So, you’ve recently graduated, and now you’re thinking about how you will launch your career as a graduate.
Perhaps you missed out on getting any internships whilst you were at university and feel an internship would help you to discover your career path.
In this post, we’ll answer a commonly asked question: is it too late to get an internship after graduation?
Assessed Internships
Most of the large companies that hire an intake of graduates every year offer internships.
They usually offer these internships to undergraduate students who have completed years 1 and 2 of their degree. These are delivered as a highly structured summer internship programme.
The undergraduate students who successfully get a place on the summer internship programme will be assessed during the internship for their suitability for a graduate scheme at the company.
graduates who do well during the internship will usually be fast-tracked through the application process for the graduate scheme at the company.
If offered a place on the graduate scheme, they will start the following summer, once they have completed their degree.
For example, Shell offers undergraduate students and postgraduate students the opportunity to apply for their assessed internship.
During their assessed internship programme, candidates will have a midterm review and a final review with their supervisor. This assessment could lead to an employment opportunity in a full-time role.
Large graduate employers often have a summer internship programme to help them to identify potential talent. Candidates that have completed an internship at the company and who perform well are a much lower risk than a candidate who hasn’t.
As those who complete an internship with these companies as a student have a greater chance of getting a graduate job there, places on these summer internships tend to be very competitive.
So to summarise, if you have already graduated it may be too late to get a summer internship at one of the larger companies.
If you have already graduated is it too late to get an internship?
The short answer to this question is no.
Here are some tips for getting an internship if you’ve already graduated:
- Be on the lookout for companies that offer off-cycle internships. These may be open for graduates, or larger companies that offer internship programmes for those who have already graduated.
For example, Commerzbank offers off-cycle internships that range from 8 weeks to 12 months. Students (both undergraduate and graduate) and those who have already graduated are eligible to apply.
Accenture also offers a graduate internship in Marketing and Communications. The internship commences each year in September on a 6-month contract. Applications for this graduate internship programme open in late spring. - Look for internship opportunities at smaller companies. Assessed internships are not exclusive to large companies.
Smaller companies also assess their interns. Some smaller companies hire candidates for a short period of time to determine whether they would make a good fit for a permanent role at the company. - Write an achievement-based CV. Don’t forget to include the experiences that you have gained from extracurricular activities.
We are here to help!
If you are struggling to find employment post graduating, do not hesitate to contact us. We have been coaching students, graduates and career changers for over 10 years. We can help you to boost your employability and teach you lifelong skills such as how to perform well in interviews.
We also offer Digital Marketing internships as part of our 6-stage 1-2-1 career coaching programme. In this programme, candidates gain theoretical and practical experience in areas such as SEO, PPC and Social Media.
Featured Photo by Daria Shevtsova from Pexels
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