Degree

BS (Social Sciences & Liberal Arts)

Faculty / School

School of Economics and Social Sciences (SESS)

Department

Department of Social Sciences & Liberal Arts

Date of Award

Spring 2025

Date of Submission

2025-07-23

Advisor

Dr. Saima Saif

Committee

Dr. Tehzeeb Sakina Amir

Project Type

SSLA Culminating Experience

Access Type

Restricted Access

Keywords

Internship, Experiential Learning Theory, Social Cognitive Career theory, Departmental decision.

Abstract

Abstract

The study investigates the shift in students’ interests and attitudes towards pursuing careers in specific departments before and after completing internships, with a particular focus on collectivist contexts. Grounded in David Kolb’s Experiential Learning Theory and Albert Bandura’s Social Cognitive Career theory, the research employs mixed method design comprising quantitative surveys (n=175) and quantitative in-depth interviews (n=10). Findings reveal that interns whose departmental placements aligned with their initial interests were most likely to sustain those preferences post internship, while misaligned placements often prompted reconsideration. Key influencing factors include self-efficacy, outcome expectations, and personal goals, alongside cultural and gender norms. The study underscores significance of psychological and contextual elements in shaping students’ departmental pathways and highlights how internship structures can either reinforce or disrupt professional careers. These insights offer practical implications for employers seeking to refine internship programs and for students aiming to optimize experiential learning. By contextualizing departmental decisions within a collectivist framework, the study contributes to evolving discourse on career development and organizational engagement in culturally nuanced settings.

Pages

65

Download

The full text of this document is only accessible to authorized users.

Share

COinS