An Internship May Lead to a New Career
We asked for tips on finding an internship placement from our industry partner in the infrastructure sector and HAMK’s Career Services.
According to Louhintahiekka’s Recruitment Manger Tapani Aittoniemi, the company will have 24 interns on work-placements this summer. The majority of them will have their specialist internship. There are work-placement opportunities in six different locations: Turku, Tampere, Lahti, Hamina, Jyväskylä and Helsinki
–You can apply for a basic internship as early as your first year, provided your studies are going well! That is important to us. We want students to graduate on time. We can also offer work later on, as long as it doesn’t interfere with your studies.
Aittoniemi summarizes.
Interns have also done their theses for Louhintahiekka. Ideally the student can propose an interesting topic themselves, but you can also get assistance in coming up with one. There has not yet been a situation where a suitable topic hasn’t be found.
The basic internship requires some work experience and a positive attitude. Specialist internship requires prior experience in the infrastructure sector. The employment situation in the sector is currently very good. There is a shortage of skilled workers, there are fewer qualified applicants than experienced workers retiring.
The company takes on a modest number of interns so there is sufficient time for mentoring. During the recruitment phase, they also think longer term: could the student in question still be seen as our employee in ten years’ time?
–An intern who has received good mentoring, gains a better experience and more responsibility in their tasks.
Aittoniemi rationlizes according to the company’s principles.
An up-to-date LinkedIn profile and CV help you secure an internship
Tapani Aittoniemi emphasizes that nowadays it is important for a jobseeker to be discoverable. Keeping a LinkedIn profile up to date is crucial for recruiters: it should include details of education, work experience and skills.
All work experience is valuable, as it demonstrates to an employer that you have the basics under control and are ready for working life. For example, punctuality and following safety instructions — such as wearing safety shoes — are essential basic requirements in the infrastructure sector. When preparing an application, students should tailor their CV and covering letter specifically to the company. Familiarizing with the company’s values and reflecting your strengths to them can help applicants stand out.
Edgar Koponen, from HAMK’s Career Services, advises getting an early start when looking for an internship and keeping your LinkedIn profile up to date. He encourages students to get in touch if needed and to book a guidance appointment:
– HAMK students receive support from us with their CVs, cover letters and LinkedIn profiles, as well as other practical matters related to job hunting or seeking an internship. You can book an appointment at Career and integration support – HAMK.”
