The Alignment Between Internship, College Major, and Career Plan: Differential Experiences Across Gender, Race, and Major Groups

• In Event: Understanding Career Decisions and Postsecondary Trajectories

Abstract

Utilizing data from the College Internship Study, this study investigates the alignment between student internship experiences, academic training in major programs, and career plans. Findings indicate variations in the internship-major alignment and internship-career alignment across gender, race, and major programs as well as their intersections. Additionally, internship-major alignment and internship-career alignment were found to be positively associated with overall internship satisfaction. Findings provide preliminary insights into the internship-major-career alignment and its implications for students’ internship experiences, informing potential strategies for diversifying the workforce and enhancing school-to-work transitions. This study also proposes a tripartite alignment framework for future internship studies.

Authors

• Carla Z. Glave, University of Wisconsin - Madison

• Ran Liu, University of Wisconsin - Madison