What an internship actually is

An internship is a fixed-term work-experience placement for someone who already holds a qualification. Unlike a learnership, it does not award a new qualification — its purpose is to convert a certificate, diploma or degree into the experience that entry-level adverts keep asking for. In the public service these run for a set term and are generally not renewable.

What the work actually looks like

You are placed in a specific unit under a named supervisor and given the unit's ordinary work, at a junior level.
Most of the learning is by assignment rather than instruction: you are handed a real task, given the file, and expected to ask.
Many programmes require a workplace report or a supervisor evaluation at the end, which is what your certificate of service is based on.

What you leave with

Documented work experience and a certificate of service — the thing that lets you answer "experience required" on the next application. No new qualification is awarded.

Where this leads next

Junior or entry-level post
Completing the internship and applying as an experienced candidate rather than a graduate.
Fixed-term contract post
Often the realistic next step in government, where permanent posts are advertised less frequently.
Permanent appointment
Competing successfully for an advertised post — internships rarely convert automatically.

A typical route, not a guarantee — progression depends on vacancies, funding and your own performance.

Watch out for this

Government internships are usually once-only: having completed one, you may be ineligible for another. Check the advert's exclusion clause before applying if you have interned before.