IMPACT OF PRACTICUM EXPERIENCE ON UNIVERSITY STUDENTS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study explored the impact of practicum experience on students professional development in Ogun State, Nigeria. A descriptive research design survey type was used. The population of the study comprised 358 final year educational management students of Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, Ogun State who were eligible for the 2023/2024 practicum exercise. A simple random sampling technique was used to select a sample of 100 students representing 28% of the total population. Data were collected using a well structured questionnaire tagged “Practicum Professional Development Questionnaire (PPDQ)”. The instrument demonstrated good internal consistency with a Cronbach alpha coefficient of 0.867. Findings revealed that practicum significantly influences students’ professional competencies, students encounter moderate challenges during practicum, and mentorship shapes students’ professional outlook during practicum. It was concluded that practicum is an indispensable component of professional development, as it creates an avenue for students to develop the practical skills and competencies required for their future careers. The study recommended; enhanced collaboration between universities and practicum schools, provision of adequate resources, and improvement in mentorship quality.