HOW DO YOU FIND THE PERFECT INTERNSHIP?

by Teun – Integrand Groningen

Finding the perfect internship is not as easy as you might think. Where do you start searching, and what criteria should you consider? To find the ideal internship, you need to think about a few key criteria. First, what type of internship am I looking for? Second, what kind of company/sector do I want to intern in? And finally, in what location am I looking for an internship? If you can answer these questions, you can start your search for the perfect internship more effectively.

Type of Internship

Starting with the first point, what type of internship are you looking for? This is a simple but essential question to find your perfect internship. There are many different types of internships, which can be grouped into four categories: a career internship, a graduation internship, a summer internship, and a work placement. A career internship is the standard type that most people think of. You participate in the company’s work to learn about their processes and gain experience. A graduation internship is a type where you do research or a project for your studies. A summer internship is simply an internship during the summer, while a work placement is a mix of study and part-time work. Here, you work for the company alongside your studies and get a first look into the industry. In this role, you often have responsibilities similar to those of regular employees.

Focusing on one or two of these categories allows you to search more specifically. This makes it easier to look for what you find important in an internship, in a market where the supply is vast.

Function and Sector

Now that you know what type of internship you’re looking for, the second important question is: what role and in which sector do you want to search? The sector you choose might be related to your field of study, but it’s not a requirement. You can pursue an internship in a sector of specific interest or a broader, more general sector. The latter is a good option if you have broad interests. Some students don’t have clear preferences in mind yet, which is fine!

Besides choosing a sector, it’s also essential to decide what type of role you want to take on. Within a given sector, there are many roles available, from marketing manager to consultant, from HR assistant to engineer. Where do you begin? Start by making a list of functions that would match your studies or your personal skills. Then, research which roles are available at companies in your chosen sector and for the type of internship you’re looking for. Do any fit your criteria? If so, that’s great! But if not, it’s wise to broaden your list of potential roles. By expanding your options, you may find a role you hadn’t initially considered but that surprises you in a good way.

Location

The last important aspect of finding the perfect internship is determining where you want your internship to take place. The location has an impact on your daily commute. If you don’t mind traveling up and down each day, it’s worth looking for an internship in a location with reasonable travel options and good connections by public transportation. An internship in Groningen if you’re in Utrecht, for example, is less ideal. Secondly, the supply of internships depends on the location. Large cities like Amsterdam and Rotterdam have many internship opportunities because large companies are often based there. In less populated areas, there may be fewer internships available, making it harder to find one that meets your specific needs. Therefore, sometimes you need to balance your distance preferences with what’s available. Certain specific internships can be challenging to find in some parts of the Netherlands.

And now… Where do I start my search?

When setting the criteria for what you’re looking for, you naturally want to know where and how to search for your ideal internship. First, it’s helpful to ask around in your own network. Additionally, it’s wise to start your search online and check out various job boards. There are also organizations that can assist you personally in your search, like Integrand, the largest academic internship provider in the Netherlands. At Integrand, we help students find the perfect internship with a large number of available internship listings. The assistance Integrand offers is entirely free for students. This means that Integrand can serve as your personal coach in finding and applying for an internship. If you need help finding your perfect internship, register through our site!