Estonia's students battle fierce competition for mandatory summer internships
University students in Estonia are facing fierce competition for mandatory summer internships. With limited placements and high demand, many struggle to secure positions before graduation. Personal connections often play a key role in helping applicants stand out in a crowded field. Ragne-Liis Mottus, a political science student at Tallinn University, experienced this challenge firsthand. After multiple rejections, she finally secured an internship at the Estonian Union for Child Welfare through personal contacts. She had spent considerable time tailoring cover letters for each application, only to receive little or no response.
Internships are compulsory for graduation in many degree programmes, forcing students with similar qualifications to compete for the same roles. Coop Pank, for example, received over 1,000 applications for just 16 internship spots, with business and data analysis being the most sought-after fields. Telia, another major employer, offered nearly 200 placements over three years—but attracted over 5,000 applicants.
Estonian law does not strictly regulate internship conditions, leaving pay unstandardised. Larger companies, however, tend to offer slightly above the minimum wage, with Telia’s interns earning between €800 and €1,200 gross per month. Despite the costs, businesses see structured internship programmes as a reliable way to recruit new talent and reduce hiring risks. For students like Mottus, securing an internship often depends on persistence and networking. Companies, meanwhile, treat these programmes as long-term investments in recruitment. Without clearer regulations, pay and conditions remain inconsistent, leaving students to navigate an uneven job market.
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