A student internship is a program in which a student works temporarily with the goal of gaining on-the-job training. Internships are closely related to apprenticeship programs, and interns will generally be college students who are looking to gain the real world skills that will be needed after graduation. Internships are valuable for many reasons.

In many fields, such as Engineering and Law, it isn’t enough for a student to simply graduate from college with a degree. In these fields, having work experience and contacts is critical. If a graduate doesn’t have sufficient work experience or the proper contacts, it may be difficult for them to find employment.

An internship can allow a student to gain a network of contacts before they graduate, and this can be invaluable when they’re looking for employment. A company is much more likely to hire a graduate who has worked for them as an intern as opposed to hiring a stranger, regardless of their qualifications.

Another reason why internships are valuable is because it gives students an opportunity to determine whether or not a career is suited to them. Internships are also valuable to employers as well, primarily because it gives them low cost(or free) labor, and they are able to assess the performance of the student in a real environment.

Types of Internships

There are a variety of different internships available. While some internships are paid, many are not. Some internships also offer students partial payments. Fields in which paid internships are typically available include the medical field, as well as engineering, law, accounting, or advertising. If a student takes an internship in a non-profit organization, they will not be paid, and many think tank programs offer unpaid internships as well. While many internships are part time, some may be full time as well.

Many organizations are aware of the fact that students must continue their studies while being interns, so full time programs are generally only available during the summer, while part time programs are available during the rest of the year.

The shortest internships will last about six weeks, while the longest will generally be double that time. There is no limit to the type of organizations that offer internship programs. Some are offered by private corporations, while others are offered by government institutions. Still others are offered by NGOs. It should also be noted that internships will differ by geographical location. Due to legalities, most internships in Europe are non-paid. However, these internships may still be valuable to students who want to gain international experience.

Internship Preparation

Getting prepared for an internship can be quite tedious; however, the experience and rewards can be well worth the effort. In countries such as the United States, internships may even be a type of employment for skilled employees who have been laid off from their regular jobs. When preparing for your internship, it is crucially important for you to research the company you will be working for, and learn as much as you can about it. You will want to review your resume for grammar errors, and you will need to make sure you have a cover letter that is streamlined and focused. As with all jobs, an internship will require you to be interviewed by the company.

You will want to follow the same principles for your internship interview as you would for a regular job interview, which is to dress appropriately, arrive on time, give the interviewer a firm handshake, and be ready to answer common job interview questions. In the United States, most internships will be specific to one’s career. If you are a college or university student, you will want to choose your internship based on your major.

Getting an internship is beneficial since you will already have your foot in the door of the company after you graduate. Due to the competitive job market, it is critical for graduates to gain real world experience prior to leaving school. The vast majority of internships in the United States are paid, but the wages offered are generally quite low.