Everyone gains: When higher learning institutions work hand in hand with industry partners, an ecosystem that thrives on mutual benefit is cultivated. — 123rf.com
Say what you will about the best education money can buy, there is no amount of classroom learning that can adequately convey the realities of working life.
This is where industry exposure plays an essential role. Internships or work placements offer a taste of life beyond university – far from the familiarity of class schedules and the bond between lecturers and students.
While industry exposure may be viewed as just another module or course to be completed during university, in reality, these are windows into what life at work is like.
With the evolving and dynamic demands of today’s professional industries, graduates are expected to adapt accordingly.
Degree programmes have responded by preparing students for multidisciplinary careers that go beyond conventional expectations.
Opening doors
From a student’s perspective, making a three-to-six-month commitment to full-time work – which may or may not offer a stipend – is a big step. Some face it with nervous anticipation; others view it begrudgingly as just one more box to tick before graduation.
To put things in perspective, in some parts of the world, competition among students is so great that many apply for multiple internships in hopes of improving their chances of employment.
While this is not a widespread practice here, the reasoning behind it is valid: it is a key stepping stone into the professional world.
Regardless of how one might feel about it, it is important to view an internship as a career opportunity – one that might lead to unexpected yet fulfilling professional pathways by opening doors to new avenues for exploration. In the process, both social and professional networks will be formed, and any initial uneasiness will be forgotten.
Continuous learning
In the classroom, it is possible to do well by memorising facts and imagining scenarios in which they might be applied.
Internships are where theory meets reality, offering a safe space for students to extend their learning experience into real-world situations.
They also present opportunities for students to expand their role beyond merely fulfilling required learning outcomes.
Internships help hone communication, teamwork and leadership skills, while nurturing qualities such as resilience, responsibility and a good work ethic.
Mutual benefit
While students are often seen as the primary beneficiaries, internships are mutually advantageous. When higher learning institutions work together with industry partners, we are well-positioned to cultivate an ecosystem that thrives on shared value.
This is best illustrated when industry partners initiate contact with students six to nine months before the internship starts – engaging them in curricular activities and industry-related experiences, with the eventual aim of employment.
In this way, both parties benefit: students gain insights into real-world work environments, and industry partners get the chance to evaluate potential hires even before the internship officially begins.
Internships also serve as a probationary period and may lead to a mutually desirable outcome, where both parties are eager to cement the relationship and grow together.
In addition, partnerships between learning institutions and industry offer potential for advancing research, alongside opportunities for continuous education and upskilling.
Ongoing feedback between students, universities and industry partners helps sustain this ecosystem – refining the learning experience in firms and guiding curriculum development to better meet industry needs.
Prof Chin Beek Yoke is Centre for Cancer and Stem Cell Research head and Industrial Partnership & Engagement dean at IMU University. The views expressed here are the writer’s own.
