Myth #5 Internships Arent Paid. University of Manchester Careers Blog

Myth #5 Internships Arent Paid. Really, an “internship” is just a period of work experience. Sometimes they’re the traditional eight-week placement undertaken in the summer vacation, but they can also be anything from a two-week opportunity to a year-long full-time position. Some employers use student internships and placements as a means of recruiting graduates to full-time roles. And, as this Guardian Careers article attests, a good internship is one that is paid at the national minimum wage or above. Acquiring experience of working life alongside your degree is essential for getting a good job after university so it’s important that internships are paid so students can afford to do them. (The Careers Service does not endorse unpaid internships â€" you can read more about this here). If you’re looking for an internship, you can find hundreds of opportunities with companies both big and small and in a variety of sectors on CareersLink, but there are also many of other places to look, including the websites of any companies you’re interested in. Keep an eye out for the University-run Summer Experience Internships programme launching in February, which offers paid internships within the University and with local charities and not-for-profits. All Internships Undergraduate Undergraduate-highlighted Internships work experience