State employer agencies offer a wide range of internship opportunities each year for students from various fields. Interns get to engage in meaningful work that supports their studies and professional development. Internship positions are available for students in law, business, economics, engineering, communications, and administrative sciences. Increasingly, opportunities are also offered in IT, cybersecurity, and sustainable development, reflecting the evolving needs of today’s working life.

The state invests in guidance and provides comprehensive orientation not only to the agency’s own operations but also to shared themes across the state.
A new free online training course allows students to explore the roles and responsibilities within state administration even before starting their internship. Read more about the training on the Government’s website (in Finnish) (article: Explore the functions and tasks of the state in a new online course ).

Internship durations vary depending on the position and needs, with the longest internships lasting up to 6 months. It is often possible to complete a thesis for the state, subject to separate agreement with the respective agency.

Internship positions are available year-round, with most taking place during the summer. The busiest application period is early in the year. Most internship opportunities can be found on the Valtiolle.fi website, where positions can be filtered by selecting 'Intern' as the job level.

Agencies may also advertise internships through university and university of applied sciences job portals. Additionally, ministries such as the Ministry for Foreign Affairs offer dozens of internship opportunities annually for students from various fields.

State employers actively participate in various recruitment events and fairs. Sometimes an individual agency is present, and sometimes a joint team represents the state. At these events, students and jobseekers can meet agency representatives, receive up-to-date information about open positions and internship opportunities, and network with professionals in the field.

State agencies are strongly involved in events such as the Contact Forum recruitment fair, held annually at Messukeskus in Helsinki.
This event is Finland’s largest recruitment and career fair for university students, where employers present their job and internship opportunities.

Follow us on social media and come meet our experts at the Valtiolle.fi stand at recruitment fairs – let’s talk about what it’s like to work for the state!