PREPARATION AND EXTRACTION OF SUGARCANE JUICE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF SUGAR, ALCOHOL, AND ELECTRICITY AT THE COMPANY BIOCOM: A REPORT ABOUT PROFESSIONAL INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE

Abstract

Professional internship is a valuable tool in the training and development process of trainees, recent graduates or newly hired employees. Their objective is based on the practical application of previously acquired theoretical knowledge and specific guidance on the tasks to be performed within organizations. During these process trainees, recent graduates or newly hired employees encounter new realities and face different challenges in the workplace. However the positive aspects are not overlooked and considering the benefits of the professional internship, the faced challenges are overcome as experience is gained. This paper reports on the authors professional internship experience carried out over a year in the industrial process department of Angolan Biocom Company. The activities focused on the preparation and extraction of sugarcane juice for sugar production, alcohol and electricity. The method used was field research which involved direct observation, structured and unstructured interviews, compilation of each stage information and primary data collection on-site. The experience allowed for the observation and process analysis for better understanding of topics studied in the classroom and possible correlation with practice class. The results achieved included among many others, learning teamwork to implement improvements in work instructions, knowledge and continuous training on industrial processes, specifically those related to the preparation of sugarcane, juice extraction and milling, training and capacity building on supervision techniques in the industrial operations center. It is expected that this research (descriptive work and report of the internship experience at Biocom Company) provide the understanding stages of professional internship and the activities developed at each stage, as well as the experience for recent interns from small, medium or large organizations. It is also expected that it will broaden the intern’s perspectives as future professionals and contributors to personal and company development, especially those companies in the same sector.