Internship platform, Yspot, shares 7 tips towards fostering interns
Internship platform Yspot, designed to revolutionize connectivity between youth and organizations, shares tips on how companies can create a beneficial internship experience for students.
The female-led internship platform supports students in their future career choice and offers organisations a unique experience to directly communicate with their youth target audience through brand advocacy programs, internship opportunities, community discussions and surveys.
Any internship experience is critical and may significantly impact a young professional’s success in the workplace. For an employer, hiring and hosting interns is one way to contribute to young talent and assess potential hires who can potentially transition into full time roles. However, there is still a lack of comprehensive evaluation of undergraduate students’ performance from most managers and organisations.
Make interns feel welcome. Introduce them to all the team members and their respective roles, to encourage open lines of communication for learning and a more meaningful experience. Providing new hires a safe and comfortable workspace also gives the idea of a welcoming and a pleasant working atmosphere. Including them in team projects, external meetings will give them a sense of responsibility, teach accountability, and improve their interpersonal and networking skills. In addition, inviting or organizing social activities for interns helps them foster a sense of community.
Offer flexible working hours. The potential advantages of offering flexible working hours are well-known and to everyone’s advantage when used appropriately. Allowing interns to work flexible hours that fit their lifestyle and schedule increases their productivity and creativity. This will also help them to better manage their time and balance their work and personal commitments.
It is also important to provide mentorship and guidance. Assigning an experienced mentor to each intern to provide guidance and support will help them to better understand their role and responsibilities and develop their skills.
One of the top priorities for students is to have meaningful project work and be able to put their knowledge and skills into practice. By providing them with work that is relevant to their field of study and interests, they will gain valuable experience and feel more engaged in their responsibilities. The company’s objective is to ensure that interns have an opportunity to see the outcome and impact their contributions have made on a project at the end of their internship.
Encourage breaks. Allow interns to take regular breaks throughout the day to rest and recharge. This will help them to stay focused and productive.
Providing feedback gives interns regular feedback on their performance to help them understand their strengths and weaknesses. This also teaches them how to receive constructive feedback and learn how they respond to it. Moreover, be open to receiving feedback and giving interns the space to voice their views and input. This will foster mutual respect and confidence.
Finally, remember to offer rewards and recognition. Recognize interns for their hard work and accomplishments. This will help them to feel valued and appreciated.
