Exhibits a Consistent Trend:
In a recent online survey conducted on July 21-22, 5,100 students from various universities were asked about the sufficiency of the practical experience provided by their academic program. The findings reveal a mixed response, with 36% responding negatively, 23% finding it difficult to answer the question, and another 26% reporting that the university organised the process for them.
The survey also highlighted the importance of practical-oriented learning and employment for today's students, as sociologists have noted. The key difference between summer practice and internships lies in their structure and purpose. Summer practice usually refers to short-term, academic-credit-focused practical experiences that may be more structured or tied closely to curriculum requirements. On the other hand, internships tend to immerse students more deeply in real work environments, where they contribute to production tasks, learn workplace processes, and may lead to job offers.
Both summer practice and internships offer benefits for students. They provide practical skill development bridging academic theory and real-world application, enhance career prospects, offer networking and professional relationship building, and clarify career objectives based on actual work experience. For example, about 53% of interns convert to full-time roles, with employers extending offers to nearly 80% of their interns.
Employers also benefit from these experiences. They gain access to motivated talent that can contribute to projects while gaining experience, reduced recruitment and training costs by evaluating potential hires through internships, and internships serve as an extended evaluation period, often yielding higher conversion rates to full-time employees compared to other hiring methods.
One of the challenges mentioned by the survey participants was the need to find internships independently. To address this, Daniil Ermolaev, Director of Development at the Analytical Center of the VTsIOM-Consulting, emphasised the importance of students gaining real experience with a specific employer in the field they plan to work in, in addition to the knowledge provided by the university. He also noted that for effective practice, the student should practice in the specialty they want to work in after graduation and the employer should not just give low-skilled tasks to interns, but help them fully immerse themselves in their business processes.
Anna Chetaeva, head of the client relations department at UTEAM, stated that summer internships for students are beneficial for both students and employers, as they allow students to develop essential work skills and companies to identify promising candidates. She also believes that internships and practice could be more effective if businesses collaborated more with universities and their development centres, involved students in real work, and developed systems for feedback from mentors.
The survey also showed that 54% of students found an internship independently, while 26% of students reported that the university organised the process for them. Another 41% of participants said they found the university's practical experience sufficient. The Executive Director of VEB.RF, Alexander Machesky, stated that practical experience for students should last at least half a year, starting from the third-fourth year.
Interestingly, 20% of students searched but were unsuccessful in finding an internship. For those who were successful, 26% of students would prefer to do their practice in a large company, 20% in a small team, and 15% in a government structure. For 39%, the size of the company is not a determining factor.
In conclusion, the survey provides valuable insights into the experiences and preferences of students regarding practical experience and internships. It highlights the need for closer cooperation between employers and universities in designing practice, the importance of students gaining real-world experience, and the benefits that both students and employers can reap from these experiences.
Education and self-development are crucial aspects for personal growth, and online learning platforms can facilitate this process effectively. In the context of the survey findings, students are seeking practical experience that can help bridge the gap between academic theory and real-world application. This includes internships, which can offer students the opportunity to immerse themselves in real work environments, develop essential work skills, and clarify career objectives based on actual work experience.
