Abstract
The objective of this research was to investigate how the decision of Brazilian
university students to enroll (or not) in internships’ selection processes would
be affected by the form and content of the ads published in social media.
Thus, a qualitative research was carried out through a multiple-case study.
Data were collected in semi-structured interviews via Skype, as well as direct
observations of eight individuals. The category Diversions presented the most
relevant results shedding light as to how the interviewees’ focus was shifted
while searching for internship positions during their interviews. The title refers
to how distractions make students stray from their intended search for
internship positions. Instead, social media exerts a sort of magnetism that is
more powerful than recruiting posts and ads, attracting their attention away
from internship openings search, making them secondary. In conclusion, diversions
were found to become obstacles for undergraduate students when
applying for internship positions online.