Jobternships and How to Get One
A jobternship is a part-time or full-time job that an employee broadens into an internship experience in order to gain knowledge of a particular career field. This is achieved by requesting to observe operations and/or sit in on meetings in areas of the business related to the employee's desired career field. A jobternship is especially helpful to college students and recent graduates who need to earn money to pay for living expenses and student loans, but who also need to gain experience in a particular field or industry.
For example, if you are a college student who couldn't complete an internship because you had to work part-time to pay for school, this is a great way to turn your part-time job into career related work experience. First, make sure you approach the right person. There may be several people above you who have the ability to deny your request, but only a few who will be able to approve it. Find out who the best person to talk to is, and approach that person when they seem to be in a good mood, and when they are not too busy or on their way out the door. Explain that you are working hard in order to pay for school, but that you need some practical experience in your field in order to be able to apply for jobs after you graduate. Ask to sit in on meetings or observe operations in the area of the business that appeals to you and that most closely relates to your desired career field.
In some instances, companies are willing to hire you for a jobternship. They may have a specific task or job that needs to be done over the course of a few months, and may hire you to do that task and allow you to explore areas of their business that will give you practical hands-on experience in your chosen field as well. Always keep your eyes open for new possibilities and look for ways to turn your current situation into practical work experience.