When I walked into my first internship in NYC back in 2014, I was convinced I would be running for coffees, picking up dry cleaning for my superiors, and babysitting clients’ outrageous pets (I was really excited about the possibility of walking one of those outrageously large and fluffy dogs, oh well). Obviously, my research from TLC, Romantic Comedies from the late 90’s and early 2000’s, teen magazines with those ridiculous pop-out posters of motivational quotes, and the The Devil Wears Prada were misleading.

But in all seriousness, my last five years of being “the intern” have taught me a lot about the potential opportunities internships have for both the interns themselves and the companies hiring them. Internships are highly desirable for young eager students dying to get a foot in the door, and companies looking for someone to underpay and make copies…I mean to hire someone for a new perspective. However, there are a few things that can go either really well or just terribly if they are handled incorrectly.

Advice from a Professional Intern:

Company: Don’t Hire Interns If You Don’t Have the Time to Train or Teach Them.

No matter what field an intern is going into, they should not be sitting at a desk you threw together the day before they started, staring at a screen for the summer or the semester. Make sure your company and the team assigned to the intern have the time to train them, so that they can both learn & create value for your company. Involve them, foster their growth, and challenge them. This will benefit your organization.

2. Intern: Don’t Accept an Internship Until You Know the Full & Detailed Day-to-Day of Your Role.

Any internship opportunity is exciting to receive. If you are prioritizing getting experience in specific tasks and departments, make sure you have a mutual understanding with your new employer about your specific roles.

3. Company: Introduce Your New Intern to the Company’s Employees

No intern wants to walk around for the duration of their internship fake smiling at the guy they never formally met. (Intern: Don’t be shy. If someone doesn’t introduce you, make the move to avoid eternal awkwardness).

4. Intern: Speak Up

If you do not feel like you are being involved or challenged enough…say something about it. Your perspective is what you were hired for. Companies need someone from the outside to give an opinion or idea every once in a while. You worked hard enough to get into your new position, and should be challenged and involved regularly.

5. Company: ASK Your Interns

Students are always sitting and thinking of something they want to contribute or add to the conversation, but may not always speak up about it. Their opinion and perspective is very valuable to your team. Take the time to express to interns that their opinion is valued and encouraged.

6. Intern: ASK Questions

It is invaluable to learn how different teams and roles make decisions, go about change, and manage projects. Never hesitate to ask your supervisors or co-workers about things like this. This may help shape your own management and leadership skills.

7. Company: Have a Plan

Before your intern starts, it is important to have a training and long-term plan for the role they will grow into. Don’t hire someone just to have someone. Hire someone because you want to teach a future associate or manager. Your intern could become a future manager or director in your own company in just a few years.

8. Intern: Don’t Settle for Less

Even though we would all work for free for our dream companies to get a foot in the door, it is important to know your value. Keep in mind all the obstacles and challenges you overcame to get to this role…the classes, the projects, other internships…other bosses. Communicate your ability to add value…even if you have to speak up.

Appreciate Your Interns

Because of the busy day-to-day life of any company, it is very easy for interns to be forgotten. Appreciate your interns…ask them for their opinions, involve them in the small stuff and the big stuff…and thank them when they do something right. Interns with good experiences will want to stay long-term. Interns can give you a great return on your investment of time and money as you plan and build your team for the future. Internships are career and life-changing, and as the employer it is your job to give your interns the opportunity to make something great of the time they are given. Interns, this is your chance to show the company you are at what you can do…don’t hold back.

ALSO…interns…appreciate internship opportunities, mentors, and people who take the time to make your experiences great. Thank you to every person that has impacted my internship experiences.

#AppreciateYourInterns

Bean

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