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What about internships?

Aug 12, 2014 @ 19:35

Hello, everybody!

What happen with the internship? I see a lot of posts, here in Glocals, of people looking for students or recent graduates and that's good news as people cares about people's experience and future but, what happen with the LAW?

I know people and/or companies that hires international students illegaly. I mean, they don't write an internship contrat (which is mandatory) and they have to pay their health insurances too (it's mandatory too). I really hope is not the case of Glocals.

As student I am concerned about this. I am in a private university here in Geneva and they ask for mandatory internships (WITH CONTRACT). This is important for our future. Students: Don't ever accept an internship without a contract because you may think this is the only chance you have to get an internship but your future and career is more important than an internship without a contract. It's very difficult to demonstrate your experience afterwards and your credibility will be asked for future companies.

People in Glocals, be serious with that! Yes, an international student MUST have a swiss permit (that's logic and very acceptable) but don't allow to do an internship without something that can prove it once finished.

As young future entrepreneur I have to say that :-)

What do you think about this?

Cheers :-)

The text you are quoting:

Hello, everybody!

As young future entrepreneur I have to say that :-)

What do you think about this?

Cheers :-)

Virginia Isabel NAug 12, 2014 @ 19:35

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Re: What about internships?

Post 1

Aug 12, 2014 @ 19:59

To be honest internships here are a bit of a lottery as they are not as strenuously looked after unlike an apprenticeship. Having looked through the jobs page over the years, there have been a fair few out there.

BUT, this has gotten worse as smaller and smaller companies realise they can do this. A fair few of them are clearly just seeking free work for almost no responsible return. In fact i've read a couple who will pay you nothing, and give you an indication that there is no possibility of an extention to the internship or for it to be turned into a proper contract. (In fact there is one in the jobs section now which claims that there might be X chf connected to this internship - less than 500CHF - and not to get too eager about climbing the ladder, all while demanding this, that and the other from the applicants)

Take the UN and the NGOs. I have known so many people on rolling renewed contracts. So basically they are living in a situaiton where they face the prospect that they might need to leave the city in 3 weeks... that is madness.

I would absolutely make sure you get something in writing for your work. If they don't, immediately speak to one of the syndicates. They do not appreciate people messing with that structure.... though they look past it unless you make a big deal about it.

Having said all this, the problem is that there will be people willing to work for next to nothing... and people who argue that you should be able to pay what your company can afford (links to the minimum wage). I personally think thats BS for at least two reasons:
- we dont live in an ideal world where people do the right responsible moral thing. Therefore you can not trust people to pay a fair rate. This is true for the top and the bottom of companies.
- Because you think you need a new team member means nothing unless you business is or will expand very shortly. This is not the case for a huge swath of businesses here. For example: bars, cafes and restaurants. There are too many here and are mostly the same. Why should the government subsidise them and allow for them to pick out basically free labour?

Restructuring and redefining internships and their rules would be too much hassle as it would affect the UN and they sure as hell won't do something about it.

So I would say take care you and your own and make sure all is in order before doing any free work for anyone. You can always check with the state to see if it's legit as they need to declare interns.