The Role of Internship Experience in Enhancing Career Prospects of Hospitality & Tourism Management Students in Private Universities Sri Lanka

Abstract

Internship experience plays a vital role in bridging the gap between academic learning and industry needs, particularly in the tourism and hospitality sector, where vocational skills are paramount to succeeding in one's professional life. Drawing on Human Capital Theory and Experiential Learning Theory, this study explores how internships enhance the career prospects of tourism and hospitality students in Sri Lankan private universities. Human Capital Theory posits that internships are an investment in skills that enhance job marketability, while Experiential Learning Theory emphasizes active participation as essential for developing practical competencies and professional flexibility. Notwithstanding the proven significance of internships, there exists a research gap regarding the tangible impact of internships on career trajectories in the context of Sri Lanka. Available literature is mostly focused on advanced economies, ignoring the influence of factors like industry involvement, institutional assistance, and the framework of internship programs. Furthermore, limited work addresses the issues facing students, including academic industry mismatches, insufficient guidance, and a lack of networking. Based on survey data from 125 undergraduates, Reliability analysis showed high internal consistency across thematic scales, validating the measurement design. Regression analysis revealed that organizational dynamics and industry sector alignment were significant predictors of career prospects, explaining 98.3% of the variance. These findings underscore the critical importance of immersive, industry aligned internships with robust organizational support in fostering job readiness. The paper offers targeted recommendations for higher education providers and industry stakeholders to enhance experiential learning frameworks and sectoral integration within hospitality education.