When to Consider a Short-Term vs. Long-Term Internship in London

For a valuable professional and personal experience

A short term internship can help new interns get accustomed to life as an intern, network with a greater number of people and experience all that their career has to offer. You'll find that internships can be:

A few weeks or months
Six months to one year

And the right option for you will vary drastically from one program to another. What's the best option for budding talent? Let's explore the opportunities available in London.

Understanding Internship Durations

Internship duration varies from program to program, and this is beneficial for anyone entering a new field. You'll find programs just for the summer while you’re off of university, or you can find others that last an entire year.

Short- and long-term internships exist. We’ll examine what these terms really mean, average lengths and which is the right duration for you in greater detail below.

What Constitutes Short-Term vs. Long-Term Internships?

Short- and long-term are relative terms because they can mean something different from one person to the next. Traditionally, internship durations are defined as:

Short-term: A short-term internship will last two to four weeks, and if you want to experience a lot of areas of your field, this is a great option for you. These internships are not paid, nor will you receive any academic credit.
Long-term: A long-term internship is often six months to one year in length. You'll work closely with industry professionals and may even land a position with the company when the internship is over. Academic credit is often earned, and you can find plenty of paid positions, too.

While short- and long-term are two of the most popular options, there are also semester internships, which fit somewhere in the middle of these two. Semester internships often last 12, 14 or 15 weeks.

Why Choosing the Right Duration is Crucial for Your Career Path

Your career path is as unique as your goals. If you want to network with as many people as possible, a short-term internship may be your best option. But if you want to land a position within one of London’s top businesses, a long-term internship may suit you best.

You need to consider all of your options and even explore both further if you’re still in the beginning stages of university.

When to Consider a Short-Term Internship

A short-term internship has its benefits and is something to consider when:

You don’t need to earn money from the internship.
You don’t need credits for attending the program.
You want to learn from as many people as possible in a short amount of time.

If you’re already working and attending university, a short-term internship may be the only viable option for you to obtain real-world experience without a long-term commitment.

When to Consider a Long-Term Internship

A long term internship may be a good fit for you if your goal is to continue your career in London or you’re looking for a more immersive experience.

There are many advantages to choosing a long-term internship.

It shows that you’re committed to your career field.
You'll learn a lot.
You’ll find countless networking opportunities.
You’ll learn new valuable skills.

Perhaps the biggest advantage is the opportunity for adventure. A long-term internship will allow you to fully immerse yourself in another culture and connect with people from all over the world.

How to Assess Your Career Goals and Personal Circumstances

Whether you choose a short-term or long-term internship will also depend on your career goals and personal circumstances.

For example, you may not be able to spend six months or a year in London. Life commitments or your studies may keep you from being able to apply for a long-term internship.

On the other hand, maybe you hope to continue your career in London, so a long-term internship will make sense for your career goals.

When assessing your career goals and personal circumstances, be honest.

Can you truly commit to a long-term internship?
Will a short-term opportunity help you achieve your professional goals?
If you’re interested in a long-term opportunity, are you mentally prepared to be away from home for an extended period of time?

Your assessment will help you determine which internship duration is right for you.

What to Do After Deciding on the Internship Duration

Once you decide which internship duration is the right choice for you, you can start exploring your options.

One simple way to find short-term and long-term internships in London UK is to work with an agency like Capital Placement. In addition to providing access to internship opportunities, they can also assist with the logistics of interning abroad and help you prepare for your internship.

Once you’ve selected an internship that fits your needs and goals, start working on your application. Make sure that you understand the deadline.

In Conclusion

Regardless of whether you choose a short-term or long-term internship, you can be confident that your time abroad will provide you with valuable professional and personal experience.

Make your decision wisely to ensure your internship duration aligns with your personal and professional goals.