Parties of the Internship and Their Roles

1. Student Role

Student roles and important activities and observations before going on an internship:

1. First, read the internship webpage. There you will receive an overview of the internship and first instructions. The final purpose of the student is to pass the internship successfully and achieve the learning outcomes that were established.
2. Find a suitable internship place that helps you achieve the learning outcomes. When choosing the internship, consider if you are able to complete the aim set out by your curriculum, if the internship base is willing to cooperate with you, and if the internship provider has a supervisor. Think about your wishes and/or preferences: in what area would you like to complete your internship in (politics, public relations etc.); what kind of an institution would you like to choose (media outlets, international organisations, local municipalities, third sector units etc.); in what area (town, municipality); what would be the most suitable time for completing the internship? Keep in mind that the aim of the internship comes from the aim of the curriculum. To help you look for an internship base, the next module provides some information – also keep in mind websites of organisations/companies, job offers and also personal contacts.
3. Next, propose an individual aim based on the general aim of the internship course – what is it that you want to learn during your internship and what kind of skills will you acquire? Do not be afraid to propose a large aim. Even if you cannot or do not manage to complete these, you can analyze why things did not go as planned. This is one of the best ways to learn. When phrasing your aim, also coordinate these with your university supervisor. The aim of the internship has to be phrased correctly (you completed the corresponding task in the previous section) and support the completion of the internship aim.
4. Once you have found a place of internship, where you can complete your aim and the learning outcomes, it is a good custom to sign the internship agreement (see section – agreements). The agreement may also include the requirement of keeping confidentiality etc.
5. With every internship form, there is some documentation involved – a journal, job analysis etc. This is specified under your specific programme course. It is important not to simply note down and describe your activities, but first of all, ANALYZE what has occurred.
6. If there happen to be differences between the student and internship supervisor or representative, these should be reported immediately to the university supervisor. In case of insurmountable differences or violation of internship agreement terms, the student has a right to cancel the internship, but the university supervisor should be informed of this first.
7. At the end of the internship, the execution of the internship aim and learning outcomes is analyzed as well as the student’s own development.
8. An internship defence takes place after finishing the internship. The defence procedure is described in the course syllabus. (NB! At the moment, no defence is required for the Skytte internship courses.)

2. Role of the university supervisor

Roles of the university supervisor:

1. Has an overview of the internship process and is responsible for internship organization.
2. Together with the programme manager, the supervisor plans the time of internship in the curriulum, aim of internship and expected learning outcomes, i.e., provides the principal input for the internship as a whole.
3. Gives advice for finding a suitable internship place.
4. Helps to formulate the aim and learning outcomes for internship.
5. If need be, helps to solve the student as well as internship supervisor the problems that the student as well as the internship supervisor may face in regards to the internship.
6. Provides feedback to the student.
7. Arranges the internship defence. (NB! At the moment, no defence is required for the Skytte internship courses.)

3. The role of the internship supervisor at the internship provider

The possible roles and tasks of the internship supervisor (mentor) include:

1. To discuss the individual aim and learning outcomes of the internship with the student and ways for getting there.
2. To discuss the student with intital on-the-job training, including how to use working tools, to acquire the right tools of the trade, to give meaning to work processes, to plan different tasks, and to execute them by the required time.
3. By the end of the internship (but also during the internship), to provide feedback to student performance and on the organisation of internship.
4. If possible, to attend the defence of internship. (NB! At the moment, no defence is required for the Skytte internship courses.)