Placement Areas
Internship Sites
FIE’s Internship Team evaluates a student’s CV, coursework and experience carefully to ensure an appropriate match is made between the student’s background and an organization’s needs. While every effort will be made to place students in their first choice of internship area, FIE will use second and third internship choices as and when necessary.
The organizations with which FIE works are primarily small- and medium-sized organizations, not large corporations. These are the types of organizations that tend to be interested in providing short-term opportunities, and those that can benefit most from the unpaid assistance that the intern provides. In turn, by working with a small team it is possible for students to earn more responsibilities and opportunities within the workplace.
The tasks that students undertake are quite varied and can include: administrative support, event planning and attendance, errand running, data entry, research, letter and report writing and project support. The exact tasks that an intern will be asked to perform are based on the needs of the organization at any given time as well as the skills and attitude of the student. The experience belongs to the student and their commitment to the work site will determine the outcome.
FIE Internship Placement Areas
London offers a vast resource for experience-based learning. The work environments available to FIE interns cater to almost every major and include the various business sectors, not-for-profit, political, public sector and creative organizations. Through FIE’s internship placements, students have the opportunity to build professional skills, increase industry knowledge and experience working in a different culture and in a major global city.
Complete placement area details, including the types of placements and realities of each industry, can be found in the downloadable internship areas document to the right.
Accountancy & Finance
Businesses and organizations working in the financial and accountancy sector provide internships for students in areas such as investing, trading, financial regeneration, fundraising, accounts and research. There are also companies in various other fields who are able to offer placements within their accounts or finance department.
Arts & Humanities
This area includes placements within museums, theaters, galleries and organizations relating to art and photography. Students may be involved in various aspects of performing arts, events and exhibitions.
Business & Economics
Whilst interning in the business and economics fields, students may find themselves working within small and medium sized companies, assisting with various operational and planning aspects of the business. There are placements available in areas such as entrepreneurship, property management, human resources and within business membership NGOs.
Communications
Public relations, marketing, advertising and events planning comprise the communications industry in which interns will be able to work at either specialty firms, small businesses, or within a specific communications department of a company.
Design
There are opportunities available within the areas of graphic and web design, fashion design, and interior design where skilled interns may be able to assist with the creative process of design as well as participate on various sides of the business.
Education
Public and private schools, educational departments of companies and independent educational organizations can offer interns a valuable experience within the British education system, either in a hands-on capacity with children or within an office-based environment.
Environment and Sustainability
Internships are offered within organizations who promote sustainability and environmental issues through community action, awareness campaigns and research projects that can influence policy and practice.
Fashion
There are numerous areas of fashion in which interns may able to work, including marketing, public relations, merchandising, business, sales and creative development. These placements may be with designer labels, high street retailers, independent boutiques or PR firms who represent a range of clients.
Film & Television
Students working in the field of film and television may be involved with various stages of the process including education, pre-production, talent management, research development, production, post-production, marketing and distribution.
IT & Multimedia
For interns with appropriate skills, there are opportunities available to work in the IT and digital media industries. This may include working with management information systems, technical support, computer programming and new media.
Journalism & Media
In the journalism and media industry, interns may gain experience within print media, online journalism or industry trade publications. There are opportunities available at magazines, local newspapers, websites and publishing companies.
Legal and Justice Organizations
Internships in this area include placements at small law firms, legal departments of businesses, crime reduction units, and organizations concerned with crime prevention and justice.
Music
Students wishing to work within the field of music may be placed at any number of organizations relating to the industry such as independent record labels, music venues, non-profit organizations promoting music, talent management agencies and radio stations.
Politics
Political internships may present students the chance to work within political parties, not-for-profit political organizations, think tanks and pressure groups. There are also a select number of placements working with a Member of Parliament.
Psychology
In the field of psychology, interns may assist with research projects at universities or government-funded organizations. Community-based groups dealing with psychological issues such as mental health and child development also provide internship opportunities.
Social Welfare & Non-Profit Organizations
Internships with a wide range of organizations and charities working for the collective good of society are available to students. Specialist areas include refugee support, homelessness, women’s issues, poverty, substance abuse/addiction, disability, gay/lesbian advocacy, ethnic/racial/religious diversity, human rights, conflict resolution, youth issues and community regeneration.