about internships

Interning in Geneva: What's it like?

Geneva is both traditional and modern, and very international: 60% of the population comes from outside the Canton of Geneva. You will find yourself working alongside Swiss, but also with people from other parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa. In Geneva most people speak (and work) in English, but for most of them it’s not their native tongue. You’ll have the opportunity to work in English but improve your French in your daily life and activities – and if your French is up to it, you’ll have even more internship opportunities available to you.

Geneva is a very small city – it’s official population is under 200,000 people – and is particularly well suited to students who speak some French and have an interest in business internships or social, health, political, or international issues.

Every workplace is different, and Geneva draws in people from so many different places, that there’s no such thing as a typical internship experience. Our past interns have noticed a few more common threads to the Geneva experience:

• People are more direct in their comments regarding physical appearance - it is not uncommon for you to get complimented when you look nice, and criticized when you don’t: what can be seen can be spoken about. So don’t take it personally!
• Also, in social settings, such as in bars or clubs, you might be surprised by how people look at you more directly and intensely more than they would in the US. Again, that’s something cultural and not something personal.
• Switzerland has a high context communication culture; meaning that what gets said isn’t the whole message. Learn to read body language and hand movements as well as changes of tone and facial expressions - if you can read these you will get the picture!
• A typical workday is 9am – 6pm, with a lunch break from 12 to 2. Depending on your company you might have only a one-hour lunch break.

All of this does not mean that Swiss do not work hard – they may simply have a different view of their own work/life balance than in America.

What is business etiquette like in Geneva?

There is no one type of business culture in Geneva. In some there is a clear hierarchy of command, while in others there is a horizontal set up where even the cleaning lady gets to share her opinion! As for the type of work you’ll be doing, the same great difference is applicable. In some cases you’ll be given clear guidelines of what to do each day, sometimes you’ll be given a project with really unclear guidelines and you have to figure things out. It’s ok, it’s part of the learning process! In either case it is important you ask questions if you don’t understand what to do or if you need help.  Your supervisors will assume you will ASK for help if you need it. They want to give you your space and not want to appear to be breathing down your neck.

What should I wear?

We will answer this question with much more detail once we know where you will be placed. It is difficult to generalize on this because every placement varies. However, if you are working in a formal setting (i.e. a business firm) you should bring at least one suit and several dress shirts and ties. A sports jacket or blazer can work as well. In other, more casual placements (i.e. an NGO or Marketing firm) khaki trousers, skirts for women, and sweaters or dress shirts should be fine. Make sure you ask about this if we haven’t told you by the time you leave.  We always advise students to bring at least one set of better attire in case of an important meeting , conference or official session at the UN where they will be representing their company or organization.

How far can I expect to commute?

Most placements will be centrally located downtown and are easily accessible by tram or bus (or even by walking, if you’re lucky!). A typical Geneva commute can be anywhere from 15 minutes to over an hour. We will provide logistic details upon your arrival, such as maps, schedules, etc.

What are the typical hours for an intern?

Again, this is a difficult question to generalize - you will work whatever hours are asked of you, and this will be vastly different for different industries (a financial analyst will work much longer hours than a person in a think tank, for example). These hours are non-negotiable and will be expected by the employer and the placement office. Generally speaking, office hours in Geneva are 9-6, with 2 hours for lunch, generally taken between 12-2pm.  But if you have a customer-oriented placement you will have commercial working hours: from 10am to 12 noon and from 2pm to 7pm.  If you work for a hospital, you will have to work early or late hours and even work some week-ends.

Will I have one particular supervisor at my placement?

The placement team will make every effort to make sure you know who your direct supervisor will be. This is usually ONE person who will be responsible for you for the entire duration of your placement. This is the person you will go to when you need help, have concerns, or simply need a new assignment. This person may not be the office manager and in fact, may be in a junior position him/herself. You may find that you are not much younger than your direct supervisor.

If you have a problem with your direct supervisor, it is best to speak with him or her, do not go to their supervisor to get your concerns addressed. However, it is advisable to speak to the Placement Manager before you do so as we may be able to provide assistance or another point of contact in the company.

Your internship will be different

• To the Swiss, a work experience (“internship” is an American word) is a chance to you a taste of working life.  You may not necessarily have a specific project to work on but may be expected to help out with day-to-day tasks. This said, supervisors may not work out a specific schedule for students.
• Like any job, all placements will have an element of clerical tasks to them. By proving that you can handle the small stuff, the doors will open to greater projects and greater growth. A lot of the learning will be achieved through your own initiative.
• Only so much can be achieved during a short-term placement. Push yourself to learn at all times.
• Sometimes you are given more responsibilities than you would expect for a work experience student.  Treat this as an opportunity to try the real world.
• Your placement is unpaid.
• Do not get fixed on working within glamour industries or specific organization. You’ll be placed based on your career goals, not on the name of an organization. There are certain realities to working within fields like fashion and entertainment - they only become glamorous at the highest level.
• Your placement should not be looked on as a means of gaining future employment but as a chance to confirm that you are going in the right direction (or that you should try something else), and most importantly, it’s a time to make mistakes, laugh, and learn. Your internship is a wonderful opportunity not only for the internship itself, but also the experience as a whole. Enjoy it! And if you need help, EUSA is here for you.

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