The Best-Worst Method-based Evaluation of Criteria for Engineering Internship

Abstract

Choosing suitable internship placements is a complex decision-making task influenced by various criteria that are often underemphasized in academic planning. This study applies the Best-Worst Method (BWM) to systematically identify and prioritize the most significant factors affecting engineering students' internship site preferences. Key considerations-including motivation, support systems, learning opportunities, and future career prospects-are gathered and quantitatively assessed using BWM. This approach enables a structured evaluation of students' priorities, providing insights that can inform more effective and studentaligned internship planning. A case study conducted at a Thai university demonstrates how BWM can enhance strategic decision-making in engineering education and support student engagement and career development in STEM disciplines. © 2025 IEEE.

Keywords

Author Keywords

STEM best-worst method engineering internship multi-criteria decision making

Index Keywords

Employment Professional aspects Engineering education Decision making Apprentices Students artificial intelligence Behavioral research STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) STEM Decisions makings BAD methods Best-bad method Complex decision Engineering internship Internship placements Multi criteria decision-making Multicriteria decision-making Multicriterion decision makings

Author Affiliations

Department of Industrial Engineering, Ubon Ratchathani University, Ubon Ratchathani, Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand

Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, Silpakorn University, Nakhon Pathom, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand

Funding & Acknowledgements

Silpakorn University

This research was financially supported in part by Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, Faculty of Engineering and Industrial Technology, Silpakorn University.

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The Best-Worst Method-based Evaluation of Criteria for Engineering Internship

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