4 answers
Leabua
Student
Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
1
Question
Updated
1348 views
How do I find internships?
I want to begin doing Vacational Work in either Cape Town or Johannesburg. I'm a uni student. Looking for something in the realm of Insurance, Asset Management, Accounting or Investment Banking,
Login to comment
4 answers
Teklemuz Ayenew Tesfay
Electrical Engineer, Software Developer, and Career Mentor
520
Answers
Ethiopia
Updated
Teklemuz Ayenew’s Answer
To find an internship in Cape Town or Johannesburg in areas like insurance, asset management, accounting, or investment banking, start by using your university’s career services. Reach out to your professors and past students for guidance. Check job portals like LinkedIn, Indeed, Glassdoor, CareerJunction, PNet, Jobvine, Bizcommunity, Gumtree, Job Mail, Graduates24, and MyCareer for opportunities. Big companies like Standard Bank and Deloitte often list internships on their websites.
Be active on LinkedIn and attend events, meetups, and conferences to meet professionals in your field. Join groups like SAICA (South African Institute of Chartered Accountants) or ASISA (Association for Savings and Investment South Africa) for helpful advice and opportunities. Make sure your CV and cover letter fit each job you apply for, and apply early since popular internships can have early deadlines.
Also, think about summer internship programs and look at smaller firms or startups, which can offer great learning experiences. Best of luck!
Be active on LinkedIn and attend events, meetups, and conferences to meet professionals in your field. Join groups like SAICA (South African Institute of Chartered Accountants) or ASISA (Association for Savings and Investment South Africa) for helpful advice and opportunities. Make sure your CV and cover letter fit each job you apply for, and apply early since popular internships can have early deadlines.
Also, think about summer internship programs and look at smaller firms or startups, which can offer great learning experiences. Best of luck!
Adriana Predoiu
Sales Operation
6
Answers
Bucharest, Romania
Updated
Adriana’s Answer
Hi Leabua,
Finding internships in Cape Town or Johannesburg, especially in fields like Insurance, Asset Management, Accounting, or Investment Banking, is a great step to gain experience in your industry. Here are some guidelines:
University Career Services
Visit your university's career center: They may have listings for internships and vacation work, plus connections with companies in Cape Town.
1. Ask about career fairs: These are events where companies come to recruit students for internships.
2. Job Portals
Set up accounts on job platforms:
[Indeed South Africa](https://www.indeed.co.za)
[LinkedIn Jobs](https://www.linkedin.com/jobs)
[CareerJunction](https://www.careerjunction.co.za)
Search for specific roles:
Example: "Accounting Internship Cape Town" or "Investment Banking Vacation Work Cape Town"
Apply directly through the listings: Follow the instructions for submitting your CV and cover letter.
3. Company Websites
Go to company career pages and look for internship programs or vacation work
Insurance: Sanlam, Old Mutual, Discovery
Asset Management: Allan Gray, Investec
Accounting: PwC, Deloitte
Investment Banking: RMB, Standard Bank
Example:
1. Visit Sanlam's [Careers Page](https://www.sanlam.co.za/careers)
2. Find internships listed under “Student Programs”
3. Follow their process to apply
4. Internship Websites
Check websites like [Interns South Africa](https://www.interns.co.za) for a list of active internships.
Look for roles in your field (e.g., insurance, accounting, etc.) and follow the application process.
5. Networking
LinkedIn:
Create a professional profile and connect with industry professionals in Cape Town.
Search for “Internship” or “Vacation Work” and reach out to HR or hiring managers.
Send a short, polite message asking about opportunities.
Example message: “Hi [Name], I’m currently studying [your field] at [University] and looking for internship opportunities in [your field]. I’d love to connect and learn more about potential openings at [Company].”
6. Recruitment Agencies
Sign up with agencies like Michael Page or Robert Walters. Interns South Africa and GoAbroad often list opportunities.
After registration, they’ll match you with roles based on your field of study. They'll help with CV refinement and speed up the application process.
Final Steps:
Tailor Your CV: Customize it for each role, highlighting relevant coursework and skills.
Write a Cover Letter: Briefly explain why you're interested in the role and what skills you can bring.
Example:
For an accounting internship: Focus on Excel skills, any related projects or courses, and your interest in learning about financial management.
Stay Active:
Check for new listings weekly.
Follow up with companies you’ve applied to (usually after 1-2 weeks).
Good luck! You are on the right track!
Finding internships in Cape Town or Johannesburg, especially in fields like Insurance, Asset Management, Accounting, or Investment Banking, is a great step to gain experience in your industry. Here are some guidelines:
University Career Services
Visit your university's career center: They may have listings for internships and vacation work, plus connections with companies in Cape Town.
1. Ask about career fairs: These are events where companies come to recruit students for internships.
2. Job Portals
Set up accounts on job platforms:
[Indeed South Africa](https://www.indeed.co.za)
[LinkedIn Jobs](https://www.linkedin.com/jobs)
[CareerJunction](https://www.careerjunction.co.za)
Search for specific roles:
Example: "Accounting Internship Cape Town" or "Investment Banking Vacation Work Cape Town"
Apply directly through the listings: Follow the instructions for submitting your CV and cover letter.
3. Company Websites
Go to company career pages and look for internship programs or vacation work
Insurance: Sanlam, Old Mutual, Discovery
Asset Management: Allan Gray, Investec
Accounting: PwC, Deloitte
Investment Banking: RMB, Standard Bank
Example:
1. Visit Sanlam's [Careers Page](https://www.sanlam.co.za/careers)
2. Find internships listed under “Student Programs”
3. Follow their process to apply
4. Internship Websites
Check websites like [Interns South Africa](https://www.interns.co.za) for a list of active internships.
Look for roles in your field (e.g., insurance, accounting, etc.) and follow the application process.
5. Networking
LinkedIn:
Create a professional profile and connect with industry professionals in Cape Town.
Search for “Internship” or “Vacation Work” and reach out to HR or hiring managers.
Send a short, polite message asking about opportunities.
Example message: “Hi [Name], I’m currently studying [your field] at [University] and looking for internship opportunities in [your field]. I’d love to connect and learn more about potential openings at [Company].”
6. Recruitment Agencies
Sign up with agencies like Michael Page or Robert Walters. Interns South Africa and GoAbroad often list opportunities.
After registration, they’ll match you with roles based on your field of study. They'll help with CV refinement and speed up the application process.
Final Steps:
Tailor Your CV: Customize it for each role, highlighting relevant coursework and skills.
Write a Cover Letter: Briefly explain why you're interested in the role and what skills you can bring.
Example:
For an accounting internship: Focus on Excel skills, any related projects or courses, and your interest in learning about financial management.
Stay Active:
Check for new listings weekly.
Follow up with companies you’ve applied to (usually after 1-2 weeks).
Good luck! You are on the right track!
Chase Klepper
2
Answers
Updated
Chase’s Answer
Good Question! To find internships or vacation work in Cape Town or Johannesburg, start by checking your university’s career center and attending career fairs. Search local job boards like Careers24, PNet, and LinkedIn, and regularly visit the careers pages of major firms in your fields of interest. Reach out to professors, alumni, and professionals on LinkedIn for advice or referrals. Apply early, tailor your applications, and consider both structured vacation work and short-term projects. Networking and persistence are key—sometimes a personal connection can make all the difference. Best of luck!
Akanksha Chavan
Consulting
3
Answers
Tampa, Florida
Updated
Akanksha’s Answer
Hi Leabua!
It’s great to hear that you’re interested in gaining experience through vacation work or internships in Cape Town or Johannesburg! Most large companies in fields like Insurance, Asset Management, Accounting, and Investment Banking offer structured internship programs specifically for university students.
Here are a few tips to help you get started:
Research Internship Programs: Many companies post their summer internship opportunities on their careers pages. Start looking into the major firms in your areas of interest and check their websites for internship listings. Pay attention to application deadlines—many programs open several months before the internship period.
University Career Center: Your university’s career center is a fantastic resource. They can help you with your resume, guide you through the application process, and connect you with recruiters or alumni in your target industries.
Networking: Attend career fairs, company info sessions, and networking events organized by your university or student organizations. These are great opportunities to meet employers and learn more about available internships.
Online Platforms: Check job boards like LinkedIn, GradConnection, and your university’s job portal for internship postings in your preferred cities and fields.
Starting early and being proactive will give you the best chance of landing a great internship. Good luck with your search—if you need help with your resume or want tips for reaching out to companies, feel free to ask!
It’s great to hear that you’re interested in gaining experience through vacation work or internships in Cape Town or Johannesburg! Most large companies in fields like Insurance, Asset Management, Accounting, and Investment Banking offer structured internship programs specifically for university students.
Here are a few tips to help you get started:
Research Internship Programs: Many companies post their summer internship opportunities on their careers pages. Start looking into the major firms in your areas of interest and check their websites for internship listings. Pay attention to application deadlines—many programs open several months before the internship period.
University Career Center: Your university’s career center is a fantastic resource. They can help you with your resume, guide you through the application process, and connect you with recruiters or alumni in your target industries.
Networking: Attend career fairs, company info sessions, and networking events organized by your university or student organizations. These are great opportunities to meet employers and learn more about available internships.
Online Platforms: Check job boards like LinkedIn, GradConnection, and your university’s job portal for internship postings in your preferred cities and fields.
Starting early and being proactive will give you the best chance of landing a great internship. Good luck with your search—if you need help with your resume or want tips for reaching out to companies, feel free to ask!