Co-op, work placement, and internship are three work experience terms that people often use to mean the same thing. While each of these options let you apply classroom-based learning to work in your field, they actually have key differences, too. We’ll take a closer look at some of these below.
Many employers actively look for grads with work experience. So, taking a program with a co-op, work placement, or internship can set you ahead of your peers by developing your practical skills and working while learning.
Below, we’ll explore different ways international students can gain valuable work experience while studying abroad in Australia, Canada, Ireland, the United States, or the United Kingdom.
Australia 🇦🇺
Australian universities embrace work-integrated learning opportunities. Many academic institutions are actually increasing the kinds of opportunities they offer. You might see programs with projects, simulations, fieldwork, or internships.
Internships
Many international students in Australia complete an internship related to their field of study. For some courses, it’s even compulsory. When an internship is required, you’ll receive academic credit. For example, say you land a journalism internship. You may be conducting interviews, researching stories, assisting colleagues, and preparing notes. Australian internships vary in length and, unlike in other countries, are not usually paid positions. However, international students who attend private Australian colleges often have paid internships.
Projects
International students can also get hands-on work experience with a project. Universities Australia defines projects as activities “designed with and for employers, such as client-assigned projects.” These are the second-most common type of work experience in Australia. To get started, academic institutions usually connect students with organizations for projects that contribute to the public sector.
Simulations
According to Universities Australia, a simulation is “where a student experiences all the attributes of a placement or workplace task in a university setting, such as a moot court.” A moot court simulates an arbitration for parties involved in a legal dispute. If you’re studying law, this practice can help you build the necessary skills to succeed as an advocate. You’ll improve your oral advocacy, persuasive writing, research, and legal analysis skills.
Fieldwork
Fieldwork is a great way to build practical skills that fit industry and community demands. Universities Australia describes fieldwork as “learning activities that occur off-campus and in person, such as archaeological excavation or environmental monitoring.” Studying agriculture or environmental studies? You’re most likely to have fieldwork opportunities.
Canada 🇨🇦
Canada’s most common types of work-integrated learning opportunities are co-operative education, placements, and internships. Interested? International students must apply for a co-op or intern work permit first. You can apply for a permit either before arriving, with your study permit application, or after you arrive and are approved to begin a placement.
Co-operative Education
Co-operative education, or “co-op,” combines classroom learning with practical full-time work experience. A co-op program might have alternating academic and paid work terms or multiple consecutive work terms. The number of required work terms varies by program. For programs two years or longer, you must spend the equivalent of 30% of the time you spent in the classroom in a work term. For programs two years or shorter, the ratio is 25%.
Placements/Internships
An internship or placement is supervised full- or part-time work experience. Or, it can be a practice placement related to your area of study. It can be paid or unpaid work, but after completing an internship, you’ll receive academic credit. You may complete an internship during your program. Or, you can finish it after completing your coursework and before graduating. Internships are usually between 12 and 16 months long.
Ireland 🇮🇪
Did you know that international students taking eligible courses that are at least one year long don’t need a work permit to work in Ireland? Eligible students with Stamp 2 permission may work 20 hours per week when class is in session, and up to 40 hours per week on holiday breaks. Internships are the most popular kind of work-integrated learning opportunity.
Internships
Students enrolled in courses in the Degree Programme may do an internship as part of their programme. This placement must be a key part of the programme, and not take up more than half of the programme’s duration. (So, if you’re taking a four-year course, you can do a maximum of two years of internships.) Also, self-employment cannot currently count towards your internship.
Irish institutions to consider: National College of Ireland, Queen’s University Belfast, Trinity College Dublin, University College Cork
United Kingdom 🇬🇧
Institutions in the United Kingdom offer students the opportunity to participate in internships, work placements, and sandwich courses to gain valuable work experience. While there are some similarities between the three, they are actually very different.
Internships
Internships can be a week or a year long. You’re most likely to complete one over summer vacation. Students don’t typically receive academic credit for completing an internship, although it may be recognized by professional training organizations. By law, students working as an intern are paid at least the National Minimum Wage. As it’s not unusual for organizations to bring on an intern full-time, an internship could be the first step in a student’s exciting new career.
Work Placements vs Sandwich Courses
In the UK, “sandwich course” is a popular nickname for a work placement. Although they’re similar concepts, these are actually different types of work experience. Read on to learn more.
Work Placements
Work placements are a requirement for some courses, and students who complete them earn academic credit, but not usually a salary. Students often complete work placements during a school term.
Short-term work placements range in length. If your placement is one to three months long, you’ll do it over the summer holidays. Conversely, you’ll work at longer placements for one day per week during school terms.
Sandwich Courses
A sandwich course is a degree program where students have at least one opportunity to work in their chosen field for nine months to a year between their academic studies. Sandwich courses take more time than a standard degree, but offer many benefits. For one, the connections that you make during your work term can be professional references once you graduate, or might connect you with open roles at the company you worked at while studying.
Thick vs Thin Sandwich Courses
In the UK, sandwich courses can occur at different stages in the completion of a degree. Accordingly, some courses are described as “thick,” while others are “thin.”
Often, a four-year degree includes a “thick sandwich course.” Students spend the first two years of a degree on coursework, followed by a third-year placement.
Conversely, a “thin sandwich course” refers to a three-year degree. In this case, the placement (usually paid) is split up into two halves. In your first year, you’ll complete six months of practical work, with another six-month work term during your final year.
UK institutions to consider: Coventry University, Nottingham Trent University, and the University of Hertfordshire.
United States 🇬🇧
International students in the US have two options for gaining work experience while studying: Curricular Practical Training and Optional Practical Training. Students must complete their first year of studies before they are eligible for these programs.
Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) gives students the opportunity to participate in off-campus training, work experience, or an internship. Opportunities vary by program. For some degree programs, completing a CPT internship is a program requirement that students will need to fulfill before graduating.
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
Optional Practical Training (OPT) allows students to find off-campus employment or an internship within their field of study. If you’re enrolled in an eligible science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) program, consider applying for the STEM OPT extension. STEM OPT can enable up to 24 more months of work experience, which is a great way to boost your resume with American work experience. International students interested in OPT must apply for an additional visa.
There are two types of OPT:
- Pre-Completion OPT: gain related work experience before graduating. Work up to 20 hours per week while you’re studying, and up to 40 hours per week when on a break, like summer vacation.
- Post-Completion OPT: work at a job in your field of study for up to 12 months after graduating. (Unless you’re eligible for the STEM OPT extension, then up to 3 years.)
US institutions to consider: Arkansas State University, California State University, East Bay, and the University of Arizona.
We hope this inspired you to consider programs with work-integrated learning. Whether they’re a placement, fieldwork, or an internship, each can help you boost your career.
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