What is Internship?
An internship is a short-term, entry-level work experience that lets students and freshers learn a job and build practical skills, sometimes for a stipend.
- Intern role
- Summer internship
Updated 2026-07-25 · one of 47 terms in the OnJob career glossary
Key takeaways
- An internship is a short-term, entry-level work experience that lets students and freshers learn a job and build practical skills, sometimes for a stipend.
- Also called Intern role, Summer internship.
- In India, internships are widely used by students during or after college, and many lead to a pre-placement offer for a full-time role.
- Internships are one of the best ways for a fresher to build experience, skills and contacts before entering full-time work.
What does Internship mean?
An internship is a temporary position, usually for students or freshers, designed to provide hands-on experience in a field. Interns work on real tasks under guidance and gain exposure to a profession.
How does Internship work in India?
In India, internships are widely used by students during or after college, and many lead to a pre-placement offer for a full-time role. They may be paid (a stipend) or, less ideally, unpaid.
Why does Internship matter to a jobseeker?
Internships are one of the best ways for a fresher to build experience, skills and contacts before entering full-time work. A good internship strengthens your resume and can directly lead to a job.
Is Internship the same as Intern role?
Yes — Internship is also commonly called Intern role, Summer internship. An internship is a short-term, entry-level work experience that lets students and freshers learn a job and build practical skills, sometimes for a stipend.
Related glossary terms
Apprenticeship
An apprenticeship is a structured programme combining on-the-job training with learning, where you earn while…
Stipend
A stipend is a fixed, usually modest payment made to interns, apprentices or trainees to support them during a…
Fresher
A fresher is a candidate with little or no prior full-time work experience, typically a recent graduate seekin…
Full-time Employment
Full-time employment is a regular, ongoing job with standard weekly working hours and typically the full set o…
Part-time Employment
Part-time employment is a job with fewer working hours than a full-time role, often with pro-rated or limited…
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