Pathways to Employability: Mediating Impacts of Skill Growth, Professional Networks, and Identity Formation in Internship Experiences

Abstract

In today’s dynamic higher education environment, internship programs have become pivotal in enhancing university students’ employability. This systematic review aims to (1) examine the impact of internship experience on employability, and (2) investigate the mediating mechanisms—skill development, professional networking, and professional identity formation—through which internship experience contributes to employability outcomes. Employing a comprehensive and structured methodology, the review synthesizes peer-reviewed papers from 2015–2025. The results regularly show that internships boost university students' employability. The research provides additional evidence that this link is established through practical skill development, professional network expansion, and professional identity creation. These variables are key to internships improving workforce preparedness. Additionally, the review identifies variations in internship effectiveness across disciplines and internship durations. The research findings are consistent with the hypotheses and provide evidence-based, actionable insights for educators, policymakers, and employers aiming to strengthen the linkage between academic training and workforce readiness.