This piece was contributed by Teresa Walker, Director of Work Practice, Cameron School of Business

Consistently, we hear from students throughout the spring semester, “I would prefer a summer internship in Wilmington.” 

However, the number of interested students outnumber the opportunities available. Therefore, many students end up going elsewhere to gain applied learning experience.

Is your business losing out on this valuable resource located within your community? Furthermore, from an economics viewpoint, could this be considered an opportunity cost?

Experiential learning through internships is a crucial element of the college education. In addition, internships provide solutions for employers by assisting with workflow in an effective manner in order to accomplish immediate goals and through finding new team members to help grow the business and accomplish long-term goals.

Many organizations recognize the benefit of having educated, professional and motivated students to fill their short-term hiring needs. Not only will interns provide a fresh perspective, employers also benefit from the following:

• Discovery of motivated stars for future hiring needs resulting in higher employee retention
• The use of economical resources to accomplish long- or short-term goals and projects
• Increase of technological knowledge and resources
• Greater supply of educated and motived hires for a brief period with no commitment
• Opportunity for mentoring to become an integral part of a company’s culture

• The Interview: Select an intern with the same approach used to select an employee. Discuss both the business needs and intern goals. This process creates ownership and commitment for all parties.
• The Structure: Develop a plan based on the student’s potential degree and learning objectives, in combination with the business’s needs. Schedule regular meetings to discuss business needs and include brainstorming. This will ensure all have an understanding of the goals and needed outcomes.
• The Direction: Consider being or assigning a mentor. This is someone committed to onboarding the intern to facilitate a productive environment. Also, include the intern in all business activities, both during and after hours. Always follow up with a scheduled performance and goal review. This will aid in assessing abilities and cultural fit if you are considering an upcoming hire.