Library and information science students’ professional skills and personal competencies with internship effects: A case study of Bangladesh

Abstract

This article investigates the nuanced relationship between completing an internship and the development of professional skills and personal competency among library and information science students in Bangladesh. The study used a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative aspects. It involved distributing a semi-structured questionnaire to 128 library and information science students (undergraduates and postgraduates) at four Bangladeshi universities (public and private) who had completed internships. The quantitative phase examined the demographic data and trends, while the qualitative phase involved follow-up interviews with the students to understand the impact of the internship programme on their personal and professional abilities. Scale measurement analysis evaluated the questionnaire’s reliability and normality. The results show the impact of internship programmes on personal and professional skills and competencies that will be linked to their future career-oriented employment. As universities offering library and information science internships still lack modules or frameworks for such programs, the author proposes a module to prepare students for employment.