Internship in Japan: What are the Differences Between Summer and Winter Internships?

Internships are mostly held in summer (July~September) and winter (December~February). They are usually similar in length and content but have different objectives and results.

Similarities:

• Short internships (read about it in this article) held for 1-5 days.
• Activities include company tours, information sessions, advice from employees, group or individual projects, and feedbacks.
• A great way to connect with employees and make a lasting impression.

Differences:

Summer internships

These attract highly motivated students who are trying to explore as many companies as possible. Because of this, companies aim to invite as many students and focus on introducing their culture and work. Therefore, the program includes simple workshops and information sessions.

→ [Strategy] Attend as many to
1. explore companies
2. practice ES and interviews

Apply to a wide variety of industries. You don’t know what you might like!

Winter internships

Internships in the winter are considered as the stage zero of the real recruitment process. These are held right before shukatsu starts (Learn more about the shukatsu timeline here). So students tend to take part in the internships of companies they really want to apply to. Companies, too, evaluate the participants as potential employees and aim to attract 本選考エントリー applications. In addition, many lead directly to a job offer!

You can get benefits such as:
• No ES (Entry sheet) submission
• Skip the first round of interviews
• Favorable recommendations

→ [Strategy] Apply to your dream company to increase your chances of getting hired!