Mandatory and non-mandatory internship: understand the differences
It’s not even necessary to be a college student to be aware of internships, since they represent a crucial stage in university students’ professional development. However, a lot of people are unaware that internships come in two varieties: required and voluntary.
Interesting, right? So, in this post, you will discover the differences between mandatory and non-mandatory internships and also tips on how you can find your internship opportunity! Let’s check it out!
What is a mandatory internship?
Through the integration of theory and experience, the internship strives to enable students to apply classroom information in a professional setting. Laws mandate that undergraduate programs include both required and elective internships, each with unique requirements.
The mandatory internship, as the name suggests, is one in which the student who is studying a degree or technical course needs to have experience/professional experience in the area in order to graduate.
It is part of the course curriculum and if you don’t get a good grade (yes! as it is a subject it has a grade) the student may take longer to graduate or even not get the diploma/certificate.
Therefore, being an intern , in addition to teaching you many things about the job market and bringing new experiences, can be essential for completing a higher education course.
The educational institutions that make internships mandatory have as their principle the ideology that the student will have a better understanding of what goes on in the daily lives of professionals in that area. After all, it is by living that one learns more.
1. Supervision
As is mandatory, there is direct supervision by a person in charge – who is often a teacher. You must also submit reports on your work, which will be evaluated and used to receive your internship grade.
In this type of internship, the student works more as an observer, as the idea here is to make him understand how the area works and its particularities of the profession.
For example: those who choose to take undergraduate courses need to go to a school and observe classes to see how the teacher works in practice.
2. Duration
Typically, supervised internships last for one semester, but this may vary from institution to institution. And since it is a subject on the curriculum, it may be offered in several semesters.
They have three workloads:
- 20 hours per week (4 hours per day, on weekdays)
- 30 hours per week (6 hours per day, on weekdays)
- 40 hours per week (this is only allowed if it is included in the course’s pedagogical project!)
3. Recruitment and grant assistance
Registration is not mandatory! Internships are contracted through a commitment agreement that must be signed by the student, the company and the college.
Regarding remuneration, mandatory internships may or may not offer a salary or allowance. Learn in detail about the Internship Law and discover all the rights and duties of this type of employment.
Check out the main features of the mandatory internship
- It is part of the course curriculum.
- It is a requirement for completing the course.
- Your workload is defined by the course’s pedagogical project.
- It is usually carried out during the school term.
- It is mandatory to obtain the diploma.
- It may be paid or unpaid, depending on the educational institution.
What is a non-mandatory internship?
This type of internship is self-explanatory, isn’t it? In this case, choosing to do an internship is a student’s choice, and getting a job can be a little more difficult, although some colleges help with advertising.
In the non-mandatory internship, the student must complete the company’s selection process and there is no teacher responsible for supervising them – in this case, a person from the company will be their “boss”. In addition, there is no need to submit reports to the college about their performance.
The internship is prescribed in nº 11.788/2008 of the CLT (Consolidation of Labor Laws) , which prescribes that not all internship actions must be mandatory, paid and have an employment link after its completion. It is aimed only at students.
1. Supervision
Some companies monitor students’ performance in class. Your “boss” may ask for your grades and attendance, and if you’re not doing well, you may lose your internship.
Here, you can do small tasks (get your hands dirty!) and have the chance to see what the work is really like. And if you think that interns only serve coffee, you’re wrong!
Remember that this is an opportunity to learn professionally, if you are not developing, decline the opportunity and look for another one.
2. Duration
The non-mandatory internship can last up to two years in the same company, and you must be in college to participate. In general, it has a workload of 6 hours per day.
3. Recruitment and grant assistance
Here, there is also no registration on the employment record, as in the mandatory internship, but rather terms of work defined by means of a contract or term of commitment.
And unlike mandatory, non-mandatory is always paid. Instead of a salary, it is called a stipend, and the intern is not entitled to the 13th salary or INSS contributions. The stipend amounts vary according to the area and the company, but can be around R$500.00 to R$2,000.00.
Check out the main features of the non-mandatory internship
- It is not a requirement for completing the course.
- The workload is defined between the intern and the grantor.
- It can be carried out during or outside the school term.
- Its completion is optional for the student.
- It must be remunerated, as determined by law.
Ultimately, these two forms of internship, mandatory and non-mandatory , have different objectives, but both seek to develop professional and personal skills in students.
While the non-mandatory internship gives students the chance to concentrate in a particular field or hone certain abilities, the required internship is crucial to their education since it enables them to apply theoretical knowledge in a real-world setting.
Tips for finding your mandatory or non-mandatory internship
Internship opportunities are always in high demand. And if you are looking for these positions , take note of our tips right now to help you get your internship as quickly as possible:
- Put some effort into your resume;
- Include in your document all your experiences with courses, volunteer work and freelance work;
- Seek qualification with online courses and certificates beyond your college;
- Use social media to your advantage, creating content and building your circle of professional contacts;
- Use the right keywords to find the internship that best suits you;
- Read and reread your resume to avoid mistakes and do not exceed two pages.
Searching for internships should be a routine, as new opportunities can arise every day. In addition, having a well-written resume can increase your chances, so download our free internship resume template and fill it in with your details.