Having garnered on-the-ground experience during an internship (project-oriented study) or from a student job notably increases your chances of getting a job faster after you graduate. Additionally, you get the opportunity to learn more about yourself and your education when you add this dimension to your profile.
Read on to find more about:
- The benefits of doing an internship or having a student job.
- What to consider when choosing a student job or internship.
- How to find an internship or a student job.
- Download agreements on company projects and internship/project-oriented course at the bottom of the page.
Why internship and student job?
You gain relevant experience from doing an internship or having a student job. Most employers will look for and value this on a CV when hiring graduates. It can make you stand out among other applicants who might have the same education as you. Why? Not only do you have practical experience, but you also get new perspectives on your academic skills and knowledge through a job or an internship. Another perk is that you’ll have an easier time describing your qualifications and qualities.
On top of that, we can add that we often see students turn their internships into jobs after graduating.
You get hands-on experience, and you learn about your competencies and how you add value to a company or an organization. When you solve tasks working your student job or doing your internship, you draw on your pre-existing skills and knowledge to the table when you find solutions, optimize, improve, communicate... the list goes on.
Sometimes we don’t realize how exactly to apply these outside of the university until we find ourselves doing just that. And through this realization and process of reflection, you’ll become better at explaining your competencies to a potential employer as well as how you will be an asset to your workplace.
During an internship or while working as a student, you get insight into the day-to-day work of e.g. an accountant, a lawyer, a communications consultant, etc. You also get to see what it’s like to enter into a workspace. And just as important: you get a sense of whether this career path is one you’d enjoy.
You’ll likely get some co-workers while doing an internship or having a student job. Consider them as a part of your network. Don’t hesitate to e.g. let them know you’re interested in the industry, if you need help or someone to consult about tasks or responsibilities, or when you want to find a job after university.
How to find the right internship or student job?
When looking to find a rewarding student job or place to do your internship, there are a few things to consider in advance. First and foremost, it’s a good idea to get clear about why you want to do an internship or get a student job. What are you looking to gain from it?
Particularly with an internship, you can ask yourself what you want to learn. What would you like to focus on in terms of professional skills? How can you put together a well-organized project to work on? When delving into this, check the curriculum and course description to see what aims and learning outcomes your project must meet.
An internship and a student job can boost how you perform and boost your career prospects. They also serve as great opportunities to test out new skills you wouldn’t otherwise have been able to try out. Can you think of specific competencies you’d like to develop or refine? Do you have an industry or a company/organization you find exciting? It can also be an opportunity to establish and expand a network that can be useful in the long term.
Points to consider:
- What job tasks appeal to you?
- Which challenges and potentials for growth can you contribute to?
- What industry or company would you like to intern for?
- Private or public sector? Do you have a preference?
- Would you thrive in a big organization or in a smaller company?
- Is it important to you that the company is well known?
Below you can find answers to some of the questions we are often asked about student jobs and internships.