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World of Work-University linkages: What are the benefits of internships?
 From the 15th of July until the 15th of August, the POHE students of HCMC Nong Lam University executed their first year ‘orientation’ internship. In total 293 students spent one month in an organization from the public and/ or private sector to deepen their knowledge and skills of the field. Some students were indeed so enthusiastic about their fist internship hat they chose themselves to extend their internship for one extra week. This is the case of Ms. Thanh who carried out her internship at the Regional Plant Quarantine Sub-Department in Ho-Chi-Minh City. More internship will be implemented throughout the 4 years study program, their duration and degree of complexity will evolve along with the curricula. What are the internship’s benefits for the Student? One of the most valuable student’s benefits of participating in an internship program is the experience gained in their chosen industry before graduating. Also, based on feedback of their mentor/supervisor, the intern can identify their weaknesses and work on improving them. Furthermore, internships provide them an opportunity to develop new skills, to be more confident, expand their professional network and strengthen their resumes.  What are the internship’s benefits for the Organization? Student internships also benefit the organization as interns can provide extra short-term assistance and a current and youthful viewpoint. In addition to producing actual work, interns act as a pool of full-time candidates whose potential have already been evaluated in a real workplace scenario. Subsequently, internship programs are a good Human Resource tool for organizations, to lure and train new talents. This is especially relevant in the Vietnamese context, where ‘skills mismatches’ or gap between fresh graduates’ level and companies’ expectation is huge. (*) Also, students who have a good experience are more likely to recommend the organization’s program to their classmates, bringing in more interns and potential future employees to the organization. 
Maximizing the benefits However, in order to maximize the benefits of an internship program, both the university and the receiving organization need to be well prepared. It includes being clear on the expectations, connecting interns to a mentor who will give regular feedback, conduct a final evaluation once the internship is completed. Most importantly, the organization needs to be prepared to assign meaningful and challenging projects to the intern. 
(*)Article dated 29/07/08, “EU backs labour skills project”, Vietnam News Agency |
