Internships and voluntary work
An internship is a work placement where students are paid for their work, while unpaid work placements are referred to as voluntary work.
Placements are temporary for a fixed period - although the exact period varies depending on the contract negotiated with you. Our focus is on placements relevant to a student's course/degree or career plan.
- Consolidate and enhance academic learning
- Help you develop transferable skills such as teamwork and leadership
- Enable you to learn more about a particular field/job/employer
- Develop job search and career planning skills
- Build knowledge and experience of the world of work
- Provide "experience" for inclusion in CV and job applications
- Give you a chance to find out what kind of work you like and don't like
- Build a network of contacts
- Enhance your employability
- Build character, maturity and confidence
"Along with the graduate attributes expected of degree holders, transferable skills, workplace experience and career planning skills are now also seen as essential for a successful transition to the workforce". [extract from the University of Auckland Academic Plan 2005 - 7.]
- At the outset, you must agree with the organisation under what basis you will be working - as an intern (paid) or as a volunteer (unpaid)
- For internships, the employment relationship needs to be formalised through an employment contract that needs to contain certain specific information, including when and how the placement will conclude
- For voluntary work experience, agreements need to be for a fixed period. The period can vary, with about three months normally being the maximum duration. The organisation is more limited in terms of what they can expect from a volunteer. For instance, although regular hours may be worked, they cannot really be enforced. Even though unpaid, it is customary that the organisation make the placement worthwhile to volunteers in other ways by covering their expenses, providing training, references etc. Volunteers are protected under ACC and Health and Safety legislation.
For further information on your rights and responsibilities see the Department of Labour website
Internships and voluntary work experience opportunities are available in many fields. To find the right one for you
- identify which particular field(s) you are most interested in. Consider your area of study and your career plans, and consult our section on Career planning steps to take at University.
- set yourself some objectives - what do you want out of the experience? Which aspects of work do you want to experience?
