Did you know?
80% of employers believe internships are the candidate sourcing strategy with the most return on investment!
With summer in full swing, many companies have begun their search for interns to join their ranks. A long-standing staple in the corporate world, internships provide students with hands-on experience in the workplace and give companies help to tackle projects and hear fresh perspectives. Nearly 50% of college students participate in internships, most leading to full-time job offers.
Are Interns Right for Your Organization?
- Fresh Perspectives: Interns often bring new viewpoints and innovative ideas, fostering creativity.
- Skill Development: Mentoring interns helps existing employees develop coaching skills.
- Enhanced Employer Brand: A well-run internship program can enhance a company’s reputation.
- Time Investment: Onboarding and training require significant time and effort from employees
- Limited Experience: Interns have less experience, which might result in a learning curve.
- Short-Term Commitment: High turnover rates necessitate continuous talent acquisition efforts.
Creating the Ideal Intern Experience
Onboarding: Like all employment experiences, effective internship programs begin with comprehensive, structured onboarding processes. Interns should undergo the same robust onboarding process your full-time employees go through.
Expectations: With research finding that between 33 and 38% of internships are low quality, setting clear expectations and goals is essential. Provide regular check-ins for feedback and adjustment to ensure interns remain on track.
Assignments: Interns should receive meaningful, engaging tasks to help them develop relevant skills. Involvement in real projects, rather than busy work, fosters a sense of contribution and belonging.
Development: Training sessions, workshops, and learning resources help interns build their skill sets. Investing in their development shows an interest in their growth and career, bolstering the relationship.
Culture: Over 75% of employees who accepted job offers from their internship are still employed with the company one year later, so ensure that interns feel welcome and included on their teams to increase long-term retention.
Feedback: From mentors to evaluations, providing interns with opportunities to receive feedback and coaching helps them develop their skills, feel connected to the organization, and offer valuable insights into their career potential.
Need help finding the perfect summer intern? PuzzleHR’s Talent Acquisition solution can help! From writing job descriptions to screening candidates, we handle it all so your interns can dive in headfirst. Contact us today to learn more!
