Internships and occupational self-efficacy: Impact and gender differences

Abstract

This research examines self-efficacy and internships. The purpose is to uncover if internships impact a student’s occupational self-efficacy and if there are gender differences in the effect of an internship on self-efficacy? Over a period of 1 year, pre- and post-surveys were sent to college juniors and seniors working in internship positions for academic credit at a Mid-Atlantic public university. The findings have salient strengths, extending the understanding of the relationships between internships, gender, and occupations self-efficacy. Findings reveal that internships had a positive impact, but that gender differences were present in the effect of the internship.

Keywords:

• Gender differences in the workplace
• internships
• self-efficacy