By Jona Ohm, APR
Recently, we talked about five things for students and graduates to consider when looking for an internship. But what about employers? Can your company benefit from working with interns?
I’ve been on both sides of the desk as an intern and a supervisor, and I learned some valuable lessons in both positions. As American actress Helen Hayes said, “The expert in anything was once a beginner,” and there’s no question that internships provide invaluable experience in a given field. However, a well-structured internship program can be a strategic investment in your company that pays dividends in ways that can be more elusive than profit. Here are five ways interns can benefit your business.
Defining Goals
Internships offer an excellent opportunity for employers to align the intern’s experience with the company’s objectives. If your goals for a certain project aren’t already crystal clear, the process of breaking it down for someone else might just be the catalyst you’ve been looking for.
In terms of the internship itself, clear goals can help employers ensure that interns are working on projects and tasks that contribute meaningfully to the organization’s mission. This clarity not only benefits the intern by providing focus but also enhances productivity and the overall impact of the internship.
Deepening the Talent Pool
Interns bring new energy and enthusiasm to the workplace, but their value goes beyond mere enthusiasm. Through hands-on experience, interns have the chance to learn new skills and gain insights into industry practices. By providing opportunities for interns to work on real projects and collaborate with experienced professionals, employers can help them develop practical knowledge that prepares them for future roles. More talent and experience in your industry means more qualified candidates to fill positions on your team.
Gaining a Fresh Perspective on Pesky Problems
One of the most significant advantages of having interns is the fresh perspective they bring to the table. Usually unencumbered by preconceived notions or entrenched processes, interns can offer innovative solutions to longstanding problems. Their unique insights and outside-the-box thinking can spark creativity within teams and lead to the breakthroughs you’ve been hoping for.
Building Your Talent Pipeline
Internships serve as a valuable talent acquisition tool, allowing employers to identify and nurture promising individuals early in their careers. By offering internships, companies can attract top talent and cultivate relationships with potential future employees. Moreover, internships provide an opportunity for employers to assess an intern’s skills, work ethic, and cultural fit firsthand. When the time comes, this experience streamlines the recruitment process, saving time and productivity.
Building Your Reputation
A well-executed internship program can enhance an employer’s reputation in multiple ways. First, as an attractive place to work. Positive experiences shared by interns can bolster your branding efforts and attract more high-caliber candidates in the future. Second, a reputation for providing valuable internships can foster goodwill within the community and position you as an invested community member. Third, networking. Providing a strong internship program will help strengthen relationships with educational institutions.
Internships can be far more beneficial than simply filling short-term staffing needs. By embracing internships as strategic investments in talent development and organizational growth, you can position yourself for long-term success and contribute to the professional development of the next-generation workforce.
Do you have a project that’s more than an intern can handle? Schedule an impact session with Avant Solutions! With years of experience in Public Relations and Communications, our team can offer strategy, planning or full project execution.
