Summary
The study was conducted during the School Year 2024-2025 at Quirino State University, Diffun
Campus, to evaluate how criminology internships shape professional readiness. The research
aimed to achieve the following objectives: (1) Identify the profile of the respondents in terms of
age, sex, Year graduated, rank/position, Field of work. (2) Determine how criminology
internships shape professional readiness in terms of: Skills development and Attitude
development. (3) Assess the significant differences in the impact of internship experiences on
career readiness when respondents are grouped by profile. A structured questionnaire was
utilized to gather the necessary data. The data were analyzed using frequency counts,
percentages, means, t-tests, and ANOVA to determine significant differences among respondent
groups.
Highlights of the study were follws:
1. Profile of the Respondents
Among the 81 respondents, the majority were male (72.84%) and within the 29-31 years old age
range (70.37%).
Most respondents were employed in the Philippine National Police (PNP) (61.73%), while
38.27% were working in the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).
2. Impact of Internships on Skills Development
The respondents strongly agreed (Grand Mean = 3.81) that their internship experiences
significantly enhanced their practical skills, including crime scene investigations, report writing,
and conflict resolution.
Confidence in crime scene investigations (Mean = 3.00, Agree) was rated slightly lower
compared to other skills, suggesting areas for improvement in training.
3. Impact of Internships on Attitude Development
The respondents strongly agreed (Grand Mean = 3.96) that internships positively influenced their
attitude development, improving discipline, punctuality, emotional management, and adherence
to professional standards.
The lowest-rated statement (Mean = 3.59) still fell within “Strongly Agree,” indicating that all
aspects of attitude development were positively impacted.
4. Differences in Career Readiness Based on Profile
Age: There was no significant difference in overall career readiness between age groups, except
for firearm training and case analysis, where younger respondents (26-28 years old) showed
slightly higher agreement.
Sex: There was no significant difference in responses between males and females, indicating that
both genders benefited equally from the internship program.
Year Graduated: There was no significant difference among respondents based on their
graduation year, suggesting that the internship program maintained consistent quality over time.
Field of Work: A significant difference was found in firearm safety training, where PNP interns
rated their training higher (Mean = 4.00) than BFP interns (Mean = 3.32, p < 0.001). PNP interns
also rated their compassion towards distressed individuals slightly higher than BFP interns.
Conclusions
Based on the findings, the following conclusions were drawn:
1. Internships are effective in preparing criminology students for professional careers.
Internships provide hands-on experience that enhances both practical skills and professional
behavior.
2. Male and female respondents benefit equally from the internship program.
There were no significant differences in their experiences or perceived benefits.
3. Internships consistently benefit students, regardless of their age or year of graduation.
The training quality has remained stable over time.
4. PNP interns receive more firearm training than BFP interns.
This suggests the need for additional firearm training for BFP interns.
5. While internships are effective, improvements can still be made.
There is room for enhancement, especially in providing more comprehensive hands-on training
in crime scene investigation and case analysis.
Recommendations
To further enhance the effectiveness of criminology internships at Quirino State University,
Diffun Campus, the following recommendations are proposed:
1. Improve Hands-On Training
Increase crime scene simulation exercises and forensic training to boost confidence in crime
scene investigations.
Provide additional firearm safety training for BFP interns to ensure equal skill development
across agencies.
2. Strengthen Internship Programs
Expand partnerships with more law enforcement agencies to offer diverse and high-quality
internship placements.
Set clear learning objectives and structured performance evaluations to ensure skill development
is effectively measured.
3. Support for Faculty and Internship Supervisors
Provide regular training for faculty and field supervisors to keep them updated on current
criminology practices.
Encourage faculty to engage in fieldwork experiences to better guide students during internships.
4. Career Preparation Support for Students
Conduct career counseling sessions and job placement assistance for graduating criminology
students.
Organize workshops on resume writing, job interviews, and workplace professionalism to
enhance employability.
5. Regular Evaluation and Program Improvement
Establish feedback mechanisms through surveys and interviews with interns, faculty, and agency
supervisors.
Conduct annual reviews of the internship program to identify gaps and implement necessary
improvements.
By implementing these recommendations, Quirino State University, Diffun Campus, can further
enhance the internship experience for criminology students, ensuring they are fully equipped for
careers in law enforcement and public safety.
