University internship: gaining experience before entering the workforce

During the university period, whether it is the bachelor’s or master’s degree, there will always come a time to face the university internship. This experience is often approached negatively by students, as a burden or a period of forced work that is done unwillingly. Here we will delve into the advantages and benefits associated with this opportunity and try to investigate the weight it has in starting a student’s professional career.

What a university internship is?

The university internship, also called curricular internship, is an opportunity that is offered to university students to have a first approach to the world of work and acquire skills, thanks to a tutor who will support and follow the candidate along his or her training path, and give university credits (CFUs) for graduation purposes.

Usually internships are carried out at facilities that have an agreement with the university, whether they are institutions or companies. This can be mandatory or optional, depending on the course of study selected, and must be carried out within the timeframe stipulated by the educational plan, which in most cases provides for it in the final year.

It is worth mentioning that the internship does not represent an employment relationship, in fact there is no agreed remuneration, but a training activity to conduct with the aim of acquiring specific skills. The relationship between the university and the company is formalized through an agreement to which a training project is attached.

The internship can last a maximum of 12 months (24 for those with disabilities) beyond which no more extensions are possible. It can be part time, about 20-25 hours per week, or full time with 40 hours per week. The duration tends to be established before the contract is signed and depends on the CFUs that the curriculum provides for this kind of activity.

The benefits of an internship

This is a great opportunity to enter the world of work for the first time and acquire hard and soft skills useful for future employment.  The internship, as defined in Art. 1 M.D. 142/98, aims to “realize moments of alternation between study and work within the training processes and to facilitate professional choices through direct knowledge of the world of work.” 

• For the student, the benefits are many, such as:
• orientation: in fact, it allows the student to get acquainted with the reality of the world of work through direct contact or check affinity with the type of work;
• training: it allows to deepen or put into practice what has been learned during the degree program;
• gaining awareness: understanding one’s abilities, feeling more confident and ready to handle and overcome possible adversities;
• knowledge on a human and professional level: the goal could be to aim to get hired at the end of the internship;
• adding value to the resume: this makes it easier to get noticed by corporate recruiters and stand out from the mass of applicants. 

But there are also advantages for the university itself, which can check the congruence between the educational paths of degree programs and the potential outlets to which students aspire.

Conclusion 

As we have seen, the internship is a very important experience for the student, allowing him or her to have a first confrontation with the world of work.

It should not be approached with negativity or frustration, but as an advantage for oneself and one’s professional future. 

It often happens that students find loopholes to acquire CFUs and avoid the university internship. We urge you not to find shortcuts and take advantage of this great opportunity that the University can give you.

At In-Domus Milan, we offer university students several solutions to make their university experience fantastic. Our three campuses – Milano Internazionale, Milano Monneret and Milano Olympia – are close to the universities and well connected to the city center so that all students can be at class, work or exploring the city in minutes.

If you too are looking for accommodation in Milan to pursue your studies, book your In-Domus room now.

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