‘We work 56 hours a week, pay us more!’

For many students, internships are a bridge between theory and practice, but they’re not always seen as a mandatory part of the curriculum. Should that change? And what about compensation for the hard work students put in? How do you find an internship and survive it? EM posed these questions last week.

While most respondents on Instagram said they would like to do an internship, nearly half haven’t taken any steps to secure one. What do they expect from an internship? “To learn a lot from it.”

A number of students offered tips on how to find a placement. International students shouldn’t be afraid to apply in Dutch, one student advised. “I got my internship at PwC, even though I spoke broken Dutch during the interview.”

Many students emphasised the importance of networking. “Attend career fairs and events hosted by large companies to connect with recruiters”, one suggested. Another added, “Take advantage of recruitment days organised by study associations.”

Compensation varies

Not all students receive payment for their work. Only 12 per cent of bachelor’s students and more than 30 per cent of master’s students annotation anchor receive an internship allowance. In 2023, master’s students earned an average of 350 euros per month.

The stark variation in internship compensation is evident from the responses on our Instagram account. While one communication student proudly shared that they receive a monthly allowance of more than 1,000 euros, a medical student reported getting just 100 euros. “We work more than 56 hours a week, pay us more!” the latter said passionately.

Workplace behaviour

For those who’ve already secured an internship, students also shared advice on how to behave. “Act normal”, one said. “Just be yourself”, suggested another. “But set your boundaries and don’t be afraid to address issues.”