On January 22, 2026, student leaders, esteemed faculty members, and representatives from the University of Baguio‘s Bachelor of Arts in Political Science (BAPS) program treat the departmental internship as a culminating academic requirement to prepare students for life beyond the classroom. Ensuring a smooth and meaningful transition, as the program implementation serves structured preparations and practices to initiate and direct the alignment, readiness, and skill enhancements of its soon-to-be professionals and graduates.
Following suit for inbound students experiencing the educational culture in the city of Pines and the Philippines are four exchange students from Khon Kaen University—three from the College of Local Administration (COLA) and one from the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, to broaden the reach of the university’s internationalization and partnership/educational accommodation efforts.
Alt Text: UB BAPS pinning ceremonies and coaching for pre-deployment for student interns
Strategic Preparation through Skills Mapping
As part of the pre-deployment process, the graduating students completed a skills and interests survey designed to identify individual strengths, professional goals, and areas for improvement. The results were used to guide student placement in partner agencies, thus allowing better alignment between the capabilities and institutional needs of students, faculty, and management. The data also informed the design of targeted training sessions that addressed identified gaps.
Survey results showed that many students sought confidence-building support, particularly in oral and written communication. These findings were reinforced through consultations with partner agencies, which highlighted the need for interns proficient in research writing, article development, and the production of audio-visual materials.
The program conducted a focused training session led by Mr. Benjamin Lasegan III, faculty from the School of Teacher Education and Liberal Arts. The workshop covered oral and written communication, photography, and videography, which are key skills for effective professional communication and documentation. The coaching efforts directly supported the BAPS Program Outcomes (PO), which emphasized the ability to demonstrate written, visual, and oral presentation skills in producing analytical reports.
Alt Text: UB BAPS pinning ceremonies and coaching for pre-deployment for student interns
Orientation to Government Practice for Students
With the majority of the deployment-ready interns sent out to their designated government offices, the program further strengthened preparation through an orientation on public sector internships. Mr. Joven Agtani, Education Program Specialist II from the Department of Education–Schools Division of Benguet, provided students with an overview of government operations, essential workplace protocols, and professional expectations.
This session familiarized students with the structure and function of government institutions while reinforcing ethical conduct and civic responsibility. As future political scientists and professionals pursuing diverse career paths, both UB and KKU-COLA students were encouraged to view their internships as opportunities for meaningful public service and lifelong civic engagement. Underscoring the ethical participation in political and social issues of local and national importance.
Alt Text: UB BAPS pinning ceremonies and coaching for predeployment of KKU-COLA inbound delegates/students given by the University of Baguio
Transitioning to Professional Engagement
The internship preparation program concluded with a pinning ceremony for pre-deployment students, symbolizing their readiness to enter professional environments. The ceremony marked a significant milestone as students transitioned from academic study to applied experience, carrying with them the values and competencies of the University of Baguio.
This orientation equipped students with foundational knowledge on governance, monitoring and evaluation, and ethical public service. As future political scientists pursuing diverse career paths (expressed and supported by the Sustainable Development Goals 4, 8, 10, and 17), the students were encouraged to view their internships not only as academic requirements but also as formative experiences in civic engagement and social responsibility.
Alt Text: UB BAPS pinning ceremonies and coaching for pre-deployment for student interns
Internships serve as a vital bridge between academic learning and professional practice, offering students valuable experience in real-world settings as students apply theoretical knowledge, strengthen essential workplace skills, and gain insight into potential career paths. These experiences foster professional growth by enhancing communication, teamwork, time management, and adaptability, which are crucial in today’s dynamic work environments. Transform education into action and lay a strong foundation for future career development.
