A Win-Win Dual Internship Model for Turning Graduates Employable

Abstract:

There seems to be a growing concern about the

skill set needed in university graduates which is a

factor inhibiting numerous students from acquiring

proper employment. This has drawn the attention of

employers and universities to work hand in hand to

provide real time work exposure to students in

developing the required skill set by way of

internship. While most universities still follow the

traditional method of offering single internship,

Botho College, Botswana has gone an extra mile in

introducing dual Internship for its students. This

enables students to identify their lacking skills from

their first internship experience and develop them

through customized support sessions offered by the

tutors. This is believed to prepare them for the

second internship. Some employers also found

that the interns on second internship were of better

quality due to the impact of first internship and

support sessions empowering them with the

necessary employability skills. Most students also

found this to help them in identifying an area

for final year project and focus in developing the

skills required to accomplish the project work and

towards future job. It also enabled them to make

future decision in terms of their career prospects

and higher education. This article discusses on the

impact of dual internship on academic performance

and employability factor in University graduates.

Authors believe from the lessons learnt that dual

internship promotes both the employability and

technical skills in students transforming them as

well rounded graduates for immediate job market

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