Abstract:
This study investigates the impact of internship characteristics on skill development
among undergraduates in the Faculty of Management Studies, Rajarata University of
Sri Lanka. Internships play a vital role in bridging the gap between theoretical
learning and practical experience, enhancing students’ readiness for the professional
world. The research specifically examines how internship duration, type, nature,
quality, and opportunities for skill application influence the development of
undergraduates’ technical, cognitive, and interpersonal skills. A quantitative research
design was employed, and primary data were collected through a structured
questionnaire administered to 200 undergraduates who had completed or were
currently undergoing internships. The collected data were analysed using the
Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, employing descriptive statistics,
correlation, reliability, and multiple regression analyses. The findings revealed that
internship quality and opportunities for skill application have a significant and
positive impact on undergraduate skill development, while internship duration and
nature showed moderate effects. However, internship type was found to have no
statistically significant influence. The study highlights the importance of structured
and high-quality internship programmes that provide students with opportunities to
apply classroom knowledge in real-world tasks. These results have practical
implications for universities, policymakers, and employers in designing effective
internship programmes that enhance graduates’ employability and career readiness.
