Why Hire an Intern? Linda Levitt, Internship Coordinator Raritan Valley Community College Office of Career Services

What IS an internship, anyway??

An internship is a challenging hands-on work experience in a student’s field of interest. The most important components of an internship are: – Students need to be mentored – Students need to do meaningful work – Students need to be learning while doing

Benefits to you, the employer: – Lower cost alternative to full time permanent hires – Assistance with projects – Ability to preview potential new permanent employees

So, what’s the big deal? Over 2/3 of companies that have instituted internship programs use them primarily to recruit Less learning curve Better retention rates

More benefits to you… – Ability to mentor the next generation of workers………….. “pay back,” especially if you or some of your employees [or children!] started off as interns

Too, – Do you see skills that your newer employees do not possess? You will have the opportunity to have a “voice” in our college programs…

And… Student interns are more tech-savvy than many of us “older” [yikes!!!] workers Interns tend to be more: ~ flexible ~ can multi-task with greater ease ~ take directions without becoming defensive ~ will easily learn to do things “your” way

Also… Enthusiasm and motivation - have those qualities been missing from your workplace lately? Interns’ positive can-do attitudes are infectious!

One more advantage: – Excellent PR…you will gain greater visibility within the college and among our other employer-partners

Branding your company If your interns are happy, they will “talk up” your company and their experience  free advertising!

Your responsibilities Understand the nature of an internship – the students don’t come to you w/ experience; they are with you to gain the experience

Your responsibilities, continued Treat them well Discuss your expectations with them up front; offer regular feedback

What’s in it for them Work – challenging and meaningful Mentoring – essential component Pay them!!

Benefits to the intern, continued Allow them to network with you and your staff Offer them a letter of recommendation at the end of the experience Keep in touch with me!!

RVCC’s internship program offers: Short term - 3-month Long term semester + Project-oriented Internship-to-direct-hire positions 12 months/year What works for your company?

Did you know about our Honors Programs? High-achieving students – enrich their academic experience – enhance credentials for transfer to highly selective 4-year colleges – Improve their edge in competitive employment markets Honors courses: smaller, seminar-style, interdisciplinary focus; students develop closer working relationship with their professors Students who are not admitted to the Honors College may still take individual honors courses if they meet entrance requirements. Can receive academic recognition on their transcript

Questions? Concerns? Comments? Want to move forward? Contact me - Let’s talk! Linda Levitt x8437 Register for the internship program at: