Is it really about the money? Exploring the effects of industry internship experiences on students’ well-being and confidence in computer science

A study conducted by Frontiers in Education (International) explores the impact of industry internship experiences on the well-being and confidence of computer science students. While internships are recognized for fostering professional skill development and career persistence, less is understood about their association with student self-efficacy (SE) and the impostor phenomenon (IP). The research, based on a survey of 455 computing students, investigates these connections through quantitative comparisons and qualitative analysis of internship interpretations, considering demographic, academic, and internship-specific variables.

Why it matters

Understanding the direct link between internship experiences and student well-being and confidence is crucial for optimizing educational and talent development strategies. This research provides insights into how experiential learning impacts psychological factors, which are vital for long-term career success and retention in technical fields.

Key insights

• Industry internships are acknowledged as transformative for undergraduate computing education.
• Internships support professional skill development, identity formation, and persistence in computing careers.
• Limited research exists on the direct association between internship experience and students’ well-being and confidence (self-efficacy and impostor phenomenon).
• The study uses a mixed-methods approach (quantitative survey and qualitative open-ended responses) to explore these connections.
• Research investigates how prior internship experiences relate to student self-efficacy (SE) and the impostor phenomenon (IP).
• Analysis includes demographic, academic, and internship-specific variables in interpreting student experiences.

Source

Frontiers in Education — https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feduc.2026.1921182