FAQs
1. Do I need to do Ace your Application (Level 0)? Can I skip it and go straight onto an Intrainship?
It’s not possible to skip Ace your Application for the following reasons:
- We want to ensure our Intrains are committed and can contribute to our Intrainship programmes.
- Students who cannot complete Ace your Application are unlikely to be able to benefit from an intrainship course.
- Intrainships rely on Intrains who are committed to making a contribution to their projects. Without this, the Intrainships can be disrupted for other Intrains and for host companies.
- We believe that 21st Century Skills are at the core of future work. Ace Your Application will give all Intrains a fundamental understanding of 21st Century Skills, which will be extended on Intrainships.
2. What if I only want to do the Ace you Application Course but not the Intrainships?
That’s fine! It has been designed as a stand-alone course that will benefit any teenager of B1+ English level who is committed to self-development or wants to develop their application materials for jobs or university. We believe its price presents great value!
3. Can I get a discount for an Intrainship?
Yes. In fact, every student has the price of the Ace your Application course discounted from the price of their first Intrainship!
4. How do you assess my IA (Intrainship Academy) Level and which Intrainship I qualify for?
Initially from the Ace your Application Course:
- Video Interview
- Oral English language assessment
- Levels of relevant experience
- Evidence of applied learning from the Ace your Application course.
- CV
- Quality of CV Presentation and Writing
- Levels of relevant experience
- Evidence of applied learning from the Ace your Application course.
Once you have completed an Intrainship then your report will be used to inform your new level.
5. Do I need to do all of the Intrainship courses one-by-one?
No! While it is possible to do each level and some students may really benefit from that, many Intrains will not need to do all the courses. However, completion of one course will undoubtedly prepare you for a higher level Intrainship in the future. The courses are intensive and are carefully designed to prepare for the next levels, which means similar skills are required throughout.
Intrainship believe that students will benefit even if they only do one course. However, after doing one course, they may then realise opportunities for development that a higher-level course provides.
For example, a student who completes the Consultancy Intrainship and gets a good report may be ready to apply for the Company Intrainship as the two courses are very similar, with a lot of focus on team projects and presentations. However, the student would need to ensure they are able to meet the C1+ language requirements. This can be done with the support of a PLUS ‘step-up’ English language programmes.
That’s why we designed the pathway- to provide opportunities to support students in their progression, both in the short-term or the long-term. We want to make Intrainship opportunities transparent and accessible for all students.
6. Will this help me with university applications?
Definitely!
The Intrainship Pathway focuses explicitly on developing 21st century skills and providing career insights, which are extremely relevant to university applications- certainly in the UK, US and other Western countries.
The Intrainship Pathway is designed to produce candidates who stand out from the crowd. How will you get selected for university above other students who get the same grades as you? By evidencing your skills, passion and experiences! These are shown in your application materials (eg. Personal Statement in UK and Common App/Activities List in the US).
Also, one of the most important decisions you will have in your life is where to study and which major. Learning more about industries through Intrainships, as well as understanding your own skills and interests, will help you make very important decisions when applying for university degrees.
7. I don’t have any work experience yet. Can I do an Intrainship?
Yes, we are her to give you that chance! Also, we teach you about transferable skills- you may not have done any work experience, but you have done projects and clubs at school which can be used to demonstrate your skills. Your hobbies can be used to evidence your commitment or aptitude. Don’t worry, we teach you all about how to use these transferable skills and personal qualities in Ace your Application and the Intrainship programmes.
8. I am going to study a university degree, so why should I do an intrainship now to make me more employable?
Firstly, it will benefit your university applications (more on this in question 6!).
Secondly, for many of us, the key reason for going to university is to help us get a job afterwards. However, in most countries, a university degree does not guarantee a job- or a good one. Getting a job can be very competitive and having a degree may not be enough. Many reports from employers say that previous work experience (preferably relevant to the role and industry) is the single most important factor in deciding who to employ.
But how do you get that work experience or internship when at university? These first internships can be competitive and hard to find. An Intrainship can be the perfect experience to help you land that internship role.
9. What if my English is not good enough to do the Intrainship that I want?
If your English is B1+ that means there is an Intrainship for you. This can be used to develop your English. You could also choose a Step-Up Course with PLUS to improve your English during term time. (Please see Appendix for more details)
For students who are level A2 or below, we recommend the PLUS Summer programme. PLUS focus on developing your English whilst working on projects.
10. How do the courses differ apart from their level?
The Skills and Output Per Programme chart (on page 19) shows some of the elements that vary between the course.
The Intrainship Experience and Company Intrainship are very similar courses in their content, with the key difference that the Company Intrainship allows students to receive their tasks directly from the host company and to make presentations to the host company. It is a fantastic opportunity to deliver a presentation to a company, but it can be very daunting and requires a high level of spoken English. The Intrainship Experience allows you to do the same course, but to practice in a less pressurised environment, and is the perfect stepping stone to the Company Intrainship.
The Consultancy Intrainship is a little different to the other Intrainships. Instead, the course focuses on doing practical work which contributes to an ongoing project by the company. There is no presentation element. You receive specialist subject support from your supervisor, who will work on the project beside you, upgrade it and submit it.
11. What is the difference between online and offline versions of the course?
The content of the courses are identical. We believe the online versions offer a fantastic value and highly convenient option, which will make a similar impact upon your CV.
There is no doubt that the dynamics of working on projects, or making presentations are very different when in an office to offline. It can be easier to build a rapport with your peers in person, and of course there is more opportunity to socialise and get to know one another.
On the other hand, much of the teamwork in the modern international workplace takes place online. Intrains will benefit from experiencing online tools to carry out teamwork and the different challenges that working online with international colleagues poses. Online Intrains will also benefit from fitting the intrainship around their busy schedule in their hometown…. as well as the convenience of working from their own bedroom!
12. How can we do a group project online?
For the online Intrainship some sessions are at a set time- eg. workshops and presentations, which are at convenient times for all the nationalities in attendance. For project work, you will be required to arrange meetings with the rest of your team yourself, with no specific times. Of course, your IA Coach will support you with this, particularly in the beginning.
13. Why do an IA Level 1 course if I only get to work with peers from my school? It means we can speak our own language during the projects!
Yes, that’s true, we can’t stop you from communicating in your own language during projects! But your career coach is a native-English speaker and will not speak your language. There are several points when it will be absolutely necessary to speak English:
- Company Introductions and Task Assignment: Will be provided by the Host Company- in English!
- Workshops conducted by the coach (CV, LinkedIn, Presentations)
- IA Coach one-to-one tutorials or group drop-ins. Whether on-campus or online, your coach will be regularly speaking to you and your group in English to get an update on your project’s progress and to provide support.
- End of Project Presentations: Your group project work will culminate in a PPT presentation half-way through the course and at the end of the course to be presented in English to your Career Coach.
Level 1 courses provide the support and security of working alongside your classmates and whenever required, your first language can be used to support your work.