1.
Internship organisation
in Digital Library
post-graduate
educational programs:
students’ perceptions
BOBCATSSS2014, Barcelona, 29-31 January 2014
Sara Valla – University of Parma
UniPR Co-Lab Research Centre
sara.valla@unipr.it

2.
Outlines
• internship and its value
• Digital Library Learning (DILL) Master’s
internship
• methodology
• the study – what it is about
• (brief) discussion of results
• conclusions
UniPR Co-Lab
University of Parma

3.
internship =
an opportunity
to integrate career related experience
into
(post-graduate)
information science education
by participating
in planned, supervised work
UniPR Co-Lab
University of Parma

4.
importance of internships in information studies related educational programmes
confirmed by the literature, practice, and investigations of the labour market
(Van Der Molen, 2007)
(Lorring & Kajberg, 2005)
(Tammaro, 2007
UniPR Co-Lab
University of Parma

5.
DILL Digital Library Learning
CURRICULUM INCLUDES AN INTERNSHIP OF 4 WEEKS, 125 hours

6.
Aim of the DILL internship
integrating academic and professional curricula
UniPR Co-Lab
University of Parma

7.
SMALL STUDY
11 students
7 mentors
9 out of 11,
5 out of 7
even if 11/11 and 7/7 answers
Interview:
coordinator
Limitations:
triangulation
Time
Questionnaires:
students and
mentors
panel with
experts
Involvement
(tutor and student)

8.
Aims of the study
to investigate the perceptions of students
regarding the usefulness of the initial phase for a
conscious choice of internship
(and for the setting up of learning outcomes related
to their personal interests)
to highlight perspectives and paths for
improvements and development.
UniPR Co-Lab
University of Parma

9.
Objectives
• Identifying advantages (to self-reflection fostering)
• Identifying barriers (to self-reflection fostering)
• investigating the time dedicated to self-reflection
if related to other more practical and technical
aspects
• understanding whether video resumés can inform
decision making and assist employers in choosing
candidates

10.
before
during
After
Vriens & Van Petegem, 2011

11.
Personal
Development
Plan
Video
résumés +
curriculum
vitae
Placement
Preparatory
Meetings
Internship
Plan
INTERNSHIP
UniPR Co-Lab
University of Parma

12.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/celestinechua/9661913835/
•
•
•
•
Meetings were organized using an online tool: quicker
accounts to access online services: 4 months before summer school
A "video résumé" was added as a necessary step when applying for the internship.
An internship workshop was organized during the third semester (Walton, 2013),
http://www.flickr.com/photos/celestinechua/9661913835/

13.
video résumé = short video introduction
created by candidates,
to describe
• individual educational background,
• work experience,
• competences,
• skills and motivations
to assist students
in marketing themselves
the process is competitive
Curriculum Vitae AND Video résumé

14.
requests from students and many
suggestions coming from open questions
Some requests and diversity in the approach to some
phases suggest a further clarification of some aspects
Need for fostering the connection between internship
and Master’s Thesis (mentors)
Personal development plan: useful base but to be
improved: too general

15.
diverse kinds of skills are involved
UniPR Co-Lab
University of Parma

16.
Internship preparatory phase - Skills involved
project management
skills
thinking skills
not important at all
not so important
information skills
communication skills
important
technical skills
interpersonal/social
skills
very important
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
emphasis on thinking, social and communication skills

17.
Video resume - Skills involved
project management
skills
thinking skills
not important at all
not so important
information skills
communication skills
important
technical skills
interpersonal/social
skills
very important
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
Emphasis on communication and technical skills

18.
Other important skills
(suggested by students
problem solving
decision making
analytic skills
creativity
time management
UniPR Co-Lab
University of Parma

19.
Internship Workshop
is a positive experience
to be repeated
Curriculum + video résumé =
might be complex but rewarding (students)
Uncommon but useful (mentors)
to improve self reflection on
knowledge, capabilities and skills, and self-test
of the ability to sell one’s capacity to the
UniPR Co-Lab
employer
University of Parma

20.
Conclusions
• insight into the perceptions of respondents
• exploratory nature
 No absolute conclusions
But indication of
• potentialities,
• positive aspects
• challenges,
• suggestions for future improvements.
UniPR Co-Lab
University of Parma

21.
Conclusions
Minimize administrative and organizational
issues to foster self-reflection
(and avoid students concentrating on practical aspects)
Perception of improvement of the process
(mentors)  investigation each year for
constant evaluation and improvement?
Anticipation of the organisation phase
(of the internship)  to concentrate on learning
matters and reflections

22.
Thanks
I’m here to answer to questions,
You are welcome to ask
Sara Valla
sara.valla@unipr.it
Twitter: thuridilla
Skype: saraunipr
www.slideshare.net/thuridilla

23.
References
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•
•
•
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Cheng, G., & Chau, J. (2009). Digital video for fostering self‐reflection in an ePortfolio
environment. Learning, Media and Technology, 34(4), 337–350.
doi:10.1080/17439880903338614.
Grant, S. (2005). Clear e-portfolio definitions: a prerequisite for effective interoperability.
Proceedings of ePortfolio, 27–28.
Lorring, L., & Kajberg, L. (Eds.). (2005). European Curriculum Reflections on Library and
Information Science Education. Royal School of Library and Information Science. Retrieved from
http://dspace-unipr.cilea.it/handle/1889/1704.
Tammaro, A. M. (2007). A curriculum for digital librarians: a reflection on the European debate.
New Library World, 108(5/6), 229–246. doi:10.1108/03074800710748795.
Tammaro, A. M. (2013, August). Course Handbook 2013-2014 for the italian semester of the
International Master’s in Digital Library Learning. Retrieved from http://colab.unipr.it.
Van Der Molen, G. (2007, December). Internships in LIS education in Groningen. bid textos
universitaris de biblioteconomia i documentació, (19). Retrieved from
http://bid.ub.edu/19vande2.htm.
Vriens, M., & Van Petegem, W. (2011). Make it work! Integrating virtual mobility in international
work placements. EU-VIP project. Retrieved from https://www.efmd.org/blog/view/110-make-itwork-integrating-virtual-mobility-in-international-work-placement-free-handbook-available.
Walton, G. (2013, October 24). Workshop on successful internships. Presented at the DILL
Master’s, Parma, University of Parma.
Yaptangco, C. (2007, March 27). Vault Releases First Ever Video sume Survey. SmartBrief.
Retrieved April 9, 2012, from http://www.smartbrief.com.