How to Make Internships Amazingly Successful
Friday May 2, 2008
So many of you are busily hiring interns at this time of the year that I'll share a couple of biases with you. Interns can be a boon to your business and give you the extra pair of hands, current educational thinking, and enthusiasm and support your business needs. In turn, you owe interns certain monetary and experiential factors. If you're a college student or a recent grad reading this post, these are the factors you need to seek in an internship.
- Payment for services: in my part of the country, interns make $10-12 an hour; the best paid make around $20. I do not believe it is fair that interns should work for no pay regardless of the experience you are giving them. This is a small price to attract the best and brightest or the young people who may not have deep pockets supporting them in college. Paying interns gives you the opportunity to attract young people whom you may eventually hire, regardless of their financial situation. It makes no sense to me to have a bright, competent person waiting tables when they could be learning and contributing in your business.
- A well-rounded intern experience: no, interns are not working in your business to make copies, file paper, and sit at your reception desk. They deserve a true introduction to business that gives them experience in a number of areas related to their interests and potential degree. If I were in charge of the world, I'd require a written plan for the intern's experience before I'd recommend a department hire an intern. This gives the interns you really want, and may potentially hire, a good picture of what their experience will be in your organization. It also provides a guide path for how your department will utilize the intern.
- A specific boss or mentor who is committed to the intern's learning: an internship is a wonderful opportunity to develop that first, and possibly career-long relationship, with an individual who cares about and is committed to their success. Regular meetings, goals, and guidance are critical in this relationship.
- Include the intern in regular company or organization events so the intern experiences the totality of working for your organization. Holiday parties, community and professional meetings, TGIF meet-ups at your local tavern, and departmental lunches make the internship experience real. Plus, they add to your potential to attract the best interns to your company after graduation. Better to hire the person that you really know.
- Hire your best interns. Nothing is more important to an intern who has come to love and value your company and who is valued and appreciated by you, than to join your company, as a regular employee, upon graduation.
Comments
Great article Susan, however I have a bone to pick.
I take offense to your comment the that waiting tables is some how a waste. Often, working in hospitality as a server is a rewarding and educational experience too.
This also allows young people a chance to earn an income with out taking up too much of their valuable study time.
As an employer of servers, the prevailing attitude that it is not a “real job”, or profession is insulting. It is no wonder that excellence in customer service is lacking!
Serving is in fact a profession that includes customer service, attention to detail, sales, product knowledge, organizational skills and team work. The list goes on and on. I try to teach these valuable skills to young people. I literally watch them growing before my eyes. It is a rewarding experience for many.
Thanks, and keep up the great site. I have followed you for a very long time know, and I appriciate your efforts.
Craig
Hi Craig,
As a person who worked in the restaurant industry for over eleven years, I have to agree with everything you say. In fact, in my early years of teaching, I made more money waiting tables, bartending, managing dining rooms, and prep cooking than I did teaching. I maybe need to rewrite that section to include the fact that I just don’t consider waiting tables a substitute for a professional internship. On a personal level, I always had both and, depending on the person, this is doable. Thanks for your response and for reading the site.
Regards, Susan
Hi Susan,
I am a divorced mother of 4 that has decided to go back to school. Currently I am enrolled in a online course where my long term goal is to pursue an degree in HR.
When I came across your article I was curious as to what it was about but I must say when I read the comments I became most interested. I especially appriciated your response to the comment made by Craig. This in my opinion show that you are open minded.
Many writers feel that they are born to be right when in fact, they too can sometimes be wrong. I marked you as one of my favorites in order that I may be able to return to your site.
keep up the great work. Always remember that your readers are listening.
Thank you,
Sandra