Internships guide
Securing an internship takes planning, time and a lot of research. However, the benefits are wide ranging and the experience will help you hugely in your employability journey.
This guide answers common questions and signposts you to some useful resources.
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An internship is a period of work experience offered by an employer which gives students and graduates the opportunity to gain exposure to an industry.
This experience gives you career options through exploration and development, allowing you to gain skills, experiences, feedback and connections.
Often employers host internships because they are looking for future talent, which means some internships lead to graduate job offers. Most employers pay their interns, although some still ask you to work for free.
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Most internships run during the summer vacation; however, some run during other vacation periods.
With increased hybrid working, there has never been more access to online internships, bringing more flexibility and choice. However, do your research and ensure you are applying for opportunities which meet your goals and requirements at a time and place which are suitable to you.
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You should aim to apply at least six months in advance. For example, if you are looking for a summer internship, you should start your research during the previous summer and begin applying early during Semester 1.
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The application process varies across industries. You can book an appointment with a careers adviser for support.
For some internship opportunities, you may be asked to submit a cover letter, CV and online application form. Most employers will require you to provide a reference who can state your suitability for the position. This could be a previous employer or an academic member of staff. Ensure to check with your referee before providing their contact details to an employer.
If you are successful at the application stage, you might be invited to an interview or assessment centre.
You could also take a proactive approach and submit a speculative application to ask about an internship opportunity.
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Searching for an internship is like looking for a job, in that it requires identifying an advertised position or making speculative applications. Research internships may also involve approaching a potential supervisor.
Internships are advertised in various places:
- Career Connect and the St Andrews internship programme page. The Careers Centre website also includes advice on where to look for internships within specific sectors.
- Internships are advertised on the websites of organisations and professional bodies.
- BrightNetwork and TargetJobs make searching easier by advertising a wide range of opportunities.
- Forage is a site for virtual internships, sometimes a good first step.
- Research internships (such as the St Andrews Research Internship Scheme and LaidLaw) are sometimes advertised internally in academic Schools or on funding body websites.
- Attending events such as careers fairs enables you to speak directly to employers about their internship opportunities. Many events are now online, which may make accessing them easier.
- Follow the Careers Centre's social media accounts for upcoming events and opportunities:
- Explore some of the career sectors that are most popular among St Andrews graduates.
Think about your network and use LinkedIn and SaintConnect to research the career paths of St Andrews graduates to get ideas of where to apply.
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Read our blog post on how to get the most out of your internship.
Internships not only provide an insight into the world of work and specific industries, organisations, and roles, but also provide an opportunity to build soft skills.
Remember to reflect. Think about what you are gaining from the experience and how you will demonstrate this in future applications and interviews. The graduate attributes can help with this, as can completing an application for an Internship Experience Certificate or undertaking the Saints Skills Awards.
Make an appointment with a careers adviser to help translate your internship experiences into the next steps in your career journey.
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Before you begin, ensure you establish what behaviours and outputs are expected of you.
Expectations differ depending on whether it’s a paid or voluntary position, but generally you are expected to work and behave in the same way as an employee. Sometimes there will be a specific output, such as a written report. It's also important that you know things like the dress code, the start and finish time, and when you can take your breaks.
Remember that this is an opportunity to get a professional reference. This is your chance to immerse yourself in an organisation, so be mindful of the culture and ways of working. If in doubt, ask your manager or key contact should you have any questions. Most importantly, try to enjoy the experience.
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Record some of the experiences you have had, or skills you have acquired, during your internship. Update your CV to include your internship experience. Remember to identify what you have done and the skills you have gained. The graduate attributes can help with this.
You could apply for the Internship Experience Certificate, which recognises on your academic transcript work completed through a structured internship programme in any industry or organisation.