amanda dumond director, talent initiatives prima civitas employer internship training

Amanda DumondDirector, Talent Initiatives

Prima Civitas

Employer Internship Training

Graphic design completed by a Shifting Gears intern!

Creating Successful Internship Programs

Employer Benefits

• Opportunity to create workforce pipeline

• Add capacity and skill sets

• Bring new ideas and fresh perspectives

• Great way to groom future leadership

• Return On Investment (ROI)

Creating Successful Internship Programs

Employer Challenges• Difficult to get buy-in from management and

peers• Previous bad experiences

• Limited (or lack of) HR personnel/resources• Not sure how to get started• Not sure where to find interns• Leary of legalities• International students• Paid vs. unpaid

Creating Successful Internship Programs

US Dept. of Labor 6 Criteria:

1. Interns cannot displace regular employees.

2. Interns are not guaranteed a job at the end of the

internship (though you may decide to hire

them at the conclusion of the experience).

3. Interns are not entitled to wages during the

internship.

4. Interns must receive training from your

organization, even if it somewhat impedes on the work.

5. Interns must get hands-on experience with

equipment and processes used in your industry.

6. Interns’ training must primarily benefit them, not

the organization.

Creating Successful Internship Programs

How to get started:• Look at what can be completed by an intern

• Review job descriptions (JD) for each

department

• Highlight things that could be easily

transferred onto an intern JD

• Identify capacity issues

• Do you have projects on your wish list?

Don’t let confidential info be a barrier

Creating Successful Internship Programs

Five-Steps to Developing a Quality Internship Program

Step 1: Set goals and policies for the internship program What is the main goal for your organization’s

internship program? Convert interns into employees? Marketing your organization? Add temporary capacity? Create a pipeline of talent? All of the above?

Creating Successful Internship Programs

Five-Steps to Developing a Quality Internship Program

Step 1: Set goals and policies for the internship program Identify projects:

Project/job specific internship Floating internships that include multiple projects

within varying departments Who will supervise and mentor the intern? Create a job description

Creating Successful Internship Programs

Five-Steps to Developing a Quality Internship Program

Step 2: Write a plan for the internship opportunity Create a Work Plan that outlines the scope

• This is the tool that will prevent the “I don’t have time to babysit” mentality

Creating Successful Internship Programs

Five-Steps to Developing a Quality Internship Program

Step 2: Write a plan for the internship opportunity Can the intern be involved in other areas?

Meetings-exposure Training/Seminars

Creating Successful Internship Programs

Five-Steps to Developing a Quality Internship Program

Step 3: Recruit a qualified intern• Contact high schools, colleges/universities• Michigan Works• Pure MichiganTalent Connect-post openings• Interninmichigan.com & other online systems• Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) Michigan Shifting Gears program

Creating Successful Internship Programs

Five-Steps to Developing a Quality Internship Program

Step 3: Recruit a qualified intern Interview interns as you would employees Send offer letter or MOU to chosen candidate Notify candidates who were not selected Communicate with intern between interview and

start date

Creating Successful Internship Programs

Five-Steps to Developing a Quality Internship Program

Step 4: Manage the intern• Orientation-without overload

• Don’t make assumptions• Talk about attire, perfume, schedule, etc.

Creating Successful Internship Programs

Five-Steps to Developing a Quality Internship Program

Step 4: Manage the intern• Give the intern resources needed to function

• Computer• Phone• Access to server/share drive

Creating Successful Internship Programs

Five-Steps to Developing a Quality Internship Program

Step 4: Manage the intern• Expectations

• Entry & exit presentations (optional)• 30-60-90 day touch points

Creating Successful Internship Programs

Five-Steps to Developing a Quality Internship Program

Step 5: Conduct exit interviews and follow-up• Exit presentation (optional)• Use feedback to track/improve your internship

program• Communicate with faculty/career advisor/point of

contact

Creating Successful Internship Programs

Mission Statement:

The mission of MCEEA is to promote and maximize career potential and the advancement of internship, cooperative education, and employment within the state of Michigan through collaborative relationships among employers, colleges and universities.

http://www.mceea.org/

Resources

http://bit.ly/ZEpQsh

Amanda Dumonda.dumond@primacivitas.org

517-488-9777

@AmandaPCF@MCEEATweets

-Amanda Dumond-Michigan Career Educator and Employer Alliance

Notes