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What are the requirements for taking on an intern? Are there any resources out there from a Company's standpoint regarding interns? All my searching has turned up what I could expect from an intern position, but I don't want to intern myself.....
Drazan
03-23-2007, 05:19 PM
An intern could be anyone with no experience what-so-ever to one who is nearly graduated and has much talent that you could use.
Interns can be found through your local collage work center or guidence counselors at high schools.
What to expect is entirely up to the qualifications that you send to the work force center. There are also some programs that the college or school will match dollars or turn dollars to credit so that you don't have to pay your intern as much as a fully qualified, out of college person.
It's like hiring any entry level position.
idaho
03-23-2007, 05:30 PM
If you take on an intern be sure you get on that actually does something productive for the company. Especially if they are getting paid or getting credits.
We brought in an intern who showed up everyday and did nothing but surf the internet. By the end of the summer she had nothing to show for her time with us and yet the university still gave her credit for the internship.
Treat them as a permanent employee with the same expectations and responsibilities. Make them accountable. If they are lazy and not getting their work done - DON'T SIGN OFF ON THEIR PAPERWORK.
PrintDriver
03-23-2007, 05:45 PM
An internship goes both ways.
The employer is expected to provide the intern with work experience, even if it is 'busy work'. As long as it pertains to the job environment. Letting them sit there and surf the internet is not holding up your part of the bargain.
The intern is expected to show up and do what is asked of them in as efficient a manner as possible. If they aren't, they can be 'fired'. They are expected to ask questions. Lots of them. You have to have the patience to answer them, sometimes 2 or 3 times (I start to get steamed after the 3rd time though). An intern is expected to keep a log of what they do on the job with the view toward writing a paper on the experience at the end of it and the internship mentor should have at least a speaking relationship with the student's in-college advisor. At least that's how I've always seen it work.
An intern in not a slave. An intern is not experienced enough to be considered an 'entry level' employee. They are usually below entry level. That's why they are interns.
With the GD industry though, you may get some higher level interns coming in where the internship isn't affiliated with a school program. Some graduate GD newbs will offer to work for internship wage to gain experience.
mojoprime
03-23-2007, 09:46 PM
irt's a great way to learn. we had some for awhile and may start the program up again. the only deal is that you have to be able to make time to work with them, like PD said. also, it is kind of nifty if you can give them a project to work on so that they have an actual piece to take with them when they leave. it requires a lot of supervision. it can, however, be a great thing as it keeps you on your toes as well. nothing like having to explain to someone why you do things a particular way, to make you stop and ask yourself the same question...
colonel5
03-23-2007, 10:30 PM
I've had a few interns. It's important to define the position before you start looking for the intern. Is it paid, unpaid, if unpaid any benefits (paying for credits, bonus, etc)? What kind of work will they do? What benefit will the company get and what benefit will they get?
Once you've defined that then things are clearly set when you throw the job out there and start interviewing applicants.
My 1st intern was a disaster because I wasn't really prepared for him and he wasn't a good worker. I ended up having to fire him from an unpaid internship, I never imagined having to fire someone I wasn't paying ;o)
My 2nd intern was probably the best so far. She was a hardworker, she wasn't socially awkward, she picked up on things quickly, helped me out a lot and she walked away with a good amount of pieces for her portfolio and 4 credits for school paid for by us.
My last intern was a bone I threw a friend of mine who was looking to start putting his e-commerce degree to use, after a month or so he ended up getting a job offer doing some back end web development for a company down the street.
budafist
03-24-2007, 12:45 AM
it can, however, be a great thing as it keeps you on your toes as well. nothing like having to explain to someone why you do things a particular way, to make you stop and ask yourself the same question...
Absolutely. I had to ask msyelf plenty of questions when we hired a new staff member. Not an intern, but same process I guess.
DesignStudio
03-24-2007, 01:02 AM
maybe i should get an intern here. i hate taking breaks to take my dogs out or get coffee. and don't even get me started on how much time i lose when i stop and heat up soup or make a BLT.
budafist
03-24-2007, 01:40 AM
:D great idea DS!
maybe i should get an intern here. i hate taking breaks to take my dogs out or get coffee. and don't even get me started on how much time i lose when i stop and heat up soup or make a BLT.
Crap, you're onto me now!