Internship in a company

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The internship: a pillar of the INSEEC pedagogy

The internship periods allow students, throughout their studies, to build a professional project that reflects their personality.

Whether mandatory or optional, internships are a real added value on a student’s CV. They allow them to develop skills and know-how and thus increase their responsibility in order to succeed in their professional integration once they graduate.

5 INSEEC students sitting at a desk, working

These periods in the company, during which the students actively participate in the activity of their host structure, are a real opportunity for them to :

  • to apply, in a progressive way, the knowledge acquired thanks to the lessons given at school
  • prepare themselves for the realities of the business world, even before they graduate: they discover hierarchical structures, teamwork, professional conduct, etc.
  • clarify their professional project and prepare their integration into the sector of activity of their choice

The internships can be carried out in alternating school/company rhythm (3 days/2 days, 3 weeks/1 week) or in full time company (from 1 to 6 months).

Finding an internship: personalized support

From the beginning of the school year, students are supported in their search for an internship and in the construction of their professional project. On each campus, dedicated teams of experts in coaching and corporate relations provide them with the tools and methodology they need to ensure successful professional integration:

  • thematic workshops: writing a CV, making a successful LinkedIn profile, developing your network, negotiating your salary, etc.
  • individualized coaching on demand
  • events: recruitment forums, afterworks, conferences
  • Tools: daily distribution of internship and job offers on an internal platform, database of completed internships, alumni network, INSEEC CV library, etc.
INSEEC students working outside on their group project

The internship: a well-defined legal framework

The student retains a student status and must pay the tuition fees, he is in initial training .

As soon as the internship agreement is signed, the intern is registered in the host company’s personnel register but does not have employee status.

For internships in France, a bonus is mandatory when the intern’s presence in the host company exceeds 308 hours (44 days) and the amount must appear in the internship agreement. Below this duration, the bonus remains optional for the employer. For internships abroad, please refer to the legislation in force.

The minimum hourly rate of the gratuity is 3.90 €/hour, corresponding to 15% of the Social Security ceiling. The payment must be made monthly and to calculate the amount of the bonus, the host organisation must count the number of hours the trainee is actually present (simulator: https://www.service-public.fr/simulateur/calcul/gratification-stagiaire). Only bonuses above the legal minimum are subject to social security contributions.

The internship may not exceed 132 days of presence in the company.

Alternatives to the classic internship

The experience in a company is usually formalised by a tripartite internship agreement (whether it is a full-time internship or a sandwich course). Nevertheless, other modalities can be envisaged:

  • Employment contract: the student is an employee of the company
  • Volunteer agreement : applies to associations under the 1901 law
  • Entrepreneurship: after validation from their school, students can, during the period initially dedicated to the internship, work on a business creation project (attached or not to theINSEEC Incubator). He will be accompanied by one or more coaches of the school according to his needs.
  • Civic service: between 6 and 12 months, with a minimum of 24 hours per week.

Updated 19 January 2023