Theory meets practice: OrCom internship program towards benchmarking on productivity at work in getting a job for OrCom graduates

Abstract

The BA Organizational Communication (BA OrCom) program currently incorporates an internship program (OrCom 180) in its curriculum. Students render 200 hours in any organization in Metro Manila, and this is usually done in the summer after their third year. This research aimed to determine how internships help BA OrCom graduates in easily acquiring work and how their experience contributed to productivity in their current work. Two theories guided this study: Praxis Theory and the Community of Practice. The study followed a qualitative approach and had a descriptive design. Personal interviews or email correspondences with five 2015 BA OrCom graduates and their respective internship supervisors, current supervisors, and initial recruitment interviewers were conducted for this research. From the findings, it could be seen that among those that students gained from the internship experience include: an avenue to practice skills such as technical writing or communication skills and interpersonal skills; an avenue to criticize their academic training; and an avenue to gain skills from mentorship and other interactions that concern nature of work/work ethics, adjusting to an organization's culture, and dealing with people. Similarly, these skills and competencies (communication skills, interpersonal skills, work ethics, and attitude) are those that organizations prioritize when hiring employees. There are also companies that highly prioritize internship and work experience. Moreover, similarities in the skills being practiced, supervision, and adjustment to an organization's culture are said to have contributed in productivity at work. Even so, there are also skills that are said to have been acquired or practiced in the internship experience yet are mentioned by current supervisors as skills that graduates lacked. It is then recommended that the program take note of the wants and needs mentioned by the graduates and the supervisors when revising the curriculum. Moreover, students are recommended to look for organizations that offer internship programs wherein they can practice and acquire skills that are prioritized by organizations. In turn, organizations are recommended to offer internship programs that are in line with the findings of this study. Lastly, further studies can be made to determine the skills that are not as relevant in today's organizations and to ensure that these findings are applicable in specific departments to which OrCom graduates apply