What is it about?
This study explores how a liberal arts internship program at a public university adapted to the sudden shift to virtual and hybrid formats during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using mixed-methods surveys from Spring and Summer 2020, the authors analyze how students navigated unexpected transitions, the skills they developed, and the overall value of their internship experience. The research highlights both challenges (like reduced face-to-face interaction and communication barriers) and key outcomes, including soft skill growth, technical skill acquisition, and increased adaptability.
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Why is it important?
Internships are critical for student development, but most research focuses on applied fields like business or engineering. This study centers on liberal arts students and shows that, even during a crisis, virtual internships can be highly effective. It offers practical insight into how programs can support student learning and career readiness in digital formats. The findings support the case for integrating flexible, remote opportunities into long-term internship models, particularly for students in underrepresented fields such as the humanities and social sciences.
Perspectives
As someone deeply invested in equitable experiential learning, this project resonated closely with me. Watching our students adapt, not just survive, but thrive in the face of massive disruption, reminded me of the power of real-world learning. Despite tech hiccups, isolation, and uncertainty, these liberal arts students developed communication strategies, mastered new tools, and built confidence. For me, this study is a testament to their resilience and a call to action: hybrid and virtual internships shouldn’t just be emergency options, they should be part of how we support all students moving forward.
Dr Sam Leif
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: The Power and Perseverance of Liberal Arts Internships During COVID-19, International Journal of Smart Education and Urban Society, June 2022, IGI Global,
DOI: 10.4018/ijseus.299047.
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