Internships are structured work placement schemes offered by large organisations
and companies. Like other forms of Work experience, they show employers you’ve
developed those all-important team-working and communication skills.
Internships
Most internships are advertised from October to February. If you’re
interested in careers in finance, consulting or IT, it’s important not to
miss application deadlines so make sure you check out the links at the end of this
article.
- Typically they run during the summer for between four and twelve weeks.
- Most commonly found in sectors such as IT and finance, they are usually
well-structured and provide a diverse range of experiences.
- Companies use internships as a way of recruiting graduates for permanent positions
- They help you get a feel for what the job really involves which will help
you decide whether or not this is a field you’d like to work in permanently.
A word of warning: internships are extremely competitive, and the application
process can be long and demanding. So be prepared to start early!
Where can I find internships?
- The government has just launched Graduate Talent Pool as part of a package of programmes to support
graduates and business during the downturn.
- Internships are available in both the public, private and charity
sectors and include a range of activities, including time-limited projects or a
varied programme of work experience
- Try The Careers Group, University of London’s online vacancies at www.careers.lon.ac.uk/vacancies
- Other possibilities include
Hobsons GET or Prospects
What other work experience is useful?
- Registering with a recruitment agency to find temporary summer assignments
(or “temping”) can be an invaluable way of building skills and finding
out what kind of work you prefer.
- Assignments tend to be flexible in terms of timing and location, so you could
be working for an accountancy firm one day and an advertising agency the next.
- Try www.e4s.co.uk and www.justjobs4students.co.uk
or download the publication Recruitment agencies and online jobs boards from The
Careers Group
What about casual work?
- Start local – check out your job centre, the library, look
in shop windows and in the local press.
- Think laterally: are there any seasonal events in your area? Events
such as Wimbledon or Ascot, for instance, are excellent sources of temporary casual
work.
- Try the National Council for Work Experience
- Shell Step, offers
project-based work within small-to-medium-sized businesses. See also
Tap into the hidden job market
- Don’t forget voluntary work! www.do-it.org is the national database of volunteering opportunities
in the UK.
Finally...
Word of mouth is often the best way to find work. Don’t be shy about asking
family and friends to see if they know of any suitable vacancies: many jobs are
not advertised, and it really pays to make use of your existing contacts. See the networking page for more advice about networking.
