The External Internships course is integrated into the curriculum as a learning experience designed to immerse students in a professional environment through a company placement. This experience allows students to apply the knowledge acquired during their studies and develop key competencies in real work settings.
The course provides students with the opportunity to further expand their experience in professional environments and increase their number of curricular internship hours.
It also contributes to the development of the student’s professional profile and prepares them for their transition into the labour market.
Titular Professors
Not required.
The aim of this course is to support the student’s progressive integration into the professional environment, enabling them to apply the knowledge and skills acquired during their degree in real-world contexts and to gain practical experience in workplace settings.
It also seeks to provide insight into how the labour market operates and the professional dynamics of the sector, while contributing to the development of the student’s professional profile through practical experience. At the same time, it reinforces key competencies such as problem-solving, communication and teamwork.
The course content is structured around the internship placement in a company, which constitutes the core of the learning process. These contents are flexible and are adapted to the training plan agreed with the host organisation, the student’s area of specialisation, and the specific requirements of the internship position. Within this framework, the following areas are developed:
1. Professional activity in the workplace
1.1. Carrying out tasks and participating in projects in real professional environments.
1.2. Applying the knowledge acquired during the degree in practical contexts.
1.3. Developing professional competencies, including problem-solving and teamwork.
1.4. Understanding how organisations operate and the dynamics of the sector.
2. Integration into the professional environment
2.1. Understanding the structure and functioning of the organisation.
2.2. Adapting to work dynamics, roles and professional responsibilities.
2.3. Developing professional attitudes such as responsibility, autonomy and commitment.
3. Reflection on the professional experience
3.1. Analysing the tasks carried out and the learning outcomes achieved.
3.2. Identifying developed competencies and areas for improvement.
3.3. Linking academic training with practical experience.
This direct immersion enables students to consolidate their learning, strengthen their professional skills, and facilitate their transition from university to the labour market.
The methodology of the course is based on an active and experiential approach focused on immersing students in a real professional environment through external company placements. This approach enables students to apply the knowledge acquired during their studies and supports the development of professional competencies in real work contexts.
Learning is primarily driven by the student’s active participation in the host organisation’s activities and projects, as well as through interaction with industry professionals and integration into real workplace dynamics. This facilitates the acquisition of practical experience and the progressive development of professional skills.
In addition, the methodology incorporates ongoing monitoring and reflection on the experience, through the preparation of the internship report and related activities. These allow students to analyse their learning, identify the competencies they have developed, and establish connections with their academic training.
This integrated approach promotes practical, reflective, and professionally oriented learning, supporting students in their transition from university to the labour market.
The assessment of the course is aligned with the learning objectives and is based on the completion of an internship in an external company. The final grade is determined based on the following components:
1. Internship placement (100%)
- Internship performance (70%)
- Final report (15%)
- Oral presentation of the final report (15%)
To pass the course, students must obtain a minimum grade of 5/10 in all highly significant assessment activities and meet the established requirements.
These criteria guide the assessment of the different activities in the course, considering both the application of knowledge in real-world contexts and the student’s development within a professional environment, as well as their ability to analyse and communicate their internship experience. The following aspects will be assessed in each section:
1. Internship placement
- The extent to which the student applies the knowledge and competencies acquired during the degree in a real professional context.
- The level of autonomy, responsibility, and initiative shown in carrying out assigned tasks.
- The ability to adapt to the work environment and integrate into team dynamics.
- Professional attitude, commitment, and quality of the work performed.
- Problem-solving ability in real-life situations.
2. Final report
- The ability to clearly and coherently describe and structure the internship experience.
- The level of critical reflection on the tasks carried out and the learning achieved.
- The quality of the content and the ability to link the experience with academic training.
- Clarity, organisation, and accuracy in written communication.
- The ability to synthesise information and identify what is most relevant.
3. Oral presentation of the final report
- Communication skills, both verbal and non-verbal.
- Structure and clarity of the presentation.
- Ability to synthesise the content presented.
- Ability to clearly convey learning outcomes and experience.
- Ability to respond to questions in a structured and well-argued manner.
The following bibliography is intended to complement the student’s practical experience and support reflection on professional development and the labour market context.
Self-awareness
- Dweck, C. S. (2016). Mindset: La actitud del éxito. Ediciones Paidós.
- Goleman, D. (1995). Inteligencia emocional. Kairós.
Personal branding
- Pérez Ortega, A. (2014). Marca personal para Dummies. Planeta.
- Collado Durán, E. (2016). Marca eres tú. Rasche.
Career planning
- Ruiz, A. (2018). El mapa de tu talento. Alienta Editorial.
- Robinson, K. (2009). Encuentra tu elemento. Grijalbo.
Labour market
- Oppenheimer, A. (2018). ¡Sálvese quien pueda! El futuro del trabajo en la era de la automatización. Debate.
- Martínez-Barea, J. (2014). El mundo que viene. Plataforma Editorial.
In addition to the core bibliography, the following resources are recommended in order to broaden and deepen the course contents:
- La Salle’s Career Center, as the main platform for searching internship and employment opportunities, as well as for accessing resources that support professional development.
- Professional platforms such as LinkedIn, for developing personal branding, networking, and professional visibility.
- Salary reports and labour market studies, especially in the technology sector.
- Resources and materials provided by La Salle’s Professional Development Center.
- As well as the possibility of requesting career guidance sessions to receive support in defining one’s profile and searching for internships.