The Impact of the Student Internship Program on the Skill Development of PUP BS Economics Students: A Basis for Curriculum Improvement from the Perspective of the Students

Abstract

This study evaluates the impact of internships on skill development and curriculum alignment within the Bachelor of Science in Economics program at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines from the perspective of the student interns. Using a quantitative design, 125 student-interns who completed the Summer 2023–2024 internship course were surveyed with a validated questionnaire covering industry readiness, skills application, course relevance, and perceptions of curriculum improvements. Descriptive statistics revealed that most interns (83.2%) experienced purely onsite placements, received orientation on the organizational mission (96.8%) and structure (95.2%), and achieved clear learning outcomes (88.8%). Supervisory support was universal, with 91.2% reporting regular performance evaluations. Interns rated their industry readiness highly (mean = 4.15/5), especially in ethics, teamwork, and adaptability, while scoring lower in entrepreneurial and leadership competencies. Skill application during internships was also strong (mean = 4.30/5), particularly in professionalism, initiative, and time management, whereas leadership and public speaking were less practiced. Core economics and technical writing courses were considered highly relevant, while general education and advanced mathematics were perceived as moderately or slightly relevant to internship tasks. Independent-samples t-tests indicated no significant differences in readiness based on employer type, commute time, or internship duration, but larger HTEs (≥200 employees) correlated with greater skill application. Interns supported offering the internship during a single regular semester and increasing the 200-hour requirement. Findings suggest curricular revisions to enhance leadership, entrepreneurship, and communication modules, as well as strengthen partnerships with larger host organizations to optimize student learning outcomes.