My Department facilitates students in granting both paid and unpaid internships where possible. Last year my Department entered into an arrangement with DCU to facilitate 2 paid internships. This arrangement was undertaken as the course of study being followed by the internship participants was directly relevant and related to the work of the Department. The process also helped to foster links between the Department and academic teaching and research community with DCU. Such links help to foster collaboration in policy formation and provide a range of valuable external viewpoints.
Students and recent graduates also approach my Department on an individual basis seeking internships. These internships form part of the student’s course requirement and are short term in nature. My Department aims to facilitate such requests where possible with unpaid internships.
Since 2014, 12 unpaid internships have been facilitated in my Department.