Technology Internships Prove Flexible, Resilient, and Critical During COVID

When COVID disrupted education and work, one community college proved that work-based learning can thrive if administrators and employers are willing to get creative.

A three-year study that JFF conducted for the National Science Foundation shows that community college technology internships can be effective bridges to employment for postsecondary students. The research showed that when internships were required for graduation students were much more likely to participate. But for internships to be effective, community colleges need to put structures in place to support, guide, and engage both students and employers. This is more likely to occur when the internships are required.