Having experience of the working world is essential for getting a job, and students are encouraged to get these skills by interning as much as possible. Over 50% of employers say they wouldn’t give a job to a graduate with no experience, revealed a 2013 report.
When they’re done right, internships can bridge the gap between uni and employment, but there are some important things to be aware of to make sure your experience is genuine, not exploitative.
A good internship will be a structured placement in a company that is paid at the national minimum wage (NMW) or above. Over the past year unpaid internships have made headlines and interns have claimed back wages due to them under NMW laws. It’s important that internships are paid so that students can afford to do them regardless of background, and so that you’re not giving away your time and skills for free.
Universities are gradually standing up to companies who use unpaid interns, with many now refusing to advertise these on their websites. This year University College London launched a paid internship scheme, sponsored by Santander, that sees 90 students gaining experience in a range of businesses over the summer, and earning £250 per week.
Interning during university holidays is a good way to make industry contacts before graduating. For many students, an internship in their final year can lead to a full time job when they finish.
Some companies have specific (paid) schemes for interns with a formal application process, including EY (formerly Ernst and Young), Channel 4, L’Oreal and Microsoft. Others invite CVs to be sent to their human resources department. A search through an organisation’s website will give you the answer.
Job websites like Monster can be useful places to find an internship and InternAvenue and Graduate Talent Pool are designed specifically for would-be interns; these three sites advertise paid schemes. For internships in the arts check out the Arts Council’s job site. W4MP is the site to check for internships in politics.
How to define the work you’re doing
Before looking for work-based opportunities it is important to know the definitions. Work experience, internship and volunteering are three terms you will encounter that mean different things.
Work experience is a short placement spent observing a workplace or shadowing a member of staff. The key is in the name: you experience a working environment but don’t do crucial tasks yourself. Work experience placements do not have to be paid.
Internships tend to be longer in duration and heavier in terms of responsibility. If an intern is doing real work that would otherwise be completed by a paid employee, they are entitled to payment under NMW legislation. There are some exceptions – students completing an internship as an accredited part of their university course do not have to receive payment, for example.
Volunteering is different to working. As a volunteer you help out on your own terms and there is no obligation to complete set tasks. Volunteers help out for a cause, not for money or CV points. You don’t get paid as a volunteer.
The government has an official guide to the National Minimum Wage and the Pay and Work Rights Helpline on 0800 917 2368 deals with enquiries about payment on internships.
Making the most of an internship
Once you have landed your internship, being confident and friendly are key traits employers look for in a good intern. An internship is your chance to show an employer what you’re made of, so it’s not the time to be a wallflower, says Natasha Pearlman, deputy editor of Elle.
“Being a good intern is about being likeable, being trustworthy, being super keen and not afraid to ask. It’s getting over that fear of putting yourself forward, not in an obtrusive way, but just asking questions.”
After you have finished your internship it’s a good idea to share your experience on Rate My Placement so that other students know what to expect. This is also a good site to check for anonymous reviews of placements when you’re in the process of applying.
Keep in touch with your employer. An email and Christmas card here and there will keep you in their mind so that when a full time job comes along you are the first person they think of.
Top 5 internship tips, from Gus Baker, co-director of Intern Aware
Push for paid
Our experience at Intern Aware is that paid opportunities tend to have more structure and are more likely to lead to a job than unpaid internships. If you find an unpaid one that you really want to do, consider writing to the head of the company explaining that you would love to take up the opportunity but can’t afford to work for free. They are only human after all, and this approach has worked for interns we have helped in the past.
Get it in writing
Whether your internship is paid or unpaid it’s a good idea to get a description of your duties and what training you will get in return. This is something you can show to future employers. It is also useful evidence of your contribution if you are not being paid and would like to claim the national minimum wage.
Keep an internship log
Writing down what you learn, and the names and contact details of who you meet, can be a great resource after you leave the internship. Internships are largely about making contacts so make sure you have your little black book to hand.
Ask for a reference before you leave
Leaving it until you’re applying for your next internship or job might be too late to ask for a reference. Instead, ask for a written reference before you leave. Your boss might meet hundreds of interns so getting them to write about you while you’re still there is a good idea.
Make it work for you
Once you’ve got an internship it’s your opportunity to learn. Be proactive and inquisitive. An internship is about you getting useful experience. But if it isn’t working, or you feel like you’ve got all you can from the internship, don’t be afraid to leave.
