The Tecnologico de Monterrey's new educational model emphasizes Challenge-Based Learning (CBL) and the evaluation of key competencies, particularly Collaboration. This competency aims to enhance students' skills in engaging with diverse teams and effective communication, essential for professional integration. The Tec Semester Internships program provides seventh-semester students with immersive experiences in real-world industry settings, placing them in interdisciplinary teams across various stages of the production chain. This study assesses the impact of these internships on developing students' collaboration skills, exploring how industry engagement influences this competency. Throughout the 17-week internship, students tackle a challenge in four stages: observing the current status, diagnosing improvement opportunities, proposing solutions, and analyzing results. An industry mentor assesses students through qualitative and quantitative feedback, while students submit a reflective article on their team interactions and role in goal achievement. The findings indicate a significant improvement in adaptability and teamwork, thereby shortening the learning curve for students transitioning into engineering roles. Participants report enhanced teamwork, responsibility, and professional growth. In conclusion, the Tec Semester Internships provide a hands-on approach to essential competency development, offering valuable preparation for engineering graduates. The findings also suggest that universities could replicate this approach to improve skill development for professional integration across diverse sectors.
