The Dynamics of Internships

As much as students strive to bag internships in celebrated businesses, businesses are too on the lookout for these young talents. This also leads to the most asked question by students,

Are the businesses seeking cheap labor in the form of interns?

Certainly not! With changing times, the notion that ‘interns are cheap labor’ is also changing drastically. Interns today are seen as potential pools of hires and future talent resources for the business. Internships, thus, are well designed and engaging, facilitating the interns to draw the best from their stint with the professional world and helping the companies nurture potential employees.

Internships aim to enhance a student's academic, career, and personal development. Supervised by a professional or expert in the field of study, an internship offers the students a chance to learn by doing and the opportunity to achieve their own learning goals, without having to meet the obligations of a full-time employee. Meeting new people and practicing networking skills, interns can establish a network of professional contacts, mentors, and references that come handy in the long run. Moreover, interns gain valuable experience and can add these accomplishments to their resume. Considering the performance and familiarity to the job of the interns, most employers offer full-time roles at the end of the internship program. 

Thus, most of the internships may not compensate in stipend or salary, but offer long-term benefits that help shape rewarding careers for the students!

For the businesses, the interns go far beyond just ‘cheap sources of labor’. 

Interns are seen as much more ingenious and as contributors to the business and its growth. 

An internship program is a year-round recruiting tool, and hence implementing an internship program promises the business an ongoing pipeline of future full-time employees. Starting an internship program lets the company benefit from added workforce, while more accurately assessing candidates for future roles and vacancies. Additionally, new interns bring with them novel perceptions, fresh ideas, and specialized strengths and skill sets. These augment the abilities of the professional employees with the employer. With benefits for both the businesses and students, internships really are a win-win! The students get to understand what their interests are, what their strengths and weaknesses are and what kind of career they would want to pursue in future. The businesses can foster and maintain relationships with the education domain and student community. It is the time that both the employers and students go beyond the misconception that ‘interns are cheap labor’ and realize the potential of lucrative internship programs. 

As Benjamin Franklin puts it, 

‘Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.’ 

The internship experience promotes active involvement and hence, learning. Internships are gateways to bright careers and brighter businesses.