Beyond the Desk: A Study on the Implementation of the Student Internship Program of BS Accountancy and BS Business Administration Programs

The study assessed the Saint Paul School of Professional Studies student internship program in Palo, Leyte, specifically for the Bachelor of Science in Accountancy and Bachelor of Science in Business Administration programs. It reiterated the importance of the internship in bridging the gap between theory and practice required to improve graduates' employability. Using an analysis of secondary data from exit surveys and interviews administered by the school, the study examined the profiles of host training establishments (HTEs) and interns, levels of implementation of the internship program, and intern satisfaction. The findings showed inconsistency in HTEs, with the most discrepancies in the perception of requirements and training plans. Communication and problem-solving were identified as important 21st-century skills. The key finding was that there was no correlation between the program's implementation level and intern satisfaction, indicating that more structured programs do not guarantee improved self-efficacy. This strongly supports the need for industries to cooperate with institutions to enhance internship experience and develop programs that meet the rapidly changing demands of industry.