How to get a student internship

Thinking about applying for an internship to get some experience under your belt? Make sure you know the facts (and your rights) before you get started.

Credit: poramet panjaroen – Shutterstock

There are loads of reasons why internships can be great opportunities for students or graduates. It could be that you don't feel ready for the workplace yet. Maybe you're unsure about which career path to take, or think your CV could use a little extra boost.

Whatever the reason, an internship could be the perfect way for you to prepare for your future career. Here's how to get started.

What is an internship?

How's an internship different from work experience or voluntary work? An internship is simply a period of work experience within a company for a limited period of time.

Unlike more casual work experience or volunteering, interns usually have a specific job role and tasks to carry out. These roles are typically advertised publicly with a formal application process (unlike work experience which is often organised on an ad hoc basis).

While unpaid internships do exist, negative media coverage of them has led to more and more internships providing a salary, or at least expenses. More on this later.

Companies also often use internships to recruit full-time staff. They see it as a trial period before deciding whether to take someone on permanently. If you play your cards right, there's a chance an internship could lead to your first graduate job.

How long do internships last?

This depends on the internship and which company it's with. Internships can last anywhere between a couple of weeks to a whole year.

Student internships tend to last two to three months over the summer break, whereas graduate internships are generally longer. But again, this varies hugely.

Can you do an internship at university?

Absolutely!

Depending on your schedule, you could arrange a part-time internship which fits around your uni work. For example, you could be working with a company one or two days a week. Or, you could do a full-time internship during your holidays.

Do you have to be a student to do an internship?

Although some internships might be open to students only, this will certainly not be the case across the board. In fact, some internships might be for graduates only, while others will be open to anyone. Make sure you check the requirements in the job description.

Some people worry there's a bit of a stigma around being a 20-something intern, but this isn't the case at all. People do internships for many different reasons, at many different stages of their lives, and they certainly aren't reserved exclusively for students.

Benefits of doing an internship

Credit: Jacob Lund – Shutterstock

Here are some of the advantages of doing an internship:

1. Hands-on experience – You'll acquire some great transferable skills that'll be useful no matter where you end up afterwards.
2. A taste of a potential career path – Think of your internship as a no-strings opportunity to try working in an industry you think you might enjoy. All without the commitment of a long-term employment contract.
3. Useful connections – You're guaranteed to meet lots of new people who could come in useful when you're applying for jobs in the future. You might find someone to become your mentor. Or, you could get a shining reference out of it.
4. Experience for your CV – While your degree and grades are super important, employers like to see that you have practical experience in a workplace environment. You could add specific projects you worked on and successes you achieved during your internship on your CV.
5. A foot in the door of a company or industry – For some competitive sectors, particularly the media and creative industries, internships can help you secure your dream job. Even if you don't get a job offer at the end of it, you'll likely be remembered when applying there in future.
6. Workplace confidence – Use your time in the office to familiarise yourself with the ways of the workplace and try to treat it like a real job. This will do wonders for your confidence when you do step into the working world. Have a read of our guide on how to act in your first job for some top tips.

Jess Murray, former Editor at Save the Student, did a summer internship that had a successful outcome:

I started my career with a paid summer internship that eventually led to a full-time job with the company.

An internship is a great chance to throw yourself into something new and learn from those around you – but make sure you're getting paid for your work!

Disadvantages of doing an internship

Here are some of the main disadvantages of internships:

1. The work can be dull – Some companies might provide their interns with challenging responsibilities and exciting projects to work on. But others might have you making the tea and doing admin work. Make sure you find out as much as you can about the role before you start.
2. Salaries are usually low (or non-existent) – If an internship is unpaid, it might end up costing you money to complete it (in London, this can be as much as £1,000 a month if you include accommodation). But even if you are getting paid, salaries tend to be lower than what you'd get as a full-time member of staff. If you're strapped for cash, you might want to carefully weigh up the pros and cons first.
3. You delay your entry into the workforce – Research has found that interns end up £3,500 worse off than those who go straight into full-time work. This suggests internships don't necessarily fast-track you to a more senior role. It's possible that you could be better off trying to find a standard job instead.
4. Relocation can be costly – If you have to relocate for an internship, you might want to think about whether it's financially worth it. This is especially the case if you'll only be moving for a short amount of time. Finding somewhere to live and paying for transport could quickly eat into any money you're getting paid.

Where can you find internships?

It can feel a bit intimidating when you first sit down to look for internships. How do you even know where to start?

First, you need to highlight which industry you'd like an internship in. Once you've done this, it's a good idea to ask your friends, family, tutors and career advisers to see if they can point you towards any companies or well-known internship schemes in that area.

Social media is also a good place to scout out some opportunities. You could try searching relevant hashtags on X (formerly Twitter), like #internshipsUK.

It's also worth getting the phone numbers or emails of the HR department at companies you're interested in. Reach out with a personable, friendly message, mentioning why you're so keen to do an internship there and asking if there are any available opportunities.

You can also search through job sites, as they normally have a section dedicated to internships. And don't forget to hit up some career fairs and recruitment agencies, too.

The best websites to find internships

• Milkround – They have a whole section dedicated to internships.
• Target Jobs – Another well-known job site which allows you to filter by internships, and companies ranging from major multinationals to startups.
• e4s – This is the place to go if you're looking specifically for summer internships or internships abroad (during a gap year, for example).
• Student Job – Another great site that allows you to easily search for internships in individual cities across the UK.
• Rate My Placement – This site lets you search for internship vacancies and read reviews from previous interns.
• LinkedIn – You'll often find internships listed here. Make sure you're following any companies you're interested in so you're the first to hear about new opportunities.

There will likely be job sites which focus on a particular work sector. For example, Cision is great for journalism and media internships, while Fashion Workie has internships in (you guessed it) fashion. Your university careers adviser should be able to direct you towards these for whatever career you're interested in.

When should you apply for internships?

The main thing that catches students out when applying for internships is the deadlines. For the most competitive internships at big-name companies, deadlines can be as early as autumn for summer internships the following year.

Your best bet is to start scouting out internships over the summer when you have more spare time and make sure your CV is up to scratch. This way, you can apply as soon as opportunities start going live in the late summer and early autumn.

If you're looking for a post-graduation internship, our advice would be to start hunting as early as possible, and keep checking all year round. Internships at smaller companies and start-ups can pop up at any time, so keep an eye out.

How to get an internship

Credit: everydayplus – Shutterstock

Here are our best tips on how to get an internship:

1. Create an online profile for employers – Employers will likely look you up on Google regardless of whether you want them to or not. You can steer them in the right direction by including a link on your CV to your professional LinkedIn profile or your blog (if you have one).
2. Perfect your CV – You might have a good CV, but is it going to blow their socks off? Use our guide to writing the perfect CV to make sure it's the best it can be. And don't forget to tweak it to suit the company you're applying to.
3. Write an amazing cover letter – Cover letters can often be tough, but they're also the most important part! Use our guide to writing a great cover letter to make sure yours is up to scratch.
4. Make sure you follow up – If you don't hear back straight away, send a quick, polite follow-up email to ensure they got what you sent them. HR departments are notoriously hectic so there's a chance your email disappeared into the ether the first time you sent it.

Advice for your first student internship

Here is how to make the most of your internship:

1. Be confident and friendly

   You might feel terrified and totally out of your depth (believe us, everyone does when they start a new job). But make sure you put on a brave face and act confident and friendly.

   You may also be tempted to retreat into your shell, but you'll need to push yourself out of your comfort zone if you want to impress on your internship.

   Introducing yourself to people, asking questions and speaking up in meetings when appropriate will all help you succeed as an intern.

2. Keep a daily note of what you do as an intern

   You'll likely be learning a lot in a short space of time during your internship. That's why taking note of the tasks you do and what you learn will come in handy. You can then write about your experience in your CV or talk about it in a job interview.

   And if you're not being paid, making a note of the tasks you do will be useful if you ever decide to claim some money from the company at a later date (more on that below).

3. Read your contract (if you have one)

   
   If you've been given a written or verbal contract that outlines the work you'll complete and any expectations, you should be paid the National Minimum/Living Wage by law.

   In this case, only receiving expenses from the company for travel, lunches, etc is illegal. If needed, you can use this contract to fight your corner for the payment you deserve.

   If your responsibilities are similar to those carried out by paid employees, you can claim a reimbursement up to six years after finishing your internship (again, more info on this below).

4. Research companies before applying for internships

   What's the point in choosing to work for next to nothing (or in some cases, literally nothing) at a company if you don't even know anything about who they are?

   It's important you know as much as possible about the company before you start. Doing your research will allow your interest to show through during the application process and this will increase your chances of bagging the opportunity.

   Once you make it into the office, asking productive questions and showing you have a bit of knowledge about the company will impress those around you.

5. Ask for feedback

   As with any learning situation, how will you ever build and improve on your abilities without constructive feedback?

   You'll often find that your superiors won't offer you much in terms of feedback, so you'll have to ask for it.

   This might seem a bit awkward at first, but it shows you are ambitious and have some humility, which are very likeable characteristics of an employee.

6. Arrange catch-up meetings with your manager

   It's super important to ask for regular, informal feedback on your internship. But, it's also worth trying to arrange casual face-to-face meetings with your manager when you can.

   The more facetime you have with your managers, the stronger your relationships with them can be. This has loads of benefits. For example, it could help you secure a graduate job with them afterwards.

   Your managers will likely be super busy, so don't expect them to be available too frequently. And don't take it personally if they're not always able to stop for a chat.

   However, any opportunity for a face-to-face conversation with them is valuable. You can make the most of it by asking great questions and staying engaged.

7. Take the internship seriously

   

   Credit: astarot – Shutterstock

   Just because this isn't quite your big-shot graduate job, that doesn't mean you shouldn't be giving it everything you've got and more.

   It can be hard to stay motivated if you know you're working hard but being paid next to nothing, all while those around you are enjoying full salaries. But your time will come.

   Think of this as a short, sacrificial period that will ultimately earn you more when you do land full-time employment. For all you know, the people working with you probably did an internship once upon a time, too.

   Our three golden rules are: never show up late, be respectful of everyone around you, and give every day your best shot.

8. Share news about your internship on social media

   When you first start the internship, it's a great idea to share the news on social media. Maybe post about your excitement on X, share a pic of your office mug on Instagram or write a post about what the placement means to you on LinkedIn.

   If you tag the company, it'll be great promotion for them. Plus, it'll show that you're proud to be working with them, setting you off on the right foot.

9. Ask for a reference

   Asking for a reference from your internship is crucial. This shows future employers that your time spent there was substantial enough for you to make an impression at the company.

   You could also ask if you can cite your mentor/superior from your internship on your CV as a character reference. This looks great as it suggests you made your mark and showed enough in a short period of time that your manager is willing to vouch for you in future.

   Just make sure you secure your reference before you leave. Otherwise, it'll be nearly impossible to squeeze it out of them once you're not there to remind them.

10. Stay in touch with employers after the internship

    Not sure what you should do after an internship? Whatever you do, don't think that once you walk out the door on your last day, it's done and you'll never see any of your co-workers again.

    If you know of any upcoming projects at the company, pitch ideas to them on ways you could get involved. Don't be shy in showing you're keen and highlighting the ways you can help them.

    Make an effort to get everyone's email addresses and connect with them on LinkedIn. When you hear of any updates about the company, you can get in touch with them directly and (fingers crossed!) get more opportunities with them.

11. Make yourself indispensable to the company

    The ultimate way to turn an internship into a permanent position is by doing such a good job that they can't imagine working without you. It might feel like a big task, but with hard work and bags of enthusiasm, you could make a huge impression.

    If you spot areas for improvement in their work or notice that some employees are overworked, volunteer yourself for extra tasks and provide loads of fresh, bright ideas throughout your time there.

Are internships paid?

Credit: TierneyMJ – Shutterstock

In some cases, you'll get a salary. But sometimes, only your expenses are covered. And, in a worst-case scenario, the internship might be completely unpaid.

Negative press around unpaid internships has led them to become less common. However, in 2019, The Sutton Trust found that 27% of young people who have done an internship have had at least one which was unpaid.

At Save the Student, we're strongly against unpaid internships as they force out competition from people who can't afford to work for free. This puts a substantial percentage of the population on an unequal footing at the start of their career, which doesn't do much for social mobility in the workplace.

If you're fortunate enough to be in a position where you're able to support yourself through an unpaid internship, it's crucial that you still make sure you assess the situation carefully and know what your rights are.

Are unpaid internships illegal?

The law on internships is not widely understood. Essentially, it depends on your status as an intern: do you qualify as a 'worker' or not?

The distinctions between your status as a worker or otherwise can be hazy, making the law difficult to enforce. However, there are three clear indications that you should legally be receiving the National Minimum Wage (or the Living Wage if you're over 25).

1. If you're promised a contract for future work once the internship period is over, you are an employee and therefore are entitled to the National Minimum/Living Wage.
2. If your working day is made up of tasks that would otherwise be carried out by a paid employee, then you should be receiving the Minimum/Living Wage.
3. You've been given a contract with clear expectations, working hours and responsibilities.

UNLESS your situation is one of the below...

You don't have to be paid as an intern if:

• You're interning as part of your uni course.
• The placement is for school work experience (normally under 16 years of age, meaning you don't qualify for Minimum Wage).
• You are volunteering for a charity or cause. This shouldn't come with any obligations and you should set your own hours and arrangements around your other commitments.
• Your role is akin to work experience or shadowing. This is when you are there to observe what's going on, rather than provide work or a service.

If you're not getting paid for interning, technically you shouldn't be given fixed working hours and can be a lot more flexible with when you show up. If this is something the company is unhappy with, the simple solution is for them to pay up!

Paid internships will normally require more input and responsibility. As a result, they can be a bit more intense. Therefore, it's important that you don't let any employer take liberties.

What to do if you're being exploited on an internship

First things first: think very carefully before you sign yourself up for an unpaid internship. Although there are options for claiming back money at a later date, this can be a lot of stress and hassle. You might be best off staying clear altogether.

However, if you do end up on an unpaid internship, it's important to know your rights. You can claim up to six years after your internship (five years in Scotland).

If you feel like you've been exploited, contact ACAS over the phone at 0300 123 1100. They can offer confidential advice on your specific circumstances free of charge.

Also on the lookout for a full-time position? Have a look at our tips on finding the perfect graduate job.