Internships are a form of experiential learning whereby students can apply and practice their skills in a professional setting while gaining career and life experience. This study explored internship experiences among students attending an Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in the Southeastern region of the U.S. Using Grounded Theory, 18 students participated in in-person small group interviews at Time 1 and 11 participated in follow-up individual phone interviews 1 year later at Time 2. The grounded theory that emerged from the data depicts the process by which students engaged with, and made meaning from, the internship process. Participants are unique individuals with individual and contextual factors that impact the values and beliefs they bring to the internship process. The internship application process is complex, and support from important others, limitations to internship opportunities, and financial considerations impact students’ experiences. These experiences shape perceptions regarding the value of internships, which informs students’ future projections. In combination, the internship process is a process that unfolds over time and in which students’ experiences mutually influence and inform one another. Implications for internship employers and higher education institutions, applications to career theory, and future directions for research are discussed.

实习是一种体验式学习，学生可以在专业环境中应用和练习自己的技能，同时获得职业和生活经验。这项研究使用扎根理论探讨了在美国东南部历史悠久的黑人学院和大学（HBCU）就读的学生中的实习经历，其中有18位学生在时间1参加了个人小组访谈，而11位学生则参加了后续个人电话采访一年后在时间2进行访谈。从数据中得出的扎根理论描述了学生参与实习过程并从中受益的过程。参与者是具有个人和背景因素的独特个体，这些因素会影响他们带给实习过程的价值观和信念。实习申请过程很复杂，以及其他重要人士的支持，实习机会的限制以及财务方面的考虑会影响学生的学习体验。这些经历塑造了对实习价值的理解，从而为学生的未来发展提供了依据。总而言之，实习过程是一个随着时间而发展的过程，在此过程中，学生的经历相互影响并相互交流。讨论了对实习雇主和高等教育机构的影响，对职业理论的应用以及未来的研究方向。实习过程是一个随着时间的流逝而发展的过程，在这个过程中，学生的经历相互影响并相互交流。讨论了对实习雇主和高等教育机构的影响，对职业理论的应用以及未来的研究方向。实习过程是一个随着时间而发展的过程，在这个过程中，学生的经历会相互影响并相互交流。讨论了对实习雇主和高等教育机构的影响，对职业理论的应用以及未来的研究方向。