EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This report is based on a one-month internship program carried out at Buea Post and Telecommunication Cooperative Credit Union Ltd (BPTCCUL) from the 04th of June to the 4th of July 2021. The main aim of the internship was to blend theory with practice. The main aim of the organisation is to provide financial assistance and financial services to its members.

It consists of an organisational structure which starts with the General Assembly followed by the Board of Directors and the various standing committees till the various departments. While at the institution, the intern worked in the various departments like the members service, loan, accounting and marketing departments. T

he intern equally discovered that there is a big difference between theory and practical as seen in the field. Some weakness such as loan delinquency, limited workers, and infrastructural limitations and strengths such as good team spirit, good communication process, high customer satisfaction etc. were observed by the intern.

The intern recommended the institution to carry out recruitment when workers are limited, to avoid giving out huge sums of money as loan. At the end of the internship, the intern was privilege to achieve so much experience with the help of the staff of BPTCCUL, and most importantly the intern achieved the main objective which was to blend theory and practice.

To conclude; it is evident that internship is an essential tool in education because it serves as an instrument which prepares the student to be able to face the global world when due time comes, thus leading to better performance.

CHAPTER ONE

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of Study

Internship is a prerequisite of the university in partial fulfillment of the award of a bachelor degree. With this, I was opportune to be an intern at the Buea P&T cooperative credit union (BPTCCUL).

1.2 Definition of internship

An internship is a professional learning experience that offers meaningful, practical work related to student field of study. An internship gives the student the opportunity development, and also to learn new skills. Those on internship are called INTERNS.

Internship is generally a short period of time with the relevant focus on getting the skills on the job training and applying what has been learned in classroom to the real world situation.

1.3 Characteristics of internship

– It contributes to student personal and professional development through challenging work and assignment and it completed before a student graduates from the university.

–  It is planned and scheduled through consultation with the department or the university so as to fit into the undergraduate experience.

– It involves a supervision component that is mentoring and educational.

– A student will have a reflection and evaluation process at the end of the internship.

– Internship is most successful when the student, university and the employer share the responsibilities in making it a valuable experience.

– It includes career related experience that complements what is learned in the classroom.

1.4 Objectives of internship

– To gain opportunity to test one interest in a particular field

– To allow students apply theoretical knowledge acquired during lectures of university study to practice.

– To gain techniques which are directly applicable to one’s career

– To acquire good working habit

– Also to gain employment opportunities

1.5 Benefits/Significance of internship

1.5.1 Benefits to student

– Students have the opportunity to get practical work experience and can brighten their prospects in the changing job market.

– Students can enhance classroom experience and further develop and practice the required skills to solve emerging business problems.

– Develop self-confidence as they identify skills, ability and talents.

– Internship gives students the chance to explore what a career in their field of study is like.

– Being an intern gives the opportunity to create connection with company professionals that can be beneficiary in your future career.

– Internship exposes a student to practice communication and team work skills

  1.5.2 Benefits to the employer

–  Gives the employer access to quality and qualified candidates

– Employer takes advantage of low cost labor that the interns offer that he could have spent huge sum for the job to be done

– Students contribute new energy and ideas to the work place

–  Can evaluate student for potential full time employment.

1.5.3 Benefits to the university

– Helps facilitate transfer out process to the students.

– It strengthens the relationship between the students and the community

– Helps retention and graduates

– Curriculum can be benefited through feedback of employees

2.1 History and Evolution of BPTCCUL

A credit union is an association of persons who come together to save regularly with the aim of building up funds from which members can benefit in many ways. In other words, a credit union is a cooperative society where people put their resources together for a common goal. They all have the same rights and responsibilities in the union.

The main aim of a credit union is to put together resources such as savings, deposit, and shares that can be given to members in the form of loan at a reasonable interest rate for both investment and consumption purposes, hence elevating poverty.

Buea P&T Cooperative Credit Union (BPTCCUL) is a category one (1) microfinance institution owned and managed by its members. BPTCCUL being one of the credit unions in Cameroon was created by some visionary employees of the ministry of post and telecommunication in 1968 as a small ‘NJANGI’ saving scheme and later on transformed into a credit union in 1971 and it opened its doors to non P&T workers.

Check Out: Internship Reports Topics with Materials