Building Effective Technology Internships

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session 8
  In Roundtable Session: "Learning by Doing": Research on Work-Based Learning in Advanced Technology Fields

Abstract

The focus of our research is on the structure of, participation in, and outcomes of credit bearing community college technology internships. We also explore impacts of these internships for broadening participation in technology education and careers. To conduct our research, we collected and analyzed data from two sources: two case study Florida community colleges and analysis of ten years of Florida Education State Data.

Key findings from students show that:
- When effectively structured technology internships have the potential to serve as an “bridge-to-employment” and broaden participation in technology for underrepresented groups.
- Most importantly, internships provide students with work experience, hands-on/real world learning opportunities, self-efficacy towards career goals, and clearer understanding of technology career pathways.
- The most challenging parts of the internship process for students were finding internships to apply for; the application process; the development and assessment of learning goals; lack of pay; scheduling and transportation obstacles; lack of effective employer supervision/mentorship.
- Due to negative stereotypes and marginalization in technology careers, women and students of color need more targeted support from colleges and employers to fully participate in internships and reap the benefits.

Key findings from employers show that:
- Employers offer technology internships to create a talent pipeline into middle-skill technology jobs. CC’s in their regions are a main source of technology interns.
- Employer challenges with internships included difficulty setting up an internship for the first time, preparing job postings to find students with the right skills, structuring internships to meet college requirements.
- Employers also had difficulty understanding students’ level of technology and professional skills, structuring an appropriate level of challenge in the job, short-time frame.
- Most employers lacked a DEI framework for and knowledge of how to support students who are underrepresented in technology.
- Employers lacked internship supervision and mentorship skills.

Key findings from community colleges show that:
- CCs are the necessary “hub” that brings students and employers together for effective internships with equitable access.
- CC’s provide the necessary scaffolding to bring together and support students and employers in the process.
- Without sufficient CC support, structure, staffing and resources, effective technology internships are less viable and effective.
- Only those students who face the least barriers to degree completion and employment will have access. Because of this, elective internships may inadvertently contribute to inequality.
- When the internship is offered as an elective, there may not be enough college support and resources in place to make them feasible for most students.

Author

• Lois Joy, Jobs for the Future