Internships in 5 Simple Steps

How to Craft a Stellar Internship Program

Presentedby:VictoriaMorris,InternshipDeveloper,MSUCareerServicesNetwork

Agenda
Definition of Internship
Business Case for Internships
How to Structure a Program
Snapshot of Interns at MSU
Wrap Up/Questions

WHAT IS AN INTERNSHIP?
intern
noun intrn/
"An internship is any carefully monitored work or service
experience in which a student has intentional learning
goals and reflects actively on what he/she is learning
throughout his/her tenure.

WHAT IS NOT AN INTERNSHIP?

Free Labor
A Go-Fer Position
Work that lacks reflection, supervision, or feedback
The time for a student to act as the resident expert

EMPLOYER BENEFITS OF
INTERNSHIPS
Create workforce pipeline!
Bridge skills gap - trade-off of skills
Groom future leadership - interns/mid level staff
Return on investment
Complete Wish List projects
New fresh perspective, innovative technologies

BARRIERS TO BUY-IN
Intern programs only for large organizations
One bad intern -- never try again
Too many legal issues
We don't need one
We can't afford one - COST
We don't have time
Don''t know how to set a program up

SO...HOW MUCH WILL THIS COST?

Sample Cost Breakdown
$10/Hour ($8.15 +taxes) X 150 Hours = $1500
Not all compensation has to be a paycheck

Consider other forms...

MONTHLY
STIPEND

FREEBIES

GAS CARDS
& PIZZA

Remember: if interns are doing great work,

they should be compensated.

DEVELOPING A QUALITY PROGRAM

Step 1: Set Goals and Policies
- Determine main goal of program
- Identify a Supervisor and/or Mentor

Key Items to Consider

Determine WHY you want to take on an intern
Ensure that employees understand role of intern
"We are starting an Intern Program because... "

DEVELOPING A QUALITY PROGRAM

Step 2: Define a plan for the opportunity
- Create a Job Description
- Create a Work Plan
- Consider involvement in other areas
- meetings, training, seminars

WHAT CAN AN INTERN DO?

Review job descriptions for each department

Identify capacity issues:

What employees were hired to do VS.
Projects/tasks that have been thrown at them

Wish list projects

Utilize these areas to help identify/fulfill organization's
needs, increase full time staff productivity
and fulfill the internship work plan

SAMPLE JOB DESCRIPTION

Executive Director
Responsibilities and Roles
- Establish a long range strategy which achieves organizations mission, and make consistent progress.
- Keep Board of Directors informed on the condition of the organization and important factors influencing it.
- Promote active participation by volunteers
- Maintain official records and documents.
- Publicize the activities of the organization, its programs and goals.
- Maintain a climate that attracts, keeps and motivates a staff of quality individuals. Develop job descriptions, hold
regular performance reviews.
- Prepare a budget, see that the organization operates within budge guidelines. Manage the payables and
receivables of the organization.
- Represent the organization and its point of view to agencies, organizations, and the public.
- Establish sound working relationships and cooperative arrangements with other groups and organizations
- Supervise the delivery of constituent/member/ resources. Regularly evaluate them for effectiveness and
make enhancements to reflect market needs and trend, as well as stated needs from members/patrons.
- Regularly evaluate need for additional programs and services to meet the mission, vision and goals.
Job Skills
- Proficient in all aspects of Microsoft Office, demonstrate a high level of computer
competency.
- Ability to plan and prioritize work and be flexible to handle priorities.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Management skills to handle a complex array of activities
- Must make routine decisions as to work priorities and various demands of staff and
volunteer leaders. Ensures the accuracy of financial statements, program
documents, letters invoices and communications.

SAMPLE JOB DESCRIPTION

Program Manager
-Marketing and Communications:
- Manage all external communications including the website, social media, regular updates to constituents,
promotional materials, etc.
- Represent the organization at public events and speaking engagements
- Ensures the integrity of the organizations brand standards
Programs and General
- Develop, manage, and refine the programs, services and events
- Deliver member orientation and training programs
- Maintains relevant membership information in database
- Supervise volunteers and interns
- Assist with membership renewal and development efforts of the Director, identify
organizations for development opportunities.
- Provide project updates and report on the state of the program
- Support the mission, vision and goals of the organization.
Skills
- Advanced knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator)
- Strong creative writing skills
- Experience managing program and/or product development
- Innovative thinking
- Flexibility to meet the needs of the individual members and the evolving needs of the organization
- Public speaking

SAMPLE INTERN DESCRIPTION

Research and Web Intern
Responsibilities and Roles
Assist with the ongoing development of the organizations website with projects including:
o Updating event calendar, aggregating event information from other sources
o Uploading photos and site content
o Various research projects including:
- Organizations similar to this and investigating best practices
- Prospecting for future members
- Grant eligibility
o Works with high level professionals in marketing and human resources who serve as volunteers from member
companies to ensure the organization accomplishes its goals and objectives.
Job Skills
- Proficient in webpage design and maintenance
- Knowledge of Adobe Creative Suites (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator)
- Strong creative, writing and speaking skills
- Comfortable in a formal setting
- Must be able to work independently without direct supervision.

SAMPLE JOB DESCRIPTIONS

Volunteer Manager
Responsibilities and Roles
- Develop volunteer position descriptions / Community outreach to find volunteers
- Screening (background checks, interviewing), and matching volunteers to organizational needs and
opportunities
- Training and orientation for volunteers
- Scheduling and supervision of volunteers
- Volunteer recognition
- Assessing organizational need and capacity for volunteers
- Create volunteer program material (policies, procedures, applications, agreements, orientation handbooks)
- Database management and tracking of volunteer statistics
- Strategic planning
- Financial management and budgeting
- Program evaluation
Volunteer Coordinator Intern
- Point of contact for database systems, management and enhancements
- Maintain the database through yearly reviews and updates of resources
- Apply appropriate codes too records
- Ensure resources comply with policies
- Conduct follow up calls
- Educate staff and volunteers on changes made to resources or database structure
- Assist with collaboration and support of volunteer program through training efforts, technical
support, recognition and material development
- Give presentations
- Handle outreach opportunities

SAMPLE INTERN WORK PLAN

Marketing Internship Outline
Jane Smith
Length: May 15th August 15th - 15 hours per week
Schedule:
Monday
Tuesday
94
off

Wednesday
91

Email: smithj@xyzorganization.com
Pay rate: $10/hour

Thursday
91

Friday
off

Password: Spartans1

- Projects:
- Research information for website
- Marketing plan including demographic research
- Development and implementation of social media plan
- Website management and development
- Assist with the development of presentations for staff
- Attend marketing committee meetings
- Assist with event planning
- Attend Chamber of Commerce and Networking Events with Executive Director
Mid Term Evaluation: July 1 with Executive Director and Program Manager
Final Evaluation and Exit Interview: August 15th with Executive Director and Program Manager

DEVELOPING A PROGRAM
Step 3: Recruit and Hire Qualified Intern

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Employee Referrals
Local Networking
Groups

DEVELOPING A PROGRAM
Best Practices in hiring:
Interview interns as you would an employee
Extend offer to chosen candidate
Notify candidates who were
not selected
Local colleges or universities
Employee Referrals
Local Networking Groups

DEVELOPING A PROGRAM
Step 4: Manage the Intern
Orientation - without overload
Keep aware of schedule and timing
Mimic training for a full time employee
Don't make assumptions
Talk about attire, perfume, schedule etc.

Ensure parameters are clear

at the beginning to maximize
intern success!

DEVELOPING A PROGRAM
Step 4: Manage the Intern (contd.)
Give the intern the resources needed to function
Computer
Phone
Access to server/share drive, email
Pass-codes, keys, parking

DEVELOPING A PROGRAM
Step 4: Manage the Intern (contd.)
Monitor and Evaluate interns progress
Set goals
Mid-term evaluations
Feedback helps set expectations early to
eliminate/lessen future issues and increase success of
overall experience

DEVELOPING A PROGRAM
Step 5: Conduct Exit Interview and Follow-up
Use feedback to track/improve your internship program
Communicate with career advisers on campus.
Utilize intern's suggestions and referrals - previous
interns can be best form of PR

STUDENT PERCEPTIONS OF INTERNSHIPS

Top 3 things
students liked:
Learning new
things
Real world
work experience
Working with
colleagues

86

Students say
their internship
was a
POSITIVE
experience
Source:Internships.com

SNAPSHOT OF INTERNSHIPS AT MSU

Source:Internships.com

MSUFCU INTERN AWARD NUMBERS

Source:Internships.com

INTERNSHIP RESOURCES
Funding assistance for
students completing
unpaid internships

Prima Civitas Intern Toolkit

http://primacivitas.org/OurWork/Talent/EmployerPrograms/Michigan-InternshipInitiative

Source:Internships.com

CONTACT
Victoria Morris
Internship Developer
morrisvi@msu.edu
www.CareerNetwork.msu.edu

Source:Internships.com