Paid internships are an excellent opportunity to gain experience in the practical use of the knowledge acquired during studies and an ideal opportunity to develop interpersonal skills, learning self-discipline, time management and team work. This type of experience influences the growth of self-esteem of young people who take their first steps in the labour market. Therefore, an internship at the beginning of a career turns out to be a great idea.

In the third edition the following companies sent their internship offers:

• Hartrodt (Polska) Sp. z o.o.
• Elogic Polska Sp. z o.o.
• Geototal Pro Sp. Z o.o. Sp. k
• Grupa Azoty Zakłady Chemiczne „Police” S.A.
• KK-Electronic Polska Sp. z o.o.
• Net Marine- Marine Power Service Sp. Z o.o.
• Phoenix Poland Sp. z o.o.
• Polship Sp. z o.o.
• Rohlig Suus Logistics Sp. z o.o.
• Schenker Sp. z o.o.
• Wilhelmsen Marine Personnel Sp. z o.o.

This year the internships lasting from July to late September were addressed to students and graduates of the Maritime University of Szczecin. Among this year’s trainees there were 11 women and five men - together 16 people. The number of trainees from the three faculties developed in the following way:

• 10 students of the Faculty of Economics and Transport Engineering,
• 2 students of the Faculty of Marine Engineering
• 4 students of the Faculty of Navigation

Among the 16 trainees were as many as nine people who had already benefited from other trainings carried out by the Careers Office, which shows a great interest of young people in various forms of acquisition of additional knowledge and experience, as well as proves that the project was highly successful.

Both the interns and the companies, in which there were internships, have made a qualitative assessment through evaluation questionnaires. The project of the paid internships has been highly appreciated by their participants. After completing the internships the trainees pointed out an increase in their level of self-esteem and the fact that the training had broadened their knowledge and experience.

Exactly half of the number of the project participants, i.e. eight people received offers of further cooperation with their companies.

Internships have been also highly rated by the companies. All the trainee caretakers have indicated a desire to continue working with the MUS in the area of apprenticeships. All of the companies also declared they would recommend cooperation with the MUS in the field of internships to other institutions. In addition, the caretakers appreciated the trainees for their commitment and motivation to perform their duties. When answering the question about the areas in which the caretakers believe the trainees still need to gain knowledge and skills, they usually pointed at practical knowledge in the field of software used in companies, working with documents and the knowledge of the English language. These are important guidelines for both the university as well as the present and future trainees. The internships within the project Development and promotion of technical studies at the Maritime University of Szczecin can be considered completed with satisfactory results.

Within three years, as many as 50 people had the opportunity to gain work experience in more than 20 large companies, which definitely helped many graduates to succeed in the labour market. Completing the internships has not just been another item entered in their CV, but also an opportunity to test themselves and their abilities in the work situations. For companies it was a chance to verify the ideas about the contemporary student skills and abilities, and most of them unanimously claim that the lack of knowledge or skills the trainees have completed due to their high motivation and willingness to work. Many employers took advantage of the opportunity and the possibility of training potential recruits for their own company needs.