The internship: a pillar of the INSEEC pedagogy
The internship allows students to build a professional project throughout their studies that reflects their personality.
Whether mandatory or optional, internships are a real added value on a student’s CV. Internships allow students to develop skills and know-how and thus increase their responsibility in order to succeed in their professional integration once they graduate.
Internships where the students actively participate in the activity of their host structure are a real opportunity for them to:
- Gradually apply the knowledge they acquire from coursework
- Prepare themselves for the realities of the business world, even before they graduate, by learning the ins and outs of hierarchical structures, teamwork, professional conduct, etc.
- clarify their professional project and prepare for 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 full time with the company (from 1 to 6 months).
Finding an internship: personalised support
From the beginning of the school year, students are supported in their search for an internship and 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:
- Themed workshops: writing a CV, crafting a successful LinkedIn profile, developing a professional network, negotiating salary, etc.
- individualised coaching on demand
- Events: recruitment forums, afterworks, conferences
- Resources: daily distribution of internship and job offers on an internal platform, database of completed internships, alumni network, INSEEC CV library, etc.
The internship: a well-defined legal framework
An intern retains student status and must pay tuition fees as a full-time student. .
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 spends more than 308 hours (44 days) at the host company, and the bonus amount must appear in the internship agreement. Below this threshold, the bonus remains optional for the employer. For internships abroad, please refer to the applicable laws.
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 with 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 formats can be arranged:
- Employment contract: the student is an employee of the company
- Volunteer agreement: applies to associations under the 1901 law
- Entrepreneurship: after obtaining school approval, students can, during the period initially dedicated to the internship, work on a business creation project (affiliated with the INSEEC Incubator or not). Students will be advised by one or more coaches as needed.
- Civic service: between 6 and 12 months, with a minimum of 24 hours per week.