Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Peoples'Friendship University of Russia
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
One of the main questions that concerns students at any university is how to gain their first professional experience before completing their studies. At RUDN University, this process is structured systematically, from choosing an internship to potential employment.
Over 1000 partners and clear selection criteria
Selecting an internship site is the responsibility of academic departments and departments. The Internship and Graduate Employment Support Department serves as the link between the academic environment and the labor market.
"Currently, the university's database of permanent partners in the field of practical training comprises over 1,000 organizations. This number is constantly growing thanks to the joint efforts of academic departments and our department. We monitor graduate employment, identify priority organizations for placement, and build relationships with partners to conclude contracts," says Elena Dmitrieva, Head of the Department for Internship Organization and Graduate Employment Support at RUDN University.
The university's partners include SBER, Zhukovsky Machine-Building Plant, Ingosstrakh, Mosenergo, Samolet Group of Companies, Technopolis Moscow, and other large enterprises, clinics, government agencies, and departments.
"We've developed specific criteria for selecting priority companies: having over 250 employees or being a leader in various rankings, including industry rankings. Focusing on these companies ensures that students gain internships in cutting-edge production facilities and strong teams, which directly impacts their competitiveness after graduation," says Elena Dmitrieva.
Marketplace of practice bases
Students can also choose a company that doesn't yet have an agreement with RUDN University but is willing to offer internships, or that is already working for the company in their future major. To do this, students must submit a request with their proposal on the "Internship Database Marketplace" through their personal student account. The application is then submitted to the faculty for review and approval.
"After approval by the internship supervisor, if the organization matches the specific student's training profile and can provide the necessary skills in accordance with the internship program, an agreement is concluded with the enterprise," says Elena Dmitrieva.
Incidentally, an internship a student has already completed or is currently undergoing may also be counted as practical training if it aligns with the content of their educational program and the specific practical training program. Internship and practical training: what's the difference? These concepts are often confused. But there is a difference. An internship is, first and foremost, an academic discipline. Its main goal is to consolidate theoretical knowledge and develop basic professional skills. It is a mandatory part of the curriculum, with a specific program, deadlines, assignments, and a report format.
"An internship is primarily a form of professional adaptation or testing during employment. Its purpose is to provide an opportunity to immerse yourself in the work environment, master specific procedures, or test yourself as a potential employee. An internship is not a mandatory element of the curriculum. Unfortunately, not all companies offer internships, and often interested students must search for suitable options themselves," says Elena Dmitrieva.
However, some partner companies offer internships for our students: VTB, Aeroflot, RWB (Wildberries), Avangard-Agro, DOM.RF, the Bank of Russia, Ozon, and VK. Successful completion of an internship gives students the chance to join the company's talent pool or even become full-time employees.
Students can also interact with HR professionals from dozens of companies, receive career development advice, learn about paid internships, attend master classes and lectures from leading labor market experts, and even receive a job offer at regular RUDN University Job Fairs and Career Weeks.
Opportunities for international students
RUDN University has many international students. They are not required to undertake internships in Russia. They can complete them in another country, including their home country. The key requirement is that the internship meets the requirements of the student's RUDN University program.
"In the 2024–2025 academic year alone, 134 RUDN international students successfully completed internships in countries across Asia (China, Vietnam, Thailand, Mongolia, Bangladesh, Myanmar), Africa (Zimbabwe, Congo, Morocco, Benin), the Middle East (Libya, Syria), and Latin America (Peru, Bolivia)," says Elena Dmitrieva.
To organize such practices, the university works not only with commercial companies, but also at the diplomatic level.
"Last year, we signed 24 agreements with foreign embassies in Moscow, as well as long-term agreements with the Embassy of the Plurinational State of Bolivia and the Embassy of the Republic of Benin," says Elena Dmitrieva.
From practice to diploma and work
Successful internships often become the basis for coursework and theses, and sometimes even the launch of a career.
"Each contract includes a clause regarding possible employment following the internship, which allows the student, if successful, to apply for a vacant position within the organization. Such cases are recorded in the reports of the academic departments," says Elena Dmitrieva.
The Directorate regularly conducts surveys of employers.
"We're exploring our partners' interest in hiring RUDN students for internships, how their skills match labor market demands, and whether they're willing to hire future specialists. The survey results show that many of our partners view internships as an effective recruiting tool for future employees," says Elena Dmitrieva.
Career Start: Student Stories
The students themselves are the best ones to explain how the system works from the inside. For Daria Voronina, a fourth-year student in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (Arts and Humanities major), the internship was not just a learning experience, but a springboard into a professional career.
Daria completed two internships: in her third and fourth years. Her program focused on cultural management, and her choice of internship locations fully reflected this.
"The first internship offered largely this experience—a deep dive into issues of patronage, curatorial work, and creative projects. The second time, interns were offered a choice of areas within the organization's work, and I chose a field more closely related to museum work," says Daria Voronina.
Both times, she chose from organizations offered by the department. And in both cases, she encountered a diversity of tasks that would be hard to imagine from a desk.
"The interns' responsibilities are limited to studying the work of the department to which we are assigned. We primarily studied the legal framework for the organization's operations and provided ad hoc assistance with projects the department was currently working on. However, the range of responsibilities is quite broad. For example, at Global University by Rybakov, we were involved in tour activities, event organization and coordination, and even graphic design. A year later, I was able to participate in researching scientific materials for an exhibition project and in the functioning of the museum's storage facilities at the Zotov Center," says Daria Voronina.
Daria assigns a special role to mentors. According to her, the internship supervisor (usually the head of the department to which the student is assigned) not only coordinates the internship and assigns assignments, but also provides their "mentees" with information and sources that the intern might have missed or simply not known about.
For Daria, the main outcome of her internship was an understanding of the organization's systemic functioning. She also made an unexpected discovery: which university courses proved most useful.
"Sometimes you can be surprised by which courses will prove useful to you in the future. For me, those courses weren't the classic theoretical ones, but rather the more practical ones, 'Museum Studies' and 'Art and Law,'" says Daria Voronina.
In 2025, Daria received a job offer from her internship base and is now working there. She is another fourth-year student in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Taisiya Sviridova completed her internship at two iconic places for any humanities student: the Victory Museum (industrial internship, 3rd year) and the Tretyakov Gallery (professional internship, 4th year).
"The department provided the spots, and then, based on personal preferences, the choice was made," says Taisiya Sviridova.
The experience at the two museums was different, but equally valuable. During her internship, her duties were limited to coordinating, accompanying, and assisting with the registration of participants and guests at museum events, as well as conducting preventative inspections of the building.
"During my professional internship at the Tretyakov Gallery, my responsibilities included studying the department's internal workings and assisting staff in preparing exhibition projects at various stages," says Taisiya Sviridova.
The student notes that the university's facilities provided a solid foundation for her internship.
"The knowledge I gained during my studies at RUDN University in museum studies, art management, and law significantly facilitated my internship, especially my professional one, as it helped me understand certain nuances much more deeply. And during my internship, I acquired new, specific knowledge—from basic blueprint reading skills to understanding the specifics of materials used for false walls. This gave me an understanding of the skills I'll need to work more effectively in my chosen field in the future," says Taisiya Sviridova.
When asked about her plans for the future, Taisiya answers without hesitation:
“Yes, I would be very happy to return, since the internship gave me the opportunity to understand how close I really am to the chosen field.”
Quick Guide: How to Find an Internship
Students can find all the information about the internship regulations in their RUDN University personal account (on the website or in the mobile app) in the section on organizing and conducting internships. A list of internship sites can be found in the same section of the app. Here.
Current internship offers from the university's partners are regularly published on the Career Center's social media channels –Telegram AndVKontakteYou can also get advice on resume writing and interview preparation: the department has a career guidance specialist and career specialist on staff who are ready to help.
An internship at RUDN University isn't a formality, but a real chance to immerse yourself in the profession, gain valuable experience, and perhaps find your dream job even before graduation. The stories of Daria and Taisiya are the best proof of this.
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.