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In recent years, the J1 visa program has become a rite of passage for many college students in Ireland and rightly so. After months of stressing over assignments and exams, for weeks putting up with the bus strike and bad Irish weather and for the hours spent sitting in lecture halls wondering how you spent most of your student loan the night before, it’s no surprise that the first thing you would want to do this summer, is jumping on a plane and fly far away to live it up and enjoy a different style of life in the States. From the hipster neighbourhoods of New York to the beachy suburbs of Cali, the US has it all for the taking. Of course, you’re going to want an amazing job to fund your new amazing lifestyle right? Look no further.
A professional paid internship abroad is not only a great money earner, but it’s a great way to try out a role you are interested in and to add international experience to your CV while making yourself more employable and giving you a competitive edge over peers when you enter the workforce.
“Applying for a visa and getting sponsored is so complicated, how can I get one of these amazing internships?” We hear you and we’re here to help! Here at EazyCity GoAbroad, we are experts in this area and we worry about all the technicalities so you don’t have to.
We work in partnership with J1 visa sponsor InterExchange. In order to get approved for sponsorship you first need to meet a few requirements. Here are the basics:
- You must be aged between 18 & 38
- Enrolled in a full-time course, a recent graduate or have 5 years professional experience (yes that’s right, you don’t have to have a degree or be a student to take part)
- Choose an internship that is directly related to your area of study or work experience
The main areas that can be sponsored are:
- Arts and Culture
- The Sciences, Engineering, Architecture, Mathematics, and Industrial Occupations
- Management, Business, Commerce and Finance
- Hospitality and Tourism
- Public Administration and Law
- Information Media and Communications
(Unfortunately, the areas of medicine, childcare, social work and clinical positions cannot be sponsored)
Once you meet all requirements, the Internship search can commence, but first…make sure you have your CV and LinkedIn up to date and ready to show any prospective employers. An EazyCity consultant will be happy to take a look over your CV and give you advice on how to write a killer US style resume that will get you hired 😉
How to find an internship?
You have two options and then the choice is yours.
You can save yourself a few bucks and find a position yourself by searching for an internship like you would do for a normal job. Once you secure yourself an internship, then we can approve it for sponsorship if it meets the requirements (to find a full information on host employers requirements, you can contact an EazyCity consultant at [email protected] or call us on 083 868 4520).
If you’re not sure where to start and need some help then you can let us do the hard work and assist you with getting a position. Here’s some advice on the two options.
Self-placement – do it yourself
Many positions are advertised online and you simply apply for them like you would any other job, however, the competition for internships in the US can be fierce so don’t just wait around to hear back, take charge!
Many businesses may not post internship positions online but would be open to the idea of creating a position if the right person came along. Pick up the phone and call the company you are interested in directly! Being pro-active like this shows employers that you are independent, dedicated and using your initiative, qualities that host employers look for in potential interns.
Another effective way to find a position is through personal connections and networking. Speak with family, friends, fellow students, co-workers, lecturers, and the past or current employers. You never know who might know a business owner or someone working in the US that could hook you up with an internship. As they say, ‘It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.’
Full Placement through EazyCity
Don’t worry, if you don’t know someone in the US, we do!
Our full placement option is great for those who may not have the time or patience to spend trawling the internet for suitable positions. After a one to one consultation, an EazyCity internship expert will search for the ideal position for you depending on your preferences, experience and skills. We will provide you with a selection of positions to apply for on a weekly basis. In addition to this, we work with a number of partners in the US that are happy to take on Irish interns in a variety of fields.
What will my internship be like?
A professional internship in the US is a constant learning experience and you certainly won’t be wasting your time on things like doing the coffee run or photocopying.
Through structured and guided programs, participants improve their knowledge of American techniques, methodologies, and technology. Your host employer will put a training plan in place that will give you the opportunity to learn about all aspects of your role and the business. You will also have a mentor who will be able to guide you and support you throughout the program.
And don’t worry it’s not all work and no play. Your employer and co-workers will also provide you with opportunities to take part in many cultural activities and events in the workplace and local area. In your time off you can explore for yourself; whether you’re an art lover into coffee, books and museums or a wild child searching for the nearest adventure activity or music festival, the US in a melting pot of culture, people and activities and will not disappoint.
