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Internships
Types of Internship Opportunities
Special Considerations and Tips
Introduction
In your worldwide search, you may find that what you usually think of as “internships” are defined and named in different ways. Common to all of these experiences is the opportunity to develop skills and explore careers through a combination of hands-on work, specialized training and personal mentoring. To find the option that is right for you, it is important to identify specific learning goals and work objectives for your experience and to share them with a potential internship organization. This dialogue will allow you to find out how you might grow professionally and contribute to the organization’s mission, and to gauge the organization’s interest in having you participate in their work. Begin your planning with the tips and resources below.
Read the following information and then click on International Job Search Resources.
Types of Internship Opportunities
- Formal industry- or organization-based opportunities
- Formal country-initiated internships for foreigners
- An opportunity that you negotiate and secure by identifying and reaching out to an organization or business that is doing work in the field in which you would like to participate
- A component of a study/intern abroad program
Key Issues to Consider
- Set Goals
Identify your top five goals for getting experience abroad. Which are non-negotiable and which are flexible?
- Time and Timing
Can you dedicate sufficient time to working at the organization to meet your goals? Are you going abroad during a time of year that accommodates short-term work in your host country or will you have to strategize around timing?
- Internship Listings
Because “internships” are defined in different ways worldwide, there’s no one source list. It is best to check broader international listings that include work, internships and volunteer options to find opportunities, no matter what they are called, that meet your goals.
- Personal Network
Your network of friends, family, teachers, coworkers, Brandeis alumni and former or current work supervisors is very important in locating and negotiating internships abroad. Get in touch, share your goals and ideas and seek out advice and referrals. Want to learn more? Check out Networking on the Hiatt Career Center Web site.
- Visas and Legal Matters
Internships can be subject to specific visa requirements and it is critical to explore them at the start of your planning. Are you eligible to work legally in your potential host country? What are the regulations about working (paid or unpaid, any amount, however small)? What are the procedures and time frames to gain proper authorization? International students at Brandeis who want to work in the United States should seek expert advice at the ISSO.
- Financial Matters
Most internships are unsalaried and you will have to support yourself while you work. You cannot rely on getting a paid part-time job to cover your expenses while you intern, since paid work also has a specific set of visa requirements. Do you have a solid estimate of the total costs you will incur? Have you set a realistic budget for your time away? Are there scholarships and grants to help you fund your work? Can your host organization help by providing non-monetary assistance such as lunch or a bus pass? If you use a program to arrange your internship, the program may charge a fee; is financial aid available from the provider?
Best Search Strategies
- Your network: Share your interests and goals with your broad group of personal, academic and work contacts.
- Advertised internships: Use work, internship and volunteer resources.
- Self-initiated contact: Locate an organization that is doing the kind of work you would like to explore, share your goals and negotiate a position.
Special Considerations and Tips
- Cost: You will determine what combination of expenses and available financial resources is right for you. Be sure to have a good idea of the total costs you will incur, including international and in-country transportation, living expenses, incidentals, insurance, additional travel or sightseeing, passport, inoculations, specialized equipment, etc., before making any commitments.
- Compensation: If an organization cannot provide a salary, inquire if they might consider assisting you with non-monetary compensation such as housing, local commuting or meals, for example, during your stay.
- Brandeis Internship Programs: Be sure to investigate programs such as the Hiatt World-of-Work (WOW) Program, the Ethics Center Student Fellowship, Davis Projects for Peace, Eli J. Segal Citizen Leadership Program and the Louis D. Brandeis Social Justice Internship Awards.
- Brandeis International Centers and Experts: Consult the many regional and international centers and experts at Brandeis to learn about opportunities, receive advice about the country you would like to visit and get connected with others who have interned in the past. Start at the Brandeis Global Portal.
- Brandeis Credit or Transcript Notation: You may want to investigate the options for academic credit or transcript notation for your internship.
- See the volunteering section of this Web site: Many of the issues, tips and resources related to volunteering apply to internships as well.