Background: Despite demands to make higher education more relevant beyond academia, and a growing body of work testifying to the benefits of work-relevance programs (e.g., work-placements, or internships) for both students and the companies that host them, there is limited information available for those aiming to optimize these programs. For…

All university counselors-in-training complete internships under a "qualified" veteran. With a "swim or sink" mentality, an enthusiastic/competent student can be reduced to an insecure and discouraged intern, because supervisors don't have essential mentoring skills. Beliefs and attitudes are acquired/internalized during internship and veterans…