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In today's highly competitive global marketplace, where many professional jobs are at a premium, any practical and applicable experience job seekers can obtain is going to help their search and career. One way they can get this valuable background is through the cooperative education or internship programs at colleges or universities. The latter provide many opportunities and benefits:
- they allow job seeker to make and develop professional contacts;
- they provide full or part-time employment for any number of months or years and often include remuneration and, in some cases, benefits; and
- they help potential employees discover their own aptitude as well as their own strengths and/or weaknesses, especially if they are uncertain about their future career.
On the other hand, internships also provide benefits for field supervisors and sponsoring organizations, such as providing motivated workers at a minimal cost (at the beginning of the year 2001, the average internship is paying about $10-20/hr., not a bad wage for someone with little or no experience) and the opportunity to train and hire future employees. Participation in internship programs also allows the field supervisor and organization to maintain a working relationship with the university or college in which students are enrolled. In several cases, special projects can be accomplished by using student expertise. Departments and universities benefit by providing a different mode of career education to their students and by increasing enrollments. Administrators of the internships also keep faculty in touch with the needs of the working world.
Indeed, in several existing Language & International Trade and International Business Programs designed to prepare personnel for the global market and work places, students are placed in internship positions either in the U.S. or abroad. Not only are their business and other skills utilized, but their World language ability as well. They follow specific procedures regarding eligibility, registration, and placement, and, upon successful completion of the internship, receive credit. The latter is based on both employer and student evaluation of the work experience. The coop is well worth the effort professionally, linguistically, culturally, and has led, in many cases, to regular permanent employment in the student's elected career field.
For more information below is a short list of internships the job seeker should consult or see a career specialist at his/her college or university.
- Directory of International Internships. Order from: Michigan State University, Career Services and Placement, Attn.: Directory of International Internships, 113 Student Services Building, East Lansing, MI 48824.
Lists of internships overseas with detailed descriptions, requirements, and contact persons.
- Internships. Peterson's Guides, Dept. 307, 202 Carnegie Center, Box 2123, Princeton, NJ 08543-2123.
A comprehensive source of internship opportunities for high school and college students as well as older adults switching careers. Jobs range from employment with a Fortune 100 company to residency in a wildlife preserve. Information about the types of requirements, responsibilities, academic credit, availability and application deadlines are slso provided. - National Directory of Internships, National Society for Internship and Experimental Educational, 3509 Hayworth Drive, Suite 207, Raleigh, NC 27609-7229.
Lists thousands of internships in over 85 fields in government, non-profit, and corporate settings. Includes work and service positions for college graduates, high school students, as well as those not in school, mid-career professionals, and retired people. Contains easy-to-use indexes by name of organization, geographic location and field of interest.
- AIESEC
An international association of students working to build a better world through a variety of international work exchanges among nearly 100 countries. These exchanges attempt to impact people by addressing five key topics: creating cultural understanding, building a learned society, globalizing the information society, developing entrepreneurs, and helping make companies more socially responsible.
- AIPT
Promotes international understanding through cross-cultural, on-the-job practical training exchanges for students and professionals in over 50 countries. Most full-time internships last for 8-12 weeks during the summer, but longer stays are available. AIPT programs include: The International technical subjects, the Student Exchange Programs (mostly hospitality/tourism to assist students in any career field.
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Go Abroad
This site provides a comprehensive on-line source for study abroad, language schools overseas internships, international volunteer positions, teaching abroad, jobs abroad, universities, eco-travel around the world, etc.
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Idealist
This site helps students find internship opportunities in the U.S. and abroad mostly in non-profit organizations as consultants.
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The Internship Search Engine
Internshipprograms.com is the premier internship community with thousands of companies, from Fortune 100 to government and non-profit organizations, to build a strong internship recruiting message. Employers are then able to deliver that message to millions of internship candidates throughout the World. Partnering with the largest internship site is a must for any company seeking to attract, hire, and retain highly-qualified interns.
Consult the aforementioned sources and find one or more internships that closely meet your desires, needs, goals, and abilities, and, if ready, apply for it, using the suggestions in the job search section. Of course, whenever possible, try to locate one that will make use of the World language you are studying.
For a detailed directory of international internship recruitment agencies refer to Internships under the Job Sources section under Job Search.
Study Abroad
Beaver College, 450 S. Easton Road
Glenside, PA 19038
Tel. 888/232-8379 or 215/572-2174
Web site: www.beaver.edu/cea
Beaver College arranges junior-senior year study abroad programs for numerous colleges and universities. Internships run for one semester. Candidates must be currently enrolled in an accredited American college or university with a GPA of 3.0 and at least a 3.3 in three courses in the internship discipline. Interns receive academic credit for courses taken during the internship period. Open to college juniors and seniors. Requires a $35 application fee. Application deadlines are October 15 for spring; April 20 for fall; and March 10 for summer London program (nonacademic). Contact the Program Coordinator for further information.
Council on International
Educational Exchange (CIEE)
205 E. 42nd Street
New York, NY 10017-5706
Tel. 1-888-COUNCIL
Web site: www.ciee.org
For college students and recent graduates. Administers a wide variety of work, volunteer, intern, study, and travel programs. Each year nearly 25,000 students worldwide (6,000 from U.S.) become involved in CIEE's programs. The Council's Work Abroad program involves up to six months of work experience in France, Ireland, Canada, Spain, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Costa Rica, and China (teaching). Jobs range from waiting tables in a hopping pub in Dublin to helping customers as a sales clerk at a funky boutique in Sydney, or even interning at an architect's office in Frankfurt. $20 application fee
Study Abroad Programs (College abroad)
Study Abroad Programs (Petersons)
Institute of International Education
Study Abroad Asia (ASNIC- Asian Studies Network Information Centre)
Cultural Experiences Abroad
Spanish Language Schools
American Institute for World Study
Worldwide Classroom – Library of International Education
Study Abroad in Spain (World Study)
International Studies Abroad (studiesabroad.com)
Study Abroad in Spain (discoverfrance.net)
Study Abroad Programs (languagesabroad.com)
Study Abroad Programs (interstudy.org)
Work Abroad (resource link needs further development)
Traveling (resource link needs further development)
Volunteering (resource link needs further development)
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