The (dis)connected intern: career preparation in a remote landscape

Daria Luchinskaya*, Charikleia Tzanakou, Luca Cattani, Giulio Pedrini, Vincenzo Fasone, Dorel Manitiu, Wil Hunt, Dora Scholarios

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaperpeer-review

Abstract

Students and graduates increasingly use internships as a way of developing their employability, however, the increased incidence of remote and hybrid work has drawbacks, as well as benefits, for interns. This paper explores interns’ experiences of doing remote and hybrid internships, focusing on how it helped their career thinking, using data from over 60 interviews with interns, employers and stakeholders in Italy and the UK. Building on insights from boundary theory and organisational socialisation, we explore the different kinds of virtual internship activities students do, and how interns can develop their career preparation in a remote context. Our findings suggest that there are different kinds of virtual internships, each with their own challenges, that can, however, be mitigated with appropriate interventions. Our research underscores the effectiveness of well-designed remote and hybrid internships, emphasizing the need to mitigate anticipated challenges and provide adequate support for a positive intern and employer experience.
Original languageEnglish
Publication statusPublished - 6 Dec 2024
EventHigher Education: A Place for Activism and Resistance?: SRHE International Conference 2024 - East Midlands Conference Centre, Nottingham, United Kingdom
Duration: 4 Dec 20246 Dec 2024
https://srhe.ac.uk/srhe-international-conference-2024-cfp/

Conference

ConferenceHigher Education: A Place for Activism and Resistance?
Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
CityNottingham
Period4/12/246/12/24
Internet address

Keywords

  • internships
  • employability
  • remote work
  • hybrid working
  • virtual internships

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