Industrial psychologist intern: Professional purpose, skills and practice confidence

Orientation: Internships are a practical way for students to operationalise their professional purpose, acquire key occupation-related skills and practise capability in real-world work settings. Research purpose: This study explored industrial organisational psychology (IOP) interns’ views of purpose perceptions the applied they developed as result internship programme, including confidence about setting up an independent practice. Motivation study: There is currently dearth South African research on IOP programme. approach/design method: The utilised qualitative approach. An open-ended question survey was conducted among 17 Africa-based interns. Thematic analysis used analyse collected data. Main findings: Data revealed intrinsic motivational self-determination interns influencing force personal vision practising psychologists (IPs). Views were aligned with HPCSA minimum competency requirements manifested within digital-era space. Interns felt more confident rather than private Practical/managerial implications: Understanding psychological needs that motivate intern may help improve coursework training supervision support practices intern. Contribution/value-add: extends literature dire need enhancing successfully managing IP