Theoretical Framework

This part of the study presents the significant theoretical framework to be used in
understanding and analyzing the research topic.

According to Wisconsin-Stout University (2008), an Internship is defined as an advanced

experience before entering or starting any professional career. Internship helps Students to
understand a lot of issues related to their studies providing them with needed experience. It is
considered to be supervised work experience where supervisors do their job with students.

It is conducted through two parties (instructor and student), and the main goal is to provide
real-life or on-the-job experiences for the students, to develop their skills through instructors
according to Deuster (2009).

In the words of Phoebe (2010), Internships is an on-the-job training that sees students gain
practical knowledge and experience in their field.

Internships provide invaluable experience and can change students’ lives. Interning can
increase students’ maturity levels and can improve their self-confidence and self concepts
(Merritt, 2008; Saltikoff, 2017).

Crumbley & Sumners (1998), linked internship to personal aspects indicating that it can develop
personal aspects of students, undergoing internship training is valuable for students, it helps
them to apply their skills in the practical field, it teaches them how to be productive and
recognize their strengths, avoid their weakness and give them the belief in making difference.

According to Cavanaugh, Internships can improve the cooperation between students and
employers involved in work as well as healthy communication among the organization, it also
has a social impact as it connect students to the community effectively, and develops their
relations with experts and regular employers.

Cavanaugh briefed that Internships get students more engaged so they can take a leading role
in their education. Internships provide a way to raise academic achievement for some students.

They are an effective means to get students interested in school and to make learning matter.
Internships play a positive role in keeping students in school, preventing them from dropping
out, while another supposed advantage of internships is creating a set of realistic expectations
for work in the business world, said to Stiles, International Journal of Sciences: Basic and
Applied Research (IJSBAR) (2020)

In the civic variable, Gallini & Moely indicated that Participating in internships increases the
students’ belief that they could make a difference, have an interest in future volunteer service,
have plans to become involved in helping careers, and have a greater ability to get along with
people of different backgrounds, Kuzma, & Elliott (1995).

The conceptual framework for experiential learning has its origins in Medieval Europe
(Hindman, 2009). During that time, vocational training primarily took the form of
apprenticeships, which typically lasted from five to seven years. These apprenticeships served
as a pathway for individuals to gain entry into trade guilds, and associations of experts in
specific fields of work. Although apprenticeships and "journeyman" programs still exist in
various fields, modern college students now have the opportunity to engage in internships or
cooperative education programs as part of their academic curriculum.

In 2009, Spradlin noted that during the late 1970s and '80s, an increasing number of college
faculty members started establishing internship programs after learning about their benefits
from colleagues at other institutions. Universities played a leading role in making internships
more attractive and valuable to students by offering course credits for internship experiences.
Academic advisors began promoting internships as a means to gain a competitive edge in the
job market. Colleges and major universities expanded on this idea by allowing students to earn
college credit while exploring potential career paths.

Initially, early university internship programs were predominantly established in fields like
business and medicine. However, with growing interest in this educational model, most
universities later introduced internship programs in various disciplines, including psychology
and social work. These early programs offered students the opportunity to test out potential
future careers without committing to full-time employment (Spradlin, 2009).