Creating better internships by understanding mentor challenges: findings from a series of focus groups
Abstract Background Despite demands to make higher education more relevant beyond academia, and a growing body of work testifying to the benefits of work-relevance programs (e.g., work-placements, or internships) for both students and the companies that host them, there is limited information availa...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SpringerOpen
2024-12-01
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| Series: | International Journal of STEM Education |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40594-024-00518-y |
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| author | Joel R. Schneider Truls Aaby Sanne Boessenkool Emma Falkeid Eriksen Kristin Holtermann Iver Martens Jonathan Soulé Ariel Steele Susanne Zazzera Gro I. van der Meeren Gaute Velle Sehoya Cotner A. Kelly Lane |
| author_facet | Joel R. Schneider Truls Aaby Sanne Boessenkool Emma Falkeid Eriksen Kristin Holtermann Iver Martens Jonathan Soulé Ariel Steele Susanne Zazzera Gro I. van der Meeren Gaute Velle Sehoya Cotner A. Kelly Lane |
| author_sort | Joel R. Schneider |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Despite demands to make higher education more relevant beyond academia, and a growing body of work testifying to the benefits of work-relevance programs (e.g., work-placements, or internships) for both students and the companies that host them, there is limited information available for those aiming to optimize these programs. For example, few have explored the challenges and needs of internship supervisors. Here, we focus on the experiences of supervisors in biology and geology programs across three Norwegian institutions. Specifically, through a series of focus groups, we asked internship supervisors about their motivations for serving as student mentors, any challenges they had faced, and what higher-education institutions could do to better prepare them for hosting students at their workplaces. Results Key challenges faced by supervisors include the need to tailor placements to individual student needs and capabilities, navigating the constraints imposed by academic structures, and addressing communication gaps between students, institutions, and workplace supervisors. Internship supervisors suggest enhancing communication strategies to better define roles and expectations, increasing support and training for supervisors, and establishing clearer, more collaborative frameworks for setting learning objectives with students. Conclusions The supervisors’ suggestions aim to ensure that internships are mutually beneficial, supporting both students' educational outcomes and the workplace needs. By focusing on the supervisor's perspective, we provide valuable insights into one aspect of implementing effective and rewarding internships (i.e., supervisor preparation), thereby suggesting pathways for future improvements in these high-impact educational practices. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-cbcb2dcca23b4c01b5a0780dd9432cd1 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2196-7822 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | SpringerOpen |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of STEM Education |
| spelling | doaj-art-cbcb2dcca23b4c01b5a0780dd9432cd12024-12-08T12:45:22ZengSpringerOpenInternational Journal of STEM Education2196-78222024-12-0111111810.1186/s40594-024-00518-yCreating better internships by understanding mentor challenges: findings from a series of focus groupsJoel R. Schneider0Truls Aaby1Sanne Boessenkool2Emma Falkeid Eriksen3Kristin Holtermann4Iver Martens5Jonathan Soulé6Ariel Steele7Susanne Zazzera8Gro I. van der Meeren9Gaute Velle10Sehoya Cotner11A. Kelly Lane12Department of Biology Teaching and Learning, University of MinnesotaDepartment of Geosciences, UiT-The Arctic University of NorwayDepartment of Biosciences, Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis, University of OsloDepartment of Biosciences, Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis, University of OsloDepartment of Biological Sciences, University of BergenDepartment of Geosciences, UiT-The Arctic University of NorwayDepartment of Biological Sciences, University of BergenDepartment of Biology Teaching and Learning, University of MinnesotaDepartment of Biological Sciences, University of BergenInstitute of Marine Research, Austevoll Research StationNorwegian Research CenterDepartment of Biology Teaching and Learning, University of MinnesotaDepartment of Biology Teaching and Learning, University of MinnesotaAbstract Background Despite demands to make higher education more relevant beyond academia, and a growing body of work testifying to the benefits of work-relevance programs (e.g., work-placements, or internships) for both students and the companies that host them, there is limited information available for those aiming to optimize these programs. For example, few have explored the challenges and needs of internship supervisors. Here, we focus on the experiences of supervisors in biology and geology programs across three Norwegian institutions. Specifically, through a series of focus groups, we asked internship supervisors about their motivations for serving as student mentors, any challenges they had faced, and what higher-education institutions could do to better prepare them for hosting students at their workplaces. Results Key challenges faced by supervisors include the need to tailor placements to individual student needs and capabilities, navigating the constraints imposed by academic structures, and addressing communication gaps between students, institutions, and workplace supervisors. Internship supervisors suggest enhancing communication strategies to better define roles and expectations, increasing support and training for supervisors, and establishing clearer, more collaborative frameworks for setting learning objectives with students. Conclusions The supervisors’ suggestions aim to ensure that internships are mutually beneficial, supporting both students' educational outcomes and the workplace needs. By focusing on the supervisor's perspective, we provide valuable insights into one aspect of implementing effective and rewarding internships (i.e., supervisor preparation), thereby suggesting pathways for future improvements in these high-impact educational practices.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40594-024-00518-yWork placementWorkplace relevanceInternshipsMentoringMentor challengesSTEM |
| spellingShingle | Joel R. Schneider Truls Aaby Sanne Boessenkool Emma Falkeid Eriksen Kristin Holtermann Iver Martens Jonathan Soulé Ariel Steele Susanne Zazzera Gro I. van der Meeren Gaute Velle Sehoya Cotner A. Kelly Lane Creating better internships by understanding mentor challenges: findings from a series of focus groups International Journal of STEM Education Work placement Workplace relevance Internships Mentoring Mentor challenges STEM |
| title | Creating better internships by understanding mentor challenges: findings from a series of focus groups |
| title_full | Creating better internships by understanding mentor challenges: findings from a series of focus groups |
| title_fullStr | Creating better internships by understanding mentor challenges: findings from a series of focus groups |
| title_full_unstemmed | Creating better internships by understanding mentor challenges: findings from a series of focus groups |
| title_short | Creating better internships by understanding mentor challenges: findings from a series of focus groups |
| title_sort | creating better internships by understanding mentor challenges findings from a series of focus groups |
| topic | Work placement Workplace relevance Internships Mentoring Mentor challenges STEM |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40594-024-00518-y |
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