What is a long-term internship? Benefits, interview tips, and even how to choose a company.
About long-term internship
A long-term internship is not the same as a short-term internship such as a one-day internship or summer internship, but a long-term internship is a work experience that lasts more than three months. Experiencing a long-term internship before you start your job search will not only help you learn business skills, but it will also help you to clarify what you really want to do and what you’re suited for, giving you a chance to live your own life.
A long-term internship is an opportunity to gain real experience in the working world, but the truth is that not many students are taking part in it yet. In other words, just by participating, you can make a difference in the world around you. What’s more, some students work so hard that they acquire specialized skills and become freelancers. Recently, some students have been participating in long-term internships from their first year.
In some cases, companies that want to hire high-level students are focusing on past long-term internship experience. Be sure to prepare well in advance so that you don’t say, “Too late!
What makes a long-term internship unique?
When you hear the word “intern”, most people think of short-term programs such as summer internships, winter internships and one-day internships. These are called “short-term internships” and last from one day to two weeks at the most.
A “long-term” internship, on the other hand, is a program that lasts for three months or more and gives you the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the industry and more practical skills than a short-term internship. The following are some of the other characteristics of long-term internships.
Long-Term Internship Feature (1): Length of Service
Long-term interns are required to work for at least three months. In fact, many companies require interns to work for at least three months before they will accept them.
While the minimum length of service is set at three months, the average student working a long-term internship is six months or more. However, the average internship is six months or more, because it gives them a chance to get a feel for the industry and learn the minimum business etiquette and skills necessary to work in the industry for a significant amount of time.
While you can choose to move from one company to another to further improve your skills, it is not advisable to do so without working there for a period of time. Chikako Morimoto, one of Japan’s leading career agents, says, “If you work hard at what’s in front of you, and if you keep working diligently and honestly, the path you take will naturally lead to what you really want to do.
Aki Shirasaka, the “face of Ginza” who also appeared in “Professional Shigoto no Ryugi,” said, “There are people who quit their jobs after a few months because they say ‘it’s not for them,’ but when I heard that story, I realized that it only takes a few months to realize that it’s not for you. I think,'” he says. Successful people, on the other hand, describe what they have encountered as having ‘done it all’. If you work hard at what you encounter, even if it’s not what you want, you’ll find your way to the next level,” he said in an interview.
In order to develop skills that are fully transferable within the industry, it is advisable to work for about a year,” he says. Therefore, you should take your time in choosing your first internship.
Features of Long-Term Internships (2): Salary
Long-term interns are often paid by the hour. Salespeople may be paid on a ‘pay-for-performance’ basis, in which you are paid an incentive for your performance.
The amount of pay varies depending on the industry and job title, but in general, expect to be paid around 1,000 yen per hour, or between 5,000 yen and 10,000 yen per day.
As I said, long-term interns are paid, but there are rare companies that don’t pay interns because they are paying for their education or giving them experience. There are also companies that pay less than the minimum wage. These companies do not really consider the students, and I would not recommend them.
Characteristics of long-term internships (3): Grade level
Long-term internships are open to all students regardless of grade level. Recently, the option of long-term internships has become more popular, and more and more students are starting to take part in their first year of university.
Characteristic of a long-term internship (4): Job Description
In the majority of cases, long-term interns perform the same duties as employees. The nature of the work varies from job to job. While this may seem daunting at first glance, companies that offer internship programs often have well-developed training programs, so don’t be afraid to try your hand at a field you’re interested in.
Feature (5): Host company
Long-term interns are often held by start-ups and venture firms. So, it’s a great environment to grow because of the large amount of discretion and speed with which you are entrusted.
Summary of long-term internship
A long-term internship is one that lasts three months or more and provides more practical experience than a short-term internship. They can be in any grade, and some students have been working on them since their freshman year.
The most common way to apply for an internship is through a matching site. Be sure to make your goals and objectives clear before you search. After you apply, you can work on the interviews as practice for your job search.
A long-term internship is a valuable opportunity to work like a working adult while still being a student. It’s a great way to stand out from the crowd in your first year, and it’s also a great way to clarify your goals for the future.