Internships are not only a way to gain experience in the workplace, but also a way to discover what you would like (or not) to pursue as a career.
In order to make this process easier, it would be conventional to have an idea in what field you want to take your internship in. In this case, the focus is put on engineering internships, although several steps are similar regardless of the area of your interest.
The first step into finding any kind of internship is preparation. When looking for an internship, it is important to give yourself enough time to do so.
The application period for internships can close anywhere between 2-6 months before the start, depending on criteria such as the size of the company, the period in which the internship is undertaken, or the way through which you apply. This suggests that the earlier you take on the task of finding an internship, the better for you.
Companies often have other, higher priority tasks than finding an intern, especially smaller ones with less employees. Therefore the earlier you apply, the more time it gives you to hear back from them and know if you were accepted or not.Â
Larger companies tend to have people whose job is focused on recruitment, however the larger the company, the more candidates it will attract, meaning it is still highly likely that they will take time to get back to you, another reason to apply as early as possible.
The conventional way to apply for an internship is through online platforms.
There are general recruitment platforms with hundreds of offers from different companies.
There are also businesses that have pages dedicated to finding new talent, meaning you’d apply through the place you are looking to intern at directly. This tends to be the case for larger, more competitive firms.
If you are a university student, it is also likely that your establishment has a platform specifically for their students dedicated to finding internships (and sometimes jobs).
These could be beneficial, as sometimes your university may have deals in place with certain companies that guarantee exclusivity, narrowing down the competitor pool.
The application process tends to be the lengthiest part of finding an internship. You may think that the best way to approach this is to apply to as many internships as possible, in the hopes that you’ll land at least one. This is partially true.Â
Applying to many positions may increase your chances, and perhaps make you feel more at ease about landing an internship, however you should not lose time applying mindlessly. It is important to know which positions you are suitable for.Â
When applying, make sure that you fit the criteria, and that the internship fits your needs (field, study, location, requirements from your educational institution).
Applying to an IT engineering internship if you are looking to pursue a career in civil engineering might not be the best use of your time and resources.
In order to make this process easier, you should have a well crafted CV prepared, highlighting any experience you might have, as well as your strengths, and any other details that can show a future employer that you can bring something to the table.
Some companies also ask for a cover or motivation letter. Even if it isn’t in the first part of the application process, there is a good chance they ask for it if you are selected for the next round. Ideally, you want to have at least one of these ready, and in some cases you may want to tailor it slightly depending on where you are applying.
Interviews are the next step in the process of finding an internship. If you are called up for an interview, it is a good sign, as it means you were selected from a larger pool of candidates. This is where companies find out more about you and your abilities. In this stage, you are likely to be asked to develop further on your past experiences, and how they might be relevant to the position you are applying for.
In some cases, you may be asked to solve a problem that shows your capabilities in a subject relevant to the internship. This could be a math problem for example, or something related to coding if you are applying for an IT related position.
It is important to prepare for an interview in advance. Have in mind a set of questions that the interviewer may ask you. Be prepared to ask questions yourself. Employers take note of candidates who are curious and eager to find out more about the role or company, as it shows genuine motivation from the candidate. You should however try to find out as much as possible through your own means before an interview.
Small details also make a difference at this stage. Dress appropriately for the interview. Have any documents that you sent the company ready at hand in case they ask you to refer back to them. Confidence, professionalism and enthusiasm also play in your favour.
This part of the process comes towards the end, once you have finally found your internship. The company you are applying to has decided to move forward with you. Once you reach this part, the only missing step is a formality more than anything else.Â
Proposals are what seal your search for an internship. If you are a university student, your establishment is likely to need some sort of proof of your enrollment into the internship. When this is the case, they will sometimes ask the student to provide this proof, or other times enter in contact with a representative of the company.
A proposal is a binding agreement between the student/intern, the company they will be interning at, and if applicable, their university. It should highlight the student’s internship goals, learning objectives, and responsibilities.
If the intern is not a university student (or is on but does the internship in their free time), then the proposal is between the intern and the company.
Where to apply for an internship essentially depends mainly on the location where you are trying to intern at. If you want to apply locally, the ideal place to start is on platforms from your country.
If you are looking to apply internationally, then the place to look is international platforms. University students should also make use of their establishment’s platform, as those usually offer the opportunity to intern in the country of the university as well as abroad.Â
If you are looking to intern in a specific country that is not your own, it would still be best to apply through an international platform (but looking specifically for that country). This would be in order to still have access to internships in English.
RealStep offers a set of engineering internships at different locations. These include:
The tasks conducted in international engineering internships depend on whether it is a technical internship or a field research one.Â
Technical internships offer the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in IT. Interns will be involved in exciting projects, covering a wide range of specialisations such as hightech, AI, application and website development, digital marketing, and programming.
Field research internships are placements focusing on the environment, humanitarian aid and animal protection. This kind of internship aims to contribute to the preservation of local biodiversity through international cooperation projects with partner NGOs. Activities include collecting data, installing camera traps, studying species, observing animals, restoring habitats and raising community awareness of the importance of protecting the environment.
This internship program allows students to work in a start-up in Tokyo. It is a great opportunity to experience a strong intercultural exchange and understand what the Japanese work culture is like. These placements can be done in English and are supervised by professionals in the sector. The tasks will include website and app development, as well as programming. (Note: the program page includes options for business and media internships on top of the IT ones).
More information about the program here!
This internship allows students to work for one of many medium-sized IT companies in India, depending on the specialisation. The host organization is dedicated to giving interns an intercultural exchange and global learning. The internship allows you to develop your skills in HTML, PHP, Java, JavaScript, WordPress, and SEO. The city in which you undertake the internship depends on your needs, skills and preferences. (Note: the program page includes options for business internships on top of the IT ones).
More information about the program here!
This internship allows students to join a foundation or company dedicated to improving the quality of life through technology, working as part of a dynamic team coordinating various activities. These activities include mobilizing resources, organizing training for the vulnerable, researching global development topics, and managing social networks. The aim is to promote initiatives with a long term and positive impact on the world, to offer opportunities of integration and inclusion.
More information about the program here!
This internship allows students to build an enriching experience in a dynamic and stimulating professional context, giving them the opportunity to develop their skills while exploring Portugal and its culture. There are opportunities for web developers in coding and optimization of the websites of non-profits in Portugal. Other tasks can also involve creating or restructuring databases, which can help the organisations to reach a wider audience in a more systematic manner.
More information about the program here!
This internship allows students to deepen their knowledge of the marine ecosystem in the Canary Islands. They will have the opportunity to participate in the protection of whales and dolphins alongside experts and specialists, and gain field experience by putting their skills and theoretical knowledge to good use. The role includes the collection of data which will be used to better manage the area in the long term and promote the protection of marine life.
More information about the program here!
Located on the Caribbean coast of Mexico, this internship gives students the opportunity to participate in the marine conservation of the area through diving and data collection sessions. Interns will also participate in educating the community and tourists about the environmental challenges of Mexico. This project works in collaboration with several governmental organizations, ensuring that the work done is impactful, all while living in a tropical paradise.
More information about the program here!
Contribute to the marine conservation of the Fiji archipelago through this biodiversity ecology internship. Interns will participate in the collection of data on the marine ecosystem of the region through diving sessions and observing different species around the base. It is a unique opportunity to join an international and multicultural team on the other side of the world.
More information about the program here!
This environmental internship focuses on maintaining ecosystem diversity. Through scientific studies in the field and the implementation of concrete measures, interns will try to create synergy between the different natural environments - mangroves, coral reefs, and rainforest - to maintain the balance of nature and promote its development. It is a great opportunity for the students to immerse themselves in southern Thailand and its community life, as well as learn the Thai language.
More information about the program here!
The kind of experience needed for an engineering internship depends on the field you are trying to intern in. Generally, they require you to have a degree, or currently study in the field of the internship.Â
The field research internships listed that RealStep offers require studying in the field of marine biology or sciences, or a similar degree such as biological engineering, sustainable development, environmental studies, and in some cases simply being in engineering school is enough.
Regarding the technical engineering internships, these also require studying in an engineering school or in a web development school, taking part in courses such as computer science, or any similar degree in digital careers.
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