VIRTUAL: Learning. Life. Work.
Abstract
Shenkar college encompasses faculties of design and engineering, alongside a multidisciplinary art school. In 2019, we established ‘Shenkar True Experience Program’ (STEP), a platform that fosters partnerships between students from 12 undergraduate departments and companies across various industries, ranging from small startups to large public entities. This initiative allows students to engage in internships across three semesters each year, offering 120 hours of practical experience. Upon completion, students earn 4 credits, though these positions are unpaid. Since its inception, STEP has facilitated over 35 academic courses, encompassing 800 interns at more than 200 organizations. In this presentation we will share insights from a study conducted between 2023-2024. This research utilized questionnaires administered before, during (via self-reflections), and after the internships, 4 and 12 months following the completion of the internship. Our aims were twofold: 1) To assess the enhancement of competencies and skills developed by the students during their internships, alongside their preparedness for the job market. 2) To evaluate the extent to which intentional reflective processes enhance self-learning throughout the internship experience. We conducted a random assignment of participants into experimental and control groups to assess the effectiveness of self-reflection as a means to better utilization of the internship experience. The study’s methodology, preliminary findings, and their implications for both academic knowledge and practical application in internship programs will be discussed. Through this research, we aim to contribute valuable insights into effective internship practices and curriculum development in higher education, ensuring students are well-equipped for their future careers.
Michal Pauzner is a designer, a senior faculty member, and a lecturer in the Visual Communication Department. As the head of the Center for Teaching Excellence at Shenkar, she is devoted to enhancing teaching and learning through partnerships with staff and students. Michal specializes in creating multidisciplinary initiatives that merge design, pedagogy, ecology, and technology. She has developed innovative methodologies and curated transformative learning experiences for a broad audience, including schools, academics, and professionals.
Roei Zerahia divides his time between the academy as a senior faculty member and a lecturer at the School of Industrial Engineering and Management, and the business sector. During 2019 Roei founded STEP (shenkar’s True Experience Program) which aim is to allow students from all departments at Shankar to do an internship in the industry in their field of study. The program, under Roei’s management, prepares the students for the day when they will enter the job market and gives them tools for a better and faster integration with the industry. Till today STEP has 800 graduates.
Michal Phillips-Berenstein is a Post-doctoral candidate in Educational Counseling at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. She specializes in psychosocial readiness for college. Her post-doctoral work focuses on the association between psychosocial readiness for college and coping strategies in the transition from college to work. Michal has devoted her professional life to promoting educational counseling in higher education. Her work focuses on developing data-driven and evidence-based professional educational counseling support systems to assist transitioning into higher education, emphasizing students’ persistence from enrollment to graduation. Michal currently serves as the Head of Development and Assessment in Aluma (NGO) promoting social mobility through higher education.
9:00 am - 10:30 am
Monday 10th June, 2024