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Showcase your skills

It is important that you are able to identify and demonstrate your skills to your employer. The learning objectives for different types of programmes tell you what you can expect to be able to do after a particular study unit. In addition, there are many important skills which have been acquired outside of studies that you need to be able to communicate in your own words.

Think about what you have learned during your formal education. Have you perhaps done many group projects, worked with softwares or foreign languages, or perhaps written a research plan and carried out a research project accordingly? Think about the general work-life skills that can be learnt from them (e.g., problem-solving skills, language and communication skills, independent work approach, project management, data acquisition, analysis and reporting skills).

You may have learned useful skills on other occasions. Have your hobbies provided you with any skills that are useful in your professional life? Think about what kind of skills you gain from playing computer games, doing crafts, playing sports or travelling, for example.  Do you get along well with people, are you interested in development work, or do you want to do something that produces something tangible - all of these questions will guide you towards a job you enjoy.

When you start drafting your application, it is particularly important that you select only those aspects of your skills and experience that the employer is interested in and would benefit from. Do not overload your application with irrelevant information. Remember to mention what it is about working in the company/job that interests and motivates you.

Job application and CV

There are many tips online on how to write a job application. There is a wide range of advice, so read through several sources to find the best format for your job application.

It is a good idea to include at least the following points in your job application:

• Your name, phone number and email address
• A mention of the employer's details
• A clear title, e.g., the job you are applying for
• Introduction with which you raise the reader's interest
• Your qualifications, education and work experience
• A demonstration of motivation
• A short closing paragraph stating that you are happy to come to an interview
• A digital or handwritten signature gives a finishing touch

Remember to check the spelling of your application! Last, check that the employer and job details are correct.

When applying for an internship position, it is also a good idea to mention the following:

• What are you studying
• What kind of internship you are going to do
• How long will it last
• When does it take place

You can also find guidance online on how to write a CV. There are many ready-made templates for a visual CV, for example, in Microsoft Word or Canva. There are different opinions on visuals - some employers prefer a text-based CV and others like a more visual one. You cannot predict what people will prefer. You can think about what kind of CV suits you and what kind of image you want it to give to the employer.

Keep the job market buzzing

Don't wait! Once you have verbalised your skills, it is time to act. Present yourself in a positive way, for example at recruitment events or other meetings with potential employers. You can be bold when highlighting your strengths and showing confidence, but do not give the wrong impression of your skills.If it comes up, it is also okay to say that you don not have as much experience as you would like to have - everyone has room for improvement. When presenting your skills, give concrete examples of situations where you have gained or used them. 

Employment matters 

Internship pay

The pay an intern receives may consist of a subsidy from the department and the employer’s share, or from the employer entirely. In some study programmes (e.g. for subject teacher students) the practical training periods are usually unpaid, whereas in some other fields a pay is considered an established practice. The internship pay is taxable income to the student, so its possible effects on the student benefits should be taken into account. You can get student housing supplement only if you live in a rented flat during the internship. More information from . 

Departmental subsidy

Some JYU departments have budget funding for subsidising internships. These funds are not necessarily sufficient for subsidised internships for all applicants. For some internship vacancies, the departmental subsidy may be a necessary prerequisite. well in advance to find out about the application procedures for your institution's internship grant.  The application deadline is usually at the beginning or end of the year.

Pay by the employer

In many cases, especially when the internship is obtained independently, the employer and the intern agree about the salary between themselves. Career Services recommends that the salary be at least the sum that meets the (1 430 € per month in 2025).

Unpaid internships

In general, unpaid internships are not recommended. Without an employment relationship, the intern is not protected by work legislation and collective agreements. You should therefore consider carefully whether the internship place is so good that it is worth accepting without pay.
 

Internship responsibilities and contracts

Negotiate the content and practices of the internship as thoroughly as possible with your department and the employer before the internship period. Internships belonging to university studies have three involved parties, each contributing to the overall successfulness of the effort. Each party also have certain rights and responsibilities.

In addition to the employment contract, the university-supported internship involves a tripartite contract that is made with the . The contract is signed by the student, the employer and a university representative.

Responsibilities of the University

The University and its units are subject to internship-related legislation and the Degree Regulations.

(section 33) stipulates:

The curricula of faculties shall be prepared so that bachelor’s and master’s studies include the possibility for a supervised internship as a compulsory or optional part of the studies. The internship may be completed either in Finland or abroad. The internship supervisor sees to it that an internship agreement is prepared and signed. The supervisor shall ensure the parties understand that the internship is an important part of studies.

Employer’s responsibilities

In a paid internship, the student has a fixed-term employment relationship, for which a written employment contract shall be made with the employer. The terms of the employment relationship are determined on the basis of work legislation, applicable collective agreements and the employment contract. 

More information on the employment contract and employment contract template on .

The employment contract must state:

• the contracting parties
• the starting date of the employment relationship
• the duration and justification of the fixed-term contract
• the place of working
• the employee’s principal duties
• the applicable collective agreement
• the pay, other remuneration and the pay period
• the regular working hours
• provisions on annual holiday
• the period of notice
• holiday pay
• pay during illness
• training
• travel costs, pay during travel
• insurances

On the termination of the internship, the student is entitled to receive a certificate of employment stating:

• the employer of the internship
• the intern’s work duties
• the internship period

These certificates are not always given automatically, and the law says that the employee needs to request it from the employer. In addition, upon the employee’s specific request, the certificate shall include both a rating of the employee’s working skills and behaviour, as well as the reason for the termination of the employment relationship, or only either of these.

Employee's responsibilities

When the intern is in an employment relationship, also the employee obligations stated in the Employment Contracts Act must be kept in mind.

• An employee’s main responsibility in the employment relationship is to perform assigned work tasks. As a rule, the employee must obey the employer’s work-related orders.
• Employees shall avoid everything that conflicts with the actions reasonably required of employees in their position. The employment parties shall also otherwise take each other’s interests into account.
• Employees shall not do work for another party or engage in such activity that would, taking the nature of the work and the individual employee's position into account, cause harm to their employer as a competing activity contrary to fair employment practices. An employee may do other paid work if the employer has given consent for it, or being aware of this other job, has not denied it.
• During the term of employment, the employee may not disclose to third parties the employer's trade or business secrets. (Familiarise yourself with the

Student’s insurance during internship

In a paid internship, the student has, based on the employment contract, . This insurance is valid at work and work-induced conditions and when the employee is performing tasks for the employer. Also regular journeys between home and work are covered by the insurance.

Although the legally obliged accident insurance is valid all over the world, it is recommended that a travel insurance be taken for added security for travels abroad. The obligatory accident insurance does not cover the employee’s free time during work travels, for instance, at the hotel in the evening.

In an unpaid internship, the student is covered by the University’s accident insurance, providing that the student receives study credits for the internship.

A goal-oriented internship

Preparing for an internship

If you want to get the most out of your internship, you should approach the experience with a conscious and goal-oriented approach. Check out the career opportunities in your field and the internship guides available. Clarify your aims: think in advance about what you want to learn, the types of work tasks you want to try and the guidance you need with them. Also think about the challenges you might face during your internship and how to overcome them. Treat your internship as a unique opportunity to improve as an expert in your field and take a step towards a working life that suits you.

Take a look at the following guides, which you can also use in your internship report:

• (only in Finnish) 
• (only in Finnish)
• (only in Finnish)