An Exploration of the Benefits of Student Internships to Marketing Departments

Abstract

Numerous studies have assessed the benefits that students and employers gain from participating in and supporting internship programs. Assessment of the benefits that marketing departments receive from supporting internship programs has largely been neglected. This study aims to address this gap by examining the responses of 180 colleges of business deans, associate deans, and faculty members. The results suggest that marketing departments reap certain benefits from internship programs, including improved class-room discussions, increased enrollment, and enhanced department reputation. Also, this study assesses instructor's perceptions of students' benefits, suggesting that student interns are hired sooner by the best organizations into better positions with higher salaries relative to students without internships.