Internship and job conflict

yer_averagejoe · 5 Jul 2009 at 14:24

I start an internship at Proper Games tomorrow

But on wednesday i had a job interview for Cohort Games (who are actually in the same building as Proper, on the floor above!). Now I'm expecting Cohort to get back to me sometime this week if i got the job. I'm assuming i should have no trouble leaving the internship, especially as its unpaid? I probably won't be contracted on the internship right? As obviously if i get the job, I'd want to basically just run upstairs without having to give any notice..

Mr-White · 5 Jul 2009 at 14:32

Have you signed any contract for the internship with Proper Games ?

MW

yer_averagejoe · 5 Jul 2009 at 15:09

No, are internships usually contracted? If I'm asked to sign anything stating period of work/notice etc.. i might just have to have a word with them and tell them i'm waiting for a job offer..

shifty_uk · 5 Jul 2009 at 15:13

yer_averagejoe said:
No, are internships usually contracted? If I'm asked to sign anything stating period of work/notice etc.. i might just have to have a word with them and tell them i'm waiting for a job offer..

No, not usually and I wouldn't bother. You're there to benefit them(cheap labour etc) as much as yourself and they can only expect(if you're a graduate) that you'll be looking for a full time position elsewhere.

GarethDW · 5 Jul 2009 at 16:07

Internship...? Since when did British people start using the term intern?

scorza · 5 Jul 2009 at 16:19

GarethDW said:
Internship...? Since when did British people start using the term intern?

Apparently this recession has started to see internships taking off in UK companies sadly. Basically there's too many grads for the number of graduate jobs, a lot are willing to work for free

GarethDW · 5 Jul 2009 at 16:26

When I was a whippersnapper, and trying to back-up my academic qualifications with some real-world experience, this was always referred to as 'work experience' or an 'industrial placement' irrespective of whether it was voluntary or paid-for. Internships were only ever used by Americans. Is it another one of their words that we've adopted?

shifty_uk · 5 Jul 2009 at 16:31

I put internship on my CV. Simply because to me, "placement" sounds as though a University has placed me there as opposed to me gaining the position myself.

Mr-White · 5 Jul 2009 at 16:34

I'm sure they'd understand if you told them, there's not many people who would choose unpaid over paid.

MW

yer_averagejoe · 5 Jul 2009 at 17:34

Thanks for the help everyone

Re: "internship", I'd usually say "industry placement" myself but the position itself is advertised as an internship so I've adopted that. I think internship sound a bit more professional too - as stated, "placement" feels like somone has found the position for you, rather than yourself.

BigglesPiP · 5 Jul 2009 at 17:49

If it's unpaid there isn't going to be a binding contract. For that they would need to pay you minimum wage at least.

rodo · 5 Jul 2009 at 18:28

scorza said:
Apparently this recession has started to see internships taking off in UK companies sadly. Basically there's too many grads for the number of graduate jobs, a lot are willing to work for free

My university promotes internships and nearly all are paid. I think there is a stigma that they are normally unpaid and rubbish but that's often not the case. Plus from my internship I've been recommended for a graduate job and given me a break inbetween my second and final uni years. It's win win

scorza · 5 Jul 2009 at 18:31

rodo said:
My university promotes internships and nearly all are paid. I think there is a stigma that they are normally unpaid and rubbish but that's often not the case. Plus from my internship I've been recommended for a graduate job and given me a break inbetween my second and final uni years. It's win win

Oh you mean an industrial placement? That's different to an internship, at least it always was :rolleyes:

rodo · 5 Jul 2009 at 18:34

scorza said:
Oh you mean an industrial placement? That's different to an internship, at least it always was

Nope our uni clasifies them as the same thing. Internships no longer mean they are unpaid *apparently*. I work for a large american firm and internships in their mind are paid too.

Not the best pay in the world. I do >40 hours a week at least for 13k after tax but it pays the bills. And to be honest most people treat you like an employee (bar a few who see you as someone to dump their issues on).