How important are these professionals to the corporate world? The once so-used phrase “it's the intern's fault” no longer makes sense. The intern, as well as several other positions, has been evolving, and companies need, even more, the futuristic, creative and daring look of these young people. In August 1982, the intern day was created. Although the decree was revoked in 2019, the date continues to be celebrated on August 18.

But after all, the first contact with the corporate world usually comes through the internship, right? The internship is one of the most important stages in every student's life: it is there that young people begin to shape their professional profile, acquiring valuable knowledge for their future careers. Therefore, this stage is essential for the student not only to acquire experience, but also to deal with situations that can only be experienced in the work environment.

This perception of the position, when positive, tends to bear many fruits. This is the case of Conceição Bernardo, 57 years old, property management and governance manager, who began her career as an intern at Albras, in 1985, in the tax area in Belém. She continued in this role until 1986, when she graduated in Law from the Federal University of Pará (UFPA). In 1987, she joined the company. Since then, she has worked in different areas and sectors, such as property, contracts and human resources. In 2011, she took over the governance area and, in 2016, the property management, being a manager until today, at the Albras unit in Barcarena.

“At the time I joined, there was still no law regulating the internship, but Albras was at the forefront of the process. I learned a lot during this period, especially about the corporate world. It was my first job with a formal contract and I remain in it to this day, because everyone's dedication, respect, and the company's values ​​motivated me to continue and reach greater heights”, emphasizes Conceição.

“Talento Infinito”

Hydro's internship program, “Talento Infinito”, a partner of the Evaldo Lodi Institute (IEL), which is part of the "S" System, aims to promote School-Company interaction, through its various programs, including the supervised internship for students. The program was structured with the aim of effectively contributing to the development of young people, including training, mentoring mentors, monthly meetings with HR and podcasts. The interns also develop group improvement projects along their trajectory within Hydro. The last process took place in March this year, when 71 students from different areas were selected, and the next one is scheduled for 2024. In addition to the internship program, Hydro invests in the development of young talents through programs aimed at apprentices and trainees.

“We have many examples of employees who started at the company as interns. Hydro's plan for our intern's career is to help his or her development. Therefore, it is important to give them the right tools so that they are able to train, study and learn. This process also involves our values: Care, Courage and Collaboration. We invest a lot and believe in the development of new talents, as these interns could be the future managers of our company. We seek to develop these professionals both technically and in the behavioral part”, says Nélia DaLapa, director of Human Resources and Communication at Hydro Bauxita & Alumina.

Another employee who started his story at the company as an intern was Rodrigo Commar, 41 years old, with a degree in materials engineering. Today, he is the plant director of the Precision and Extruded Tubes business unit in Tubarão, Santa Catarina. He was an intern from 2003 to 2004 and, in 2005, he joined the extrusion unit in Itu (SP), in the processes and qualities department, as a professional, in the position of junior process engineer. “I have always lived in rural areas, my father worked in the fields and my mother was a teacher. So she worked on the farm. This was my first opportunity to work with a formal contract and in the industry”, says Rodrigo.

In 2007, he went to Denmark and spent 3 months learning about different processes at Hydro and when he returned he took over the production coordination role. He went through several other management positions until he took over the manufacturing direction of the Itu plant in 2015. In 2019, he assumed his current position in Tubarão.

Recognition

Hydro's internship program has already received second place in the IEL Internship Award, in the large company category, recognition for maintaining the best practices in attracting, developing and retaining interns.

For the intern to grow in a company, it is important that he actively participate in the routine, processes and projects in his area, with the aim of enhancing his development and complementing the theoretical knowledge acquired in universities. “Our interns are a very important part of Hydro's future. Therefore, it is our objective to offer a work contract to interns who have successfully completed their apprenticeship, depending on the opportunity”, concludes Nelia.

What you need to know about Hydro's internship program:

• Each intern will receive a tutor, who will be responsible for monitoring them and helping them in their development;
• The internship can last from 1 to 2 years;
• Expected competences: communication, interpersonal relationship and technology orientation;
• Vacations: after the internship completes a duration equal to or greater than one year, a 30-day vacation is mandatory;
• Scholarship payment: without a floor or ceiling;
• Transport allowance: especially when the internship is not mandatory;
• Maximum workloads: the maximum internship workloads can vary, being 20, 30 or even 40 hours per week. The agreement is signed between the educational institution, the student and the company with the internship commitment term.

Why do an internship?

• More solid contact with your area;
• Get to know the chosen profession closely;
• Self knowledge;
• Experience in the job market;
• Interaction with other professions;
• Start building the network.