Institutional Factors That Impact Faculty Engagement with Internships and Work-Integrated Learning

Work-integrated learning (WIL) is often associated with internships and practicums in the United States, but it encompasses a broader range of academic-work experiences. While faculty play a critical role in shaping meaningful WIL opportunities for students, little is known about their perspectives and needs as they relate to effective WIL programming. This session will share findings from a qualitative study involving thirty-eight faculty across the United States, Canada, and Australia, offering fresh insight into how institutional culture, barriers, and resources affect faculty engagement in WIL. Participants will hear directly from faculty voices on what supports they need to successfully mentor students in WIL, with an emphasis on low-cost, scalable strategies that institutions can adopt to improve programming. Join us to explore how we can better align WIL with public purpose and career readiness in today’s higher education landscape.