Interns: meaning, definitions and examples

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interns

[ˈɪntɜːrn ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

work experience

Interns are students or trainees who work at a company for a fixed period of time to gain practical experience in a particular field.

Synonyms

apprentice, student, trainee.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
interns	Used for individuals, often university students or recent graduates, who work in a temporary position to gain practical experience in a particular field or profession. Internships can be paid or unpaid and are often part of a formal education program. The company offers summer internships to college students. The interns worked on various projects to gain experience.
trainee	Denotes a person who is being trained for a particular job or profession, typically within a company. Training programs are usually short-term and focused on specific skills needed for the role. Trainees may be new employees or existing staff transitioning to a new role. The new recruits started as trainees before taking on full responsibilities. During the training period, the trainee will learn all the tasks required for the position.
apprentice	Refers to a person who works for an employer for a specific period to learn a trade or profession. Apprenticeships are commonly associated with skilled trades like carpentry, plumbing, or electrical work and generally involve a combination of on-the-job training and classroom instruction. The apprentice learned the basics of woodworking from the master carpenter. He started his career as an apprentice in a local bakery.
student	A general term for someone who is enrolled in an educational institution, such as a school, college, or university, to learn academic or vocational subjects. Students are primarily engaged in theoretical and classroom-based learning. The student studied for hours to prepare for the final exams. She is a medical student at a prestigious university.

Examples of usage

Many companies offer internships to college students.
She completed an internship at a law firm last summer.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

temporary work

To intern means to work as an intern at a company or organization.

Synonyms

apprentice, train, work temporarily.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
interns	Typically used to refer to students or recent graduates gaining work experience in a specific field for a limited period. The company is looking to hire interns for the summer program. Interns are often assigned various tasks to learn about the organization.
apprentice	Often used for someone learning a trade or skill from a more experienced person, usually over a longer period of time. He started as an apprentice to a master carpenter. The blacksmith took on a new apprentice to help with the workload.
work temporarily	Used to describe a situation where someone is employed for a limited period, often without the connotations of learning or training. She decided to work temporarily at the retail store during the holiday season. I'm working temporarily at this café until I find a full-time job.

Word

Description / Examples

interns

Typically used to refer to students or recent graduates gaining work experience in a specific field for a limited period.

The company is looking to hire interns for the summer program.
Interns are often assigned various tasks to learn about the organization.

apprentice

Often used for someone learning a trade or skill from a more experienced person, usually over a longer period of time.

He started as an apprentice to a master carpenter.
The blacksmith took on a new apprentice to help with the workload.

work temporarily

Used to describe a situation where someone is employed for a limited period, often without the connotations of learning or training.

She decided to work temporarily at the retail store during the holiday season.
I'm working temporarily at this café until I find a full-time job.

Examples of usage

She decided to intern at a tech startup before starting her own business.
Many students choose to intern abroad to broaden their horizons.

Interesting Facts

Historical Origins

The term 'intern' originates from the French word 'interné', meaning 'inside' or 'confined', which reflects the learning environment.
Internships have roots in apprenticeships from the Middle Ages when young tradespeople learned their crafts under a master.
Formalized internships began appearing in the mid-to-late 20th century as a bridge between education and the workplace.

Education

Internships are increasingly included in academic curricula, helping students apply their theoretical knowledge in real-world settings.
Many universities now offer credit for internships, making them a key part of academic success for several majors.
Internships can lead to full-time job offers as employers often prefer hiring individuals who have already gained experience in their field.

Workplace Dynamics

Interns often bring fresh perspectives and new ideas to companies, which can lead to innovative approaches in projects.
The internship experience can be crucial for networking, allowing interns to build connections that can help their future careers.
Employers may begin mentoring interns, providing opportunities for professional growth that can extend beyond the internship period.

Pop Culture

Television shows like 'The Office' and 'Parks and Recreation' feature interns in comedic roles, highlighting the challenges and dynamics of workplace interns.
Movies such as 'The Intern' showcase the role of interns in modern workplaces and how age and experience can intersect in the job market.
Many celebrities have shared stories of their own internships, illustrating how starting from humble beginnings can lead to success in their careers.

Psychology

Interns often experience 'imposter syndrome', feeling unsure of their abilities in a new role, which can impact their confidence.
Engaging in internships can enhance self-efficacy, as interns gain skills and receive feedback that boosts their belief in their capabilities.
The experiences of interns can shape their career decisions, influencing what industries they feel passionate about based on exposure to the work environment.

Translations

Translations of the word "interns" in other languages:

🇵🇹 estagiários

🇮🇳 इंटर्न

🇩🇪 Praktikanten

🇮🇩 magang

🇺🇦 стажери

🇵🇱 stażyści

🇯🇵 インターン

🇫🇷 stagiaires

🇪🇸 pasantes

🇹🇷 stajyerler

🇰🇷 인턴

🇸🇦 المتدربين

🇨🇿 stážisté

🇸🇰 stážisti

🇨🇳 实习生

🇸🇮 praktičarji

🇮🇸 námstæður

🇰🇿 стажерлер

🇬🇪 ინტერნები

🇦🇿 tələbələr

🇲🇽 pasantías

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #20,023, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.

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20022 barometric
20023 interns
20024 souvenirs
20025 bullock
20026 abstracting
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