What is an IT internship?

An IT internship is a type of work experience that students take part in so that they can get hands-on experience and mentorship from professionals in the IT sector before they graduate. Like most jobs, you’ll have to submit an application and have an interview with the employer to land an IT internship.

How competitive are IT internships?

IT internships are competitive because they’re a great opportunity to get hands-on experience and get a true feel of what it’s like working in the sector, alongside other IT professionals. They’re a good way to boost your chances of securing a role in the sector after you graduate. Don’t let the competition stop you from applying though. Just make sure you do your research on the company you’re applying for and practice for any interviews – you can do this using our interview and assessment centre .

How do I get an IT internship?

If you’re interested in doing an IT internship, you’ll want to do a bit of research to figure out which ones you’d like to apply for. You’ll usually need to submit an online application for the internship you’re interested in - you can do this through targetjobs. If your application is moved to the next stage, you’ll be invited for an interview with a member of the organisation, and depending on the company, you may be given some sort of task to complete and discuss during the next interview. There are some things you can do to improve your chances of being accepted onto an IT internship: Research the companies you’re applying for to get clear on why you want to work with them Practise for the interview using the most commonly asked interview questions for that sector/role

Do you get paid for IT internships?

IT internships are mostly paid. Interns who are classed as workers are entitled to the national minimum wage, but if your internship only involves shadowing then you may not be entitled to pay. The description of the internship you’re applying for will usually say if it’s paid or not - read more about this in our ‘know your rights’ guide .

Can you do an IT internship during university?

You can do an IT internship during university – it’s a really good way to get hands-on experience in the sector before you graduate. If you’d rather, there are also internships that you can do when you’ve already graduated.