Making Your Internship Program All It Can Be
Posted January 21st, 2013
Many companies have internship programs, but not all know how to make the best use of them, to use internships in a way that not only benefits the company, but also benefits the interns.
It should come as no surprise that to make an internship the most fulfilling possible, companies should avoid using interns as coffee messengers or simply clerical staff.
The interns need to be brought into the day-to-day business as much as possible, including such important business situations such as client meetings. Interns also should be mentored. It’s all part of a hands-on learning process. They need to be exposed to all aspects of the business. This way, they get a sense of what abilities they have that are suited to the business, and what they need to learn.
The interns should also get the opportunity to meet everyone at the company.
Some companies attempt to prepare the interns for the kind of workload they will face in an entry-level position. At one investment firm, the interns sit in on investment committee meetings, put together financial reports and prepare for meetings with clients.
In order to get the interns fully involved, a good deal of planning is necessary. And the mentoring aspect also is important. Interns need adequate supervision by an experienced employee, one who understands their situation and needs.
There should also be clear learning objectives in place, goals that are spelled out and provide a clear direction for the intern. This will help to reduce misunderstandings about the nature and requirements of the job.
Companies also should state clearly the overall mission and vision of their internship program, along with job descriptions, eligibility and application standards, as well as pay structures (if the internship is a paid program).
It also is important to have an adequate onboarding process for interns – to let them know about company policies, making them familiar with the communication process and the chain of command.
Finally, a good internship program includes constructive feedback in the form of an evaluation. The intern’s performance should be reviewed with regard to the goals and objectives that are part of the program, and whether the intern met these goals.
When you need skilled and reliable employees for your Oakland-area firm, come to Bayside Solutions. We can help you find great individuals for direct-hire, temporary and temp-to-hire opportunities. We look forward to hearing from you.
