What is an internship?

Typically, internships are most valuable when they align with your studies. However, some employers seek interns from a range of fields, so you could have the opportunity to gain valuable experience outside of the area you are studying.The most common length for an internship is 8-12 weeks, and they often take place over the summer holidays (November - February). However, some internships may be longer or take place at other times throughout the year.

An internship gives you the opportunity to:

• Apply your theoretical knowledge in a real-life work environment
• Gain valuable experience, training and mentoring
• Develop and refine your transferable and specialised skills
• Discover what it is like working at the organisation
• Find out more about what the role involves
• Decide if you would really like to follow that career path
• Network with professionals in the field
• Work towards the offer of a graduate position at that organisation
• Raise your profile with other potential employers
• Develop your confidence

Providers (especially those overseas) may use different terminology to describe the type of experience being offered, including:  

• Internship
• Online internship. Virtual (or remote) internship/work experience
• Micro internship
• Work experience/placement
• Voluntary work
• Work integrated learning

Below are our definitions for some of the most common types of experience that are available.

• Paid if in New Zealand (if you are not paid in New Zealand then you are a volunteer)
• Typically takes place over the New Zealand summer (though sometimes can be during semester time)
• Usually has a lengthy application process
• Training and development are provided
• Feedback and support are provided by your employer or provider
• Internship is focused on a specific project which will support the employer
• Relevant to your university studies

• May not be paid
• Opportunities available throughout the year
• Usually has a lengthy application process
• Training and development are provided
• Feedback and support are provided by your employer or provider
• Internship is focused on a specific project which will support the employer
• Relevant to your university studies

Alternative provider terminology: internship, micro internship, winter internship, externship, virtual internship

• Short duration (typically weeks rather than months, though we have heard of virtual experiences where the tasks may only take 6-8 hours to complete)
• Unpaid
• Can involve working on a number of tasks
• Feedback and support are provided by employer or provider
• Relevant to your university studies

• Unpaid, though you may receive reimbursement of expenses e.g. public transport costs
• In New Zealand a volunteer is not regarded as an employee, and is not covered by employment law but will get protection under the Health and Safety Act in most situations
• Can involve working on a number of tasks
• Not necessarily relevant to your university studies

(Also called work-based learning, placement, practicum, work-related project)

• Provides you with the opportunity to put the theory you are learning in your academic studies into practice, develop employability skills and reflect on your experience
• May be a course requirement, embedded in a paper
• May work as an individual or in a group
  
• Learn the differences between an employee and a volunteer: visit
  Employment New Zealand

If you’d like to discuss your options do visit us at the Business School Careers Centre. You can email us on bizcareers@auckland.ac.nz or make an appointment through MyCDES (select ‘Career appointment Business Students’ as the appointment type).