The Malaysian economy has grown over the years and the multicultural society has made the region attractive for students seeking to acquire professional experience. Internship opportunities in Malaysia are especially high because institutions offer innumerable variations of internships to students looking to polish their talents and get jobs.
What Makes Malaysia An Ideal Destination For Internship?
Malaysia is also one of the most preferred destinations for internships due to the strong combination of quality education and practical experience opportunities. Several industries in the country are advancing such as; finance, technology, healthcare, and tourism that offer many positions for different academic disciplines. Also, it has a well-established position in Southeast Asia, which opens new contacts and exposure to the global business environment.
Why Should You Do An Internship?
Reasons & Benefits
Having an Internship opportunity to work in another country for several months is a great chance that you should not miss. Here are the top reasons to do an internship abroad:
Work Experience
Initially, many employers today expect you to have initial experience when you are seeking a graduate-level position. An internship during your coursework enables you to gain experience in the actual working environment. Of course, to get that experience you don’t need to go to a foreign country. This will also positively impact your CV or résumé!
Intercultural Skills
The whole world is interconnected, and we communicate with representatives of different cultures daily. Staying and studying in a completely different environment will be beneficial and allow you to improve your soft skills. This is one of the reasons why doing an internship in another country is advisable. And you might get to enhance your work skills in a foreign language which again is a big selling point.
Global Networking
Each position represents an opportunity to expand one’s connections list, and voila. Interning abroad makes your connection global!
Personal Growth
Generally, every job is diverse and no work is without challenge meaning that any job will help to build a better you. Indeed, when you intern abroad, you are bound to encounter new and different challenges that you would not encounter. This will make you more confident and independent if you overcome all those.
Seeing The World
An internship in another country is not a paid vacation but must be almost the same thing, right? Spend your annual leave in a country or a particular region of the world. And that is the reason you have colleagues from the region, so you will get more information that will not be given to anyone just passing through.
Is It Possible For International Students To Undertake Internship Opportunities In Malaysia?
We are here to answer that yes, international students can get internships in Malaysia. Most university programs in Malaysia have made internships or practical courses a compulsory requirement. The internship or the practicum is assigned some credit hours which are part of the credit hours required for the course and hence form part of the coursework.
Types of Internships
- Paid or Unpaid Internship
- Online Internship
- University Internship
Paid and Unpaid Internships
This is important to note as there are paid internships, while there are others that do not offer any amount of pay to the interns. Some corporate organizations will not hesitate to provide an allowance for the internship program. The cost of paid internships falls between RM 600 and RM 1500 ( USD 130-USD 320).
However, there are no legal provisions which make bound the organization to pay the student who is undergoing an internship. This is because the students doing internships are not regarded as employees and hence are not restricted to any remuneration or allowance. Therefore, the rationale for unpaid internships is to ensure the student is exposed to the kind of information, skills, and experiences will require in their future careers.
Online Internship
It is an important option for international students who may wish to carry out their internship online from their home countries but be affiliated with an organization in Malaysia. This type of internship can be described as an online internship, virtual internship, or remote internship. It does not even need the student to be physically present; they can only do their practical assignments online.
University Internship
If you are asking, can international students perform their internships in Malaysia at their university? the answer is yes they can. This type of internship means that you can do your internship in the university you are studying in. This way you will be able to do the internship with your school, or with any center of excellence at the university.
It is crucial to understand that the university internship must be relevant to your major since it is a part of the key graduation procedures. You should consult your school/college or academic supervisor regarding doing an internship at your university.
Top Industries Providing Internship Opportunities In Malaysia
Technology and IT: Malaysia’s emphasis is on technology and innovation, mega companies such as Intel, Dell, and IBM often provide internship opportunities in the areas of software development, data science, and IT project management.
Finance and Banking: The financial services industry constitutes one of the primary industries of the Malaysian economy. Choosing universities such as the National University of Malaysia, the University of Malaya, the University of Adelaide or the University of Melbourne will help me understand banking, finance, and investments in Asia through internships with Maybank, CIMB, or HSBC.
Engineering and Manufacturing: Some of the multinational engineering companies located in Malaysia are Siemens and Petronas among others. The internship opportunities at these companies may be useful for students to learn modern engineering and have practical experience in manufacturing companies.
Hospitality and Tourism: Malaysia has emerged as a popular tourist destination. internships in hospitality management, event planning, and marketing are easily available. These roles are ideal for those who seeking to establish a career in the international tourism industry.
Companies That Provide Internships
Not only are international students allowed to do internships in Malaysia, but they are also allowed to do it in some of the best world-class companies. Below are some of the best companies that provide internship opportunities in Malaysia to international students. Companies like Petronas, Shopee, Allianz, Intel, Robert Bosch, IBM, Nestle, Unilever, Boston Scientific, Malaysia Airlines, Microsoft, Samsung, Sony, Panasonic, DHL, Dell, Huawei Motorola Google Astro.
Can International Students Apply For Internships In Malaysia If They Do Not Have A Work Visa?
You do not require a work visa to gain an internship in the country of Malaysia. Your visa status will always be that of a student visa and your internship offer letter will reflect that you are a student. Furthermore, internships do not require a work visa in Malaysia since internships are not full-time employment and interns are not employees.
Duration Of Internship
It takes a minimum of 2 months for international students to do an internship in Malaysia. Internships generally take about 2-6 months. Sometimes, certain internships may last for up to 1 year. The duration of your internship will be spelled out in the letter of offer which shall be issued to you by the organization of your choice on your reporting to work.
What Comes Next After The Internship?
As your internship will be in the field of your study, you can get a job at the organization after having the internship. During your training, the longer you work, some organizations may realize that you’re capable and interested in the position and offer you a job afterward. On a different but related issue, when your internment is done, you can decide to take the experience and go to another area for further career growth.
Student Employment In Malaysia
Malaysia allows international students to work during their study period in part-time employment provided that they meet some conditions. Based on the policy of the Malaysian government, international students who attend full-time courses at recognized institutions can work up to 20 hours per week during the semester break or holidays. List of on-campus jobs for students in Malaysia In Malaysia, it is also possible to find several jobs that can be worked through to gain work experience and earn extra money without leaving the campus. Some of them are
- Library assistant
- Office Assistant
- Cafeteria worker
The Criteria By Which One Can Work Part-Time In Malaysia
To become a part-time worker in Malaysia, one is required to have a student visa. Make sure you have a valid visa when in Malaysia, this should be approved by the Malaysian Immigration Department.
You must be studying in a full-time course in a recognized institution in Malaysia. This makes sure that you are a genuine student.
You may work part-time during semesters, holidays, and any time beyond seven days of holiday. Working is not allowed during conventional school days.
Semester break and holidays, you can work up to 20 hours per week a month. This limit enables the candidate to balance between work and college properly. You can only engage in petty jobs in particular areas like restaurants, petrol kiosks, mini markets, and hotels. It is prohibited to work in illegal or unapproved jobs. Applying for and getting approval from Malaysian immigration is mandatory before beginning any part-time employment. This process involves providing documents that may be required such as an ID and also obtaining clearance from the education institution.
In Malaysia, you have to be at least 18 years old to be employed part-time. This makes sure that of legal working age hence fulfilling the requirement of the working population. Good performance in academic work is important. Some circumstances such as low academic performance or truancy may disqualify students from working during their free time.
Ideally, you should be healthy and strong to be able to handle work and college/ university at the same time. It could be mandated that some positions demand medical fitness certificates.
By fulfilling these requirements students can have part-time jobs in Malaysia and can also gain some working experience.
Internship Opportunities In Malaysia And Part-time Jobs For Students?
Students can find part-time jobs in Malaysia which is always a plus for the students. It is recommended that you use student employment-oriented websites and job search engines as your first point of call. Some of the websites included are Maukerja, WOBB, and Internships and they do offer part-time jobs for students. Communication with other students and professors could also introduce you to job openings as they may be aware of the available positions from time to time or directly hire candidates themselves.
If you are a student in Malaysia, then it is conceivable that there are numerous part-time job openings. Here are some common types of part-time jobs available for students:
Retail Jobs
Food and Beverage Jobs
Tutoring
Administrative Jobs
Promotional Jobs
Freelance Jobs
Delivery Jobs
Event Staff
Customer Service Jobs
Hospitality Jobs
Legal Hours of Work and Limitations on Students’ Employment While studying in Malaysia, students will also have an opportunity to get a job part-time. However, certain guidelines need to be observed though.
Legal Work Hours
While you are in your semester you can work up to 20 hours in week. The number of weekly working hours can be 40 during the semester break or holiday vacations.
Types Of Jobs Allowed
You can work in restaurants, petrol stations, mini markets, and hotels as a waiter, cashier, or attendant. You can’t work as a cashier, singer, masseur, musician, guest relations officer, or any other job that is considered immoral.
Work Permit Requirements
It is important to know that a valid student visa is required if you want to work part-time. Also, your educational institution must give its approval to you to work in another job while studying. To work in Malaysia one has to get a work permit from the immigration department of Malaysia.
Restrictions
You cannot work during exam weeks. You can’t work if you have not ensured that you meet the required standard of academic performance. And you have to be able to prove that you are a full-time student.
Applying for a Work Permit
Make your application directly through your official educational institution. Some of the required items include your passport, student visa, and a letter from your educational institution.
Penalties for Violations
If you work longer hours than are permitted, you can be penalized, which can mean fines or deportation. Pursue the rules as they are to avoid complaints and make the experience more productive.
You will find that working part-time is useful for gaining experience and for earning extra cash. At the same time, it is crucial to follow the legal requirements to exclude any problems. This basic guide provides you with certain elementary instructions you should follow to legally work part-time.
Work Permit And Visa Requirements For International Students
However, for students who wish to work while studying in Malaysia, the process of getting a work permit and visa is very important. The student visa known as the Student Pass thereof gives Malaysian students the right to get a part-time employment opportunity of up to 20 hours a week during semesters or even holidays.
But before they can work, students must secure the ‘Permission to Work’ endorsement from the Immigration Department of Malaysia.
- An acceptance letter from a Malaysian educational institution
- Vail passport
- An application form
- Proof of financial capacity to fend for themselves in the course of their stay.
Always follow the rules to ensure a smooth and beneficial experience.
