The creation of internship programmes by small businesses can be attributed to various factors. In addition to saving a business money, internship programmes can improve the lives of recent graduates and draw in qualified entry-level candidates. One study found that 40% of employers believe recent college graduates lack the necessary skills for the workforce.
An internship’s skill-building programme can assist with this. However, not all internships are successful. Some turn into a time waster for the company and the intern instead of offering both a useful resource and a fruitful experience. Being strategic is essential to developing a programme that is sound and effective—a situation in which all stakeholders benefit.
If you’ve never hired or managed interns before, there are a few things you can learn from other people’s experiences. When you are thinking about launching an internship programme for your small business, keep these suggestions in mind.
Compensation
This is a crucial question that could impact the course of your entire programme: should you pay your interns? Paying interns is something that many experts advise small businesses to do. Better overall results will result from hiring more diverse and qualified applicants who turn into contented interns.
Your business might not yet be large enough to draw in young professionals and college students who are prepared to work for nothing in exchange for a reputable name on their resume.
The process of choosing to hire unpaid interns is more challenging; you must adhere to stringent legal requirements set forth by the US Department of Labour, and doing so could result in expensive legal action as well as other financial repercussions.
Even if the student receives college credit, it is illegal if the internship does not meet the requirements. To put it briefly, it is just morally right to pay your interns a wage.
Recruitment
You should be searching for motivated and aspirational college students and recent graduates to find the best internship candidates. Being a guest speaker at a relevant college course is frequently the best way to accomplish this. This allows you to interact face-to-face with students, professors, and academic advisors who can inform other students about internship opportunities.
Spread the word through your professional network, post on job boards, attend career fairs, and list your programme on relevant websites. Verify the start and end dates of local schools’ semesters and quarters because timing can be crucial in the hiring process.
When writing your internship job description, be sure to include the skills you are seeking as well as the advantages the interns will have working for your organisation. By accurately and positively communicating these details, you should be able to draw in a sizable applicant pool and a steady stream of possible hires.
Programme Design
Clearly define the goals of your programme and the services you hope to offer interns. Ascertain that it is comprehensive and advantageous to your small business as well as the interns you employ.
Through practical work assignments, invest in them and assist in their skill development. One founder and CEO once said, “You will get more value from your interns if you give them a better experience.”
Give your interns a list of duties and responsibilities, along with a structured training programme, orientation, and materials outlining expectations and where to find necessary supplies.
Think about the importance of mentoring—becoming a friend and dependable advisor to your interns. The good news is that you can use all of the work you’re doing to successfully onboard interns to hire full-time staff.
Strong Internship Programme Will Pay Off
According to an executive at an internship marketplace, internship programmes have been extremely successful for a lot of startups and small businesses. Take into account the programme from beginning to end, not just the initial time and resource commitment. Long-term gains in productivity and the possibility of hiring your top interns as full-time staff members will be evident to you.