Make the Most of an Internship or Co-op Placement
When your son or daughter rushes to tell you, "I've been selected
to do an internship!", wholehearted congratulations are in order. Not only
have they got their foot in the door of a potential employer, they have been
given a chance to develop key skills that they can apply to future work situations.
An
internship or cooperative (co-op) education assignment can be an invaluable
opportunity. Among 2015 bachelor's degree graduates, 65 percent took part
in an internship or co-op assignment, according to a nationwide survey of
college students conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers
(NACE).
For many young people, a co-op placement might be their first
experience working in an environment that is directly related to their career
aspirations. It might involve working within a formal business structure,
with highly technical equipment, or with a team of professionals.
In
today's dynamic labor market, many companies offer such programs as a significant
way to lure new talent. For young people, it's an excellent way to demonstrate
to potential employers their skills and areas of knowledge and how they might
potentially perform as a "hired" employee.
According to a 2017 employer
survey conducted by the NACE, 41 percent of respondents indicated an increase
in intern and co-op hiring and 42 percent indicated that they've manintained
current levels.
No matter the situation, there are some strategies to
help young people make the most of their work experience.
Strategies
for Making the Most of an Internship or Co-op Placement
- Demonstrate Good Workplace Etiquette
Young interns or co-op
placements have to show their employer that they are committed employees.
To do this, they should show up to every shift or work day on time; be efficient;
limit socializing with other co-workers; avoid the gossip and rumor mill;
stay within their allotted lunch and break times; and work to exceed the minimum
performance that's expected of them.
This is especially crucial if they
are hoping to move toward a full-time job with their employer following graduation.
If your son or daughter has limited workplace experience, discuss some of
the key points of employability with them before they head off to work.
- Go Above and Beyond
This is a common belief held by many successful
service-oriented companies. In addition to providing their standard services,
these companies always strive to go above and beyond their customers' expectations.
For example, a customer may go into a hardware store to buy a lawn mower.
The customer expects to pick out a lawn mower, pay for it, and load it into
his or her vehicle. The hardware store manager would exceed the customer's
expectations by sending an employee out to assist the customer with loading
the machine in the vehicle. Most likely, the customer would remember the gesture
and be more likely to favor that store in the future.
Similarly, your
son or daughter will receive favorable reviews and be likelier to be considered
for full-time employment if they exceed their employer's expectations.
For
example, if they are a public relations intern and are expected to identify
two new media sources a week, they could exceed expectations by finding four
or five. If they are a computer programmer intern and are expected to test
five programs a week, they could go above and beyond by testing six or seven.
The possibilities for exceeding employer expectations and going above and
beyond are endless. In most cases, doing so will result in many benefits to
them as interns and as potential full-time employees. Ask your son or daughter
about their employer's expectations on a regular basis and help them develop
strategies that are meaningful in their work situations to demonstrate their
keenness and ability to exceed expectations.
- Display Energy and Enthusiasm
There is no bigger downer in
a workplace than working with someone who is negative and apathetic on a regular
basis. The opposite is true when working alongside someone who excited and
eager to get a job done. The most successful interns are those that display
an upbeat attitude and a genuine interest in performing their role.
Most
employers have long-held the belief that energetic, enthusiastic employees
are happy in their positions and therefore more successful. Students who demonstrate
these qualities from the start will more likely obtain greater opportunities
in the future.
Keeping up enthusiasm might be tough for some with the
physical and mental challenges your kids might face in a new work situation.
Keep an eye out for signs of stress so you can be there as a support person
and sounding board -- that way you can help your kids stay focused and maintain
enthusiasm.
- Network, Network, Network
Not only is an internship a great
way to get experience, it is a great way to make connections in the chosen
field of work. Suggest to your son or daughter that they try meeting as many
people as possible while on their internship. Most likely, they will get to
know their immediate supervisor and any co-workers working in their area.
Suggest
that they also try to meet people with different roles and from other departments
(with their supervisor's permission, of course). A relatively non-threatening
way to network with someone is to ask him or her to grant you a 15- to 20-minute
informational interview. The interview should be centered on gaining knowledge
about the industry and useful information for a career in that field or type
of work.
- Gather Content for a Portfolio or Resume
Remind your son or
daughter to keep relevant documents that will demonstrate their abilities
to future employers. With their employer's permission, suggest that they gather
some items for their portfolio such as copies or summaries of completed projects,
letters of recommendation, and positive performance reviews and supervisor
feedback.
Supporting your son or daughter during their internship with
words of shared experience, advice and encouragement will help them make the
most of their work experience. If they work hard to show themselves to be
a good employee, it may well lead directly to a permanent job in the future.