インターン

• Reading: インターン
• Romaji: intān
• Kanji breakdown: From English 'intern' → インターン (shortened from インターンシップ)
• Pronunciation: /iɴ.taːɴ/

Meaning

An internship at a company, typically done by university students as part of job hunting activities.

インターン (short for インターンシップ) has become a crucial part of Japanese 就活 (job hunting). While traditionally Japanese hiring relied on mass recruitment of new graduates (新卒一括採用), internships have grown rapidly since the 2010s. They range from one-day company visits to month-long working experiences. Some companies effectively use internships as early recruitment, with good performers receiving 内定 (unofficial offers) ahead of the official hiring season.

Examples

1. サマーインターンに応募したけど、倍率高くて落ちた。 I applied for a summer internship, but the competition was fierce and I didn't get in.
2. インターンで行った会社の雰囲気が良くて、そのまま志望企業にした。 The company I interned at had such a great vibe that I made it my top choice.
3. インターンって無給のところ多いけど、交通費くらいは出してほしい。 A lot of internships are unpaid, but they should at least cover transportation costs.

Usage Guide

Context: job hunting, university, career planning

Tone: practical, career-focused

Do Say

• インターン参加しとくと就活で有利になるよ。 (Doing internships gives you an advantage in job hunting.)
• インターン先でそのまま内定もらえるケースもあるらしいよ。 (Apparently some people get job offers directly from their internship company.)

Don't Say

• 「インターンなんて意味ない」は就活に真剣な学生を否定する (Saying 'internships are pointless' dismisses students who are serious about their careers)

Common Mistakes

• Assuming Japanese internships are like Western ones — many are very short (1-5 days), more like company tours or workshops than actual work experience

Origin & History

From English 'internship,' shortened to インターン in Japanese. While internships existed earlier in limited forms, they became mainstream in Japanese job hunting culture in the 2010s.

Cultural Context

Era: 2010s mainstream adoption

Generation: University students (3rd-4th year)

Social background: Universal among university job-seekers

Regional notes: Used across all of Japan. Major companies in Tokyo and Osaka offer the most competitive internship programs.