Evaluation of a graphic design and digital media internship program in Saudi Arabia

Abstract EN

Internships can be an effective way of equipping university students with the job knowledge, experience and maturity required by future employees.

They also provide a way of introducing students to potential employees.

Therefore, students gain by enhancing their employability in the competitive labour market and university faculty can use the experiences to benchmark their courses and standards against employer requirements.

This case study considers the development and evaluation of internships for female Graphic Design and Digital Media students from Princess Noura Bent Abdulrahman University in Saudi Arabia.

In particular it focuses on the planning and implementation of the internships; the contributions made by the interns and the companies; the most important components for successful internships and their evaluation.

Finally, the paper presents recommendations to develop future internships based on the experience in the Graphic Design and Digital Media department.

Focus groups and the final reports from the interns, company mentors and academic advisors showed that the internship program was implemented well, with companies surprised at the level of work produced by the female interns.

As such the model developed could be used by other countries seeking to improve graduate employment in design companies.