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Summertime presents unique opportunities for some small business owners in
the form of an internship program. It’s often a win-win situation: college
students need summer employment that compliments their area of study, and
business owners need affordable and seasonal help.
If hiring a summer intern is something that interests you, there are some
specific things to consider as you approach the task. Here are some key points
to keep in mind:
Clarify the details. Make sure you have clear guidelines
regarding the internship spelled out in writing, just as you would any other
position. Include internship beginning and ending dates, job responsibilities
and expectations, as well as payment details.
Know what you need. Just because a student is eager and
willing to learn does not necessarily mean they’ll be a good fit for your
company. Be clear on the traits and characteristics that you need, just as you
would when hiring a full-time employee.
Explain the position. Just as you make sure you know what
you’re looking for in an intern, you need to make sure that the potential intern
is fully aware of the position’s offerings. Be certain that both parties are
clear about what the daily duties will be. Many internships go sour when one
party expects something completely different, or when the internship is made to
sound much more glamorous or exciting than what it actually will be.
Adjust your management style. Because an intern only serves
your company for an extremely short amount of time, you will need to approach
how you manage the internship differently than you might a full-time position.
You’ll need to quickly identify the intern’s ability and level of skill,
identifying tasks and duties accordingly, and get them performing those tasks as
quickly as possible.
Mentor your intern. Many times an intern is viewed as the
absolute bottom of the food chain. Make sure other employees are respectful of
the intern, and spend quality and productive time with them. Look at the
experience as good business and community relations. Running a successful
internship program is an opportunity to form positive relationships with young
and eager future professionals.
Be aware of evaluation expectations. Sometimes college
students seek internships as an official part of their college curriculum. This
means that there might be official paperwork and evaluations required in order
to fulfill a college or university’s particular program. Make sure you
understand any specific duties that you will be expected to complete for that
program. In addition, some form of an evaluation process for your own records is
a good idea in order to measure areas of skill that have improved over the
course of the internship. Having a formal evaluation gives both the employer and
the intern a way to review progress made and knowledge gained. It also gives
company officials an opportunity to share parting wisdom and offer thanks or
appreciation for the internship experience.
Having a successful internship program can be a bonus for your company. You
can increase community visibility and foster good will with others. If done
well, everyone involved can enjoy the rewards.
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