Internship / Practical Excercise

The internship is paid employment that lasts 8 weeks. Students cooperate with each instructor supervisor during their exercise. At the end of the period they present the results of their practice to a specific open workshop of Internships.

Considering that the internship is an important part of higher education, as it is a way of linking theory with practice that contributes both to better exploit the knowledge and skills acquired by the students during their studies, and the easiest and most advantageous integration of graduates in the work market, the Practical Exercise of students of the Department of Marine Sciences aims:

(A) In relation to the educational process:

• in providing undergraduate studies linked to the actual needs of society and the economy,

• the effective assimilation of scientific knowledge through the process of professional scientific practice,

• cultivation of favorable conditions for the creative encounter of different disciplines and encouraging self-action and professional ingenuity of trainees,

• the integration of new trends and needs of the work market and the demand for specific disciplines and skills of graduates in courses offered by the Department.

(B) In connection with vocational guidance:

• to allow investigation of professional employment guidelines and related productive activities,

• to obtain a first experience related to the profession and to the enrichment of graduate CV,

• to familiarize students with the working environment and the demands of the workplace, as well as with working relations and the level of emoluments as shaped in Greek and European reality resulting in easier integration into the productions system,

• to highlight the skills of trainees and to develop professional consciousness,

• to possible future recruitment of graduates in institutions involved in the program.

(C) In relation to the promotion of relations between education/work market:

• the smoother transition of students from the educational process to the field of production, of enterprises and organizations,

• to create a two-way channel of information exchange between the Department and stakeholders in order to facilitate further cooperation,

• to establish mechanisms for monitoring and diagnosis of the changing profession market needs in scientific potential.

• The implementation of the Internship/Practical Exercise, consolidates the essential link between the educational process and the requirements-needs of the Operational/business environment through a process of feedback, while expanding and maintaining permanent relationships with stakeholders in the work market.

• Search for, analysis and synthesis of data and information, with the use of the necessary technology

• Adapting to new situations

• Decision-making  

• Team work

• Working in an interdisciplinary environment

• Respect for the natural environment

• Showing social, professional and ethical responsibility and sensitivity

• Production of free, creative and inductive thinking

The internship takes place during the summer months of July-August each year, since at that period students have no academic obligations, but there is also the possibility of internship in other periods upon consultation with the Departmental member in charge of the course. The duration of an internship is two (2) complete months. In any case it cannot last less than one (1) month.

In the context of the Practical Exercise, employment agencies should offer work positions that are associated with the cognitive and technological skills, which are promoted by the Department of Marine Sciences, with wide application and in the coastal and marine environment.

Therefore, students is planned to work in enterprises of private and public sector, operating in sectors related to the subject of their studies, such as Research institutes of Oceanography, Fisheries and Water Resources, public services (eg. Ministry of rural development), but also of the wider public sector, dealing with the environment, such as Municipalities, Prefectures, Regions and Development Companies, public companies, such as Electricity and water supply Companies, institutions of Wetland Management and coastal ecosystems, environmental education centers, etc., production companies such as aquaculture, fishing Cooperatives, private entities such as Companies for Environmental impact studies and Businesses devoted to Development, non-governmental environmental organizations, diving centers, etc.

For each student, the institution will provide an appropriate workstation (i.e., Office, PC, necessary software, or other necessary equipment), so that the trainee can meet obligations of the employment of subject assigned.

The Practical Exercise essentially comprises 3 stages:

1. Preparation for participation in the PE

• Registration for the course of PE

• Registration in the system ATLAS

• Search posts from prospective trainees and working with the career Office & Internships for information on available positions or for advice on the positions they find themselves

2. Performing the Internship

• Signing of a contract between the student-Institution-University

• Select subject based PE Supervisor

• Acquisition of insurance number & bank account for salary payment, completion of documents

• Completion of a questionnaire for the evaluation of the programme

• Signature of confirmation from the institution for the period of employment.

3. Examination & Conclusion of the process

• Cooperation with the supervisor, evaluation of the compulsory essay

• Oral presentation in open PE day meeting and rating

• Payment of Internships

The guide of Internship/Practical Exercise that is available in the webpage of the Department.