The idea is that, by spending a certain period working in a particular environment, you get an idea of what goes on and how to do it. There may even be a certain amount of showing you the ropes, but as often as not an intern is a glorified teaboy or girl.

Still, an internship or trainee scheme especially a genuine one is not only useful work experience. Since they’re usually in high demand, it’s like having a neon sign on your CV: "I'm a goodun!".  It may even be a first step towards getting yourself a proper job with the organisation.

Best of all, they’re often paid not brilliantly, but what do you expect?

You may find them advertised in your university careers advice centre and there are guidebooks that list them (though the information is out of date almost before they hit the bookshops). Shell Step matches undergraduates up with business or technology projects in small and medium-sized companies.

Getting a place could involve an in-depth interview or even a series of interviews - especially if there’s a chance that they might end up giving you a job after graduation.

The big, corporate companies are always on the lookout for the next bright young thing, but it’s often a case of hundreds of applicants for every vacancy.

• Other avenues for work

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