Factors influencing the choice of internship placement amongst students in Makerere University: a case study of School of Statistics and Planning.

Abstract

Choosing a field placement organization is one of the most important milestones in every person’s life since internships give students the opportunity to gain valuable applied experience and make connections in professional fields they are considering for career paths; and give employers the opportunity to guide and evaluate talent and thus they have a great impact on the students’ life and the industry they work in at large. In addition, field placement provides students with practical experience, which cannot be fully simulated in the classroom. This dissertation aims at establishing the significant factors influencing students' choice of field placement. xi The study used a descriptive research design while employing both probability and non probability sampling techniques. Data was collected by means of structured questionnaires that were administered to 108 third students from School of Statistics and Planning, Makerere University Findings of the study revealed that networking opportunities, organizational culture and opportunity to transition to full-time position play a significant role in influencing students’ choice for a field placement organization. Basing on the findings, governments, ministries and educational policy makers can use the insights gained from this study to understand the decision making process of students concerning their career development plans for the future. The important data gathered, analyzed and discussed will provide, universities, parents and students with more information about the range of choices available, hence make better or informed choices The study recommends that universities should consider providing a detailed and well elaborate briefing and counseling of the intern students before they can be sent out to look for organizations of field attachment in order to provide prior knowledge that can help them make the right choices. Also placement organisations and universities should work hand in hand to ensure that they better their policies and standards to meet the needs of the students Another possibility of future research is to investigate the correlation and/or mismatches between students’ expectations based primarily on their choice of field placement and the reality of what they encounter while working at their organisations of field attachment