Curricular Internship

Departmental Representative for Internships: Prof. Gabriele Blasutig – tirocini@dispes.units.it

An internship is a period of career orientation and training carried out in a work environment, aimed at facilitating young people's entry into the job market.

A curricular internship can be undertaken during the university course, in accordance with the study plan provisions, for a maximum duration of 12 months, either in Italy or abroad. It serves as a training opportunity to enhance and integrate academic learning with work experience.

The Department of Political and Social Sciences promotes curricular internships through agreements with local and national organisations, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI), the Civil-Military Cooperation Centre (CIMIC), and the General Staff of the Italian Navy.

Why undertake a curricular internship?

•    Earning Type F University Credits
     Students can be awarded 1 CFU F for every 25 hours of completed activities.
•    Gaining Insight into Productive and Service Sectors for Thesis Work
      The curricular internship can be undertaken in relation to the degree thesis and its compilation. Interns can directly gather data, information, and knowledge useful for their thesis work.
•    Evaluating Aspirations and Aptitudes
 

The internship is a valuable career orientation opportunity, helping students clarify their professional aspirations and expectations.
 

•    Enhancing Skills and Operational Abilities
     A curricular internship is an opportunity to gain work experience and develop competencies.
•    Connecting with Companies and Organisations
     Host companies and organisations can assess the interns’ skills and potential without commitment or costs, potentially leading to future employment.
•    Networking Opportunities
     During the internship, students can build a broad network of contacts within and beyond the company or organisation. This “relational capital” can be useful for job placement, even with different employers.
 

When should the curricular internship be carried out?

The student can independently identify the host organisation, including by using the offer announcements published on the Department's homepage or on the Career Service Notice Board.

The student must verify that the chosen organisation has an agreement with the University (see the list of affiliated organisations – where should this be included?).

If the organisation has an agreement, the internship can begin according to the established procedure.

If the organisation does not have an agreement, a request to establish one must be sent to tirocini@dispes.units.it.

Internship Start

To start the internship, a training project must be completed and signed by the responsible person of the host organisation, the student, and the university tutor. This document must include a risk assessment form, the intern’s details, and a detailed description of the activities to be carried out.

The internship start procedure must be initiated by the student at least 30 days before the expected start date of the activity.

During the Internship: Attendance, Extension, Early Termination

The intern must fill in the daily attendance register, which must be countersigned by the company tutor.

If the intern and the host organisation mutually agree to extend the duration of the internship, they must fill in the extension request form and send it to tirocini@dispes.units.it. However, the total duration of the internship cannot exceed 12 months.

To terminate the internship before the end date indicated in the training project, the intern and the host organisation must immediately notify the university by completing the early termination form and sending it to tirocini@dispes.units.it.

After the Internship: Certification and Evaluation Questionnaire

At the end of the internship, the host organisation must issue the student with a certificate of completion, duly signed and stamped. The student must then send this certificate to tirocini@dispes.units.it.
The internship certificate can be used by the student to request the recognition of 1 CFU F for every 25 hours of activity carried out, following the established procedure.

Furthermore, for the purpose of assessing the progress of the internship, the student must complete an online internship evaluation questionnaire – student section. Similarly, the company tutor or the person who directly supervised the intern must complete the online internship evaluation questionnaire – host organisation section

Rights and Duties of the Intern

A curricular internship does not constitute an employment relationship. Nevertheless, the intern must carry out their activities in accordance with the internship project and comply with company regulations as well as health, safety, and confidentiality rules.

The University guarantees the intern insurance coverage both for workplace accidents (INAIL) and for any damages caused to third parties (civil liability).

The internship does not constitute an employment relationship and is generally carried out free of charge. However, some organisations may offer financial support in the form of an allowance or expense reimbursement.

The implementation of curricular training and orientation internships is governed by the Ministerial Decree of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security of 25 March 1998, No. 142

Erasmus+ Traineeship

The Erasmus+ Traineeship programme provides the opportunity to receive a scholarship to undertake an internship of at least 2 months in one of the Erasmus+ programme countries.
All information regarding the programme is available on the International Mobility Service webpage.

The Learning Agreement for the Erasmus+ Traineeship must be completed with the support of the academic coordinator of the agreement.

Internship forms and documents