Around 38 per cent of students in Switzerland said in 2022 that they had completed at least an internship since they started their university studies.
According to the Swiss Federal Statistical Office, internships are widespread as a form of training at Swiss universities, but there are clear differences in the department and intention to complete one.
While 38 per cent of the students surveyed in 2020 said that they completed at least one internship, seven per cent said that they had made specific preparations, and another 18 per cent expressed their intention of completing their internship later in their studies.
Moreover, it was disclosed that not all internships were completed within Switzerland, as 18 per cent of the students chose to complete them abroad.
Compulsory, unpaid internships were the most common type of internship undertaken during studies.
Even though all students show interest in completing an internship during their studies, the survey has revealed that internships are the most sought after by students at universities of teacher education.
According to the Swiss Federal Statistical Office, 83 per cent of students at universities of teacher education said that they completed at least an internship during their studies.
Moreover, another 33 per cent of students at universities of applied sciences and technical colleges completed an internship.
As for the department, it has been explained that the proportion of students completing internships varies significantly from one department to another.
Of the total number of students who completed at least an internship during their studies in Switzerland, the majority of them were in the Department of Health, followed by those in the Department of Medicine and Pharmacy, in the Department of Exact and Natural Sciences, and in the Department of Technology and IT.
Overall, mandatory, unpaid internships of a month or less are the most common at universities (18 per cent). This type of internship is particularly prevalent among students in the teacher training department.
Moreover, it was noted that the majority of students who completed their internship positively said that they were satisfied with it. Moreover, they said that their supervisors helped them during their internship.
By completing an internship, students said that they were able to build a professional network, develop new skills in their field of study, and gain self-confidence. They also said that they are more prepared for the work market.
