THE EFFECTS OF SUPERVISED WORK EXPERIENCE ON THE PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY UNDERGRADUATES

Supervised work experience (SWE) is a part of many degree courses. The psychological effects of SWE on students are relatively unknown, although considerable claims are made by advocates of SWE. In this research the effects of a work placement year, and of students' experiences of placement work, are investigated with data from 218 UK psychology undergraduates on three occasions over a 17-month period. There was no evidence that a placement enhanced students' self-esteem or career decidedness, but some evidence that it enhanced their self-rated abilities. Perceived work autonomy and social support on placement had a small but significant effect on the dependent variables. The results indicate that SWE must be carefully designed if it is to enhance students' personal development.