Internship

The term internship refers to work done at an institution or company for a limited period of time to deepen practical skills and prepare for a profession. It can be done on a voluntary basis, as career orientation, on a bridging basis or as a compulsory part of the overall training. Depending on the field, interns are involved in more or less of the work processes that are also handled by trained professionals. Whether the intern receives financial remuneration depends on the type of the internship and the reason for it. At the end of the internship, a certificate is usually issued for further use.

What types of internships are there?
When and for whom is an internship useful?
What is the purpose of an internship?
How long does an internship last?
How much is the remuneration for an internship?
What are the advantages of an internship?

Internships as part of school education or studies can be either voluntary or compulsory. The duration and timing are not uniformly regulated. Many candidates opt for a voluntary internship abroad. Especially in business degree programs, international internship experience is required.

An internship is useful for anyone who wants to get to know a certain job profile or company. This can be part of a study program or an interesting opportunity for people who are about to leave school or finish their studies. University graduates and other young professionals often decide to do an internship before starting work in order to be as well prepared as possible before launching their career. Internships also serve as a bridging opportunity for people who have been looking for a job for an extended period.

The aim of an internship is to learn practical skills in a specific field of activity that cannot be acquired through theoretical knowledge transfer. As such, it prepares the intern for a later occupation. In addition, internships give individuals the chance to get to know an occupational profile, plug gaps in their CV and establish contact with companies. Stays abroad are also useful to acquire language skills. Internships also facilitate the understanding of related professions, which promotes an interdisciplinary approach.

The length of an internship depends on the type. In many fields of study, internships can last six months or longer. Block internships within the framework of school education are subject to the respective curricula in terms of length. The length of voluntary internships is subject to agreement between employer and intern and can range from a few days to several months.
 

There is no entitlement to remuneration for compulsory internships as part of school or university studies. In some cases, companies pay a voluntary allowance. In the case of voluntary internships, the participant is usually entitled to what is known as an internship salary.
 

A voluntary internship testifies to a high degree of self-motivation. It certifies practical experience that goes beyond the compulsory level. A work placement helps graduates and students to choose a career and gives the long-term unemployed the opportunity to avoid gaps in their CVs while also gaining skills for re-entry into working life. Compulsory internships generate the practical experience that neither schools nor academic education are able to provide. Internships abroad also help in learning foreign languages in a professional and everyday environment.