Abstract
Internships are one mechanism industry and educational institutions combine efforts to assist young adults in preparing for professional careers. To ensure internships served their intended purpose, student’s perceived value of their internship experience was evaluated; employers evaluated the interns as well. University of Nebraska-Lincoln Animal Science undergraduate majors are highly encouraged but not required to complete an internship. Between 2007 and 2012, 18 students enrolled in an equine related internship. The type of equine operation ranged from horse training (n=7), equine focused veterinary clinics (n=6) and equine extension (n=5). Most students strongly agreed the learning plan and journal were beneficial and provided a structured, detailed, planned internship with specific goals and expectations. In a post-internship survey, students ranked highest: they learned new information (4.68 + 0.67), it was a beneficial experience (4.57 + 0.77) and new techniques/methods were learned (4.53 + 1.08). Also, they strongly agreed the experience provided them the opportunity to explore a potential career (4.61 + 0.70) and they had increased first-hand knowledge of careers available in their area of interest (4.11 + 1.13). Finally, supervisors rated all students very high on all competencies related to workplace abilities, interpersonal skills and professional conduct.
 15 Anderson_Sept2015 NACTA Journal-9.pdf | [ ] | 649 kB |
