Strangely, but life-changing decisions are often the ones that we take relatively fast and without giving it a second thought. This is what happened to Joel, a student from France whose life is totally different now.

I met him in China through his brother. Actually I met him twice, as last year he came to China second time, but not for travelling purposes this time. His older brother introduced us, the former has been living here for quite a while, working as a designer. Joel had just completed his first year of university where he studied law and politics, that is why we easily fell into conversation (I studied law and politics as well). In 2010 - his first time in China - he just travelled around, got to know a bit Chinese culture and local people. He liked the country but was not sure whether he would be there second time.

Second time did happen in the summer of 2011, and that came as a surprise to both him and us - friends he made in Beijing. Though studying law at that time Joel had a passion for drawing - not simply sketches, but almost professional schemes and plans of buildings and installations. He later confessed that being 17, he produced a drawing on how to reconstruct the house his family lives in so that there would be more space inside and better view outside. Several years later the reconstruction did happen. Anyways, eager to combine his skills and hobby he thought of a summer internship. And that was the decision that changed a lot...

It turned out that to find an internship in China (where his brother lived) was not at all difficult. After googling and some inquiries he found an internship in China through «Get in2 China Group» - a student organization in Beijing and by late June of 2011 was back to Beijing. I was utterly surprised to learn that he was doing an internship in China in an architecture company. For someone who studies politics sketches, measuring and drawing are totally strange things. But he was really happy to do what he did; moreover, the project manager he worked for was more than satisfied with Joel’s work. As far as I remember, it was a development project in Shenyang city of China, and the project team’s task was to create the whole new urbanized area with office buildings, shops, schools, living compounds, parks and etc. That was something new to him, but he was really excited of what he was doing. It was a bit difficult though, since he never studied architecture. With no knowledge at hand, he actually took a practical course of architectural science. After two months of working as a young architect he realized that he chose the wrong professional path.

When a perspective employer receives your CV, the first thing he usually looks at is your experience. For the majority of young graduates it is really challenging then to get a job without it. The requirement of relevant working experince led many students to seek part-time employment while studying or join companies and organizations for a short time right after graduation on a low-paid or unpaid basis, i.e. to cover an internship. And internship seems to be the right way to start your career as it allows you to obtain practical knowledge about the job you pursue while being an actual worker.

Most of education systems around the world are based on theoretical tutoring while there is little chance to apply your knowledge in practice. However, job market is tending to value practical experience more than any theories. Thus, even a diploma with honours or merit does not guarantee any employment and a good salary. You probably heard more than ones many of those «top five» graduates complaining that no one bothered even to mention their high scores at school during job interviews...

In such circumstances covering internship in a company might become a good launch pad for perspective career. Internship is beneficial for both intern and employer. While for the former internship is the time to get the essentials of the job, learn more about business and company, get acquainted with the staff and build a network, the latter can fully evaluate intern’s knowledge and skills, professionalism, attitude, personal qualities and etc. It is not rare that upon successful completion of an internship an intern is offered full-time employment with a company. In this respect the outcome of an internship vastly depends on an intern - if you enjoy your job and feel that it is «yours», you hold future in your future in your hands. By performing your best, following the company’s rules and regulations, delivering best results on time you show your employer interest in the job. And often employers do value such workers and try to keep them with the company.

However, in a modern globalized world even relevant experience sometimes is not enough. An employer expects you to be well-travelled, culturally conscious, speaking foreign languages, knowing the basics of international business or communications, and so on. It is incredibly hard then for a student to combine studies and job while broadening her own mind at the same time. One of the solutions is to bring all of these things together - do an internship abroad during your summer vacation! It is wrong to believe that internships are only possible for a long term of half a year or more. Specially designed Summer Internship Abroad program from Getin2China company is a great opportunity to spend your free time for the benefit of your future career.

The summer for a recent grad without a trust fund means work, usually at an internship full of high hopes that their time toiling away at a reception desk or filing old magazines at The Atlantic in Washington will one day lead them to a full time job at CNN. Oh, to be young again. The possibilities…

College Age Unemployment

With college age unemployment a record 18.4%, according to the Economic Policy Institute, one place to turn to for a shot at future employment is China. Company’s there are hiring. And young people looking for international experience in one of the most important emerging markets on the planet are heading to the Far East for those all-import fresh out of college internships. Lauren Ratcliffe, a recent journalism graduate at University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, landed in Beijing on May 26 to start her internship at Chinese news portal China.org.cn without even knowing how to say “xiexie” to the people who hired her.

As a rule, the role of university education is to broaden students’ minds by exposing them to various theories, opinions, points of view, etc. However, not a single university can explain how to use it all in real life.

What Is an Internship?

Internship is a possibility to immerse yourself into your chosen professional field for a short period of time (1 to 6 months) and learn first-hand what it really means to be a manager, a business assistant, a lawer, an accountant, etc. Internship is the right time and a good chance to apply all your theoretical knowledge and to find out how to be a valuable asset for your employer. Nowadays there is a large number of various companies and firms that accept interns on a regular basis or offer internship placements.

Why Do I Need an Internship?

There are at least 3 basic reasons for a student to cover an internship: Firstly, internship is a good opportunity to learn more about the major and industry you decided to devote your life to. It is not rare that many students opt for this or that major after consulting their parents or friends, or just by following the trends of labour market. But the whole meaning of the option made dawns on people only after a long while. Therefore, to better understand what you should expect after graduation it is strongly recommended to seize an opportunity of an internship. It will allow you to see what your future job actually includes, what kind of skills and knowledge it requires and whether you really feel like doing that job. Several months of employment might as well help you to shape your future perspectives and ways of both professional and personal development.

Even if you graduate from a prestigious university, with merit or distinction, it is nevertheless hard to find a good job. People with working experience are preferred, and experience of working in an international environment is highly praised. And what if you are just a fresher with no experience whatsoever?

Internship is then a good solution to this problem. Internship allows you to apply all skills and knowlegde acquired during studies, get first-hand experience, estimate your own abilities and etc. But finding the right internship position is no less easier then finding a job. Therefore, it makes sense to rely on a recruiting firm or a company that arrange an internship for you.

A great opportunity to cover an internship of up to 12 months in China is offered to you by Get in 2 China Group Ltd. Internship in China is a good chance to plunge into the unique business environment of this dynamic country, to learn its complicated but interesting business traditions, and even to seize an opporunity to start up your own business.

In the light of its rapid and steady economic growth and ongoing globalization China has become rather alluring for internationl investors, individual entrepreneurs and companies of all sizes and business lines. World-renowned multinationals outsource their business to China, mid-size companies expand with their branches in China, and local and foreign start-ups spring as mushrooms here. Thus, there is a constant demand for the young and talented ready to contribute their skills and knowledge for the mutual benefit.

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Tailor-made Get in2 China internship programs for students and young professionals

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