Embracing work-integrated learning in political studies

Abstract

Given the challenge of graduate unemployment in South Africa, this article considers whether Work-integrated Learning (WIL) can be successfully implemented in a discipline such as Political Studies. To do this, it outlines the experiences of former Political Studies students who were placed into internship positions. The article also reflects on how this internship programme served as a catalyst for embracing a broader WIL approach. We find that students that interned experienced personal growth and were successful in developing a career path having been exposed to ‘some form of WIL’. While not providing a panacea for unemployment and other socio-economic challenges, the journey leads us to believe that strengthening of knowledge through WIL can occur in disciplines such as Political Studies and can assist in equipping graduates with a real-world work experience and opportunities. Additionally, we argue that alongside such WIL programmes, a WIL teaching orientation should be considered to empower and equip a broader spectrum of graduates. Indeed, the internship programme paved the way for the development of an entirely new Masters programme with significant potential benefits for students in terms of their academic growth, personal, career, skills and development.

Article Summary

The article addresses the pressing challenge of graduate unemployment in South Africa. This issue necessitates exploring innovative educational approaches that can better prepare university graduates for the job market. The research investigates the specific possibility of successfully integrating Work-integrated Learning (WIL) strategies into traditionally theoretical fields, such as Political Studies, to mitigate this socio-economic problem. The focus of the research is considering whether Work-integrated Learning (WIL) can be successfully implemented in a discipline such as Political Studies. 

It examines the outcomes of placing former Political Studies students into internship positions. This investigation is important because success in implementing WIL in non-traditional fields demonstrates a pathway for strengthening academic knowledge while simultaneously equipping graduates with the necessary real-world work experience and opportunities needed to develop a career path.

The study was carried out by outlining and reflecting upon the experiences of former Political Studies students who were placed into internship positions. This reflection also detailed how the specific internship programme served as a catalyst for embracing a broader WIL approach within the department.

The main findings indicate that students who participated in the internship experienced personal growth and were successful in developing a career path. The research found that exposure to “some form of WIL” assists in equipping graduates with relevant experience. While acknowledging that WIL is not a panacea for unemployment or other socio-economic challenges, the authors argue that strengthening knowledge through WIL can occur in disciplines like Political Studies. The broader implications include the recommendation that a WIL teaching orientation should be adopted to empower a wider range of graduates and, significantly, the fact that the internship journey led directly to the development of an entirely new Masters programme.

Key Points

• The article considers the successful implementation of Work-integrated Learning (WIL) in Political Studies to address graduate unemployment in South Africa.
• Students who interned experienced personal growth and were successful in developing a career path.
• The research suggests that WIL strengthens knowledge and assists in equipping graduates with real-world work experience and opportunities.
• The internship programme served as a catalyst for developing an entirely new Masters programme.
• The authors argue for adopting a WIL teaching orientation alongside specific programmes to empower a broader spectrum of graduates.

Recommended Citation 

Cornelius, M. (2025). Embracing work-integrated learning in political studies. Politics and Urban Governance Research. Published 2025-02-11.