Media Students’ Internship planning and practices During and After COVID-19: Fusion of technology perspective

Walaa Fouda^*, Federico Triolo, Amira Al Nahdi

American University in the Emirates, UAE

Emails: walaa.fouda@aue.ae; Federico.Triolo@aue.ae; ameerah9916@gmail.com

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on many areas of the workforce, including internship programs. The education sector in general started integrating technology as a kind of fusion of technology in different ways.   The internship course was one of the important educational programs that get affected by the pandemic and there was a deep need for technology fusion to overcome the hard times. This study investigates the effects of COVID-19 on internship programs and provides recommendations for implementing effective strategies in a post-COVID-19 World.  To accomplish this, a comprehensive review of relevant literature review has been conducted, including academic journals, governments, and industry reports, as well as employing both qualitative and quantitative research methods. This study also discussed a case study of the Professional Work Shadow Program, an internship for media students specialized in Integrated marketing communication, Broadcasting, International relations, and public relations. The study findings recommend various marketing strategies, which can help media internship providers and beyond offer effective and sustainable programs to university students.

Keywords: Media studies; Marketing research; Internship course; Professional work shadow program; Fusion of technology; Education.