University students generally fall into three camps. Some prefer to make the most of their first years on their own so they socialise, go a bit wild and pursue recreational activities. Others keep their nose to the grindstone, spending every possible moment in study or pursuing self-advancement. The third camp comprises the 'in-betweeners' - those who know they should strive for self-advancement but still want to have as much fun as they can.
Internships are the perfect vehicle for every university student but they serve the third camp especially well. Internships allow students to get a taste of working in their chosen field and network with others in their line of work. Undergraduates won't be compelled to haunt the library at all hours; once they're done with their workday, their obligation is met. And although they're not cracking the books or in class, interns are engaged in learning.
Judging by all the talk across various chat boards, students are very curious about internships. What are they and what can they do for you? How much do interns get paid in Australia - or do they get paid at all? Where do you find internships and how do you land one? Superprof answers these questions and others.
What Is an Internship?
Have you ever heard the maxim 'you can't get a job without experience and you can't gain experience without a job'? An internship short-circuits that logic pretzel. Internships give you a way to gain practical work experience before you graduate from university. They increase your chances of being hired after graduation.
That comes with a few caveats. Ideally, any internship you sign up for should be related to your field of study. It should allow you to participate in actual operations, not just make coffee and file papers. And it should teach you skills you don't already have or, at least build on skills you need to hone.
Internships are time-limited; they typically last only a few months. That's plenty of time for you to find out what aspects of your field of study you like the best. For instance, if you're a graphic design student interning with an ad agency, you might find the creative aspects satisfying and fun but working with clients is not your forte.
There are eight different types of internships. Insight programs are usually limited to the finance sector while research internships are for students close to graduation. These interns conduct research for a company or institution; they may then use those findings to write their theses. You may also do a virtual internship working strictly online or an international internship.
The Benefits of Taking an Internship
The academic world is pretty insular and book knowledge doesn't always translate into practical knowledge. An internship will arm you with practical skills and experience that correspond to the theoretical learning you do in school. You could say that your classes teach you all of the whys and wherefores and interning teaches you the hows.
An internship will help you make the connection between what you learn in class and how it applies in the professional world. More importantly, it will teach you how professionals interact, proper workplace decorum and the importance of commitment. Showing commitment is especially urgent, considering the trend towards rebelling against work. Last year's Great Reshuffle mirrored the global Great Resignation trend, which made employers reluctant to offer lucrative hiring terms to candidates who may simply walk off the job a few months in.
International students benefit greatly from interning while they study in Australia. Besides gaining valuable professional skills, these students get to experience business culture in their host country. And if their first language isn't English, interning gives them another arena to exercise their language skills.
Internships aren't limited to students whose university time is nearly finished. First-year uni students can and should explore internship opportunities and the possibilities they offer. You might not be sure that the major you picked is the career field you want. Interning is a way to make up your mind before it's too late to change your major.
How to Find an Internship in Australia
Matching prospective interns with the right opportunity is a booming business. In Australia, companies like Premium Graduate, Internships in Australia and Australian Internships lead the way in intern placement and support. They offer a range of services from helping candidates write their letters of objectives to securing proper documentation for work. Of course, these services are not free but if you have the cash to splash out, contracting with an internship operator is the easiest way to go.
But students applying for uni scholarships don't usually have piles of cash laying around for such a program; they have to do all the legwork themselves. Many universities make their searches easier by hosting job boards and social media groups. Students may scan these resources and chooses promising-sounding internships. Or they may ask if their university has partnered with any organisations that offer internship programs.
Your school might also host career fairs to give students a chance to get to know about companies in their fields of study that welcome interns. With the resources they provide, you can research the company and positions they offer before making your application. But if you know which company you want to intern with, you might consider approaching them directly.
Career websites like Indeed and Seek list internships, too. Having all of the criteria, requirements and benefits laid out in the listing makes it easier for you to compare internship offers. Also, those sites present advice on how to select an internship and tutorials on how to fill out the application and write an objective letter. Submitting applications online makes this intern search option a favourite among students.
How Much do Interns Get Paid in Australia?
Not every internship comes with a salary attached. University students trying to stay within their budget might find it challenging to afford the extra costs an internship might demand. For many students, an unpaid virtual internship works the best. At least, they gain practical experience and earn a prestigious entry on their Curriculum Vitae (CV), all without any extra cash outlay.
But who wants to work and not get paid? Intern salaries can be competitive, especially in the hottest industries like Information Technology, finance and marketing. Internships in the legal field tend to pay more simply because it's a higher-paying field. And location matters, too; internships in Sydney and Melbourne pay more than in cities with lower-profile industries.
What you have to offer matters. Your grades and attendance may impact every aspect of your internship from how long it lasts to how much you stand to earn. Your letter of objective and application - how you present yourself may also play a part in determining your salary, and that's if you land an internship at all.
Scouring Glassdoor and other sites for the average intern pay will give you misleading results. The figures they report are for medical interns who fill that position for a year or more. Student internships don't pay anywhere near that much and besides, you won't work for that long. Typically, a graduate internship will only pay expenses and a small stipend atop of that.
Is an Internship Right for You?
In this article's introduction, we were confident in asserting that internships are perfect for students getting a taste of working in their fields. But you may want to consider other factors before looking for internship opportunities. For instance, if you already have a job or if you're tutoring to pay your way through university, an internship might affect those commitments. And if the internship you're considering is unpaid, accepting such an offer might harm you.
An internship looks great on your CV and could boost your chances of getting hired faster once you graduate. But it should be in the field you want to stake your future on, or at least related to it. Also, an internship should build on your skills and help you learn new ones. After reading the job description, you should decide whether that internship offer will benefit you before signing on. Don't agree to an internship just to have an entry on your CV.
International students should find out whether their student visa allows them to take on internships and, if so, under which conditions. Some student visas restrict the number of hours or the amount students can earn while studying. Some forbid students from earning anything. Don't put your future at risk; find out what your student visa allows before looking for internships.
Today's university students aren't afraid to live their ethics. They care deeply about social and environmental concerns; they are decidedly vocal in denouncing 'harmful' organisations. Such a corporation may offer prestigious, high-paying internships but if their ethics don't align with yours, you will likely find your time there uncomfortable. It might be best for you to consider an exchange rather than compromise your principles.
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