When we think of “intern”, we usually think of students or recent graduates. So, what exactly is an intern? In fact, these people work in areas parallel to the education they receive, getting to know the business world and putting their theoretical knowledge into practice. During the internship period, they both observe and gain experience and take a step forward. Especially those who have the opportunity to do long-term internships have the chance to improve themselves by having more extensive work experience.
Today, students enter the business world as interns not only after graduation, but also from the first years of their education. Some of them do compulsory internships, while others experience internship voluntarily. Compared to previous years, students have been very active since the first years of their education life and have started to play a role in business life, either compulsorily or voluntarily. In fact, students are now so active that even during their education, they take part-time or project-related tasks and continue their internships by completing them within a certain deadline. So, what is the reason for this? The answer is simple: To gain experience and make a difference in business life.
How to Become an Intern?
If you are a student or a recent graduate who wants to become an intern, you first have a few options to apply for an internship. Your professors at school can direct you to some companies or you can see internship postings on career platforms. Nowadays, most companies are among the companies looking for interns and receive online applications. You can also search for companies in the sector you want to work in and apply directly.
What are the Duties and Responsibilities of Interns?
The duties of interns may vary depending on the company and department they work for. While some interns only observe, others find job opportunities by getting involved in projects.
During the internship, they support their teammates, carry out tasks such as documentation, data entry or contribute to small-scale projects. Especially if you are working as a long-term intern, you are likely to take on more responsibility and become more familiar with how the company works.
What are the Requirements to Become an Intern?
In general, students studying in the relevant departments of universities can participate in the internship recruitment process. Undergraduate, graduate or vocational school students can do internships on a compulsory or voluntary basis. Some companies expect you to have certain skills. For example, a student studying Computer Engineering may be expected to have basic knowledge in programming languages. Some companies are looking for full-time interns, especially during summer semesters, while others offer more flexible working conditions during the school semester.
How to Calculate Internship Wages?
When calculating internship wages, it is important to take a look at the legal regulations in Turkey. As of 2024, for students doing compulsory internship within the scope of vocational education, the wage varies according to the size of the place where they work. For example:
- If the workplace has more than 20 employees, the intern must receive a wage of 30% of the minimum wage.
- If there are less than 20 employees, this rate drops to 15%.
But of course, for the most accurate information about these processes, it is always best to consult and get information from the Human Resources team of the company you are interviewing for an internship!
How Much is an Inter Salary?
Intern salaries may vary depending on the size of the place you work and whether your internship is compulsory or not. In general, students doing a compulsory internship in Turkey receive a certain amount, but this amount can vary depending on the number of employees in the workplace. In small companies, it can be a bit lower, while in larger companies it can be a bit higher.
Of course, these issues can sometimes be confusing, so it's always a good idea to check with the Human Resources team at your internship location for the most accurate information!
How to Apply for an Internship?
Once you have decided to apply for an internship, you can start by consulting your immediate circle. This could be a teacher at school or people you know and have connections with. If you cannot find an opportunity at this stage, decide in which field and sector you want to do an internship. Then take a look at the internship postings on career platforms. I am sure there will be a great opportunity for you!
Here are a few career platforms we can recommend for internship job opportunities;
Direct applications are also a very effective way. If there are companies that you follow closely, whose work you admire or whose client portfolio excites you, you can immediately prepare your CV, maybe your portfolio and a sincere cover letter explaining why you want to do an internship and send it to the Human Resources team of that company. This way you will complete the application process.
How to Prepare an Effective CV?
A CV for an internship does not have to be very different from a CV for a candidate looking for a full-time job. However, if there are special criteria required for internship advertisements, additions or deletions can be made to the CV content according to the advertisement. The main points that should be included in an effective CV are as follows:
1. Education Information
Education is one of the most important sections of every trainee's CV. In this section, you should clearly and concisely write the name of your school, your department, your start and graduation dates (if any).
Internships and Experiences
If you have previous internships, volunteer work or part-time work experiences, it is important to include the date ranges and the responsibilities you took on. For example, if you did an internship at a software company, you should indicate what tasks you undertook and what kind of projects you were involved in. Your experience will show employers in which areas you are competent.
Tools and Programs You Use
Technical skills are invaluable in the business world. Therefore, be sure to include software, tools or programs that you know how to use. For example, if you have experience with programs such as Google Analytics, Canva, Microsoft Office, or PHP, be sure to include this.
4. Foreign Language Skills
If you speak a foreign language, this information should also be included in your CV. You can also indicate your language level and include how you have improved your language skills where necessary.
5. Projects and Responsibilities
If you have projects or academic work that you are responsible for, you can briefly summarize them. Caution: It is very important not to make this section too long and increase the number of pages of your CV! For example, if you have led a group project or developed a project on your own, you should write about your experiences in a short but clear way. Sharing this information will attract the attention of employers.
6. Portfolio (if applicable)
If you have done an internship in design, software development or a creative field, it is very useful to keep a portfolio of your projects or work and share the link on your CV. This allows employers to see your skills.
7. Personal Characteristics and Goals
It will enrich your CV if you include your outstanding skills and personal qualities and introduce yourself in a short summary. For example, you can mention skills such as your problem solving ability or your teamwork skills. You can also briefly mention your future career goals.
With a CV organized in this way, you can stand out in internship applications.
Bonus Info: 💡 Keeping your LinkedIn account updated in the same way will be a big plus. An active social media presence in the business world helps employers get to know you better and see your skills.
Being an Intern at Epigra
Here we finally come to the part I can't wait to tell you about 🙂 🙂
Being an Intern at Epigra is definitely very enjoyable. First of all, you don't need to wait for any period to do an internship at Epigra. We accept interns for 12 months of the year. Since we are a completely remote company, when you join the team, you will see that you can work from anywhere you want as long as you have internet! If you want, you can continue your work while spending time with your family at the summer cottage during the summer period, without being separated from them.
At Epigra you can also enjoy flexible working arrangements. In this way, you will be able to organize your daily working hours as long as you do not interrupt your duties and manage your time!
On the first day of your internship, the Human Resources Manager will give you a detailed onboarding where he/she will explain both Epigra and the team. She will show you how to install the tools and programs you will use afterwards and how to log in.
As an intern at Epigra, you will be able to work closely with your line manager and ask all the questions you want. In the first week, you will be learning and adapting to all the processes. In the following weeks, you will gradually start to get involved in the work. In time, you will be able to take the initiative and hold meetings where you can express your ideas freely. Who knows, maybe one of your ideas will be realized if it is much more efficient than the current situation.
During your internship, you will be involved in the dynamic and fast-paced world of software and product development and witness how creativity meets the functionality of engineering.
At Epigra, you will experience a company culture that is empathetic, solution-oriented, helpful, positive, and appreciative. In this environment where the excitement never fades and the learning curve is constantly rising, you will have the opportunity to constantly improve yourself and learn new things. Isn't it sweet? 🥸
Last Words
Let me tell you a short story from my own experience. Years ago, when I decided to pursue a career in Human Resources, I had no experience in this field. It had been at least 2 years since I graduated from school. I thought the best way to learn was to do a voluntary internship. I applied for an internship with great excitement and received a positive response. However, during the interview, I was told that only students and recent graduates with a compulsory internship were accepted. Unfortunately, I was rejected for this reason, but I didn't give up. After a while, I was accepted for a part-time job in the same company where I met the criteria and hold on tight - I worked there for 7.5 years. 😊
What I learned from this experience is that internship is a great opportunity not only for students but for anyone who wants to give a new direction to their career. Who knows, maybe a job you started as an intern can offer you great job opportunities in the long run. As an intern, that person may be the employee the company has always been looking for but never found. Or he or she can offer very different perspectives and ideas to the company by blending his or her past experience with his or her current experience.
I wholeheartedly believe that all companies should have a vision that paves the way for this situation and offers opportunities. This also reminds me of the movie 'The Intern' starring Anne Hathaway and Robert De Niro. Such a movie!
“Writing is seeing the future.” Paul Valéry