The Concept and Aim of an Internship

An internship is a purposeful activity of the student set in a work environment in order to obtain learning outcomes within their curriculum. During the internship, the knowledge, skills, and attitudes learned in the programme can be applied.

The aim of the internship provides a direction to the activities, helps to focus on a result, and to assess the result achieved.

Before going on the internship, two important factors guiding your development should be taken into account when formulating the aim:

1. Connecting what you have learned (theoretical and practical knowledge on your subject field) with actual work experience, in order to complement your field specific skills and learn new ones.

2. Apply and analyze at least one future skill (Future Skills 2025).

There can be one or two aims, but both development of field specific skills as well as future skills have to be represented.

Proceeding from the established aim (aims), you will set tasks.

THE ABC OF SETTING AIMS

The aim and tasks of the internship have to form a whole and be based on the SMART principle:

• specific; well-defined, focused for the learner as well as for supervisor(s);
• measurable;
• achievable;
• relevant;
• time-based.

Examples of formulated aims (from internship reports):

Good Example: To develop a new marketing plan concept proceeding from the results of 2014-2016 market analysis in the XXX company (this aim is specific, measurable, achievable, and relevant).

Bad example: Getting acquainted with the fields of activity of the company (Here, what the student becomes acquainted with should definitely be specified asit would be impossible to review all relevant, therefore this aim is not achievable, relevant, or measurable. Time-based activities can also be the time spent undergoing traineeship. Howecer, more attention should then be paid to making sure that the purpose would be accomplishable and clear).

Bad wording: I want to acquire knowledge about the functioning of beginner companies (Startup) and the problems they face. (All aspects of SMART principle should be specified.  At the moment, the aim is not accomplishable nor realistic.)

FORMULATING THE AIM AND TASKS OF THE INTERNSHIP TAKES TIME!