This study presents the findings of postgraduates' experiences of participating in work-integrated learning (WIL) at the University of Johannesburg. A qualitative research approach was used because it focuses on how people make sense of experiences to comprehend individual social realities. Sociology graduates who participated in 120-hour internships were more likely to face unemployment after graduation than social work graduates who engaged in internships spanning 900 to 1200 hours. Results suggest that while WIL can enhance career readiness, prolonged, immersive experiences optimize employment outcomes. This study provides unique insight into the complexities of the implementation of WIL in the fields of humanities and social sciences which are not traditional areas of focus for WIL in South Africa. Given the high levels of unemployment in South Africa, WIL holds out the promise that by gaining exposure to the world of work young people may improve their employment prospects.