| 1. | What is the InternLink Programme? |
| | The InternLink Programme is a Dublin Chamber of Commerce initiative designed to provide recent graduates seeking employment with the opportunity to gain valuable work experience and to enhance their skills and competencies through a quality internship opportunity. It offers Employers a potential stream of high quality graduate employees. |
| 2. | What are the benefits of doing an internship? |
| | • Gain valuable work experience which you can add to your CV
• Apply knowledge learned in training or education in a work environment
• Enhance your skills and learn new ones through workplace learning
• Explore a new career path
• Enhance your career prospects
• Gain networking opportunities and keep close to the labour market
• Build your confidence through work experience |
| 3. | What is an Employer and an Intern? |
| | Employer – Employers who are members of Dublin Chamber of Commerce providing internship opportunities and participating in the scheme are referred to as ‘Employers’.
Intern - A person who is engaged by another person to carry out work or perform any duty or service under the InternLink Programme. |
| 4. | Before you start looking for an internship, think about |
| | Before you start looking for an internship, think about
• what area do you wish to gain experience in?
• what do you want to gain from an internship?
• what location(s) would you be available to work in?
• are you available for 6 months to complete an internship?
By deciding what you want from an internship before commencing your search, you will be able to select appropriate internships that meet your needs. |
| 5. | Am I eligible? |
| | In order to be eligible to participate in you have graduated in the last three years, 2.1 degree upwards, available to work in the greater Dublin Area, fluent in English and have a full work permit. |
| 6. | Will I get paid? |
| | You will receive an internship allowance that is agreed between the intern and the Employer. |
| 7. | Where do I go to find an internship? |
| | The internships can be viewed at Current Internship Opportunities. Employers can advertise their placements on the website. |
| 8. | What type of placements are on offer? |
| | Placements may be offered across a wide range of sectors and occupation areas. |
| 9. | How long can I participate on an internship for? |
| | A participant can avail of a placement on an internship work experience opportunity for a 6 month (26 weeks) period. |
| 10. | How many hours do I have to work? |
| | A standard Internship working week will range from 30-40 hours per week, and is agreed between the Intern and the Employer. |
| 11. | What if I start an internship and I realise this placement is not for me, can I do
another? |
| | Two weeks notice must be given by either party and must be communicated to the other party. |
| 12. | How do I apply for an internship placement? |
| | Click on Current Internship Opportunities to see what internships are on offer. And, if interested, apply directly to the Employer by the method they specify in the advertisement.
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| 13. | How will I be selected? |
| | Each Employer will decide how they select the person for the placement. For example they may ask you to forward a CV and call you for an interview. When you make contact with the Employer about the placement they will tell you more about their selection process. |
| 14. | If selected as a potential Intern, what then? |
| | If you are successful and selected as a potential intern the following will happen:
The member organisation will download a Standard Agreement that outlines what will happen during the internship. This must be signed by both you and the member organisation. |
| 15. | What will I be doing on my placement? |
| | When an Employer selects a potential intern, they complete a Standard Agreement to
include details of the skills and experience you will have the opportunity to learn and/or apply during the internship. The Employer will give you a copy of this agreement that will be signed by both you and the Employer. |
| 16. | Who will look after me during my placement? |
| | The Member Organisation will nominate an individual to support and/or mentor you during your
placement. This person will have responsibility to ensure that you receive a proper induction and ensure that your work experience as described in the standard agreement is progressing. If an Employer has a formal mentoring programme, they should include you in this programme.
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| 17. | Will I receive a Reference at the end of the Internship? |
| | Yes, when the placement is finished the Employer must supply you with a reference that will detail the professional development/learning outcomes and experience you have acquired over the course of the placement. |
| 18. | Do I get time off during an Internship? |
| | Although you are not an employee of the company you should still be given adequate time off for attending job interviews during the placement. |
| 19. | Am I entitled to any leave during my time on the placement? |
| | Sick leave and Annual leave will be agreed between the Employer and the intern and the interns must comply with the Employer’s policy on leave. |
| 20. | What responsibilities will I have as an intern? |
| | To comply with reasonable requests of the Employer and to complete a survey at the end of the internship. |
| 21. | What if the Internship is not working out as I expected? |
| | Workplace issues should be resolved with the member organisation.
If the internship is not working out as expected you should discuss this with the person that is supervising/mentoring your internship.
Should you wish to leave the placement you have the option to leave on foot of two weeks notice unless both the Employer and the intern agree, in which case termination of the placement can be immediate. |
| 22. | What if I get a job? |
| | If you get a job during the placement you are under no obligation to stay, again you should give the Employer two weeks’ notice that you are leaving. |
