Abstract

VAN NIEKERK, Annelize; OOSTHUIZEN, Rudolph M.  and  COETZEE, Melinde. Industrial and organisational psychology internship completion: Enabling and thwarting factors. SA j. ind. Psychol. [online]. 2024, vol.50, n.1, pp.1-11. ISSN 2071-0763.  https://doi.org/10.4102/sajip.v50i0.2051.

ORIENTATION: Completing an internship is a requirement for master's students in Industrial and Organisational Psychology (IOP) to obtain professional registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa. Students seem to experience a diverse range of factors enabling and thwarting them in their quest to complete their internship and gain the prerequisite practical knowledge and skills. RESEARCH PURPOSE: This study explored IOP interns' perceived experiences of the enabling factors and challenges encountered during the internship programme completion. MOTIVATION FOR THE STUDY: A better understanding of the lived experiences of IOP interns will assist organisations and supervising psychologists to create a supporting environment to optimise interns' development. RESEARCH APPROACH/DESIGN AND METHOD: A qualitative research approach was adopted and an open-ended question survey was conducted among (N = 17) IOP interns in South Africa. The data were analysed using thematic analysis. MAIN FINDINGS: A lack of financial resources; programme approval, content and time; the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); and balancing work, dissertation completion and personal life impact IOP interns negatively. Solid support networks and the power within the self are enabling factors. PRACTICAL/MANAGERIAL IMPLICATIONS: The findings of this study provide a better understanding of the factors impacting the successful completion of an internship programme and help role-players to gain insight into how this strenuous journey can be improved to create a thriving internship environment supportive of optimal learning and growth for interns. CONTRIBUTION/VALUE-ADD: This research highlights the need to revise the internship programme process cycle, including its content, timeframes and reformulating the role of role-players and interns.

Keywords : industrial and organisational psychology interns; internship programme; thematic analysis; survey questionnaire; qualitative research.

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