Internships – yes, but only paid.

Career Program launched.

Student and graduates do not want to work for free. The IX edition of the Career Program gives them a chance for paid internships and an opportunity to gain experience at the biggest companies in Poland. 

Internships in Poland are of great interest for students and graduates. The “First steps on the job market” study developed by Deloitte and Warsaw School of Economics (pl. SGH) has shown that three quarters of university graduates took part in internships. However, young people are not satisfied with the fact that they must work without compensation. 
Another study, conducted by the Employment Agencies Association shows that back in 2010 students decided for free internships. Just 7 percent were seeking paid internships, yet in 2011 there were significant large number of them – as much as 33 percent expected remuneration for their work. 

Career Program – not a free internship

The Polish Business Roundtable, which has initiated the Career Program back in 2004, has observed significant interest in the paid internships program. The project gives young people the opportunity to gain professional experience and earn money – even as much as 2 thousand zloty (gross). We wanted to develop a program, which would be a good supplement for theoretical knowledge which young people gain at school. I think that there is still a lack of a place where students and graduates would be able to put their knowledge to practice – stresses Daniela Szmigielska, General Director of the Polish Business Roundtable.
 
From March 1st to May 10th, 2012, students and graduates (under 30) of all universities will have an opportunity to compete for paid internships. As every year, 40-50 internship vacancies are waiting for the finalists and will last 2-3 months. 
 
Winners are selected based on their applications, how they solved the assigned case study and after an interview with HR of the company they have applied for. 
 
They are given a chance of professional development in such departments as advertising-marketing, finance, legal and analytical under the watchful eyes of members of the Polish Business Roundtable. The projects finalists have the opportunity to see how the company operates from the inside are able to observe the CEO making strategic decisions. These are internships, which are to prepare them for future professional careers – says Daniela Szmigielska, General Director of the Polish Business Roundtable. 

Piotr Szefer, one of the Career Program finalists, agrees with Daniela Szmigielska. Piotr was working as an intern for three months at Bank Pekao SA. During his internship, he worked with top executives as well as in teams responsible for various business units. The scope of responsibilities, which I was tasked with exceed my expectations. I was responsible for such things as monitoring and analyzing sales of loans as well as investment-savings programs, developing strategies and initiatives aimed at increased sales of the bank’s products, cooperating with the bank’s partners and managing many other tasks which supported management of the bank’s network of branches – describes the Career Program finalist. 
 
Over 150 people enriched their resumes 

Since the beginning of the Career Program, over 150 people have increased their professional competences. Edyta Rekawek, who majored in three subjects, took advantage of the program and worked at the Małecki & Rychłowski Law Firm. This gave Edyta much more than just learning about the work of a lawyer. I am convinced that no school would be able to provide me with such experience and skills. I am sure that as a result I am more competitive on the job market claims the Career Program finalist. 
    
Also companies participating in the Career Program see the benefits. They are able to discover the talent that after the internship will be employed at the company. Over 20 people participated in the internship program at the Bakalland Group over the course of the eight program editions.  
 
At this moment, a few of them are supporting the work of marketing, HR, purchasing, finance and production departments. With others we still maintain contact, keep an eye on their academic and professional paths. As a company focused on further development, we see our future in young talent explains Marian Owerko, CEO of Bakalland. We are not looking for straight As students, we do not focus only of students of economic universities. More important for us are people who take the initiative, are active and who participate in student organizations and student projects as well as those who have already or are still working somewhere – adds Marian Owerko. 

The Ministry of Science and Higher Education has provided its patronage of this year’s Career Program. 
 
Some of the companies offering internships: Adamed Sp. z o.o., Bakalland S.A., Empik Sp. z o.o., Grupa Onet.pl, ITI Corporation, TVN SA, Multikino, PELION HEALTHCARE GROUP, PZU SA / PZU Życie są, Sopockie Towarzystwo Ubezpieczeń Ergo Hestia S.A, Weil, Gotshal & Manges - Paweł Rymarz Sp. k. 

More information about internship offers and the companies accepting interns is available online at: www.programkariera.pl

Supporting Partners: Adamed Sp. z o.o., Bakalland S.A., Curtis Development Sp. z o.o., Change Integrated, Dewey & LeBoeuf, Inter Cars, Instytut Marka Kamińskiego, Invena, Kancelaria Leśnodorski, Ślusarek i Wspólnicy Sp. kom., Kulczyk Holding S.A., Multikino, PELION, PZU S.A., Weil, Gotshal & Manges.
Technology Partner: eRecruiter
Media Partners: Grupa Pracuj.pl, Grupa ITI, Absolvent.pl, dla studenta.pl, Onet.pl

Contact for media: 
Anna Krupa
e-mail: a.krupa@prb.pl 
tel: 22 523 66 11