VietTESOL International Convention 2026

Graduation internships represent a vital bridge between academic instruction and professional practice for students majoring in English linguistics and literature. These placements offer essential opportunities for learners to apply their academic knowledge in real-world settings, thereby enhancing their professional competencies and developing necessary soft skills for their future careers. This study investigates the effectiveness of the graduation internship program exclusively from the perspectives of the participating students. Data were collected through structured surveys administered to English majors who had recently completed their internship requirements. The research aims to evaluate how these practical experiences contribute to the professional development and career readiness of student interns before they enter the workforce. The findings indicate that most student participants experienced a dynamic and professional working environment that fostered growth in their linguistic abilities and interpersonal skills. High satisfaction scores were recorded regarding workplace integration, facility quality, mentorship support, and the relevance of assigned tasks to their specific field of study. However, the findings also revealed a range of challenges faced by English-major interns, including initial adaptation to organizational culture, difficulties in applying theoretical knowledge to real-world tasks, limited confidence in professional English communication, challenges in translation and interpretation assignments, insufficient workplace experience, the need to develop digital and AI-related competencies, and pressure to meet professional expectations while strengthening their soft skills and career identity. Drawing on these findings, the study offers several significant recommendations for improving internship programs to better support the academic and career development of English majors as well as align academic preparation with industry demands, ultimately ensuring more robust professional development for graduates.