To acquire working experience in an organization at academic level, other than the University of Twente.
This means working in an organization with specific purpose: carrying out research or delivering products or services to clients.
During the internship the intern contributes to the research and/or development in an organization by:
- applying academic knowledge and skills in a professional setting
- attuning to the work situation in the organization and the daily guidance by the supervisor within the context of the internship assignment
- defining own design/research goals in this situation, and judging which parts of the problem needs further analysis
- planning the work to be carried out according to the available time
- analyzing the economic aspects of the work and the impact of it on society
The intern applies and expands scientific and technical competencies in a professional setting by:
- expanding and applying theoretical knowledge to the topic(s) of the internship assignment
- carrying out analyses at an abstract level, proposing experiments and designs and/or constructive activities and implementing them in a methodological correct way
The intern interacts and communicates in a professional setting and practices business etiquette:
- take part in discussions about the assignment with colleagues in the organization
- find assistance from colleagues in the organization for specific details of the assignment
- report about the work in oral and written form in a clear and concise way
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During the internship, students apply knowledge, acquired during study course programs, working at an organization. The purpose is to work in a professional setting. This means that during the internship students will be considered as a junior colleague by the other employees. As an intern students will have to carry out a certain task that has been agreed upon in the proposal form describing the internship assignment before the start of the internship. The internship has a study load of 20 EC and will take at least 14 weeks (max. 16 weeks) of fulltime work. An overview of the important steps in the internship procedure can be found in the interactive pdf for EEMCS internships. From the start of your internship the following topics are on the agenda:
Discussions with your UT-supervisor
Discuss your task description with your UT-supervisor. Probably this description has been kept very global without too many details. You have to negotiate with your UT-supervisor what you can contribute within the available time of your internship. After your first meeting you should have regular meetings with your UT-supervisor to discuss your progress and to find out if you are still on the right track to reach the aims that you have.
Literature search and orientation
Your course program should give you a sound basis to carry out your task in the organization. However, almost certainly there will be specific topics that you don’t know about and that you will have to study before you can start your work. It may be necessary to read literature and to consult more experienced colleagues about details and techniques.
Planning
To be sure that you will be able to reach your goals you should plan ahead. Check your planning during your work. Adapt it if unexpected things happen. This way you can keep track of your progress, which you can use during you discussions with your UT-supervisor.
Carrying out your work
Now it is time to show that you can use the knowledge and competencies you brought with you from your studies at the UT. Identify the problems to be solved, analyze them, formulate solutions, implement these solutions and evaluate them.
Economy and Society
Your assignment has been defined by the organization, by you and your UT supervisor. Think about how your role and tasks affect the organization: why were you given this task? How do they fit the activities of the organization? Also, the activities of the organization will have a certain impact on the society to which it delivers its products or services. You contribute to these products or services so your work has its impact on society that you might contemplate. It is expected from you that you spend some attention about this in your internship report.
Report
The first purpose of your report is to inform the organization about your work. The report should contain documentation about your products that can be used by your successors. The report should also inform your UT supervisor and in some cases other people from the UT about your work. They will be less well informed about the organization and your work, so your report should give enough background information to make your work understood by them. Discuss upfront (before starting your internship) expectations about the report with both your supervisors. A general setup of the report can be found on the internship website.
Assessment
At the end of your internship, your supervisor at the organization will assess you by filling in the external assessment form. After your return you should deliver the filled in form to your UT-supervisor together with your report. Your UT-supervisor will act as the examiner and give you your final mark by filling in the UT-supervisor assessment form. Both forms can be downloaded from the internship website at student packages, select your study program and you will find all assessment forms related to your internship. You will have to provide both supervisors with the right document.
Stakeholders
The following persons and organizations are stakeholders during your internship:
- you are the most important person in the process, since you are in the lead of this process. You will be responsible for organizing all arrangements that have to be made. You will operate as a contact person between the University (UT-Supervisor) and the internship provider (supervisor at the internship provider).
- the supervisor at the internship provider will provide you with daily support and supervision. The internship provider, which is the organization or institution where you will carry out the internship. The internship provider assigns a staff member who will support you and supervise your work on a daily basis in the role as external supervisor.
- the UT-Supervisor is a lecturer of your master’s program. (S)he will monitor the scientific level of your internship. The UT-Supervisor approves on the internship assignment before you make your final appointments with the internship provider. Don’t forget to discuss a communication plan and a timeline. It is also wise to discuss the framework of your internship report upfront After the internship, (s)he will carry out the final assessment. and provides you with formative and summative feedback on your report accordingly, and decide upon the grading of your work.
- the Internship coordinator will assist you as much as needed, depending on the challenges you face during your search and preparations. Start by planning an intake interview, during which I will inform you on the ins and outs of the process. I can give you advice on your resume, your application letter or advice you about the internship contract that you may have to sign. will supervise the student from the beginning of the searching process, finding a position until the end of the internship, when the last documents should be archived.
- your Study adviser comes in place for advice if you want to deviate from the original planning of your studies or to help you prepare a request towards the exam committee (duration or requirements).
Options for an internship
Many students find an internship assignment at an organization, but also an institution or university is possible. It depends on your ambitions and future plans if you choose to go to
- a research institute
- a university (except UT)
In all cases, the internship provider should provide an assignment that must be approved by the UT-supervisor. Approval will only be given if the assignment contains sufficient academic level.
How to find a position
One might distinguish different ways to find an internship provider:
- via the EEMCS internships Canvas website of the Internship Office: the Internship Office maintains a list containing companies and experience reports by students for students are published. These reports are written by students and describe their experiences during the internship.
- a lecturer in a chair (research group): during research, lecturers often cooperate with companies and institutions that might also be willing to provide an internship position.
- on your own: it is possible and allowed to find an internship position. Many companies offer Internship positions on their websites. Finding a position in this way may not be easy but it may lead to a surprising and rewarding internship. In all cases the internship must be approved by a lecturer before you make your final appointments with the internship provider. This is described above.
- create a or update your LinkedIn profile, organizations can find you if you want them to and you can reach out to people who work at organizations that are of interest to you.
- visit the company days that are organized on a yearly basis in March
Information sessions
Twice a year, in November and April, an information session is organized by the Internship Office about the internship procedure. You will be invited by email or the session will be announced on the Canvas EEMCS internships website. The video presentation is available at all times (link opens in Microsoft Teams).
First contact
Make an appointment with the Internship Coordinator once you start thinking about the possibility of an internship. During this meeting (intake), the process will be discussed and your questions will be answered . You are advised to see the Internship Coordinator at least 12 to 10 months before you plan to go abroad and at least 6 months before you plan to start your internship in the Netherlands.
Web references
General information on EEMCS internships.
EEMCS internships canvas site with available assignments, experience report and a list of companies
Self-enrollment link for the EEMCS internships Canvas website
Internship Coordinator
Wendie Klieverik - Room: Zilverling 1018; Telephone: 053 489 3847; E-mail
For appointments (by Microsoft Teams, Skype or telephone)
Entry requirements
The student should have finished 45 EC of the courses of the master’s program. Please look at the Education and Examination Regulations for additional requirements related to your study program.
Application procedure
Please contact the Internship Office by e-mail or plan for a meeting (by Microsoft Teams, Skype or telephone).
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