From classroom to career: law student internship patterns and professional continuity in Estonia

This article examines internships in legal education, student preferences and workforce needs in Estonia. While internships are widely recognised as valuable educational tools, their potential as strategic instruments for workforce renewal remains underutilised. Drawing on internship records from the University of Tartu School of Law and national labour market reports, the study identifies a structural mismatch between students’ internship preferences and sectors experiencing acute recruitment challenges, such as the judiciary, prosecution service and notarial offices. The findings suggest that universities and legal institutions should collaborate more closely to align internship programmes with sectoral needs, including through targeted placement requirements and financial incentives. The article concludes with policy recommendations and outlines directions for future research on the long-term impact of internships on career trajectories and institutional recruitment.