Internships
- Current Opportunities
- Application Form

Information for Graduates

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is the "Adopt an Intern" programme?
What kind of internships are available through your programme?
Are all Adopt an Intern internships paid?
What kind of graduate are you looking for?
I haven’t graduated yet, can I still apply?
Where can I find the internship vacancies?
How can I apply?
Can I apply for multiple internships?
What happens after I apply?
I have been unsuccessful, can you provide feedback?

What is the "Adopt an Intern" programme?

Adopt an Intern is an initiative by the Centre for Scottish Public Policy, Scotland’s only independent cross-party think-tank. We advertise and facilitate paid internships for recent graduates and postgraduates with our cross-sector members and affiliated organisations. Adopt an Intern wants to provide opportunities for graduates to gain paid and meaningful work experience. It is our aim to establish a sustainable, fair and accessible internship culture in Scotland.

What kind of internships are available through your programme?

The programme has helped graduates find placements in a wide variety of companies and organisations, in public, private and third sectors. Many of our internships are part-time to allow you to keep your part-time job or continue with your studies. Some internships however, will require you to commit to full-time hours. Generally, employers are quite flexible and ready to discuss an arrangement that will benefit both the intern and the employing organisation. The opportunities available are as diverse as the skilled graduates that we are seeking to fill them. Click here for a list of previously available internship vacancies.

Are all Adopt an Intern internships paid?

Yes, Adopt an Intern recognises that many, if not most, graduates are not in a position to work for free for months on end. You have all worked hard to gain your degrees and our experience has shown that interns benefit their employers immensely by bringing real value, enthusiasm and many fresh ideas into their internship. All our internships are paid at least the minimum wage last for at least 3 months at a minimum of 20/hrs per week.

What kind of graduate are you looking for?

The organisations/companies offering placements are looking for highly motivated graduates willing to commit at least 20 hrs a week for no less than 3 months. Some internships may have certain requirements such as proficient IT skills or specialist knowledge, but generally we welcome all applications that can demonstrate that the candidate possesses some of the necessary skills relevant to the vacancy.

I haven’t graduated yet, can I still apply?

Our internships are primarily aimed at graduates or current postgraduate students. While there is no formal requirement for you to have completed an undergraduate degree our experience has shown that employers are generally looking to take on graduates. We advertise new vacancies on a weekly basis and will have an interesting opportunity available for you when you come back to check closer to graduating!

Where can I find the internship vacancies?

For an up-to-date list of vacancies please visit our current opportunities page. You can also join our Facebook page and get regular updates on new internship opportunities in you newsfeed. We have a high turnover of vacancies so check back periodically as new internships come up on a weekly basis.

How can I apply?

If you find a suitable vacancy, follow the instructions on the advert. We usually only require you to fill out our (very short) online application form submitting a CV and a covering letter.

Can I apply for multiple internships?

Yes, please feel free to apply for any internship you are interested in, BUT please note that we require a tailored covering letter for each application. We cannot accept generic cover letters that do not address the requirements of the specific vacancy.

If you have had an internship through Adopt an Intern before you can still apply, but in the interest of fairness we can only allow candidates to complete 2 internships through the Adopt an Intern programme before becoming ineligible.

What happens after I apply?

The Adopt an Intern team sifts through all applications submitted for a vacancy after the closing date has expired and draws up a shortlist of candidates. The applications of shortlisted candidates are forwarded to the employing organisation and we recommend they are invited for interview. The employer makes a final decision on whom they wish to interview, but in a majority of cases all shortlisted candidates get the opportunity to attend an interview.

We know how frustrating it is for applicants to submit an application and never hear back from the employer. The Adopt an Intern team is committed to inform all applicants, successful and unsuccessful, of the outcome of their applications as soon as possible after the closing date.

I have been unsuccessful, can you provide feedback?

The Adopt an Intern team is happy for provide feedback on applications. Please feel free to contact us after you have received notification of your application outcome.

We also recently launched our Graduate E-Mentoring Tool, an invaluable resource providing