The impact of internship on the professional development of accountancy undergraduates in Singapore.

• Main Authors: Hong, Keat Win., Siow, Pei Ling., Yeo, Keng Soon.
• Other Authors: Chan Kim Yin
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2012
• Subjects: DRNTU::Business::General::Careers and profession
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/48101
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

This study seeks to determine if undergoing internship affects the professional development of Accountancy students, through the exploration of different facets of internship experience. These facets are identified as: exposure to accounting profession, exposure to accounting work, exposure to professional challenges and dilemmas, formal training received; supervisory support received, and organizational climate. For the purpose of this study, we have focused on three main dimensions of professional development, namely attitudes toward a profession, professional motivation, and professional identification. A survey was administered to 209 students who were pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Accountancy/Double Degree in Accountancy & Business in Nanyang Technological University. Of the 209 students surveyed, 122 of them had completed a pre-internship survey. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), paired sample test, correlation analyses and multiple regression analyses were used to study the quantitative and qualitative data collected. Using the data, we investigated the relationships between the different facets of internship experience and changes in the dimensions of professional development. Contrary to our research questions, there was no support for the relationship proposed. Nonetheless, recommendations were provided for the universities on how the internship programme can be reshaped, in order to leverage on its benefits and enhance the professional development of students. Finally, limitations of this study and room for future research were also discussed.