Internships in Lebanon
Landing an internship in Lebanon is arguably harder than landing a job.
Just ask any college student about their experience trying to secure a suitable internship in a market that leaves much to be desired. They will all recount their horror stories of endless applications, rejections, and underwhelming opportunities that fail to provide any real professional growth.
Internships should be a stepping stone into the professional world, an opportunity to learn, gain experience, and build connections. But in Lebanon, the reality is far from ideal. Instead of being a bridge to employment, it has become another closed door.
So, what exactly makes internships in Lebanon feel more like an obstacle than an opportunity?
Limited and Unpaid Opportunities
Most internships are unpaid, which is not a new issue.
However, it becomes problematic when many students must travel long distances for the limited internship opportunities available, forcing them to accept whatever they can find. The costs and time associated with commuting make it harder for students, particularly those from outside major cities like Beirut.
And with little to no pay—not even for transport—companies add more financial strain on students already struggling economically.
Lack of Real Training
You often see funny videos on Instagram and TikTok with captions like, “Pretending to be busy at my internship to pass the time.” Well, it’s funny because it’s true. Even interns who land opportunities are often ignored, underused, or stuck with tasks that teach them nothing.
Many employers give interns meaningless, unguided tasks that don’t build skills. Instead of preparing them for work, these internships often exploit students and waste their time.
The Paradox of It All
According to Cambridge Dictionary, an internship is ” a period of time spent receiving or completing training at a job as a part of becoming qualified to do it”.
So, doesn’t requiring a student to have prior experience completely negate the whole purpose of an internship?
And now we’re left with this frustrating cycle: students need experience to get an internship, but they need an internship to gain experience. Employers now treat internships like unpaid entry-level jobs—often reserved for those who already have skills. Therefore, some students exaggerate their skills to get noticed, while others give up and miss a key career step.
Wasta & Prestige
In Lebanon, the concept of wasta—a system of personal connections and favoritism—plays a major role in securing opportunities, and internships are no exception. If you have strong connections doors open effortlessly for you, but if you don’t, good luck getting a response back!
But beyond wasta, where you study also matters. Big companies overwhelmingly favor students from top universities, not necessarily because they’re the most capable, but because of reputation. As a result, equally talented applicants from other universities never even get a chance.
And then there’s the obsession with prestige. Many students believe that an internship at a well-known multinational or a top local firm is the ultimate career booster. The reality? Some of these internships provide little to no real learning. A logo on your résumé won’t teach you how to thrive in the real world—a good mentor will. But in a system where wasta and prestige outweigh merit, people teach students that status matters more than skill—until reality proves them wrong.
This raises an important question: If internships in Lebanon aim to provide equal learning opportunities, why do wasta and prestige still decide who truly gets a chance to succeed?