...your internship search

For many degree programs at Clausthal University of Technology, a mandatory internship is part of being able to register for the final thesis. Regina Brox is the contact person for all topics relating to internships. In conversation with her, I got some tips on what to look out for when looking for an internship.

1. it pays to be early

It usually takes some time to find and, above all, apply for an internship. So as soon as you know when you want to complete your mandatory internship, you should start looking. It's best to start at least three months before the chosen period. After all, you don't just have to write applications, you also need to hear back from the company. It often takes some time before you receive a reply. However, if you have not heard back after two to four weeks, you can call the HR department and ask about the current status of the application process for your chosen position.

Another important point in your search is the duration of your internship. Many companies are looking for interns for a longer period of three months or more. Consider whether it would be worth taking a semester off for your internship. This will give you enough time for your internship and you won't have to leave the company after just eight weeks.

2 Which company and which field of activity should it be?

The internship should enable you to gain your first professional experience in line with your studies. It is important to find out which tasks and activities match your degree course. Be sure to check the general internship guidelines beforehand to see what requirements your degree program has so that the internship can be credited later. Do you want to get to know a specific company or industry? And where do you want to go? To the surrounding area or perhaps even abroad? There are already several companies in the region that offer internships, such as Sympatec GmbH. But perhaps you would also like to get a taste of the big city air and gain experience in a large company like Volkswagen? However, an internship abroad is also a good experience. At Clausthal University of Technology, for example, there is the Erasmus+ program, which provides you with support in the form of financial resources, but also in the form of contact persons both at Clausthal University of Technology and in the company. You can find out more about internships abroad on the website of the Internship Office.

3. get to writing

The application usually consists of a cover letter, your CV and documents such as certificates and certificates of attendance.

The CV should include all the important stages of your life as well as your knowledge and skills. These can be foreign languages, for example, but also special programming skills. Always pay attention to the job advertisement, as the recruiter may ask you about your acquired skills during the interview. The cover letter is a little trickier. This is about your qualifications and your motivation for the internship position. Here, too, it is always an advantage to refer to the information in the job description and the company.

The following questions can help you when writing:

• Why are you studying your course?
• Why do you want to do an internship at company XY?
• What experience have you already gained and can you contribute to the company?

If you are still unsure about your application, you can contact Regina Brox(praktikantenamt@tu-clausthal.de) at any time. She can give you further tips and take another look at your documents. You should also check your emails regularly, as application training courses are offered from time to time.

Would you like more articles on this topic or simply to share your opinion? Or would you like to tell other students how your internship search or your internship itself went? Then write me an email at blog@tu-clausthal.de