blurb on - getting most out of interns
Just searching through Inc.com and found this Sept 2004 Inc.com article Getting the Most out of Interns.
Below are some items (in no special order) that rang true for us. Excerpts from the article are in italics; my quick "blurb" on the statement is capitalized.
- COMMITMENT - Finding, training, and managing an intern who will help your business grow takes time and effort.
- GOAL-ORIENTED - Obviously, you want a go-getter who is determined to make the most of his or her time at your company.
- ATTRIBUTES - How to separate the driven and talented from the lazy and deluded?
- COMPETITION - Often, interns are attracted to large companies because that name is the one that will go on their resumes.
- COMMITMENT - Small firms must take extra time to craft an internship experience that will truly benefit the student's career.
- TRAINING - Once you've hired an intern, don't scrimp on training.
- STRUCTURE - Define their role -- including how they can represent themselves regarding your company.
- INVESTMENT - Training an intern does not have to be a chore. In fact, it can be a great way to develop management skills -- for you or for your employees.
Labels: reality intern amabelle
posted by shirlnutkin @ 7:45 AM
3 Comments:
In response to this post, here's an excerpt from HELLO REAL WORLD! by Jengyee Liang. You'll find this in Part 1: Where to Start, Chapter 1: Reading Tips "For the Employer."
"For the Employer
Recruiters and supervisors of interns, co-op students, and entry-level employees, you should understand that you play a large role in your employee’s success. Work can be extremely stressful to those who are accustomed to the student life. You can put your new employee at ease by understanding his or her situation. This book gives you an inside look into a recent college student’s first encounters with the real world. I encourage you to evaluate how you structure your internships and look for ways to improve it based on insights you gain from this book.
Although finding meaningful work for your new employee can be challenging, you should understand that this is important criterion that talented students will use to evaluate whether a company is right for them. If you truly are committed to recruiting and retaining top talent, please take care to provide a meaningful experience even if you cannot provide meaningful work.
What I mean by meaningful work is an assignment or multiple assignments that has impact on the business, is not tedious, and is well structured but allows some room for the intern to be creative or make decisions. The ideal project also would span across several disciplines or internal departments, which would give the intern an opportunity to interact with other individuals at your firm.
A meaningful experience in spite of a less than meaningful work assignment may involve several opportunities to conduct informational interviews with colleagues, to visit other facilities, tour a manufacturing facility or call center, or to attend training, special events, or panels on various topics. Whether the project assigned fits the bill or not, be sure that you explain to your employee the significance of his or her project to the business. If an intern or co-op feels that his or her time is wasted, that reflects poorly on the company. Parts 3-6 would be the most relevant for you."
J - Thanks for the post. As an 'employer' (I suppose), your emphasis on "meaningful work" is great. I do believe - one thing that must be kept in mind - "meaningful" is rather subjective, to some extent.
So I would add for the employer - make sure there are shared expectations and objectives. I'll make a point to touch base on shared objectives. I believe it will speak to the other good point you raise ...
"If an intern or co-op feels that his or her time is wasted, that reflects poorly on the company."
Likewise ... if an employer feels his/her time has been wasted, that reflects poorly (and maybe unfairly, at times) on the intern.
Thanks for sharing! Looking forward to your book! - S.
I agree 100% with the importance of expectations' alignment, which is discussed in Part 3: From Offer to First Day on the Job: Sealing the Deal of HELLO REAL WORLD!
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