Urban Field Education: An Opportunity Structure for Enhancing Students' Personal and Social Efficacy

Abstract

Undergraduates' transitions to adult working roles can befacilitated by off-campus field education programs. An evaluation study of one such program, a work internship program in Philadelphia, indicated that student participants had experienced significant positive changes in feelings of per-sonal and social efficacy. Participation in the program had apparently in-creased their self-confidence and willingness to enter novel social situations as well as decreased their tendencies to be self-abasing.

Undergraduate Internship Attachment in Accounting: The Interns Perspective

“…Burnett (2003) reports a finding of a study conducted to initiate changes in accounting education, which states that the best outside classroom learning activities are through an internship attachment. Findings of various studies have provided support for this suggestion (see for example : Mihail, 2006;Hall et al, 1995;Bernstein, 1976;Hursch and Borzak 1979;Eyler 1992).…”

“…It was found that graduates with practical experience report positive changes in feelings of personal and social efficacy (Bernstein, 1976) and show a greater sense of responsibility and career development (Hursch and Borzak 1979;Eyler 1992). Mihail (2006) noted that interns have successfully developed their personal skills, particularly relating to information technology, time management, communication skills, teamwork, specialist knowledge and ability to prioritize tasks.…”

Outcome-Based Internship in Malaysia’s Public Higher Education Institutions

“…Additionally, Taylor (1992) recommended that this variable is linked with strong conviction about intern's preference and future career mobility. Likewise, undergraduate who also experience a positive experience in individual and social viability (Bernstein, 1976) and self-adequacy in one career (Braswell & Cobia, 2000).…”

Fashion merchandising internships for the millennial generation

“…Interpersonal communication was an important element in improving interns' self-efficacy. There is additional evidence that internships may improve students' feelings of social efficacy as well (Bernstein 1976).…”