Internships

Geology students during an internship at Orlen Upstream in Warsaw.

Guide to professional internships during studies at the Institute of Geological Sciences

Bachelor’s, engineering and master’s degree programs at the Institute of Geological Sciences do not require mandatory internships. However, we recommend that our students undertake such internships as part of their studies – they provide an opportunity to gain initial professional experience and establish contacts with potential employers in the fields of geology, mining, and environmental protection.

Where to undertake internships?

Internships can be carried out in companies or public institutions with which the Institute of Geological Sciences has agreements for organizing internships, or in entities with which students can negotiate individually. In both cases, the formal conditions for organizing internships are the same.

IMPORTANT: Placements for internships with entities with which the Institute cooperates are limited. The allocation of an internship place is decided by the internship supervisor at the Institute of Geological Sciences. Information about free places is provided by the supervisor of student internships at the Institute. In the case of a higher number of applicants for a given place, referral to an internship is determined by the amount of the average of previously passed subjects at a given level of study.

Are internships documented in the course of studies?

Internships, although optional, are documented within the educational process. After completing an internship, students receive a certificate, and relevant information about the internship is included in supplements to the completion diplomas. However, this applies only to internships organized in agreement with the University. To achieve this, several formalities need to be fulfilled, which applies to internships organized both based on University agreements and those organized independently by the student.

IMPORTANT: Documenting internships as part of studies in geology or geological engineering only applies to internships closely related to the geological and mining industry. The internship program must include elements related to improving professional qualifications in geology, mining, or environmental protection. Programs that do not include these elements will not be accepted.

Both unpaid internships and paid internships will be recognized, with payment depending on the Employer’s decision.

Formal conditions for organizing internships

After completing the internship, the Student receives from the employer Certificate of Completion of Student Internship, which should be submitted to the university. All forms can be found by clicking on their links.

Who supervises the Intern?

A student undertaking an internship is under the supervision of internship coordinators appointed by the University and the Employer. On the university side, the coordinator is Dr. Stanisław Madej, the authorized representative of the Directorate of the Institute of Geological Sciences responsible for organizing student internships. On the side of the accepting company or institution, the employer designates the coordinator. The internship coordinator at the Institute reviews the Agreement for Conducting Student Internships Not Included in the Curriculum and the Internship Program. Both documents are then endorsed by the Vice-Dean for Student Affairs of the Faculty of Earth Sciences and Environmental Management.

The administrative support for internships is provided by the Dean’s Office of the Faculty of Earth Sciences and Environmental Management (Ms. Magdalena Skałecka).”

KGHM Students — Geology students during field exercises at the copper mine Lubin KGHM Polska Miedź S.A.

What insurance to choose?

Every student undertaking an internship is required to have a valid insurance coverage for the entire duration of the internship. Such insurance covers various situations, including learning, internships, as well as travel to and from the internship location. The Institute does not recommend any specific insurance company and leaves the choice to the students. These companies offer special accident insurance policies dedicated to internships.

What is the duration of internships?

The duration of internships is flexible, but it should align with the goals of the internship and allow the student to acquire necessary professional qualifications. Therefore, we recommend that internships last for a minimum of 3 weeks (15 working days), although they can also be longer.

IMPORTANT: Engaging in an internship during the academic term does not excuse a student from attending regular classes.

How to draw up the Internship Program?

The Internship Programis drawn up in consultation with the Employer and the Internship Supervisor at the Institute. It should include information about the tasks in which the Student will participate. These tasks may include:

Certificate — A graduate of the master’s program in Geological Engineering, Mateusz Leśniak, with a certificate of completion of an internship under the EIT Raw Materials program.

In terms of theoretical skills:
Occupational health and safety regulations and confidentiality policies; getting acquainted with the organization’s headquarters and (if applicable) affiliated branches; understanding the existing organizational structure and the interrelationships between units; studying the geographical scope of the branch’s operations, including competitive firms; understanding the principles of potential collaboration with external companies; learning about the scope of the organization’s activities, the list of tasks performed in various departments; familiarizing oneself with the research methods employed by the Employer; understanding document archiving procedures and circulation; learning the principles of report preparation; becoming acquainted with the specialized software available and used within the unit;

In terms of practical skills:
Observation and gradual involvement in assigned tasks related to the ongoing activities of the unit; geological research (e.g., deposits, engineering, geotechnics, natural and technological hazards – specify based on the internship’s theme); performing basic activities such as designing, establishing, and managing geological databases; conducting selected laboratory analyses; performing selected field observations and analyses (including sample collection); generating report components according to the standards applicable within the Employer’s organization.

The sample tasks described above are general in nature and should be specified based on the location where the student completes the internship. A Sample Internship Program is available here for reference.

What organizational responsibilities are imposed on a Student during the internship?

During the internship, the Student is bound by the organizational regulations of the organizational unit of the workplace they are currently completing their internship. In addition, it is the Student’s duty to abide by the Regulations of the Studies at the University of Wrocław, especially in terms of representing the University with dignity. These regulations define the the principles of disciplinary responsibility for the Student in case of any inappropriate behavior during the internship.

Who credits the completion of an internship at the University?

After completing the internship, the Student receives a Certificate of Internship from the employer, which must be submitted to the University. This Certificate along with Internship Program serve as the basis for crediting them, which is done by the Vice-Dean for Student Affairs of the Faculty of Earth Sciences and Environmental Management.The Certificate must be submitted to the Dean’s Office of the Faculty after completing the internship.

IMPORTANT: In order for the internship to be included in the supplement to the first or second level Diploma, the Certificate of Internship and other documents related to the internship must be submitted at the latest together with the documents confirming the Student’s readiness for the final examination (including clearance slip, additional information for the supplement).

Where can a medical certificate be obtained?

Note! Please be advised that students undertaking internship requiring a medical certificate or assessment of their fitness to undertake an internship can obtain such a document at one of the facilities providing free services in this regard. A list of these facilities can be found at (external link). To be eligible for a free occupational health examination, a referral must be obtained, which is issued by the Dean’s Office of our Faculty.