Ever wondered what the difference is between an internship and a placement? Both terms are referred to so often by employers that it can be quite confusing聽– here’s a general overview.
Essentially both terms refer to the same thing: a temporary position working within an organisation in order to gain work experience and build skills.
The main difference is the length of time during which the work experience takes place. Generally, internships are short-term, lasting anything up to 12 weeks, whereas placements tend to be longer term, lasting up to a year.
Here at Southampton we offer fully paid internships through the Excel Southampton Internship Programme. We define internships as project-based work experience within an organisation, lasting 4-12 weeks.
How can an internship help you?
Undertaking an internship will allow you to enjoy a number of benefits including:
- Paid work experience
- Employability skills that enhance your CV
- The chance to build a great network of contacts
- The opportunity to work on a meaningful project and positively impact upon the host organisation
- Valuable insight into a particular industry/career path
Last year we filled 430 positions, giving many students the opportunity to add some crucial work experience to their CV and develop new skills.
Last year鈥檚 winner of the Excellence award, Clayton Jones, expressed how much he gained from his internship:
鈥淏eing part of the Excel Internship programme has opened up my choices like I never could have imagined.
By undertaking a well-organised internship in a company in the heart of its field, I have gained invaluable experience, knowledge and networking that I am certain will help my career prospects when I finish university.鈥�
For more information or to apply, please visit the .