Internship and work experience advice

Internship

An internship is a structured, time-limited period of work experience undertaken with an organisation, typically by a student or recent graduate. Internships are intended to support career development by enabling participants to apply their knowledge and skills in a workplace setting, develop professional experience and gain insight into a particular role, organisation or sector.
Internships may be research-based or professional and may involve a defined project, a programme of activities or a structured set of responsibilities. They will normally include appropriate supervision, support and opportunities for learning and development.

The term internship describes the nature of the opportunity rather than an individual’s legal employment status. Whether an intern must be paid will depend on the nature of the arrangement and, in particular, whether they have the legal status of a worker, employee or volunteer. Where an intern is legally classed as a worker, National Minimum Wage requirements will normally apply, subject to any relevant statutory exemptions.

Micro-internship

A micro-internship is a short, structured learning and development experience, typically lasting no more than one working week. It is designed to give students an opportunity to explore a particular profession, organisation or sector, develop their employability skills and apply their knowledge in a professional or research environment.

Micro-internships usually focus on a clearly defined project, question or set of activities that can reasonably be completed within the placement period. The emphasis is on the student’s learning and development rather than on undertaking an established role or providing ongoing work for the host organisation. Opportunities may be research-based or professional and should include appropriate supervision, guidance and opportunities for reflection and skills development.

Micro-internships are generally designed as learning and development opportunities rather than as employment. Participants would not normally be expected to undertake the duties of an employee or worker, or to substitute for paid staff. Where a micro-internship is structured on this basis, it may be offered on an unpaid basis, with reasonable expenses covered where appropriate.

Volunteering 

Volunteering is an arrangement in which an individual freely gives their time to support an organisation, community, cause or activity without entering into a contractual obligation to perform work in return for wages. Volunteering can provide valuable opportunities to develop skills, gain experience, contribute to a cause and explore areas of professional or personal interest. Volunteers may have agreed activities or responsibilities, but genuine volunteering should retain an appropriate degree of flexibility and should not create the same mutual obligations that would ordinarily characterise a worker or employee relationship. Volunteers are not normally paid for their time, although organisations may reimburse reasonable expenses incurred through volunteering.

Work experience

Work experience is a broad term for a period spent gaining first-hand experience of a workplace, occupation or sector. Its primary purpose is usually learning, observation, career exploration and the development of employability skills rather than filling an established role within the organisation.

Work experience can also be used as an overarching term encompassing other types of workplace-based experience, such as internships, work shadowing and placements.

Work experience can take a variety of forms and durations. Depending on the opportunity, a participant might observe colleagues, undertake supervised activities, contribute to a project, attend meetings or learn about different roles within an organisation. "Work experience" is a descriptive term rather than a legal employment status. Any entitlement to pay will depend on the circumstances of the placement and the participant's legal status.

Work shadowing 

Work shadowing is a short period of primarily observational experience during which a student accompanies or observes an individual or team in their normal working environment. Its purpose is to help the student understand a particular occupation, workplace or sector rather than to undertake productive work for the organisation. Work shadowing will normally involve observation, discussion and opportunities to ask questions and may include attending appropriate meetings or workplace activities.  Work shadowing is unpaid.

Placement

A placement is a structured period of experience with an external organisation that forms part of, or is closely connected to, a student's programme of study or professional development. Placements may vary considerably in duration and format and can include professional, clinical, research, industrial or other forms of experience. The arrangements governing a placement, including supervision, assessment, payment and employment status, will depend on the nature and purpose of the particular placement and any applicable course, professional or legal requirements.

Project-based or consultancy-style experience

A project-based or consultancy-style experience gives a student or group of students the opportunity to respond to a defined brief or challenge provided by an organisation. Projects may involve research, analysis, problem-solving, design or the production of a particular output or recommendation. Unlike a traditional internship, students undertaking a project may not necessarily be embedded within the host organisation or undertake its day-to-day work. Projects may be undertaken individually or in teams and may take place remotely, in person or through a combination of the two. These experiences are typically designed as leaning and development opportunities and would not normally be paid. 

Insight Days

An Insight Day is a short careers learning experience, typically lasting one day, designed to give students an introduction to an organisation, profession or sector. Its primary purpose is to help students develop their understanding of different career pathways, workplace environments and professional roles. Insight Days may include activities such as workplace tours, presentations, skills sessions, work shadowing, networking with employees, panel discussions and opportunities to learn about recruitment processes and entry routes into the organisation or sector. Students may also take part in short exercises, case studies or group activities designed to provide a practical insight into the type of work undertaken by the organisation.

Unlike an internship or micro-internship, an Insight Day would not normally involve responsibility for completing a defined piece of work or undertaking productive work on behalf of the host organisation. The emphasis is instead on observation, exploration, interaction and learning.

Insight Days are generally offered as learning and development opportunities rather than as employment and would not normally be paid. Host organisations may choose to cover reasonable expenses, such as travel or subsistence, to help ensure that students are able to participate.

Insight Programme

An Insight Programme is a structured learning and development opportunity designed to give students an introduction to a particular profession, sector or type of work, while supporting the development of relevant skills, knowledge and professional awareness. Insight Programmes may take place over several days or across a longer period and can combine a range of activities. These might include workshops, presentations, case studies, practical or project-based activities, workplace visits, mentoring, networking, work shadowing and opportunities to engage with professionals or researchers.

The emphasis of an Insight Programme is on career exploration, learning and development, rather than students undertaking an established role or providing ongoing productive work for an organisation. Unlike an internship or micro-internship, there may be no expectation that participants complete a defined piece of work or produce an output for a host organisation.
Insight Programmes can be particularly valuable in enabling students to explore career options, gain an understanding of different working environments and career pathways, build confidence and professional networks, and develop skills that will support their future career decisions and applications.

Insight Programmes are typically considered learning and development opportunities rather than employment and would not normally be paid.

A note on terminology, employment status and pay

Terms such as internship, micro-internship, placement and work experience are useful descriptions of different forms of experience, but they do not, in themselves, determine an individual's legal employment status or entitlement to pay. In the UK, employment status and entitlement to the National Minimum Wage depend on the reality of the arrangement rather than simply the title given to it. An individual described as an "intern" may, for example, be a worker, an employee or a genuine volunteer depending on the circumstances.

Host organisations are responsible for ensuring that opportunities comply with applicable employment and National Minimum Wage legislation. Where an individual meets the legal definition of a worker, they will generally be entitled to at least the applicable National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage unless a specific exemption applies.

There are many ways to gain valuable work experience without paying a fee to participate. Depending on the opportunity, you may be paid for your work, volunteer your time, or need to cover costs such as travel and accommodation.

In some sectors, particularly conservation and international volunteering, you may come across organisations that charge a programme or participation fee. Oxford Careers does not advertise fee-charging opportunities, although you may encounter them through other websites, organisations or providers.

Charging a fee does not necessarily mean that an opportunity is unsuitable, but you should consider it carefully before committing any money. Research the organisation independently, check exactly what the fee covers, and make sure you understand the cancellation and refund arrangements. Bear in mind that other costs, such as flights, visas and insurance, may also be non-refundable if the placement does not go ahead.

Where possible, seek advice before making a payment, particularly if a significant sum is involved. Oxford Careers can help you assess an opportunity and explore alternatives. Paid internships, volunteering, work shadowing and other forms of experience can all offer valuable ways to develop your skills and explore a sector without paying a provider to participate.