Unpaid Versus Paid Internships: Group Membership Makes the Difference

• In Event: 61.069 - MTCC Roundtable Session 24
  In Roundtable Session: 61.069-7 - The Effectiveness of Career and Technical Education Programs

Abstract

For students pursuing internships, receiving either course credit or pay can be important aspects of their experience; however, little is known regarding demographic representation within these aspects. In the current study, data from 2,408 seniors participating in the National Survey of Student Engagement were analyzed using logistic regression to measure the relationships between gender, race and ethnicity, first-generation and transfer status and these two aspects. In addition, structural equation modeling was employed to measure mediation effects for primary reasons to participate in the internship for first-generation and transfer students on these two aspects. Results from these analyses show consistent gender discrepancy for receiving payment for an internship; meanwhile reasons of pursuing an internship were significant mediators for underserved student populations.

Authors

• John Zilvinskis, Binghamton University - SUNY

• Jennifer Gillis Mattson, Binghamton University - SUNY

• Kelli K Smith, Binghamton University