Blog | Internship

Volunteer Internships

Opportunities for Volunteer internships are available on a global scale and range widely in both the level of work experience and complexity available. Although remuneration is generally not offered, the value and benefits to be gained from the experience and the ability to become actively involved within an area of interest that can influence the individual’s future goals and ambitions can have both rewarding and far-reaching effects.

Unlike other Internships, Volunteer work experience is available to those as young as fourteen (14) years of age and can include a wide scope of educational and individual interests and causes. Non-profit organizations benefit greatly from internships, which often allow non-profit sectors to achieve important goals and provide services that may otherwise not be possible without the involvement of motivated, passionate volunteers.

Volunteer placements offer the intern many benefits including:

<ul>

<li>Gaining International work experience</li>

<li>Obtaining professional skills development or refinement</li>

<li>Practical work experience within many areas within a specific field of interest</li>

<li>Development or enhancement of leadership, communication and organizational skills</li>

<li>Achieving a higher level of commitment and dedication within a field of interest or for a specific cause</li>

</ul>

The application process for volunteer placements varies greatly with the organizations often solely responsible for the management, organization, and selection of suitable applicants. The process for applying for a volunteer placement can range from a basic interest application to involved and very detailed preparation and interview processes, particular where international positions are concerned. Volunteer positions may often require a specific or scheduled period of involvement that adheres to commitment of a certain number of hours or days per week, and which may require more flexibility on the part of the intern. Still other positions are on an “as required” basis and could extend over a longer period. Duties, skills required and areas of interest vary greatly from organization to organization. Volunteer opportunities for graduate or under-graduate interns are often managed by non-governmental Agencies or offices responsible for assisting and providing internship candidates to fill certain positions and doing so for many different fields of study.

With hundreds of organizations available and thousands of positions to choose from, there can be a high level of competition for Volunteer internships particularly those that involve international placements in other countries. Applicants who approach volunteer positions with enthusiasm and committed effort often gain richly rewarding benefits from their experience.

Youth Internships

Individuals between the age of nineteen and thirty can take advantage of youth internships as an excellent way to gain related work experience while pursuing advanced studies. These internship opportunities also offer excellent advantages for individuals in this age range who wish to gain valuable, employable skills for employment opportunities that do not necessarily require degrees or higher levels of education.

Youth intern opportunities provide those in focused disciplines or those pursuing degrees such as MBA’s, Masters, Bachelors, etc., to achieve critical hands on work experience that strengthens skills and abilities while allowing for stronger positioning and preparation to attain employment in these more competitive fields.

Youth internships are excellent matches for those pursuing Political Science, Music, Finance, Technology, Humanitarian services, Research, Criminology, Law, and other higher learning areas of interest. They also provide strong skills and knowledge for youth interested in pursuing employment in fields such as Hospitality, Construction, Recreation, or non-degree pursuits.

Many Agencies and services exist both on the Internet and within local offices through high school, college, university, and Youth Employment services whose mandate is to assist youth in all areas of the internship process. These Agencies and services offer a number of resources and guidance skills including the opportunity to undergo mock interview sessions, assistance with Resume development and preparation, and assistance that involve methods for obtaining funding if necessary. Assistance to arrange travel and accommodations for those individuals considering internships in other countries may also be available through some offices or Agencies.

Many youth internships focus on areas of growth that are designed to further take an interns skills and knowledge to the next level while providing a more challenging and focused level of duties and tasks to ensure interns achieve the most benefit from their placements.

Many youth related internships offer applicants the opportunity to earn while they work although there are still a number of volunteer or non-pay positions that will appeal to those who are not concerned with the financial issues that non-pay positions can pose for some individuals.

Internships for youth are available throughout the year with offices such as Employment centers often accepting applicants regularly while other positions may only accept applications at specified periods or for specific durations or disciplines. Those interested in this internship type will usually find there is no shortage of opportunities or benefits to take advantage of, however.