It’s that time of the year again. No, not the longed-for return of warm weather; not the leading edge of the spring market; not even tax time. It’s intern season.
Though we’re currently caught in winter’s last unhappy gasp, in a few short weeks our fine institutions of higher learning will open their doors and release a stream of students into the workforce. All of them will be eager to gain experience and exposure in Greater Boston’s booming economy.
Mid-semester is peak summer internship hunting season and internship coordinators across the city have an inbox full of appeals to prove it. Despite – or perhaps because of – the decades-long tolling of our death knell, today’s journalism and communications majors remain eager to experience a print newsroom. The emails are coming fast and furious, a half-dozen or more every day – although actually, most of them come in overnight. The waning edge of the Millennial generation appears to be full of night owls.
Can we talk about resumes for a minute? Really, who is telling these students that, after three years of college, it’s ok for them to have a two- or even three-page resume? There are industry professionals working on their third decade of experience who don’t have three-page resumes.
Length of resumes aside, one thing is certain: there will be at least one, probably two, interns in the B&T newsroom this summer. The Warren Group takes its internships quite seriously and often has several in the office throughout the year. All earn academic credit from their various institutions; all are highly valued and well taught.
An internship, done right, is far more than just a foot in the door: Exposure to careers in a student’s field of study can point them to the path they will follow for the rest of their working lives. Equally as important, it can show them the paths they do not want to take.
As the season of the intern kicks into high gear, if you currently have an internship program in place, give it a quick review and get it out there so the students can find you.
If you don’t have one, consider setting one up. The rewards for students are legion, but the rewards for the company and staff should not be discounted. The time, effort and energy it takes to educate an intern can seem daunting and unnecessary. But watching them learn so enthusiastically about the industries we love balances the labor of education.
And if you can, consider a paid internship. If all you can offer is academic credit, that’s better than nothing, but academic internships often favor those who need them least – those who have outside financial assistance. Even a part-time paid internship can go a long way in the education of those who could not otherwise afford the opportunity.
As we look forward in anticipation of the return of spring and summer, consider taking on an intern or two this year. You will be a part of the blossoming of a young woman or man’s career, and the difference you make will be immeasurable.
