Summer is not the easiest time to land a job, particularly in this economy.
Just ask those who have spent countless hours at local job service centers and pounded the pavement trying to find work. Add in the thousands of high school and college students hoping to earn money during their summe
r break and the prospects are even more daunting.
So here’s a thought: Consider establishing an internship to help a small business with their staffing challenges and get valuable work experience.
Summer is a terrific season for internships. Companies are juggling work schedules to cover vacation time for their regular staff while students and job seekers are looking for practical training opportunities in hopes of gaining relevant experience.
A successful short-term internship for the frustrated job seeker will even provide great resume support, since working successfully in an internship demonstrates tremendous initiative to any prospective employer.
Whether you’re an employer or a job seeker, consider the variety of internships that may be appropriate for a short-term work commitment. Most internships are structured to run between two and three months. Unpaid internships are most common as these do not provide any financial remuneration for the work experience.
Some businesses offer paid internships that provide students the benefits of income — typically at a low level/entry scale — along with education. Internships with a stipend or education/tuition benefit, though less common, may be offered through formal programs such as Americorps.
It’s important for business owners to plan for a successful internship program. Start with a clear job description that details the work to be done, scheduled hours, workplace rules and the anticipated learning objectives to be met. Interview candidates formally and process their application, references and background in the same manner for any new employee.
If your business handles sensitive customer or proprietary information, be sure to review your requirements and expectations carefully with a candidate and protect confidential records with a signed non-disclosure agreement.
Also, ensure that the work you require is not limited to filing and other mundane or menial tasks; you’ll want to plan for a rich learning opportunity and thus reward the intern with meaningful work experience.
Any business owner also will need to account for the intern in their business insurance coverage. Even for an unpaid internship, providing this basic coverage is a must to protect the business from risk exposure.
The benefits to interns are clear, but employers might ask, “What’s in it for me?” The greatest benefit to an employer is the opportunity to train a prospect in their business, generate productivity and staffing support, plus potentially discover a great new hire for the company down the road.
Internships are often advertised much like any position for hire. Announcements are made internally and job boards also post internship positions. Contacting local high schools and colleges to post your internship and using some of the online listing services also will get the word out. Your company website is also a terrific tool to draw prospective interns to your business.
Students who have participated in formal internships through various programs report having great experiences. The most obvious benefit to the interns is their gained practical application of material that had been framed in academic theory.
“I believe that my internships have helped me apply my knowledge in practical terms,” said Everett Community College student John-Michael Floyd.
Floyd completed four unpaid internships during his first year at EvCC. His recent marketing, sales and public relations experience while working for Global Spectrum at Comcast Arena in Everett gave him the inspiration and drive to spend his summer interning for Puget Sound Energy.
This 18 year-old entrepreneur also is hoping to start his own business someday.
Whether you’re a student, an unemployed job-seeker who’s finished with school, or an employer, internships may be a good strategy for your consideration this summer.
Pat Sisneros is the Vice President of College Services at Everett Community College. Juergen Kneifel is a Senior Associate Faculty in the EvCC Business program. Please send your comments to entrepreneurship@everettcc.edu.
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