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5. What Is An Internship?

What Is An Internship?

What is an internship? What are the benefits of an internship? This article covers the internship definition and why you should do one.

Nov 28, 2025

What is an internship? Internship definition

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✨ 5-second summary

An internship is a temporary position where students or graduates gain real-world experience and develop skills in a specific field.
An internship allows you to grow networks and explore career paths, and they come in many forms.

What is an internship?

An internship is a structured, temporary position offered by companies and organizations to students or young professionals, allowing them to gain practical experience in a specific industry.

Internships are a great way to gain valuable hands-on experience working with other professionals, develop your hard and soft skills, network, and explore different career paths.

What is a graduate internship?

Graduate internships are designed for individuals who have completed their graduate degrees, such as a Master's or PhD.

They are typically full-time, paid or unpaid work opportunities that usually last between three months and a year.

Graduate internships can be found across a breadth of industries, providing deep learning experiences and professional growth.

What is an intern?

An intern is a person who works for a limited period of time at a company, organization, government agency, or non-profit to gain practical experience in a particular field of interest.

Want to secure an internship?

Read our guide to learn more about how to get an internship!

Read guide →

👉 The purpose and benefits of an internship

So, why even pursue an internship? The purpose of an internship is to gain:

Real-world experience
A strengthened resume or CV
Opportunities to build a robust network
Guidance from industry experts
Academic credits or allowances (subject to availability)
Transferable skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving to enhance employability

Most importantly, an internship gives you the opportunity to explore potential career paths to see what truly resonates with your passion.

Types of internships

Internships for graduates come in various forms and can be tailored to suit different career goals.

Industry-specific internships

These internships are focused on a particular industry and give you a concentrated experience in that field.

They may be with a private company, where you can contribute directly to business operations and strategy, or with professional associations that provide unique exposure to industry challenges and best practices.

Here are a few examples of industry-specific internships:

Business administration internships offer practical work experience in the field of business. They focus on learning about the administrative and operational aspects of running a business, including:

Strategic planning
Project management
Organizational behavior

Psychology internships provide practical experience in the field of psychology and offer exposure to various specialties, such as:

Clinical psychology
Counseling
Social psychology
Industrial-organizational psychology

Communications internships focus on building effective communication strategies, enhancing brand awareness, and engaging with target audiences. These internships are great for students interested in:

Media
Journalism
Marketing
Public relations

Consulting internships allow you to get work experience in a consulting firm or the consulting department of a larger organization. Interns work alongside consultants on various projects, helping clients solve complex business challenges, improve performance, and maximize growth.

Research internships

Postgraduate research internships provide opportunities to work on ongoing research projects.

These internships are common in academic settings, but can also be found within private and non-profit sectors that value innovation and inquiry.

You can find these kinds of opportunities on a university's website or regular job posting sites like Glassdoor, LinkedIn, and Indeed.

Non-profit and government internships

Interning with a non-profit organization or government agency is a rewarding way to apply your skills towards public service goals.

These internships are often designed to address social issues and public policy, and can be particularly meaningful for those looking to make a positive impact through their work.

That said, they're often very exclusive and not very common. To find one, look for these opportunities on the official governmental site of your country/state.

💼 Choose an internship that fits your needs

Paid vs unpaid

Paid internships offer monetary compensation for the work you perform, while unpaid internships focus on experience and mentorship as the key rewards.

There are different factors that affect whether internships are paid or unpaid:

Industry and your major (engineering and IT internships tend to be paid)
Local laws (some countries allow unpaid internships, others don't)
General practices in your region
Individual company policy

Full-time vs part-time

Internship opportunities can match your availability. Full-time internships require a commitment comparable to a regular job (30-40 hours per week), and part-time internships usually range from 15 to 20 hours per week.

Virtual (online) internships

The digital age has brought forth virtual internships, where you can be present from anywhere with an internet connection.

Remote internships are becoming increasingly popular every year, so look for opportunities like this—they're usually prominently displayed on the internship page.

💡 Hear from our marketing intern Alana!

"It's been completely worth it."

Here's what Alana has to say about her marketing internship:

I'm currently doing an unpaid, part-time internship at Educations.com. Even though it's not paid, it's been completely worth it. I've been able to build real-world skills, learn more about the industry, and connect with professionals in the field. It's been such a valuable experience that's helping me grow both personally and professionally. Every day I learn something new, and it's always a fun time!

Internship requirements

Academic qualifications

Most postgraduate internships require a relevant and completed degree or other specialist qualifications.

Some internships might require specific educational backgrounds, so it's important to match your credentials with the internship requirements.

👉 Read more about what you should include in your internship application:

Application process and deadlines

Start your application early.

The application process for graduate internships is similar to that of regular jobs and can be quite competitive. It's essential to research and apply to your desired internships well in advance.

Internship duration and commitment

Internships can span from a few weeks to several months.

Generally, they align with university semester breaks, some lasting a whole summer or winter term. However, others may ask for a commitment corresponding to a typical business quarter or even a full year.

Be prepared to make a serious commitment and fully engage with your internship responsibilities.

💡 How to make the most of your internship

Here's how to ensure you make the most of your internship experience:

Set clear goals and expectations

Before the internship starts, outline what you want to achieve. This could include:

Specific skills you want to learn
Professional contacts you hope to make
Understanding more about a particular industry or role

Discuss your objectives with your supervisor at the beginning of your internship.

Demonstrate initiative and seek constructive feedback

Volunteer for projects that might be outside your comfort zone but offer learning opportunities.
Don't wait for formal evaluations to understand how you're doing. Ask for feedback after completing assignments or during regular check-ins with your supervisor.

Foster professional relationships that last beyond the internship

Make an effort to connect with colleagues across different departments. Attend company meetings, workshops, and social events to broaden your understanding of the company and its culture.

After your internship ends, keep in touch with your colleagues and supervisors. LinkedIn is a great tool for staying connected.

These relationships can be valuable for future job opportunities, references, and mentorship.

Document your skills and accomplishments

Keep a record of your work: Maintain a detailed list of the projects you work on, including your specific contributions and the skills you used or developed. This will be invaluable when updating your resume.

Collect samples: If possible, keep copies of your work that can be included in your portfolio. If the work is confidential or proprietary, make sure to ask for permission.

Reflect on your experience: Regularly write down what you're learning, challenges you've faced, and how you've overcome them. This reflection can provide insights into your growth and can be a useful resource for future interviews.

Conclusion

Graduate internships are a cornerstone for career advancement. They offer a wealth of experience and networking opportunities that can't be replicated in the classroom.

Whether you're considering postgraduate internships to explore new career paths or to enrich your existing skills, the benefits of such experiences are immense. As you transition from academia to the professional realm, remember that internships are powerful tools that can illuminate your career trajectory and open doors to new opportunities.