Pathways to Employability - Mediating Impacts of Skill Growth, Professional Networks, and Identity Formation in Internship Experiences

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Margaret

In today’s dynamic higher education environment, internship programs have become pivotal in enhancing university students’ employability. This systematic review examines how internship experience affects employability and identifies the mediating mechanisms of skill development, professional networking, and professional identity formation. Synthesizing peer-reviewed studies from 2015–2025, the findings show internships improve employability through these pathways, with effectiveness varying by discipline and internship duration, offering actionable insights for educators, policymakers, and employers.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages12

Reading Time30 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Employability as a multidimensional construct

Human capital and skill development

Social capital through professional networks

Professional identity formation

Internship effectiveness and evidence base

Pathways to Employability: Mediating Impacts of Skill Growth, Professional Networks, and Identity Formation in Internship Experiences Weiguang Li 1, Tubagus Darodjat1,*, & Supot Rattanapun 1 1International College, Rajamangala University of Technology Krungthep, Bangkok, Thailand *Correspondence: International College, Rajamangala University of Technology Krungthep, Bangkok, Thailand. ORCID: 0009-0004-4513-0455 Received: December 6, 2025 doi:10.5430/wje.v16n1p118 Accepted: March 5, 2026 Online Published: March 18, 2026 URL: [https://doi.org/10.5430/wje.v16n1p118](https://doi.org/10.5430/wje.v16n1p118) Abstract In today’s dynamic higher education environment, internship programs have become pivotal in enhancing university students’ employability. This systematic review aims to (1) examine the impact of internship experience on employability, and (2) investigate the mediating mechanisms—skill development, professional networking, and professional identity formation—through which internship experience contributes to employability outcomes. Employing a comprehensive and structured methodology, the review synthesizes peer-reviewed papers from 2015–2025. The results regularly show that internships boost university students' employability. The research provides additional evidence that this link is established through practical skill development, professional network expansion, and professional identity creation. These variables are key to internships improving workforce preparedness. Additionally, the review identifies variations in internship effectiveness across disciplines and internship durations. The research findings are consistent with the hypotheses and provide evidence-based, actionable insights for educators, policymakers, and employers aiming to strengthen the linkage between academic training and workforce readiness. Keywords: pre-employment capital, internship experience, employability, skill growth, professional networks, identity formation 1. Introduction According to Jackson and Collings (2018), internships have emerged as an indispensable component of higher education courses all over the world. They play a crucial role in bridging the gap between academic learning and practical practice. According to Tomlinson (2017), universities are increasingly incorporating internships into their courses in order to improve the employability of graduates. This is a reflection of the increased demand for skills that are ready for work in a labor market that is increasingly competitive. It has been extensively shown that there is a beneficial association between internship experience and employability (Hora et al., 2020). However, the processes via which internships convert into improved career outcomes are still not fully understood. More specifically, it is essential to have a solid grasp of the mediating roles that skill development, professional networking, and the construction of professional identity play in order to create internship programs that are successful. Employability has developed from a narrow focus on job acquisition to a multidimensional construct that encompasses a graduate's ability to adapt, secure, and maintain meaningful work in dynamic labor markets. Previously, employability was only concerned with job acquisition (Yorke, 2017) . Employability is increased through the development of technical abilities and transferable soft skills, according to the human capital theory (Clarke, 2018) . Internships allow for this development. It has been established through empirical studies that students who participate in internships report significantly greater levels of problem-solving, communication, teamwork, and adaptability abilities. These are characteristics that are highly appreciated by employers (Helyer & Lee, 2014; Cañibano et al., 2019). Not only are these skill sets advantageous in the short term, but they are also long-term assets that make it easier to advance on the career pat

FAQs

What is the main purpose of the systematic review?

To examine how internship experience influences employability and to explain the mediating mechanisms—skill development, professional networking, and professional identity formation—linking internships to employability outcomes.

How do internships improve employability according to the review?

Internships boost employability by fostering practical skill development, expanding professional networks, and strengthening professional identity, which together enhance workforce preparedness.

Does internship effectiveness vary across contexts?

Yes. The review identifies variations in internship effectiveness across disciplines and across different internship durations.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Margaret