Successful elements of internship programs for school principals: Some lessons for career development of professional candidates

The preparation of professionals and managers has been considered an essential part in the career development of novice employees in a wide variety of professions and management positions. It is further recognized nowadays that a successful internship, i.e., the involvement of prospective professionals or managers (interns) in practical, day-today activities in their impending occupational workplace, is of high importance for their career development and adaptation. Aspects of recruitment, contents, methods, organization and duration were found to play a key role in effective internship programs. In this chapter, a review of the current research on successful internship programs for school principals is presented as an attempt to illuminate the effective aspects of internship programs and to trace their contribution to prospective principals' professional development and growth. Then, based on this review, and on personal experiences from Israel, a special model for an improvement project in the internship program is suggested, coupled with some practical lessons for establishing effective principal preparation programs worldwide. The chapter ends by providing some insights into the establishment of effective internship programs for professionals and managers in diverse occupations and organizations.