Make your move: a guide to internships and traineeships in Europe

Imagine turning your curiosity into competence, your degree into a career and your first experience into your dream job. That’s the power of choosing the right next step – internship, traineeship or first job. These aren’t just fancy job titles, they’re stepping stones, each contributing a key skill to your career journey. Internships let you explore. Traineeships help you grow. First jobs let you shine. No matter where you are in your journey, there’s a path in the EU that’s ready for you – and it starts with knowing the difference.

So, what is the difference?

If you’re still studying or have just graduated, internships are designed for you. They typically last just a few weeks or months and are a great way to gain practical experience related to your studies. While financial benefits may be limited, it’s still a valuable opportunity to see if a specific role or industry truly aligns with your interests and skills.

Traineeships, on the other hand, are structured training programmes for graduates or people with not much job experience. If that’s you, a traineeship will help you develop the skills needed for a specific role or career path. It usually lasts longer than an internship – and yes, it’s paid. Think of it as a bridge between academia and the professional world, with mentorship, clear goals and real responsibility.

Then comes your first regular job, where you’ll have specific tasks and responsibilities, and get paid a full salary and benefits. Internships and traineeships can be a valuable starting point to a full-time position – but only if you make them count.

Make the most of it

To maximise your experience as an intern or trainee, remember the following:

Be proactive. Don’t just sit back waiting for tasks. Ask questions. Volunteer for projects. If you finish your work early, say: ‘What else can I help with?’ Employers notice initiative – and that’s how you stand out.
Network like it’s your job (because it is). Your colleagues aren’t just co-workers; they’re your future mentors and connections. The relationships you build with them can open doors you didn’t even know existed.
Ask for feedback. Feedback isn’t criticism, it’s a tool that will help you improve. Supervisors love interns who want to grow.
Keep a simple journal. Write down what tasks you did, what you learned, what you’re proud of. These are the stories you’ll tell in future interviews.

Where to search

The EU is full of opportunities. Go out there and make them yours. EURES is a great starting point, offering thousands of vacancies across Europe, including a dedicated ‘Traineeships’ section for 30 European countries on the ‘Living and working conditions in Europe’ page.

You can also explore websites and platforms such as European Job Days, the European Personnel Selection Office, jobs and traineeships in EU institutions and agencies, Europass, EuroBrussels, Euractiv and EU Training. Many EU institutions offer structured internships and traineeships. Explore your options on sites like Youth4Europe.