Employment for interns is standard at many large and mid-size corporations. Smaller companies often use people with intern level training for staffing as well, but often post these positions as part time work.
Internship positions are best suited for people with an interest in a long term career or working towards an education in a line of work. Employers will typically be looking for this. If you are already trained on your field of are looking for a short term position or immediate seasonal employment and not looking for long term training in a position or type of work, you may find focusing on our full and part time or seasonal positions to be a more effective search.
Intern positions allow an employer to benefit from the training of a person learning a new profession such as law or architecture and for that person to benefit through experience and in the field training. Intern positions can also be called apprenticeships. Trades such as electricians, mechanics, plumbers and welders typically only use the term apprentice rather than intern for their positions, however the concept of on the job training is the same.
These positions can be connected to a specific project or can be full time or part time. Many interns are hired full time after their training or schooling is complete. If you are accepted for an intern position, make sure to discuss long-term employment opportunities with the company. If the company does not have a position available for placement, doing good work can still pay off in recommendations to other contacts who may have long term positions available.
Tips to Internship Employment:
Be sure to review the positions listed under part time work as well. Many intern positions at smaller businesses are treated as part time work, however the type of work and experience are actually intern or apprenticeship positions. Typically, these positions will be part time, but will require a specific skill set within a field.
If your profession typically utilizes interns in school, you may expect your employer to accommodate this. Briefly covering your school schedule and availability with your potential employer will help to make sure expectations are aligned.
If you can take your courses in blocks of time, do so. It will be easier for both you and your employer to schedule work hours if you have a larger area of free time rather than an hour here or there.
If you are in school, contacting your professors may also help you find leads to internships. Quickonlinejobs.com has many intern positions available in various fields. Again, check under part time employment for these. Remember, for some professions, an internship / apprenticeship is required for certification. Track your hours on paper per the relevant professional organization as you continue working in these positions.