ABSTRACT
Internship opportunities were crucial for college and senior high students to gain practical experience and enhance their skills in preparation for their future careers. However, finding the right internship was a daunting task, and employers struggled to attract the right candidates. An internship website could bridge this gap by providing a centralized platform for students and employers to connect. As a solution, CareerIn, a web-based internship posting application, was proposed to match recruiters with potential interns. This study explored the use of three algorithms - sourcing, filtering, and reverse matching - in the recruitment process to make it more efficient and cost-effective for companies. The study proposed the development of a web application called "CareerIn," which provided college and senior high interns with information about internship openings and allowed them to apply for specific openings. The web application also provided features for employers to manage postings, schedule meetings/interviews, and view matched interns, and for school coordinators to view grades and analytics reports. The study used quantitative research methods to develop and evaluate the "CareerIn" web application. An exploratory phase gathered information through interviews and focus groups with students, employers, and school coordinators. The application was developed based on the insights gathered in the exploratory phase, with features for students, employers, and school coordinators. The study evaluated the "CareerIn" system based on the eight ISO 25010 standards' criteria and found it highly acceptable in all eight criteria. The technical group rated compatibility as the highest criterion, followed by performance efficiency and security and portability on the third rank. Functionality, reliability, and maintainability ranked fourth to sixth, respectively. In terms of the functional group, the system was rated as acceptable, with usability ranked first at 3.48, followed by functionality and security in second and third place. Portability and maintainability ranked fourth at 3.45. Compatibility ranked fifth, while reliability and performance efficiency ranked sixth. In conclusion, creating an internship website for college and senior high students can provide numerous benefits, including increased accessibility to internship opportunities, streamlined application processes, and enhanced professional development. By leveraging the power of technology and collaboration with industry partners, such a platform can effectively bridge the gap between academic and industry, and help students achieve their career goals.
Keywords: internship, posting, job matching, web-based, web application
INTRODUCTION
Internships are a valuable stepping stone for college students in the Philippines, providing them with a platform to gain real-world experience and develop essential skills. These opportunities bridge the gap between academic knowledge and practical application, preparing individuals for the demands of the professional world. By immersing themselves in internships, students can apply what they have learned in classrooms to real-life work scenarios, gaining a deeper understanding of their chosen field.
Moreover, internships in the Philippines offer industry exposure, allowing interns to familiarize themselves with the dynamics, trends, and challenges within their respective fields. This firsthand experience helps individuals make more informed career choices and develop a clearer understanding of the professional path they wish to pursue. Through interactions with professionals, interns can gain valuable insights, expand their networks, and learn about potential job opportunities. Additionally, exposure to different work environments and company cultures helps interns develop adaptability, flexibility, and interpersonal skills that are highly valued in the workplace.
Furthermore, internships play a significant role in enhancing the employability of individuals in the competitive job market in the Philippines. Employers often prioritize candidates with practical experience, and internships provide a means to showcase one's abilities, work ethic, and willingness to learn. The skills and knowledge acquired during internships, coupled with the professional connections made, can give interns a competitive edge when seeking full-time employment. Internships also provide a valuable opportunity for individuals to test their career choices and gain clarity on their long-term goals, ultimately helping them build a solid foundation for a successful career.
Despite the increasing importance of internships, students encounter various challenges when searching for suitable opportunities. Finding internships can present challenges for both universities and students in the Philippines. Firstly, universities often struggle with limited availability and intense competition for internships. The number of available opportunities may not match the demand, making it difficult to accommodate all interested students. Additionally, certain industries tend to offer a higher number of internships, leaving students in other fields with fewer options. Universities must navigate this issue by encouraging students to consider a diverse range of industries and providing support in finding suitable placements.
Secondly, universities may face challenges in establishing and expanding their network of industry connections. The extent and diversity of these networks can vary across institutions, affecting the availability of internship opportunities. Strong connections with employers and alumni are vital to connecting students with relevant internships. Universities must work towards strengthening these relationships by collaborating with industry partners and participating in networking events to provide students with a wider range of internship options.
Thirdly, mismatches in expectations and criteria between universities, students, and employers can hinder the internship search process. Universities aim to provide meaningful learning experiences, while students prioritize gaining practical skills and exposure to their chosen field. On the other hand, employers may have specific project-based tasks in mind for interns. Bridging these gaps requires effective communication and collaboration between all parties to ensure that internships meet the expectations of both students and employers.
The main goal of the internship website proposal is to tackle the difficulties associated with finding internships by centralizing the available opportunities and simplifying the application process. Through the creation of a user-friendly platform, the website will serve as a comprehensive hub for internship listings, eliminating the need for students to navigate multiple sources of information. The website will provide detailed profiles for each internship, job matching algorithm will be developed to transform the internship search process. This including information on requirements, responsibilities, duration, and location, thereby offering students a clearer understanding of each opportunity. Additionally, a groundbreaking algorithm will utilize students' profiles and skills to match them with relevant internships, providing a personalized approach that saves time and effort while enhancing the chances of finding internships that align with their goals and aspirations.
The core component of the proposed internship website is the job matching algorithm, which will play a crucial role in connecting students with suitable internship opportunities. The job matching algorithm will utilize a sophisticated set of criteria to analyze students' profiles and preferences, as well as the internship listings available on the platform. By considering factors such as academic background and skills, the algorithm will generate personalized internship recommendations for each student.
Overall, an internship website with a job matching algorithm would revolutionize the internship landscape in the Philippines. It would streamline the internship search process, improve accessibility, and provide students with a more tailored and meaningful internship experience. By leveraging technology and connectivity, this platform would bridge the gap between students and internship opportunities, ultimately empowering students to kick-start their careers and contribute effectively to the professional world.
see PDF attachment for more information