Criminology Internship Experiences in Relation To Self-Efficacy and Career Readiness

The development of professional competencies, self-efficacy, and career readiness is a critical aspect of preparing criminology students for the workforce. This study examined the relationship between internship experiences, self-efficacy, and career readiness among Bachelor of Science in Criminology students from two tertiary schools in Oroquieta City, Misamis Occidental, Philippines. A quantitative correlational research design was employed, with 120 interns who completed their internship during the 2024–2025 academic year serving as respondents. Data were collected through validated researcher-developed questionnaires measuring internship experiences, self-efficacy, and career readiness, and analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) and Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Findings revealed that internship experiences were generally high, with interns reporting meaningful tasks, supportive supervision, ample learning opportunities, and high perceived value. Self-efficacy was also rated high, encompassing task-specific confidence, problem-solving confidence, and learning self-efficacy. Career readiness was similarly high, with strong ratings in professionalism and work ethic, teamwork and collaboration, leadership and initiative, and career management. Correlation analysis indicated very strong, positive, and statistically significant relationships between internship experiences, self-efficacy, and career readiness.

criminology interns, internship experiences, self-efficacy, career readiness, professional competence

1. Afolabi, T., Adeyemi, O., & Okon, P. (2023). Practical exposure in criminology education: Internship programs and skill development. International Journal of Educational Development, 95, 102637. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijedudev.2022.102637 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Ahmed, S., & Malik, M. (2023). Internship experiences and self-efficacy development among criminal justice students. Journal of Criminal Justice Education, 34(2), 205–220. https://doi.org/10.1080/10511253.2022.2045312 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Bailey, R., & IFATE, J. (2022). Internships and professional competence development: Evidence from crime and justice education. Journal of Workplace Learning, 34(3), 245–259. https://doi.org/10.1108/JWL 09 2021 0148 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. Chandra, R., & Singh, V. (2024). Bridging theory and practice: Internship experiences of criminal justice students in Southeast Asia. Asia Pacific Journal of Education, 44(1), 67–82. https://doi.org/10.1080/02188791.2023.2201457 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Gür, B., & Yılmaz, T. (2022). The impact of internship experiences on students’ self efficacy and career development. Journal of Education and Learning, 11(3), 15–27. https://doi.org/10.5539/jel.v11n3p15 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. Herrera, M., & Vega, C. (2024). Internships and self efficacy growth: Evidence from higher education students. Journal of Career Development, 51(2), 118–132. https://doi.org/10.1177/08948453221095421 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Jackson, D., Wilton, N., & Rowbottom, D. (2021). Developing career readiness and professional identity through internship experiences: Evidence from business students. Journal of Education and Work, 34(1), 60–76. https://doi.org/10.1080/13639080.2020.1797108 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. Koczberski, G., Cush, P., & Hughes, E. (2021). Task complexity, supervision, and learning outcomes in professional internships. Educational Review, 73(4), 483–502. https://doi.org/10.1080/00131911.2020.1782047 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. Kumar, R., & Jayasuriya, R. (2023). Internship quality, workplace competencies and career readiness: A longitudinal study. Journal of Workplace Learning, 35(2), 102–118. https://doi.org/10.1108/JWL 09 2022 0115 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Kurniawan, R., Putra, I., & Santoso, A. (2022). Career readiness among criminology undergraduates: The role of experiential learning. Education + Training, 64(7), 1015–1032. https://doi.org/10.1108/ET-05-2022-0107 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. Lee, J., & Kim, H. (2024). Internships and the development of self regulated learning and competence beliefs among undergraduate students. Journal of Career Development, 51(3), 205–220. https://doi.org/10.1177/08948453231204587 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. Liang, J., Wu, H., & Zhao, Y. (2021). The role of internships in enhancing practical skills of criminal justice students. Journal of Criminal Justice Education, 32(4), 501–518. https://doi.org/10.1080/10511253.2021.1902213 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. Liu, X., Wei, J., & Chen, F. (2021). Confidence development through experiential learning: Internship impacts on self efficacy. Studies in Higher Education, 46(9), 1833–1847. https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2019.1665379 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. Musa, S., Nurhayati, S., & Boriboon, G. (2025). The effect of internships on graduates’ employability, soft skills, and digital competence. Educational Process International Journal, 17, e2025306. https://doi.org/10.22521/edupij.2025.17.306 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

15. Nguyen, T., Le, P., & Pham, H. (2021). Developing self-efficacy through criminology internships: Evidence from urban universities. Teaching in Higher Education, 26(8), 1150–1165. https://doi.org/10.1080/13562517.2021.1914238 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

16. O’Donovan, R., & McAuliffe, E. (2023). The role of authentic learning in enhancing internship effectiveness: Insights from applied social sciences. Studies in Higher Education, 48(5), 978–995. https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2021.1883034 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

17. O’Neill, N., & Murphy, T. (2024). Internships and employability skills: Exploring the links between experiential learning and career management. Higher Education Research & Development, 43(4), 475–489. https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360.2023.2188471 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

18. Okeke, I., Eze, J., & Chukwu, P. (2022). Integrating theory with practice: Criminology internships and professional readiness. Journal of Workplace Learning, 34(5), 389–403. https://doi.org/10.1108/JWL-11-2021-0157 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

19. Osei Kofi, N., & Agyekum Mensah, G. (2022). Learning opportunities, professional growth, and self efficacy: Evidence from internship programs in higher education. Higher Education Research & Development, 41(6), 1200–1215. https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360.2022.2061998 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

20. Rahman, M., Akter, S., & Hossain, D. (2022). Practical training and career readiness: A study of internship effects on employability skills. Education + Training, 64(8), 903–924. https://doi.org/10.1108/ET 03 2022 0045 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

21. Smith, J., & Peterson, N. (2023). Structured internship programs and self efficacy in social science undergraduates. Journal of Workplace Learning, 35(4), 315–330. https://doi.org/10.1108/JWL 07 2022 0086 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

22. Tan, S., Lim, R., & Goh, Y. (2025). Internship experiences and career readiness of criminal justice undergraduates in Southeast Asia. Asia Pacific Journal of Career Development, 30(1), 55–70. https://doi.org/10.1080/13636820.2024.223417 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

23. Tymon, A., Stumpf, S., & Doh, J. (2020). Internships and meaningful learning: Relationships with confidence and capability development. Industry and Higher Education, 34(6), 531–543. https://doi.org/10.1177/0950422220920304 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

24. Wang, Y., & Hessel, A. (2021). Task experience and supervisory support as predictors of self efficacy in internships: A longitudinal study. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 127, 103579. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2021.103579 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

25. Wilopo, C. C., Arianto, A. S., Hartono, P. G., Suade, Y. K. M., & Triany, N. A. (2025). Assessing the work readiness of students: The role of internship experience and soft skill competencies. International Journal of Digital Entrepreneurship and Business, 6(1), 14–30. https://doi.org/10.52238/ideb.v6i1.216 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

• Assessment of the Role of Artificial Intelligence in Repositioning TVET for Economic Development in Nigeria
• Teachers’ Use of Assure Model Instructional Design on Learners’ Problem Solving Efficacy in Secondary Schools in Bungoma County, Kenya
• “E-Booksan Ang Kaalaman”: Development, Validation, and Utilization of Electronic Book in Academic Performance of Grade 9 Students in Social Studies
• Analyzing EFL University Students’ Academic Speaking Skills Through Self-Recorded Video Presentation
• Major Findings of The Study on Total Quality Management in Teachers’ Education Institutions (TEIs) In Assam – An Evaluative Study