Internship

What is an Internship?

An internship is a professional learning opportunity that provides meaningful, practical work experience related to a student’s field of study or career interests. It serves as a platform for students to explore career paths, develop skills, and gain valuable industry insights. At the same time, it allows employers to bring fresh ideas and energy into their workplace, develop talent, and potentially build a pipeline of future employees.

A quality internship typically:

• Involves part-time or full-time work with no more than 25% clerical or administrative duties.
• Includes a clear job or project description outlining the intern’s role.
• Provides orientation to the organization, including its culture and the assigned work.
• Helps interns establish and achieve learning objectives.
• Offers consistent feedback and mentorship throughout the internship.

Internship vs. Co-op vs. Research Experience

Internships are supervised, structured learning experiences in a professional setting. They allow students to gain hands-on experience in their field of study and typically require a minimum of 288 hours (e.g., at least 24 hours per week).

Co-ops are paid positions where students alternate between full-time work and full-time academic study for at least two semesters. Co-ops often lead to full-time employment upon graduation but are less common in NGOs. If interested in a co-op, students should consult with staff to structure an experience tailored to their needs.

Research Opportunities allow students to engage in in-depth academic exploration either on- or off-campus. These experiences often help students refine their academic interests and evaluate potential paths, such as graduate school. Some NGOs, like the SAWAB Foundation, may offer funding for research projects.

What Do Student Interns Expect?

Interns look for opportunities to:

• Gain real-world work experience while making meaningful contributions to the organization.
• Receive mentorship, feedback, and guidance from experienced professionals.
• Acquire skills and knowledge in a specific field.
• Develop professional contacts and networks.
• Interact with upper management for exposure and learning.
• Be oriented to the organization’s mission, goals, and operational procedures.

They seek an environment where they are welcomed as valuable contributors rather than assigned menial tasks.

Benefits of Hiring Interns

Internships provide numerous benefits for organizations, including:

• Reducing workloads for regular employees by taking on short-term staffing needs.
• Allowing employees to focus on higher-level tasks and projects.
• Completing “Priority C” or pending tasks effectively.
• Utilizing a cost-effective employment strategy.
• Accessing a pool of motivated and talented students.
• Developing a pipeline of future full-time employees.
• Preparing the next generation of the workforce with practical experience.
• Gaining fresh perspectives and innovative ideas.
• Leveraging students’ tech-savviness and social media expertise.

By hiring interns, organizations not only meet immediate needs but also contribute to shaping the workforce of tomorrow, fostering mutual growth and success.