Internships and Work-Based Learning: Strategies for Enhancing Key Relationships

Internships and other work-based learning experiences provide significant learning and professional development opportunities for students at both high school and college levels. Work-based learning has been shown to have positive effects on retention and graduation rates as well as career development and motivation (Davis & Snyder, 2009). Employers report valuing internship experiences highly when filling entry-level positions, and surveys indicate that students find internships to be valuable and satisfying experiences (Brooks & Simpson, 2014).