Chatham Students are Leaving a Lasting Impression in Their Internship Sites
Data analysis and report by: Mercy Nyoni | Editor: Hannah Su Hepler, Director for Career Development
After an internship's completion, supervisors at the internship site and students receive a final assessment survey. This survey report examines the site supervisor's answers to two specific questions. The first question is whether the organization would consider hiring another Chatham student, and the second question is whether they have any feedback or suggestions regarding the quality of Chatham's Internship Program. In addition, the report also looks into the responses of the students regarding what they gained from the internship.
The survey results indicate that 93% of the respondents are open to hosting another university intern from Chatham in the future. Only five respondents declined to host another intern, with one citing their proximity to retirement and another mentioning the need for better communication and involvement from Chatham.
These results are encouraging for Chatham's Internship Program, as they suggest host organizations have had positive experiences with the interns and the program. This willingness to continue participating in the program is a strong endorsement of Chatham's ability to provide high-quality internship opportunities to its students, which can further enhance its reputation and relationships with industry partners.
Direct Quotes:
Hardworking and academically prepared
I feel this program was done exceptionally well. Communication was always there and there is no guessing involved.
Out of the total 69 site supervisors, 51 responded to the question requesting their comments/suggestions regarding the quality of Chatham's Internship Program. The feedback was positive, with interns being well-regarded and the program being positive, with interns being well-regarded and the program being described as well-structured. However, there is scope for improvement in communication, transparency, and involvement from Chatham faculty during the internship process.
Positive Feedback:
Many respondents praised the program as "great", "well-organized", "smooth", and "well-supported by the institution".
Some noted that the interns were well-prepared, hardworking, and valuable assets to their organizations.
The program's structure and requirements were appreciated for helping students successfully complete their internships.
The flexibility offered to students in terms of working in-person, remotely, or hybrid was seen as beneficial.
Respondents expressed a desire to host interns every semester or continue the partnership with Chatham.
Direct Quotes:
I feel that this program is beneficial and will help students gain real life experiences and develop a good work ethic.
This has been a wonderful experience working with Chatham's Internship Program and would continue accepting students from Chatham.
We've benefited greatly from every Chatham intern we've hired. I've noticed that our Chatham students tend to stay in the academy or continue their work with children long after their internship is over and even after they have graduated. I'm very grateful to our interns for really making our after school program great!
This report has a primary focus on whether students have received a job offer or an internship offer in the future. This is because the university aims to gain insights into the effectiveness of their career development initiatives. Additionally, it helps identify areas for improvement in the career development services. Finally, it can help Chatham University evaluate the overall success of its graduates.
Check all of the following that you received as a direct result of your internship.
This question had the following options;
A job offer with the same employer
A future internship offer with the same employer
Friendships or mentoring relationships
Professional contacts in your career field of interest
Letters of recommendation
Other
48% of Chatham University's students have received either a job offer, or a future internship offer, which is a positive indicator that the university is producing graduates who are competitive in the job market and possess the necessary knowledge and skills to succeed in their chosen careers.
With an overwhelming 93% of site supervisors expressing a willingness to host another Chatham student intern, it's evident that students are leaving a lasting impression in their respective workplaces. The feedback underscores their hardworking nature and academic preparedness, with numerous supervisors praising the program's organization and support. Moreover, the significant proportion of students receiving job or internship offers post-internship reflects the program's efficacy in bridging academia with industry demands.