The Internship and Practicum process at the Universidad de La Guajira is characterized by its focus on the integral development of students, preparing them to successfully face the challenges of the working world. This process is divided into three fundamental stages: Registration and Formalization, where the management of vacancies, advice on the application and careful evaluation of applications are carried out; Development and Follow-up, which involves affiliation to the ARL, induction into the organization and constant monitoring; and Final Evaluation, where the student's performance is evaluated and a certificate is issued. In addition, the formalization of agreements with public and private institutions is encouraged, and practical advice is provided to trainees through an e-learning section. This comprehensive approach reflects the University of La Guajira's commitment to the formation of highly trained professionals ready to make a significant contribution to their future careers.
Requirements for internships and apprenticeships at University de La Guajira
In order to carry out internships and practicums at our institution, you must comply with certain requirements established according to the type of internship or practicum you wish to perform. First, you must submit a formal application or registration of the internship or academic internship to the corresponding academic authority, either the Internship Coordinator or the Faculty Council. Procedures vary according to the type of internship:
- Academic internships: These are registered with the coordinator assigned by the respective program.
- Internships or practicums with a degree option: You must notify the Academic Secretary by submitting a specific resume for internships, a certificate of admissions and a record indicating that you have completed and passed all required academic semesters. The Faculty will then forward these documents, along with a cover letter, to the institution or organization offering the opportunity.
Once the documents have been submitted to the corresponding Academic Secretary, if you meet the requirements, you must submit an application to the Faculty Council, following the provisions of agreement 010 of 2019, along with other defined requirements. If the modality is approved, the internship or practicum coordinator designated by the program will be formally notified, and will proceed with the internship or practicum report, follow-up and assignment of a faculty evaluator. Finally, the final report will be submitted to the Faculty Council with the approval of the internship coordinator and the co-director, who is usually the intern's supervisor or mentor.
Academic internships: These are registered with the coordinator assigned by the respective program.
Process of assigning the intern or trainee to the institution or organization to carry out academic or professional internships.
The assignment process of the intern or trainee in the institution or organization is developed as follows:
Beginning of the location process:
- Once the student has met all the established requirements, the placement process is initiated through Talento EAFIT.
- It is important to inform your EAFIT Talent Advisor about your interest in doing an internship or practicum and obtain the corresponding approval.
- Personal contacts for this process must be handled with seriousness and loyalty to your colleagues. The resume must be in the format provided by EAFIT.
Process of joining the organization:
- Each student must personally find out from the organization where he/she will be doing the internship what documents and exams he/she needs to take for admission.
- The organization will provide specific instructions for the bonding process.
- Es importante mencionar que, en algunos casos, a los hombres se les puede requerir presentar la libreta militar como parte de los documentos necesarios para la vinculación.
This process ensures that students are properly prepared and linked to the organization where they will perform their academic or professional internships in accordance with established procedures.
To work with state-owned companies, a certificate of good conduct issued by the Departmental Attorney General's Office is required.
Specific requirements for the development of internships according to institutional guidelines
- Students eligible for academic or professional internships must comply with the requirements established by the institution. This includes participation in the induction or preparation for the internship, affiliation to labor risks and delivery of documents necessary to formalize the internship. It should be noted that students with at least 1 year of accreditable work experience may be exempt from the induction, presenting the corresponding labor certificates.
- The minimum requirement for academic internships is to be enrolled academically and financially in the semester corresponding to the development of the internship, within the dates established in the academic calendar of the University.
- To apply for professional internships as a degree modality, the student must have passed all the subjects of the study plan or be taking 1 to 2 subjects of the last semester and be in the third evaluation period at the time of application.
- The participants in the institutional internship include the internship center, the student, the internship coordinator or teacher, the external supervisor and the Academic Units.
- It is necessary to pass the selection process required by the organization where the internship will take place.
- The formalization of the academic or professional internship is achieved when the student complies with the institutional guidelines related to the type of internship requested and registered.
- Identifying student eligibility is crucial for students to be able to apply for internship opportunities advertised at the university.
- The institution or organization must issue a formal document (such as a letter of acceptance, contract, minutes, resolution, among others) that certifies the student's engagement for the development of the internship, in line with their training profile and institutional requirements.
- The development of the internship must comply with the hours required by each academic program, without exceeding a period of 6 calendar months.
- The modalities allowed for internships are face-to-face, virtual or hybrid, adapting to the needs established by the organizations in part-time or full-time shifts, as appropriate to the student or graduate, without affecting the fulfillment of their academic and institutional obligations.
- The internship coordinator or teacher per program will provide advice and follow-up to the internships carried out by the student.
- The supervisor of the institution or organization will issue an evaluation of the internship performed by the student.
- At the conclusion of the internship, the student must present to the university a letter of certification indicating the completion of the hours required by the academic program.
- In addition, the student will submit a report of the internship, highlighting the impact generated or the contributions to the institution or organization during its development.
Contracting modalities
Apprenticeship Contract: Includes the payment of the Health Promoting Entity (EPS) and the Labor Risks Administration (ARL).
Paid Internship: This modality also includes the payment of the ARL. The student continues as a beneficiary of his or her parents or becomes a contributor to the EPS. The labor contract associated with this modality includes all benefits and affiliations required by law.
Unpaid Internship: This modality is selected taking into account the specific opportunities it offers for the student, such as internships at Embassies, Consulates and with the National Government.
Any other internship modality must be previously known and approved by Talento EAFIT.
Step by step to apply for internships and apprenticeships
1. Make an Application
Types of internships and apprenticeships
Academic, Curricular and Pedagogical Practices: These internships are integrated into the study plan and are mandatory for the student. They consist of a set of activities that the student performs during a specific period in an institution or organization, whether public or private, at a territorial, national or international level. The purpose of these internships is to strengthen the student's formative competencies by complementing and confronting their knowledge, skills and abilities with the reality of an organization.
Professional, Business or Degree Option Internships: This type of internship involves the student performing functions in an organization, whether public or private, for a determined period of time. Its main objective is to consolidate the student's training competencies, providing him/her with the opportunity to complement and put into practice his/her professional knowledge, skills and abilities in the real context of an organization.
Judiciary: The judiciary involves putting into practice the theoretical knowledge acquired at the University of La Guajira. Students who opt for this modality exercise positions or perform activities related to their future profession in public or private entities. This modality is reserved exclusively for students of the Law Program.
National or International Internship: This is a research or social projection activity that provides the student with a field experience in a specific environment. Here, students have the opportunity to apply their knowledge, exchange information and contribute to the solution of problems related to their professional profile. Within the Universidad de La Guajira, students can opt for one of the following types of internships:
Community Internship (Social Work and/or Volunteering): The student contributes, through his/her professional competencies, to the solution of problems in a particular community.
Research Internship: The student is part of a research group, working under the direction of a professor belonging to a research group. Their objective is to acquire research skills and understand the cultural and organizational dynamics of a research niche, both in the country and abroad.
Organizational Internship: The student applies his or her professional competencies to solve specific problems in a public or private organization or institution, generating added value.
Requirements to apply for internships and apprenticeships:
1. Make an Application
Types of Internships and Internships
Academic, Curricular and Pedagogical Practices: These internships are integrated into the study plan and are mandatory for the student. They consist of a set of activities that the student performs during a specific period in an institution or organization, whether public or private, at a territorial, national or international level. The purpose of these internships is to strengthen the student's formative competencies by complementing and confronting their knowledge, skills and abilities with the reality of an organization.
Professional, Business or Degree Option Internships: This type of internship involves the student performing functions in an organization, whether public or private, for a determined period of time. Its main objective is to consolidate the student's training competencies, providing him/her with the opportunity to complement and put into practice his/her professional knowledge, skills and abilities in the real context of an organization.
Judiciary: The judiciary involves putting into practice the theoretical knowledge acquired at the University of La Guajira. Students who opt for this modality exercise positions or perform activities related to their future profession in public or private entities. This modality is reserved exclusively for students of the Law Program.
National or International Internship: This is a research or social projection activity that provides the student with a field experience in a specific environment. Here, students have the opportunity to apply their knowledge, exchange information and contribute to the solution of problems related to their professional profile. Within the Universidad de La Guajira, students can opt for one of the following types of internships:
Community Internship (Social Work and/or Volunteering): The student contributes, through his/her professional competencies, to the solution of problems in a particular community.
Research Internship: The student is part of a research group, working under the direction of a professor belonging to a research group. Their objective is to acquire research skills and understand the cultural and organizational dynamics of a research niche, both in the country and abroad.
Organizational Internship: The student applies his or her professional competencies to solve specific problems in a public or private organization or institution, generating added value.
Requisitos para Postularse a Convocatorias de Prácticas y Pasantías:Presentar una carta de postulación emitida por la autoridad competente en la Facultad.
Stages in the process of institutional internships and practicums at UNIGUAJIRA
Registration or formalization of internships and/or apprenticeships
This initial stage covers the awareness, management and formal registration of the practices, with the participation of all those involved. It includes the following actions:
- Preparation prior to the start of the internship and dissemination of current agreements.
- Management of positions in collaboration with the external sector through strategic alliances, identification of calls for proposals and self-management by the student.
- Advice on the application process for academic internships/option to degree before the corresponding Faculty Council.
- Design and promotion of internal and external calls for proposals.
- Validation of the requirements and relevance of the profile in relation to the available positions.
- Verification of requests made by host institutions/organizations or renewal of agreements.
- Approval or disapproval of applications.
Development and follow-up of internships and/or apprenticeships
Una vez que el estudiante recibe la notificación sobre su asignación como practicante, se procede de la siguiente manera:
- Delivery of a letter of approval or disapproval of the application.
- Follow-up of affiliation or disaffiliation with the ARL (Labor Risks Administrator).
- Presentation to the supervisor at the institution/organization for induction, which includes familiarization with the area or department, the functions to be performed, the duration of the internship and other necessary actions.
- Verification of the plan of activities assigned to the intern.
Final evaluation of internships and/or apprenticeships
This stage involves a process of control and adequate management of the development of the internship by the students, in line with the fulfillment of the work plan. The following activities are carried out:
- Scheduling of follow-ups, such as weekly meetings (either virtual or face-to-face) with the intern, visits to the institutions/organizations and meetings with the mentor or internship supervisor.
- Report of news related to the fulfillment or non-fulfillment of the internship in the institution/organization.
- Documentation of follow-ups through institutional formats.
- Request for final report, evaluation and delivery of a certificate detailing the development of the internship, the hours validated and the name of the institution that endorses it.
- In the case of internships with degree option, the student must submit a final report in accordance with the stipulations of agreement 010 of 2019 and other requirements of the program, as well as defend it once it is approved by the director and the evaluators of the report.
Internship and internship agreements:
At the University of La Guajira, internships and practicums are formalized by signing agreements with public or private institutions/organizations at the local, national and international levels. There are exceptions for institutions that, due to their policies and regulations, are exempted from signing agreements but still offer internship positions. These agreements are fundamental for the design and development of a plan of academic activities of the student in the receiving institution, and here are compiled all the internship agreements established by the University of La Guajira.