See what to look for in an internship, what to expect during your placement, and which questions to ask.
Many jobs are highly competitive, and experience can be the deciding factor between two or more great candidates. But when you’re new to the working world, or perhaps still in education, how can you get that valuable experience? That’s where internships come in.
An internship is a short term period of employment. The purpose is to provide the intern with workplace skills, industry-specific knowledge, and valuable experience. Internships are a fantastic way to boost your CV and learn more about your chosen industry. They can last anywhere from a few days to a year.
But all internships are not of the same quality. In this guide, you’ll learn what to look for in a high quality internship placement.
1. Internships – paid or unpaid?
There are strict laws governing workers’ pay rights in the UK.
Are unpaid internships legal?
Unpaid internships are legal under certain, limited circumstances, which are:
- Student internships that are required as part of a course and last less than one year
- Work experience placements for those in compulsory education
- Voluntary positions with charities or similar organisations
- Placements that only involve job shadowing as opposed to carrying out actual work yourself
What about paid internships?
In any other situation, you are entitled to at least the legal minimum wage for your age for the duration of your internship. An unpaid internship that does not meet one of the exemptions above is likely to be illegal and you should avoid it.
2. Are your responsibilities and role as an intern clearly defined?
You should ideally receive a written contract of employment which clearly lays out your role, duties, and responsibilities. It should let you know:
- the duration of the internship
- your working hours
- how much you will be paid and when
- the process to follow should you or your employer need to end the internship early.
Vague terms or a poorly defined role can lead to a frustrating internship experience and undermine the benefits of the programme.
When you’re offered an internship, ask your prospective employer for the terms in writing. If they cannot or will not provide this within a reasonable timeframe, that’s a bad sign.
3. Will you get decent training and supervision on your internship?
One of the main purposes of an internship is for the intern to learn, develop their skills, and gain experience. This means that training and regular supervision need to form a major part of the internship.
A great internship will begin with a structured induction process where you learn about the company, meet your coworkers, and receive any resources you’ll need (such as your workstation and computer, login information, or required workwear). It should also include sufficient training on the job functions and tasks you’ll be carrying out.
Regular supervision is vital in any job, and especially for interns and entry-level employees. You should know who your supervisor is and be in regular contact with them. If you are left to “fend for yourself,” this might not be a quality internship.
4. Will your internship stretch and challenge you?
There is little point to an internship that doesn’t challenge you. If you are finding all the work very easy, that’s a sign that the internship isn’t stretching you enough.
Being challenged also includes receiving feedback on your work. This can take the form of both informal feedback in the moment, and more structured feedback such as progress meetings or performance reviews. What matters is that you know how you’re doing and how you can improve.
If you don’t feel stretched, don’t be afraid to speak to your supervisor and ask for more challenging work. If there are specific things you’d like to learn, you can also ask for training in those areas.
5. Will you be treated professionally and with respect during your placement?
Interns are valuable members of the team in a workplace, even if their placement is short term. Pay attention to how your colleagues and supervisors treat you at work. They should speak to you respectfully, value the contributions you bring, involve you where possible, and help you out as you adjust to the working world and settle into your role.
As an employee, even a short-term one, your employer has a duty of care to you. If you have any problems, speak to your supervisor, the Human Resources department, or a trusted colleague.
6. Ask yourself: How can YOU get the most out of your internship?
An employer providing an internship has various responsibilities to you. Then again, an internship is a two way relationship. You also have responsibilities to make sure you are getting as much out of the experience as possible.
Things you can do to make the most of your internship:
- Ensure you arrive on time, appropriately dressed, and ready to work every day. If you are sick or have an emergency, contact your supervisor as early as possible.
- Take responsibility for your own learning. Do background reading and research on the company, the sector, and your role.
- Proactively ask questions and seek out learning opportunities.
- Keep a journal of the things you’re learning or at least make a few notes at the end of each day. This can be paper or digital.
- Set specific learning goals and objectives and tick them off when you reach them.
- Take opportunities to network, get to know your colleagues, and learn more about the company and industry outside of your immediate role.
- Update your CV and LinkedIn profile to include the internship, your achievements, and the things you’ve learned.
If you follow these tips, you’ll stand the best chance of finding a great internship and making the most out of your time there.
Good luck!
Work Experience Tips
