INTRODUCTION

Learning occurs throughout a variety of human endeavors and forms. In

general, formal education from academic institutions or universities serves as the ideal

setting for gaining the correct knowledge and abilities required for future job (Laguador,

2013). On the other hand, for students taking up Civil Engineering course, nothing

compares to first-hand experiences as an excellent learning tool. Hence, Student

Internship Program in the Philippines (SIPP), also known as on-the-job training (OJT),

is a vital part of the tertiary curriculum.

According to Anjum (2020), Student Internship Programs connect classroom

theory with practical work experience. Civil engineering students actually benefit from

real-world exposure to working environments for the development of the skills essential

to stand out in their chosen career. In addition to giving first-hand experience in the

workplace, internships also give opportunity to learn about the student’s chosen

professional path (Maio, 2018). It could also help the students integrate their learnings

into practice hone their leadership abilities, and gain a competitive edge as they look

for permanent employment in the future.

Due to the realization that teaching students is a joint effort between academic

institutions and industry, the majority of local government units (LGUs), including the

Local Government Unit of Indang, now provide engineering students the chance to

gain practical experience for future employment. Indang is a first-class municipality in

the province of Cavite that has undertaken several infrastructure projects, including

the construction or improvement of drainage systems; construction or improvement of

access roads; renovation of barangay halls; and other local projects. This internship

program was conducted at Indang LGU in order to give the student trainee an

opportunity to work with engineers and other office staff members and obtain useful

expertise in the practical and administrative facets of engineering jobs and services.
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Objectives of the Student Internship Program

The general objective of the student internship program was to provide

knowledge and enhance or practice opportunities so that the trainee with no prior

experience could gain the information, skills, and competencies necessary to carry out

the tasks related to the civil engineering profession.

Specifically, the internship program aimed to:

1. give the student work experience according to the civil engineering field;

2. develop strong interpersonal skills that will improve the student’s capacity for

effective interaction;

3. provide the student with the chance to put all they learned in class into practice

while also learning new information to enhance their skills and thinking

capacity;

4. give the student a setting where she could learn more skills and methods for

carrying out different duties, practice utilizing the actual tools, equipment, and

papers while following the job procedures; and

5. enhance student’s capacity for professionalism in interpersonal interactions,

competence, quality awareness, teamwork, critical thinking, self-discipline,

initiative, and independence.

Significance of the Student Internship Program

In a genuine or nearly real working environment, on-the-job training (OJT) or

this student internship program is a practical method for gaining new competences and

skills needed for a job (Valamis, 2021). In terms of the civil engineering field or setting,

it was significant as it was used for learning knowledge, skills, and competence through

actual work experience in a setting linked to the said field, as well as to learn how to

operate specific tools or equipment, properly read engineering plans, make a program

for a specific project, and know the basics and technicalities of the field.
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Moreover, it also served as her first-hand learning experience, which is very

much like the ones she would see every day in the Civil Engineering field. On the other

hand, the institution where the practicum was held also benefited because more people

were employed, and due to the expansion of this workforce, tasks became lighter.

Finally, the actual work associated with the course they are taking would be presented

to the student. Hence, it enabled the trainee without any prior expertise to work while

learning.

Time and Place of the Student Internship Program

The Student Internship Program started on July 14, 2022 and ended on August

10, 2022. It was conducted in the Local Government Unit of Indang, Cavite, located at

Brgy. Poblacion III. Specifically, the trainee was assigned to the Office of the Municipal

Engineer in the said Host Training Establishment (HTE).