The Impact of COVID-19 Restrictions on Internship Processes

Researchers in different disciplines worldwide have documented the direct impacts of the COVID-19 virus (COVID). Along with the direct effects, the impact of COVID restrictions has changed how students use traditional career readiness programs. Moreover, COVID restrictions act as a "career shock" for student job-seekers. Career shocks are extremely disruptive events that cause individuals to rethink career choices and reflect on their career plans. The global implementation of COVID restrictions has arguably created a "universal" career shock beyond the career shock theory's original foci. Expanding the career shock analysis to include universal disruptions requires a reevaluation of job-seeking methods and opportunities. As a part of rethinking job search methodology through a career shock theoretical lens, this paper focuses on how academic program professors and career center personnel collaborate to support job-seeking students. This research initiated an educational innovation due to the decline in internship availability impacting external interview placement. A non-placement pilot will assist students in completing traditional internship requirements while providing an in-class experiential learning opportunity. This Pilot Course was created as a direct response to the Federal Workforce Development Strategy announced in November 2020. It will use the success factors of adding a non-placement Work-Integrated-Learning (WIL) opportunity within the Practicum course and employ an androgogical, "Differentiated Instruction" design. The study concludes by discussing the future implications of practicum-based internships.