcome is based on sixteen interviews with four undergraduate students and four masters’s students, and then eight interviews with executives that all have experience of internships from the University of Iceland Business School.The outcome implied that both students and executives find that most internships provide valuable experience that can be used in the employment market. Lack of experience proved to be the main motivation for students to undertake an internship. Students felt that an internship on their CV would increase their probability of being employed, despite the absence of some particular experience that may be ...