Internship vs. Traineeship
So, what’s the difference?
Many master's students and recent graduates in the Netherlands aim to kickstart their careers by searching for traineeship positions. This idea of a ‘traineeship’ in the Netherlands is most similar to an ‘internship’ in the US.
In the Netherlands, we associate the term ‘internship’ with a relatively short (<6 months) and unpaid position that you complete as part of your studies. But in the US, an internship refers to a short-term paid work experience targeted at students and recent graduates.
In short, our interns at Internships in the Valley should be looking for internships and not traineeships in the US. Plus, the J-1 visa is specific for internship placements!
Internship in the US
A short-term (3 months to 1 year) work experience targeted at students and recent graduates.
Provide real-world work experience
Allow interns to work on specific projects
Receive mentorship from experienced professionals
American companies often have well-defined internship programs with specific goals and objectives for their interns, and sometimes will even offer full-time positions at the end of the internship placement.
Traineeship in the US
Designed for individuals already in the workforce who want to develop specific skills or knowledge in particular field or study.
Highly structured programs
Relatively longer term (up to 2 years)
Provide a comprehensive training program with theoretical and practical components.