The search for a work placement is highly similar to an ordinary job hunting process where you submit an application, get asked for an interview and hopefully end up being offered a work placement. Finding a work placement is your own responsibility, and for some it can be a good idea to apply to many different places. There are, however, a number of things which you can do to improve your chances of being offered a work placement.

Get the latest placement advertisements from Denmark and abroad
You can find the advertisements in the AU job bank or talk to career counsellors at Aarhus BSS Career.

You should also keep an eye on the following websites:

• DJØF - work placements:

• The University of Copenhagen Job Bank

• The Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ overview of Danish representations (in Danish) 

Unsolicited applications
Many workplaces have not previously had any trainees or have not had trainees who are economics students. This, however, does not mean that you should disregard this specific organisation.

Call or write to the workplaces which your find interesting and ask them if they would be interested in offering you a work placement. Do not give up after the first attempt!

This may differ greatly from host organisation to host organisation. It depends on the nature and popularity of the host organisation.

Often, the host organisations will start advertising for trainees in the semester prior to the actual work placement. Advertisements are received continuously, so it’s a good idea to keep an eye on the different advertisement sites as the application deadline will often vary significantly.

If you want to be ahead, and if you already know when you want to do your work placement, keep an eye on the advertisements in the semester before you want to apply. This may give you an idea of when the advertisements are posted. Many host organisations tend to move the deadline ahead from year to year, so it’s a good idea to start looking at advertisements six to eight months before.

• Remember to follow up on your application. Call or write to the organisation again if you haven’t received a reply within a few weeks. This way you can make sure that the application has been received and has ended up in the right place. This also shows that you take an interest in the host organisation.
• Finding the right host organisation often requires a lot of patience.
• Don’t be afraid to be a bit pushy. It’s better to call or write one time too many than one time to few.

On the right, you can find good advice on how to write an application. For more inspiration, visit the DJØF website or similar.

A project-based internship abroad must meet the same requirements as a project-based internship in Denmark. There are many different options for doing your project-based internship abroad. For instance:

• Embassies
• The UN
• The EU
• Special interest organisations/non-governmental organisations

However, there may be some practical aspects which you must consider in more detail when you do your project-based internship abroad, compared to doing it in Denmark. Such practical aspects may have to do with accommodation, visa, vaccinations and travel expenses, etc.

If you do your project-based internship abroad, you may apply for different grants and funding from foundations. There are several websites online that provide good advice on scholarships and similar options for funding.

Furthermore, if you do your project-based internship in Europe, you may apply for an Erasmus scholarship.