internship
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internship
A time-limited position in a company or organization in order to gain practical work experience. It is often completed by school students, university students, or graduates.
Im Sommer macht sie ein Praktikum bei einer Werbeagentur.
In the summer, she is doing an internship at an advertising agency.
The most common combination is 'ein Praktikum machen' (to do an internship). In a more formal context, for example on a résumé, 'ein Praktikum absolvieren' (to complete an internship) is often used.
Ich mache gerade ein Praktikum im Marketing.
I am currently doing an internship in marketing.
Use the preposition 'bei' (at/with) for the company or organization and 'in' (in) for the department, city, or country.
Sie macht ein Praktikum bei Siemens in der Personalabteilung.
She is doing an internship at Siemens in the HR department.
Important terms belong to the same word family: The person doing the internship is 'der Praktikant' (male intern) or 'die Praktikantin' (female intern). The offered position is a 'Praktikumsplatz' (internship position).
Als Praktikant durfte ich an vielen Meetings teilnehmen.
As an intern, I was allowed to take part in many meetings.
training / education
'die Ausbildung' and 'das Praktikum' both have to do with work experience and learning through practice. 'die Ausbildung' is a longer, structured path in which you really learn a profession and often receive a qualification at the end. 'das Praktikum' is usually limited in time and is meant to help you get to know a profession or a company. An internship can be part of vocational training, but it is not the same thing. Learners confuse the words because in both cases you work in a company. When it is about learning a profession, you say 'Ausbildung'. When it is about short practical experience, you say 'Praktikum'.
In den Ferien macht Sofia ein Praktikum im Krankenhaus.
During the holidays, Sofia is doing an internship at the hospital.
Adam hat seine Ausbildung in einer Autowerkstatt abgeschlossen.
Adam completed his vocational training at a car repair shop.