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The Benefits and Expectations of Criminal Justice Interns: An Australian Supervisor Perspective

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Title: The Benefits and Expectations of Criminal Justice Interns: An Australian Supervisor Perspective
Language: English
Authors: Jarryd Bartle (ORCID 0000-0002-1385-1395), Michele Ruyters, Gregory Stratton, Monique Moffa (ORCID 0000-0001-6858-4119), Alasdair Henry, Alyssa Sigamoney, Robin Cameron
Source: Higher Education, Skills and Work-based Learning. 2025 15(7):139-152.
Availability: Emerald Publishing Limited. Howard House, Wagon Lane, Bingley, West Yorkshire, BD16 1WA, UK. Tel: +44-1274-777700; Fax: +44-1274-785201; e-mail: emerald@emeraldinsight.com; Web site: http://www.emerald.com/insight
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 14
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Internship Programs, Criminology, Supervisors, College Students, Student Characteristics, COVID-19, Pandemics, Work Based Learning, Role of Education, Educational Benefits, Educational Opportunities
Geographic Terms: Australia
DOI: 10.1108/HESWBL-10-2024-0327
ISSN: 2042-3896
Abstract: Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore the perspectives of supervisors from criminal justice organisations regarding student internships. It examines how supervisors perceive internships as a pathway for developing future professionals, fostering practical skills and improving understanding of the criminal justice system. Additionally, it investigates supervisors' expectations of interns and the perceived impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the qualities displayed by student interns. Design/methodology/approach: This study draws on qualitative interviews with supervisors from criminal justice organisations in Melbourne, Australia, who oversaw student interns participating in RMIT University's Criminology and Justice Studies internship course. Interviews explored supervisors' perspectives on the role of internships, the qualities they value in interns and how these attributes have shifted post-COVID-19. Thematic analysis was employed to identify key themes related to expectations, perceptions and the evolving role of work-integrated learning (WIL) within the criminal justice field. Findings: Supervisors view internships as vital for student professional development and as an opportunity to identify future recruits. They expect interns to demonstrate professional skills, subject matter knowledge, interest in the field, resilience and confidence. To assist many host organisations, provide in-house training to interns to improve capabilities. Supervisors observed a decline in key attributes following the COVID-19 pandemic, citing challenges such as reduced resilience and confidence amongst interns. The findings highlight the value of internships for both host organisations and students whilst addressing post-pandemic challenges in preparing work-ready graduates. Originality/value: This study fills a gap in the literature by focusing on the perspectives of supervisors from criminal justice host organisations within Australia, which has not previously been explored. It contributes to understanding how internships support the professional development of criminal justice students whilst revealing challenges posed by the pandemic. The findings provide insights for universities to enhance WIL programmes and better prepare students for careers in the criminal justice field.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: EJ1470431
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: The Benefits and Expectations of Criminal Justice Interns: An Australian Supervisor Perspective
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Jarryd+Bartle%22">Jarryd Bartle</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1385-1395">0000-0002-1385-1395</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Michele+Ruyters%22">Michele Ruyters</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Gregory+Stratton%22">Gregory Stratton</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Monique+Moffa%22">Monique Moffa</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6858-4119">0000-0001-6858-4119</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Alasdair+Henry%22">Alasdair Henry</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Alyssa+Sigamoney%22">Alyssa Sigamoney</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Robin+Cameron%22">Robin Cameron</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Higher+Education%2C+Skills+and+Work-based+Learning%22"><i>Higher Education, Skills and Work-based Learning</i></searchLink>. 2025 15(7):139-152.
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  Data: Emerald Publishing Limited. Howard House, Wagon Lane, Bingley, West Yorkshire, BD16 1WA, UK. Tel: +44-1274-777700; Fax: +44-1274-785201; e-mail: emerald@emeraldinsight.com; Web site: http://www.emerald.com/insight
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  Data: Y
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  Data: 14
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  Data: 2025
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  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Higher+Education%22">Higher Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Postsecondary+Education%22">Postsecondary Education</searchLink>
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  Label: Descriptors
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Internship+Programs%22">Internship Programs</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Criminology%22">Criminology</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Supervisors%22">Supervisors</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22College+Students%22">College Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Characteristics%22">Student Characteristics</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22COVID-19%22">COVID-19</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Pandemics%22">Pandemics</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Work+Based+Learning%22">Work Based Learning</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Role+of+Education%22">Role of Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+Benefits%22">Educational Benefits</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+Opportunities%22">Educational Opportunities</searchLink>
– Name: Subject
  Label: Geographic Terms
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Australia%22">Australia</searchLink>
– Name: DOI
  Label: DOI
  Group: ID
  Data: 10.1108/HESWBL-10-2024-0327
– Name: ISSN
  Label: ISSN
  Group: ISSN
  Data: 2042-3896
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore the perspectives of supervisors from criminal justice organisations regarding student internships. It examines how supervisors perceive internships as a pathway for developing future professionals, fostering practical skills and improving understanding of the criminal justice system. Additionally, it investigates supervisors' expectations of interns and the perceived impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the qualities displayed by student interns. Design/methodology/approach: This study draws on qualitative interviews with supervisors from criminal justice organisations in Melbourne, Australia, who oversaw student interns participating in RMIT University's Criminology and Justice Studies internship course. Interviews explored supervisors' perspectives on the role of internships, the qualities they value in interns and how these attributes have shifted post-COVID-19. Thematic analysis was employed to identify key themes related to expectations, perceptions and the evolving role of work-integrated learning (WIL) within the criminal justice field. Findings: Supervisors view internships as vital for student professional development and as an opportunity to identify future recruits. They expect interns to demonstrate professional skills, subject matter knowledge, interest in the field, resilience and confidence. To assist many host organisations, provide in-house training to interns to improve capabilities. Supervisors observed a decline in key attributes following the COVID-19 pandemic, citing challenges such as reduced resilience and confidence amongst interns. The findings highlight the value of internships for both host organisations and students whilst addressing post-pandemic challenges in preparing work-ready graduates. Originality/value: This study fills a gap in the literature by focusing on the perspectives of supervisors from criminal justice host organisations within Australia, which has not previously been explored. It contributes to understanding how internships support the professional development of criminal justice students whilst revealing challenges posed by the pandemic. The findings provide insights for universities to enhance WIL programmes and better prepare students for careers in the criminal justice field.
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      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.1108/HESWBL-10-2024-0327
    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 14
        StartPage: 139
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Internship Programs
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Criminology
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Supervisors
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: College Students
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      – SubjectFull: Pandemics
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      – SubjectFull: Work Based Learning
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Role of Education
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      – SubjectFull: Educational Benefits
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      – SubjectFull: Educational Opportunities
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      – SubjectFull: Australia
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