Internship and management trainee programmes

The demands of the workplace are very high, and employers today prefer candidates that come with some form of relevant work experience, even if they are fresh graduates. Given these preferences in the workplace, most courses now require students to participate in an internship programme.

An internship

An internship is any short-term, supervised work experience usually related to a student's major or specialisation in which the student earns academic credits. It can be done full- or part-time, on or off-campus, and is either paid or unpaid.

The student is placed in a host organisation where both the student and the organisation are deliberately involved in creating a beneficial experience for the student and the organisation. The student benefits from the work experience, and the organisation, from an almost qualified professional being paid a minimum wage.

Interns are usually required to keep a detailed log of their work experience for reflection when they return to their studies.

What distinguishes an internship from a job is that first and foremost it is a deliberate learning experience. The internship corresponds closely with the profession or area of work that the student is majoring in or anticipating as his or her career.

A more interesting explanation of this supervised practical experience is from Michael Lande's Backdoor Guide to Short-Term Job Adventures: an internship is 'simply about discovering life's options and finding your place in the world.'

Types of internship programmes

Some internship programmes take place during the academic year, while some begin after graduation. Various international organisations and world bodies look for candidates around the world to intern with them for a short term, spanning sometimes, up to a year or two. For instance, the Ramsar Convention offers a one year internship programme for four people - one each from Asia, Africa, America and Europe.

Where can you find them?

It depends on the type of internship you seek. Undergraduate internship programmes are usually arranged by your university while graduate ones require your own initiative. This means looking up companies, graduate recruitment publications, job portals (like this one) or surfing the Internet for organisations that offer such placements.

How to apply?

For graduate ones, application usually begins before you complete your undergraduate course. Speak to your seniors who have graduated or your lecturers. Network. This will give you a taste of what's on offer. As you near your graduation date, you would be able to decide which programmes you qualify for, and when they are open for applications. Don't wait till the last minute to start looking as these have specific deadlines that you need to meet, and usually before your final exams begin.

The advantages

Internships offer the opportunity for students and graduates to really evaluate and understand their strengths and weaknesses. It is also an avenue for them to taste and see what the working world is like. This will help them gain a clearer perspective about what they want to do in the working world and with the rest of their lives. Apart from that, an internship might even lead to your first job as some organizations retain their interns if they perform well during their internship period.

The disadvantages

For graduates, it means sacrificing a few months up to a year to find your footing in the working world. It could also mean earning minimum wage for that period.

Management and other trainee programmes

A management trainee programme is another option for gaining work experience. However it differs from an internship in that it is for graduates and not as part of a degree course requirement. A trainee by definition is someone who is being trained, conditioned, groomed and prepared for a particular position. It is for graduates who want to be trained to take up leadership positions within an organisation, but they must first of all work their way through several departments in the organisation in a familiarisation process. During the programme, the trainee will be moved from one department to another on a rotation basis, during which time he or she will become familiar with what each department does and how it is done.

Where can you find them?

This type of placement is common in financial institutions like banks and insurance companies, in hotels and production-based companies.

Management trainee positions differ from internships also in that they are long term. Programmes can last up to two or three years. At the commencement of the programme, the trainee is usually assigned to a senior manager who will be his mentor. The mentor would meet with him or her from time to time to discuss progress, and other issues that may arise.

How to apply?

A hopeful management trainee will have to scour graduate recruitment publications, job portals (like this one), newspaper appointments pages or websites for these positions. It's just like applying for any other job. Requirements for placement in a management trainee programme differ from company to company but what most employers want are highly motivated individuals who have successfully completed their studies with outstanding academic and extracurricular results.

They usually want young people, with some companies setting the age limit as low as 27. However, some companies do take in trainees up to the age of 30. Only a selected number of people are shortlisted, so the more impressive you are as an individual the better. Employers want trainees who are dynamic and show leadership potential.

The advantages

Right from the moment you start as a management trainee, you are being trained for a leadership position. What more can an aspiring leader hope for?

The disadvantages

You'll be moved from one department to the next after several months and you'll be placed a permanent position only at the end of your training period which could take two or more years.

At a glance

What do recruiters look for in interns and management trainees?

• Leadership potential
• Enthusiasm
• Drive
• Good communication skills
• Ability to present information verbally and graphically
• Willingness to learn

© GTI Specialist Publishers. Reproduced with permission.