Virtual Screen, Office Scene, or Something In Between: The Impact of Internship Modality

This study examines how different internship approaches influence students' professional skill development and readiness for the workplace. Moving the focus from employer-based assessments to interns’ personal experiences, the research fills a gap in existing literature by investigating how contextual factors influence internship outcomes. Using semi-structured interviews with nine participants, and analyzed following Braun and Clark’s thematic research guidelines, the study finds that interns excel when assigned meaningful tasks, given autonomy, and supported by active mentorship without micromanagement. Regular short feedback sessions are also crucial for maintaining engagement and progress. Interns prefer hybrid setups that accommodate academic schedules while maintaining face-to-face interactions, especially for learning complex skills and establishing professional relationships. They emphasized that taking on significant responsibilities, rather than just ad hoc tasks, fosters growth. Interacting with fellow interns also improves their understanding of company culture and self-awareness, as personal connections build trust and enrich learning. These findings provide practical guidance for employers to design internship programs that foster adaptability, clear communication, and experiential learning in a post-pandemic work environment.