Internships: The Best and the Worst
So far, we’ve explored the importance of internships, how to make the most of them, how interns have contributed to employers, and why diversity matters. My final query to our internship experts was, what are the best things about interns and/or internships? and what are the worst?
Internship Coordinator for the Art Institute of California-San Francisco, Katie Layous, said “The best thing about internships is the experience students get from interacting with professionals, building their skills and networking connections, and growth of industry knowledge. Internships are one of the best ways to gain experience and to test a career choice.” The worst, Layous said, is “when the student isn’t doing the job or when the employer isn’t pulling through on their end.”
“Similar to having interns with diversity, the best thing about having interns in general is that they bring new and innovative perspectives to the company,” said Elsa Morgan, HR director for JAKKS Pacific. “The worst thing about interns is that they are never here for long enough!”
Alpaytac Junior Account Executive, Brian Saunders gave two very detailed descriptions of the best and worst aspects of Alpaytac internships: “We have had interns at Alpaytac tell us they left the program feeling ‘an inch taller,’ that is to say, vastly more confident in their abilities and the future of their career. Alpaytac’s unique internship structure allows them to develop the skills they will need in the business world, placing them atop the shoulders of job candidates who require extra training. Interns benefit the company, as well. They are excited about their industry and eager to contribute. Their enthusiasm consistently drives them to go the extra mile with their work, and this in turn challenges the full-time employees to do the same.”
So what does Saunders think is the worst thing about internships? “The hiring, training, and fostering of interns utilizes Alpaytac’s most valuable resource: our time. It is disappointing when an intern does not reciprocate the efforts we put into their training. However, when those efforts are met with an equal amount of commitment and enthusiasm, it typically results in a long and productive working relationship,” he said.
“Internships at Scottrade allow students a great opportunity to learn more about the industry and provide impeccable hands-on experience,” said Chrissy Glover, intern recruiter for Scottrade. “Not only does the student discover their true desire to pursue a career in this industry, but we have an opportunity to see hwo well the intern acclimates to Scottrade and what the job requires.”
Alicia King, public relations coordinator for Clarke/Eric Mower and Associates (Clarke/EMA), sums it up this way, “Once an intern has secured a position with a company, it’s a great way for the company to hold a three-month trial for the intern and vice versa, for the intern with the company. Internships … provide students with fresh perspectives and potential new hires for the organization.”
Like Saunders, Maureen Buehler, global manager for Autodesk Global University Programs, and Rebecca Hall, APR, CEO, and president of IDEA HALL gave detailed explanations of what they feel are the best and worst aspects of internships.
The best: “Building relationships with students to proactively develop a rich ‘talent pipeline’ for future staffing needs is a significant value-add to any company. In addition, internships can clarify career objectives and reduce attrition in degree areas such as computer science and ingineering promoting retention in these fields,” said Buehler.
“The best thing about internships,” Hall said, “is the exchange of relationships and building on a network beneficial to both the intern and the organization. A day will come when a former intern can be the gatekeeper or key influencer to bringing business to an organization.”
The worst: “There is always risk in investing time, resources training, and exposure to product knowledge in a student who may not be converted or may take the skills they have learned to market themselves to an industry competitor. The key is providing a well structured internship program that is designed to offer project-based assignements that are both challenging and encourage personal growth,” Buehler said.
And for Hall, “the worst thing about internships is not having a system or set of clearly defined roles and expectations for the intern. It is a company’s responsibility to have a program laid out for interns wishing to engage in real world experience. Anything less is a disservice to both the organization and the intern.”
“Internships are like an extended job interview and it allows the company and the student to put the best foot forward,” said Keyla Cabret, university programs supervisor for Aflac, echoing Alicia King’s sentiments. “An example,” she continued, “is that Aflac student interns and co-ops present ideas and project updates to senior management where they can showcase their skills and knowledge learned in college but transferred to the job. Therefore, they are able to build relationships and expand on their business skills through working as a team member on special assignments and employers find this advantageous in potential employment possibilities.”
And finally, David Kowalczyk, co-director of Career Services at Assumption College thinks the best thing about internships is that the practical experience the students gain can help them validate their professional interests; and the worst thing about internships is that “limitations do occur when interns accept offers predicated on internship experience without analyzing what else is available.” Basically, intern … know thyself.
This concludes our first exploration into internships, their importance and their benefits. Be on the lookout for further developments.
