stEp 2. oriENtation
Step 2. Orientation
In this step:
Deadline: Friday 6 October 2023
In this step:
- You explore where you would like to do your internship and what options you have
- You make a list of at least five organisations you could approach
- You write an English language personal statement and create an English language CV
- Workshop CV and personal statement writing and help brainstorming internship placements Tuesday 3 October 2023 14:35-15:25
Deadline: Friday 6 October 2023
Brainstorm
You are going to look for an internship placement yourself. It could be any kind of professional institution, company or organisation. It can be a school or other educational instution, but take into account you will be there for job shadowing, not as a student taking classes. It can be an organisation abroad, but also in the Netherlands. The condition in that case is that the company is either an international company using English as working language, or, if that is really impossible, a company or organisation working in an intercultural environment, for example Vluchtelingenwerk. Start out by brainstorming: what is interesting to you and why? Put your thoughts and ideas on paper, and then continue to ask yourself some of the questions below. It might be useful to do this on paper as much as possible. Also discuss some of the practical matters with your parents.
Start by thinking about what kind of company you would like to do your internship at. Ask yourself the following questions:
Also consider the following practical matters:
Companies and organisations
In the next step you will be listing at least five organisations you could approach. Do not immediately think of the largest multinationals on the globe: the larger the company, the harder it is to get in without already knowing someone within the organisation. Medium-sized and small companies are often more open to students like yourself. For each organisations, write down the name of the company as well as in one or two sentences why you are choosing this company and what the company does, and end with an e-mailaddress or phone number that you could use to approach this company. Use Form A in the workbook (also at the bottom of this page or in Magister Studiewijzer) for this. If you are stuck on this step, come to the workshop on brainstorming internship places.
NOTE: almost all internships offered online are long term internships offered to university students or recent graduates. This kind of internship is so specific that you will have to be the one to take initiative and approach an organisation yourself.
Personal statement
The final part of the orientation phase is to write an English language personal statement and CV. In a personal statement:
NOTE: if you send out your personal statement to more than 1 company, make sure to adapt the personal statement accordingly for each individual company. Never address your mail to more than 1 company in the same mail.
CV
You add an English language CV or resume to your personal statement. In your CV you schematically write down the following:
Also read the documents in the appendix below ('writing a personal statement and CV') for more detailed explanation on writing personal statements and a CV and a good example of a personal statement. 'Example CV' contains an example of a CV, and 'template CV' contains an empty template you could use to create your CV. In case you need more help, come to the workshop on writing CVs and personal statements.
Deliver
To finish this step, you have to deliver your personal statement (which has to be different from the example) and your CV, together with Form A below which indicates which organisations you would like to approach. Do this through Magister Opdrachten, or on paper in room 012. Deadline is 25 November 2022.
You are going to look for an internship placement yourself. It could be any kind of professional institution, company or organisation. It can be a school or other educational instution, but take into account you will be there for job shadowing, not as a student taking classes. It can be an organisation abroad, but also in the Netherlands. The condition in that case is that the company is either an international company using English as working language, or, if that is really impossible, a company or organisation working in an intercultural environment, for example Vluchtelingenwerk. Start out by brainstorming: what is interesting to you and why? Put your thoughts and ideas on paper, and then continue to ask yourself some of the questions below. It might be useful to do this on paper as much as possible. Also discuss some of the practical matters with your parents.
Start by thinking about what kind of company you would like to do your internship at. Ask yourself the following questions:
- What are your plans for your future career? Which studies are you considering? Which jobs would follow such courses?
- Which companies or organisations offer such jobs? Are you interested in profit or non profit organisations?
- Are there any specific cultures or countries that speak to you? For example, because you have a cultural connection to that country, or because you consider studying there or learning the language?
Also consider the following practical matters:
- Would you like to stay in the Netherlands or go abroad? Consider the financial possibilities as well. Consider options that are close to home and will save you travelling costs: the train can easily take you to Belgium, Germany or even France.
- Are there things you have to take into account when traveling abroad? Think of, for example, traveling distance, language barriers, visas, or your age?
- Do you or your family already have connections to certain companies or countries? For example, do you have family members or acquantainces living abroad or working for specific companies?
- How can you take the environment into account when travelling? Is it possible to do your internship in a place you can reach by bus or train, or is your family taking a holiday abroad in a location where you could do your internship?
Companies and organisations
In the next step you will be listing at least five organisations you could approach. Do not immediately think of the largest multinationals on the globe: the larger the company, the harder it is to get in without already knowing someone within the organisation. Medium-sized and small companies are often more open to students like yourself. For each organisations, write down the name of the company as well as in one or two sentences why you are choosing this company and what the company does, and end with an e-mailaddress or phone number that you could use to approach this company. Use Form A in the workbook (also at the bottom of this page or in Magister Studiewijzer) for this. If you are stuck on this step, come to the workshop on brainstorming internship places.
NOTE: almost all internships offered online are long term internships offered to university students or recent graduates. This kind of internship is so specific that you will have to be the one to take initiative and approach an organisation yourself.
Personal statement
The final part of the orientation phase is to write an English language personal statement and CV. In a personal statement:
- You explain why you are writing: what is the goal of your internship?
- You explain why you are approaching this specific company. Why are you interested in this organisation? Try not to talk too much about the country or surroundings, but focus on the company itself. For example, indicate that you are interested in a university programme that connects to what the company is doing.
- You explain briefly why you would be suitable for this company and what you have to offer. Mention for example your bilingual educational programme or your level of English, your personal qualities or any experience you may have in the field.
NOTE: if you send out your personal statement to more than 1 company, make sure to adapt the personal statement accordingly for each individual company. Never address your mail to more than 1 company in the same mail.
CV
You add an English language CV or resume to your personal statement. In your CV you schematically write down the following:
- Details about yourself, such as your full name and date of birth;
- Your education;
- Any work experience you may have;
- Any additional courses or certificates you may have, such as your Anglia certificate;
- Possibly things like personal qualities, hobbies and skills.
- You may also choose to add a professionally looking photograph.
Also read the documents in the appendix below ('writing a personal statement and CV') for more detailed explanation on writing personal statements and a CV and a good example of a personal statement. 'Example CV' contains an example of a CV, and 'template CV' contains an empty template you could use to create your CV. In case you need more help, come to the workshop on writing CVs and personal statements.
Deliver
To finish this step, you have to deliver your personal statement (which has to be different from the example) and your CV, together with Form A below which indicates which organisations you would like to approach. Do this through Magister Opdrachten, or on paper in room 012. Deadline is 25 November 2022.
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