Internship / Career
What is the importance of internship?
WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF INTERNSHIP?
Internship is one of the most important parts of education because it connects what you learn in classroom to what happens in real work life.
Here is why internship is important:
1. Practical Experience
In school you learn theory. In internship you do real work. You learn how things are actually done in office, factory, school, or workshop. This practical knowledge cannot be learned from textbook.
2. Skill Development
Internship helps you develop both technical skills related to your course and soft skills like communication, teamwork, time management, problem solving, and professional conduct.
3. Requirement for Graduation
For ND students and many 300 level University students, SIWES or Industrial Training is compulsory. Without completing it and submitting logbook and report, you cannot graduate.
4. Career Exploration
Internship helps you know if you truly like the course you are studying. You may study Business Administration but discover during internship you love Marketing more, or you study Computer Science and discover you love UI/UX. It helps you choose career path early.
5. Employability and CV Building
Most employers today ask for 1-2 years work experience even for entry level jobs. Internship gives you that experience while you are still a student. It makes your CV stronger than someone who only has certificate.
6. Networking
During internship you meet professionals, managers, business owners, and other interns. These connections can help you get job recommendations, mentorship, or business opportunities in future.
7. Transition from School to Work
Internship makes transition from school to work easier. You learn office ethics - punctuality, dressing, how to write email, how to talk to clients, how to work under pressure - before you start full-time job.
8. Potential for Permanent Employment
Many companies retain their best interns as full-time staff after internship. Even if they don't retain you, the experience and recommendation letter you get can help you get job elsewhere.
9. Personal Growth and Confidence
Internship builds confidence. You learn to interact with people outside school, handle real tasks, make mistakes and correct them, and become more responsible and independent.
10. Understanding of Industry
Internship gives you understanding of how your industry works - its challenges, opportunities, how money is made, what customers want. This knowledge is valuable whether you want to work for someone or start your own business.
In summary: Certificate gives you knowledge, but internship gives you skills, experience, and exposure. In today's world, you need both to succeed.
ARFET INTERNSHIP - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS - GENERAL INFORMATION
1. What is an internship?
An internship is a period of practical work experience offered by a company to students or young people to learn real job skills. It connects classroom theory to real business.
At ARFET, internship means you work with us, learn how education business works - school consulting, IT & portal, recruitment, uniform production, tutorial, skills academy, study abroad - and gain practical experience.
2. What is SIWES / IT / Industrial Training?
SIWES - Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme. IT - Industrial Training.
Compulsory for ND students (4 months) and 300 Level University students (3 months, 6 months or 1 year depending on department). Your school gives you SIWES letter and logbook. You must work in a related company and fill logbook daily.
3. What is the difference between undergraduate internship and graduate internship?
Undergraduate internship is for students still in school - ND, 300L, SSCE. It's for SIWES/IT, 3 months to 1 year, focus is learning, you go back to school after.
Graduate internship is for people who have finished HND/BSc and NYSC. It's for job experience after school, 6 months to 2 years, focus is to get permanent job.
ARFET Internship Program is mainly undergraduate internship. But we also recruit for graduate positions when available. Always check our career page.
4. What is the difference between paid and unpaid internship?
Paid internship - Company pays you - monthly commission, stipend, allowance, bonus. More serious with KPI.
Unpaid internship - Company does not pay. You work free for experience and certificate. Common for SIWES in Nigeria.
5. What is the importance of internship?
- Practical skills, not just theory
- CV & work experience before graduation - Employers ask for experience
- SIWES requirement - You cannot graduate without it for ND and some University courses
- Networking - Meet school owners and business people around Ibeju Lekki
- Job opportunity - Best interns get retained
- Business idea - Learn how to run school, tutorial, fashion business
- Confidence and extra income
6. Does ARFET pay internship stipend?
Yes. ARFET runs a Paid Internship Program.
- Monthly Performance Commission - Paid monthly based on performance. T&C apply.
- End-of-Program Stipend & Performance Bonus - Paid as lump sum after successful completion of program.
- Possibility of Permanent Employment - Based on monthly performance assessment and management discretion.
7. Does government pay internship stipend?
Yes, through ITF. ITF pays SIWES allowance to ND and eligible University students - Around ₦15,000 - ₦30,000 for SIWES period, paid through your school. It is different from company stipend. You can get both - ITF allowance from government and commission/stipend from ARFET.
8. What role does ITF play during student internship?
ITF - Industrial Training Fund - Federal Government agency:
- Creates and funds SIWES program
- Pays SIWES allowance to students via schools
- Supervises students - May visit your workplace
- Approves companies suitable for SIWES
- Provides ITF forms - Form 8, etc.
9. Does ARFET recruit for graduates and undergraduate internship?
Yes.
ARFET recruits for both graduates and undergraduate internship positions. We have undergraduate internship - For ND SIWES, 300L IT, SSCE with experience - and we also have graduate internship and full-time positions when available.
Always check our career page to see current open positions for graduates and undergraduates.
10. Does ARFET employ interns after their internships?
Yes.
ARFET employs interns after their internships. There is possibility of permanent employment after internship based on monthly performance assessment and at management discretion.
Top performing interns who consistently meet KPIs, show good character, punctuality and leadership are retained as full-time staff with salary + commission. Permanent employment is not automatic. Only best performers are retained based on management decision.
11. Can I do internship with ARFET remotely from anywhere?
Yes, but it depends on the position advertised and whether it's remote, hybrid or onsite.
Some positions are fully remote, some are hybrid - remote + onsite, some are fully onsite. It depends on what we advertise.
For our current Undergraduate Internship Program, it is Remote/Onsite Hybrid around Ibeju Lekki axis only - You must live around Ajah to Epe and be able to come onsite 2-3 times weekly.
For other positions, check the location stated in the advert - Remote, Hybrid or Onsite - on our career page.
12. Will ARFET sign my SIWES logbook?
Yes, for eligible ND and 300L interns who are regular, punctual and performing. We sign weekly, not once at end. If you don't come to work, we won't sign.
13. Does internship count as work experience?
Yes. 12 months internship at ARFET counts as 1 year work experience in Business Development, Digital Marketing, Admissions, Fashion Production. You can put it on CV and LinkedIn.
14. What happens if I leave before completion?
You keep all monthly commissions earned. You forfeit end-of-program stipend and bonus. We sign only months worked. No certificate or recommendation if you leave before completion. No consideration for permanent employment.
15. Do I need to pay to get internship at ARFET?
No. You don't pay to get internship at ARFET. If any company asks you to pay money for SIWES placement, it's a scam. Report to ITF or ARFET.
16. What is ARFET Internship Program?
ARFET Internship Program is a 12-month paid undergraduate internship for ND SIWES, 300 Level IT, and SSCE holders with work experience. Interns learn practical skills in school business consulting - IT & Portal/CBT Setup, School Management, Staff Recruitment, Uniform Production, Tutorial & Skills Academy, Study Abroad, Marketing and Admissions - while working in hybrid mode around Ibeju Lekki.
17. Who can apply for ARFET Undergraduate Internship?
- ND students preparing for SIWES/IT - Must have SIWES letter
- 300 Level University students preparing for IT - Must have internship letter
- SSCE/WAEC/NECO holders with work experience - Must not be more than 26 years
- Must live around Ibeju Lekki - Ajah to Epe
- Must have working laptop and Android phone
- Must be 26 years maximum
- Must be ready to complete 12 months
18. Will ARFET sign my SIWES logbook and ITF Form 8?
Yes, for eligible ND and 300L interns who are regular, punctual and performing.
We sign logbook weekly, not once at end. We also stamp and sign ITF Form 8 and other SIWES forms. If you are not regular, we will not sign.
19. What are the requirements for all ARFET interns?
- Working laptop and Android phone - Compulsory - Verified physically on interview day
- Live around Ibeju Lekki - Ajah to Epe - Can come onsite 2-3 times weekly
- SIWES/internship letter from school - For ND and 300L
- Good data and power backup
- Ready to complete 12 months
20. What positions are available at ARFET?
Currently:
- Business Development and Partnership Intern - 2 Slots
- Students and Clients Marketing Intern - 3 Slots
- Student Recruitment and Admissions Intern - 2 Slots
- Fashion Design and Garment Construction Intern - 2 Slots
Check career page for latest openings. Slots are limited.