Virtual professional internships as an employability strategy: the case of UNED (Spain)

Abstract

ABSTRACT
One One of the main axes of the recent higher education reform in Spain is the employability of graduates. In this sense, external practices are presented as a central strategy within this political commitment. This article presents a case study about the virtual practices program at the National University of Distance Education (UNED) as an innovative strategy to adapt the promotion of employability to the needs and characteristics of distance students with family conciliation needs. We use a mixed methodology based on data from administrative records, evaluation surveys and qualitative analysis of interviews and focus groups. Research objectives identify motivations of the students and companies to develop virtual internships and evaluate those effects in the students employability by self-evaluation of their level of competences and, on the other hand, through their continuity in these companies. The analysis is performed comparatively with on-site practices. It is concluded that the profile of student in virtual practices has a higher level of competences than on-site students. On the other hand, the need for greater attention and resources is detected in order to achieve a formative efficiency of the practices. Finally, in general terms, we conclude with a reflection on the role of internships within a complex labor context in which they perform as a mechanism for legitimizing access to the labor market or reorientation of the professional career.