6 Benefits of Internship That You May Not Know
byAkbar RachmanFeb 084 min read

Let’s admit that interns are underrated resources. Many schools and companies are still not realizing the actual benefits of having a well-planned internship program in their organizations. Now, here are the benefits of internships that students, fresh-grads, and even business owners may not know but certainly will need.


Benefits of Internship for Job-seekers or Fresh Graduates


New skills

The basic skills taught in schools or colleges are always good if it can be effectively used in real life. Internship is giving the students that exact opportunities; to apply and improve what they have learned. 


Students should learn how to operate a standard computer, basic use of any office supplies and tools, basic manner & other soft skills, basic building or workplace layout (e.g., toilet, fire escape, assembly point), and know about standard support functions in a company, during an internship program. These rarely taught at schools, and most of the companies wouldn’t even spare their time to teach those basic stuff to new employees; despite the facts that the new-hires need it badly.


A good internship program can be designed as an important bridge between schools’ basic knowledges and companies’ basic functions & works.


Networking

Internship can also become a “networking event” between students/fresh-grads and their professional colleagues. That way they wouldn’t be really “blind” when starting to apply for regular jobs. Most of the time, the companies even choose to hire those who have spent time with them during internship. Why, because the interns already know their way around. No need to teach them again, at least not from scratch. Efficient and time-saving, for both employers and job seekers.


Even if they’re not being hired, interns can also get recommendations and certifications from the company they once worked for. That can give them experience and credibility when the interns are looking for regular jobs later.


Perspectives

Now this is the most important thing; perspective. Students and fresh-grads don’t have the perspective yet about what a business is and how it operates. At least not a complete one. By doing internships, they get the first-hand experience of how to be a working employee. How does it feel to be an adult, working in a company, completing deadlines, make their own earning, and socializing with colleagues. They can have a glimpse and more insights about what they want to be and what they don’t want to be. It definitely can help them to plan their career and future better.


Benefits of Internship for Business Owners or Employers


You didn’t think internships only benefit the students and fresh-grads, right?


Brand recognition

Company that has a good internship program usually has a good people development program as well. By having internship programs, it boosts the brand recognition as well, because people (especially students) will be talking about it; how to get internships there, and how to get a work there. Best talents will automatically try to apply, and company doesn’t have to worry about lacking good candidates to hire.


A lot of people and communities will be talking about how good it is to work in the company, and the company will get free publicity, the good ones. But be careful, the same goes for bad internship programs; then the talks will easily turn into rumours and gossips, and that’s bad publicity.


Quality of hires

The more schools and companies established good internship programs; the more qualified entry-level candidates would be available on the job market. For recruiters, this is a real win. Candidates already know the basic stuff on working as an employee, and would be able to directly jump into the business’ core activities; and employers don’t need to plan that much on getting their new-hires up to speed. It’s once again efficient, time-saving, and beneficial for both parties.


Employees’ development

Employers can also assign their employees as mentors to the interns. Observe how they lead, manage, and mentor the interns, and make evaluations from there; whether those employees can actually have the attitude & capability to lead a team, and deserve promotions, or not.


Finally, we can see that internship programs are not to be taken lightly, and once a company feel the need to have one, it should be managed professionally. Not just for the sake of formality, or just joining the bandwagon because the other companies are also having it. Play it wrong, and it surely could backfire, and affect the company’s brand & business as a whole.

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