internship
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /ɪntˈɜːnʃɪp/
US
- /ˈɪntərnˌʃɪp/
Description
- work experience
- temporary placement
- training period
- career bridge
An internship is like a trial run for your future career! It's a period of work experience offered by an organization—often to students or recent graduates—giving you practical skills and insight into a particular field. Think of it as getting your feet wet before diving into the deep end of a full-time job. You might intern at a law firm if you want to be a lawyer, or at a marketing agency if you dream of creating ad campaigns. It's about doing rather than just learning about a job.
Imagine Maya, a budding journalist. She landed an internship at the local newspaper. Instead of just writing practice articles in class, she was now interviewing people, researching stories, and even seeing her work published! That's the value of an internship—real-world experience that can strengthen a resume and help someone understand the work better. Some are paid, and some are unpaid, depending on the role and local rules.
An internship is a professional learning experience that gives people—typically students or recent graduates—the chance to gain practical work experience in a field they want to enter. It helps bridge the gap between classroom knowledge and real-world work.
Internships can take many forms. Some are structured programs with clear learning goals and mentoring, while others are more informal arrangements where you help with day-to-day tasks. They can be full-time or part-time, paid or unpaid, depending on the employer, the type of work, and local law.
The context of "internship" is almost always professional. You wouldn't say, "I have an internship in playing video games," but you might say, "She completed an internship at NASA, working on satellite communications." The goal isn't just to complete tasks, but to develop essential "soft skills" like problem-solving, professional communication, teamwork, and time management.
Think of Leo, a computer science student who secured an internship with a tech startup. He wasn't immediately building the next big app, but he was learning from experienced engineers, contributing to real projects, and getting a feel for a fast-paced work environment. This experience not only strengthened his resume but also helped him decide what kind of role he wanted after graduation.
Internships are crucial stepping stones in many careers, offering invaluable experience, networking opportunities, and a competitive edge in the job market. They're about learning by doing, building your professional confidence, and discovering if a particular career path is truly right for you.
Examples
- 1
Design company
She got an internship at a small design company.
- 2
Job search
I'm applying for summer internships in marketing.
- 3
Unpaid work
He did an unpaid internship before finding his first full-time job.
- 4
Program length
The internship lasts three months and includes weekly training sessions.
- 5
Legal workplace
Maya completed her internship with a law firm in Chicago.
- 6
Supervisor feedback
My internship supervisor gave me feedback on my first report.
- 7
Job offer
The company offered her a job after the internship ended.
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- internshipnoun
Forms
- internshipspluralnoun