ROLE OF INTERNSHIPS IN PREPARING STUDENTS FOR THE WORKFORCE (A CASE STUDY OF UNIVERSITY OF MAIDUGURI)

This study investigated the role of internship programs in preparing students for the workforce, focusing on final-year students in selected tertiary institutions in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, Borno State. The objectives were to analyze skill development outcomes, evaluate the impact of internships on workplace culture, examine networking opportunities, and assess students’ perceptions of the overall value of internships. Two hypotheses were tested: that internships significantly enhance employability, and that internship quality positively correlates with workforce preparedness. A descriptive survey design was adopted, with a population of 350 students and a sample size of 189 determined using the Taro Yamane formula. Data were collected through structured Likert-scale questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentages, and means) and inferential statistics (Chisquare analysis). The findings showed that internships significantly improve employability by strengthening technical and soft skills, fostering adaptability to workplace culture, and enhancing professional networks. Chi-square results confirmed significant differences between observed and expected responses, while correlation tests revealed that internship quality strongly predicted preparedness across all study objectives. The study concludes that internships are vital in bridging the gap between academic knowledge and labor market requirements. It recommends structured curriculum integration, stronger university–industry partnerships, and government policies to standardize internship programs.