Title: Determinants of internship satisfaction in management education students

Authors: Deepika Dabke

Addresses: IBS Business School, Hiranandani Knowledge Park, Opp. Hiranandani Hospital, Off. Technology Street, Hiranandani Gardens, Powai, Mumbai 400076, Maharashtra, India

Abstract: The objective of the current study was to identify factors that contribute to satisfaction of students with the internship experience during their management education course. Data was collected using a 30 item questionnaire from 181 first year management students undertaking an internship program. Results indicated that there was a significant positive correlation between overall satisfaction with internship experience and helpfulness of management studies (r = .32, p < .01), industry mentor support (r = .74, p < .01), faculty support (r = .38, p < .01), learning during internship (r = .57, p < .01) and project utility likelihood (r = .30, p < .01). Multiple regressions analysis results led to emergence of industry mentor support (Adj R² = .54), faculty support (Adj R² = .58), learning during internship (Adj R² = .60) and specialisation (Adj R² = .61) as positive predictors of internship satisfaction. Results are discussed in the light of implications and directions for designing of internship programs for best returns for all stakeholders.

Keywords: faculty support; industry mentors; internship satisfaction; learning; project selection; specialisation; summer internships; student placement; management education; student satisfaction; higher education; management studies; mentoring.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMIE.2015.072093

International Journal of Management in Education, 2015 Vol.9 No.4, pp.379 - 395

Published online: 30 Sep 2015 *

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