Want to be an intern? Here are a few things to consider when looking for the right internship opportunity for YOU.
Internships will vary from role to role, and industry to industry, but there are always key things to look out for when searching for your next great opportunity. To help keep your priorities in mind and find an internship that will help you achieve your goals, here are 7 things to look for in an internship, no matter which sector you want to work in.
1. Opportunities to grow
Internships are a great way to build your confidence and learn skills! Not only will learning lots of new skills show how eager and enthusiastic you are to the employer you are working with, but they will also set you apart from others after your internship if you don’t get (or accept) the option to stay.
When looking for internships, make sure you look for companies that offer lots of training and development opportunities such as workshops, training courses and responsibilities that will give you hands-on experience. Sometimes employers can use interns to do small duties and errand work, so seek out the good quality internships that will be worth your time and will help you reach your goals!
2. A supportive team
To get the most out of your internship, you’ll want to work with people who push you forward and encourage you to succeed. Think about the mentors and peers you will have – will they provide a good support system, and will you be able to build relationships with them? You’ll be working with and learning from these people, so make sure they care as much about your development as you do.
This is something to look for in any job so always keep it in mind! A good way to find out what your employer will be like is to use a keen eye during your interview. You’ll most likely have an interview at the company and possibly meet the team, which gives you a great opportunity to find out what the work environment is like.
Look for any red flags that show this might not be the right one for you – do other employees or interns seem happy and motivated? Does your potential boss seem enthusiastic about working with you? What is the atmosphere like? All these things can give you an indication of what it will be like to work there, and how much support you’ll get during your internship.
3. A way to earn income
Internships can usually last a few months, and might require you to work a full 9-5 day. This means you will provide a lot of hard work, effort and impact to your company and it can be very time consuming. When searching for a good quality internship, look for the ones that will provide you with FAIR compensation for the work you put in e.g. an income that is at least the UK minimum wage.
4. Hands-on experience
Internships are a great way of finding out if something is right for you. They give you a little taste of different job roles and industries, and you’ll be able to make decisions about your future career with some hands-on experience under your belt. It will also provide you with the necessary skills and confidence you’ll need in future. A lot of the time employers don’t care about your qualifications unless it’s necessary for the role – they want to know about the experience you’ve had so far and what you can bring to the role.
5. Job security
If you hope that your internship could turn into a long-term position, use your detective skills to search for signs of possible job security that mean your internship could become a permanent job. Does the employer offer lots of ways for you to develop in your role? Will the employer be hiring soon? (This means they might consider recruiting for future roles through their best interns)
Even if you don’t intend to stay after your internship (maybe you’ll be jetting off to university), think ‘does this opportunity have the potential to jumpstart my career?’. A good tip is to look for positions with big name employers with a good reputation – they usually offer good pathways for development, and if you don’t stay then the name on your CV will look amazing!
6. A way to show off your work
Some companies offer interns a space to showcase their work and be proud of what they have achieved. Now this isn’t a necessary thing to look for, but it may be something that you think is worth looking into. It’s a great way to show them just how much of an impact you have had during your time there, and could lead to a great reference or even a job offer! If you want the opportunity to present your work and show just how hard you have worked, this is definitely something to consider.
7. Something you want to do
This may seem like the most obvious thing to look for in an internship, but finding something that you actually want to do and are interested in is KEY! Look for roles that let you to work on something you want to be a part of and find real world projects that give you the opportunity to make an impact.
A good way to look for this is to find out what other interns have worked on in the past. Does it look like they had the opportunity to get involved in something big? This will give you an indication of what you might get to work in in your role. Look for internships that mean you can work on something that matters to YOU!
Finding quality internships
To find internships that will provide you with great experiences, development opportunities and support, explore our Youth Friendly Employers who are committed to providing good quality opportunities for young people.
You can also search for internships and opportunities in your local area with #CreateYourFuture.
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