I did a year out (3rd year) at uni on a 'sandwich' course. Companies advertised jobs in the uni and you applied for what you wanted as you would a normal job. I landed a job at Jaguar*, Browns Lane and was paid a monthly salary (£15k, although this was one of the highest paid jobs avalable to be fair). It gave me some good experience and I think more people could benefit from this sort of thing.


*Amazing job. I joined with the graduates so did the same two week induction camping out, helping the community (built a garden at a dementia home and managed to get in the local paper and the Jaguar magazine which I still have), touring the factories, etc. When it was over I started work at the HQ which meant I had ready access to the hertiage museum and restoration garage, got emails Mondays after a race from the F1 team, saw XJ220s being serviced, got to go in the Austin Powers Shaguar as it stopped off for a brief photoshoot, saw the bond villan car being built (the one from the film with all the ice?), got taken around MIRA in an XJR by a test driver flat out, etc etc. Best. Job. Ever.

They should use the approach we use - employ them for six months on a temporary contract and see how well they do. If they're no good, simply terminate the contract and that's the end of it. Otherwise, take them on permanently.

At least that way you don't end up with some useless mong you who can't get rid of.

saw the bond villan car being built (the one from the film with all the ice?)

Ahh thats the one

I would like to see unpaid internships banned as a form of slavery, even if chosen.

Here in Germany, it is pretty much standard practice, when applying for a job, whether school leaver or experienced worker, that you work a day to a week for free, to see if you are suitable.

That means that you aren't reduced just to your CV, you actually get a chance to prove that you will fit in with the team and can do the work - something that graduates often don't get the chance to do.

The employer can take a risk and try out 3 or 4 people for a role. It isn't cheap for the company to do that (setting up accounts, having somebody mentor the person and monitor their progress), but it is cheaper than employing the wrong person...

A lot of companies will also accept students, graduates or people looking to change job for a "Praktikum" or internship for a couple of weeks or a couple of months, to see if they are the right material or to let them gain experience.

It increases your chances of getting a job, as long as you put the effort in.

It is also still common to take on apprentices for IT jobs, especially programming and support, instead of spending time at Uni, they get on-the-job training, with a couple of days a week at college - a bit like a sandwich course.

fixed

I did an internship in my 3rd year (full time doing proper work, reduced salary due to no degree/experience but most of the perks) at uni and got paid for it, I don't know anyone that did an internship on a computing degree for free as a matter of fact

I know most people on my course I graduated with are either unemployed or doing unrelated IT jobs, a couple are in the games industry based on experience but many have given up.