The Case for an Unpaid Internship | Interning through IES Abroad

How many friends do you know who have submitted countless résumés only to not hear back? With a provider like IES Internships, you have access to on-site Internship Coordinators who serve as liaisons between you and vetted employers to determine fit, arrange interviews, and confirm placements, all before your leave for your program. IES Internships guarantees you a placement in the field of your choice and IES Internship Coordinators work hard to find that perfect fit (or two) for you, so you don’t have to submit your résumé to 30 companies and await a response.

"IES Internships in Italy worked with me to send my résumé to organizations that had health internships in Rome. The internship interview took place over Skype, as well as résumé review sessions.”

IES Internships Alum Michelle Wagner

(Rome Summer Internship | Penn State University)

Virtual internships are coming at you fast with a new wave of innovation, accessibilty, and refined value. These internships are carefully curated by employer hosts and students alike to elicit an experience that will carry with you beyond the screen and into the rest of your life. We've seen the impact that can be made while working in a virtual space, so why not bring internships into the room too? Students have appreciated the access virtual internships provide—whether it's due to an ability to travel internationally, cost-prohibitive components, or a phsyical accesibility concern. Our goal is to always make room and create new opportunities for students! Virtual internships are the perfect gateway for that. 

"I feel like my internship prepared me for my future career because it allowed me to gain professional experience in Arts Administration that I don’t have easy access to in my location, and it helped me to greatly expand my network of music professionals. While I was put at an economic advantage and health (due to the pandemic) advantage with the internship being virtual, I felt I was at a disadvantage for being able to learn about Austrian culture as directly due to being remote."

Virtual Intern Sapphire T.
(Vienna Virtual Internship Program | University of Nebraska-Lincoln) 

While you’ll likely participate in networking events on site, you’ll also create a vast system of contacts you can stay in touch with long after you’ve returned home. During your program, you’ll connect with IES Abroad and IES Internships Staff, your internship supervisor and colleagues, program participants and classmates, and new local friends and acquaintances.

Not to mention, upon completion of your program, you join a community of 140,000+ alumni around the world with whom you can connect, network, and share experiences. There’s an entire alumni section on our website dedicated to “Launching Your Career” after your program.

“Saying goodbye to my internship hosts was sad, but also exciting because I left knowing that my time there was absolutely well-spent. My boss expressed her thanks, I expressed mine, and I promised to be in touch, especially if I am ever back in Dublin in the future.”

IES Internships Correspondent Lillian N.

(Dublin Summer Internship | Duquesne University)

We offer support when you need it and freedom when you want it. From your on-site Internship Coordinator to IES Abroad Center staff to your colleagues at the workplace, you’ll have a built-in support system for the duration of your internship program. You’ll also have the independence to live like a local intern or student, whether that means exploring your host city with new friends or traveling to other cities on the weekends.

“I've found a mentor in Maricarmen, the IES Abroad Santiago Center Director, who reviews my Spanish before I turn in internship assignments and never fails to ask how I'm doing or offer advice and encouragement.”

IES Internships Correspondent Megan R.
(Santiago Summer Internship ǀ Johns Hopkins University)