Help!!! need advice.

[colonel5]

TO preface this post, I am underqualified for my position, I'm barely a year or so out of college and they are calling me "Marketing Director".

I have someone coming in to interview for an unpaid internship. My boss has put it all in my court to make this happen. That is cool and all, but the guy that is coming in graduated school a little after I did and he's supposed to be coming in to work part-time for free? It just seems as if this isn't right. I am blessed to have this job just fall in my lap last winter while i was laid off, and he has to come in to work for free. We are a very small company and I am the complete marketing, advertising, web, print, multimedia design department.

Should I feel bad about this? Cause at best I might be able to offer him, or someone a paid part-time position in 6 months or so, but I don't know, I just feel bad that he is out of school and I was really aiming for someone in school. If anything he is overqualified for this position, but at the same time I know how tough it is to get work so I don't want to deny him this work experience if he wants it....

any thoughts are welcome.

[Satchel]

I'd say if he knows what he's getting into (that it is a non-paying job) and he still wants it... I say give it to him. Like you said it's hard to get work. My brother-in-law was out of work for close to two years because he was "over qualified" he was willing to take a drastic pay cut just to be working... but they wouldn't allow it. I say dont be that guy :) good luck with it though.
S.

[Mynock]

Refer to it as an Intern, because that is what it is. Make sure he keeps your coffee hot and gets your laundry back in time.

[Satchel]

I guess mynock makes a good point... is this guy going to actually get any experience that will help him get a job, will he have anything for his portfolio when he leaves or is it just going to be a get the coffee, sweep the floor type-a-deal?

[colonel5]

well this is where i am torn... the intern would for sure have the opportunity to be creative, and it's not going to be "get my coffee" kind of interning ( i have a coffee machine in my office) but it will be a lot of the grunt work ; printing, cutting, etc... It's experience that possibly could be good for him, but when i designed the job i created with a novice at best in mind. If i was in his position I know i would get bored quite easily, but at the same time it will be experience to put on a resume, and i'd make sure he had a couple pieces to add to his portfolio.

bottom line is maybe i just feel a little guilty for being in such a nice position knowing my fellow designers are struggling to the point where they'd take an unpaid internship at a small company that can't do much for him besides offer the experience to put on his resume.

[PrintDriver]

In the interview, be sure he knows less than you do...
;)

[Mynock]

Yeah, and make sure to belittle him every chance you got to make sure he knows his role. :P

[EC]

Treat him with respect, give credit where it is due, and don't be afraid to give him opportunities when you can. I think that's the best you can do.

[Vikia]

(slap, slap) Come out of it.

You are the Director. You are a managing staff position.
You are offering him real experience that is tangible and can be added to his resume.

He is not going to work for you long term unless as a Director you find his skills appropriately necessary to keep and then you find a way to add him to your budget.

He is going in with open eyes. He has his own agenda. If you are worried, ask him what he hopes he gains from the experience. You let him know what you hope to gain from the experience of having an intern. If you both are on the same page. Don't sweat it. If in the discussion process you find you are both going in different directions, or expectations are not possible...best to know this up front.

Good luck.

[colonel5]

thanx vikia, i needed that!

[Only Seen Here]

And pimpslap him, too.


Like Mynock said, to, you know, kinda keep him in his place.

[Satchel]

I think I need someone to pimp slap me a little... I find myself checking this damn thing 30 times a day! *whack* get on task b*%$#... you have deadlines!

[Only Seen Here]

Hard to turn tricks when you're surfing the GDF board. Hike that skirt up and get to work.

[PersonasBinar]

Just keep packin' Colonel in case he guns for your job.... and don't turn your back.