Internship Programs – the Ignored Gateway to Talent
By VICKY BROWN
You know what really gets me excited? Finding smart ways to grow your business while developing talent. And there’s one strategy that too many small business owners completely overlook – internship programs.
Now, before you roll your eyes and think “I don’t have time to babysit college students,” let me tell you why you’re leaving money on the table by not having an internship program.
First up – and this is huge – internships are your talent pipeline. Just think about what happens when you need to fill an entry-level position. You post the job, wade through resumes, schedule interviews, check references – and you still don’t really know what you’re getting. But with an internship program, you’re building your own candidate pool.
And these aren’t just random applicants – these are people who already understand how your business runs. They know your systems, they’ve worked with your team, and most importantly – they’ve shown you what they can do.
But here’s what most people miss – interns bring immediate value to your business. While you’re heads down managing day-to-day operations, they’re sitting in classrooms learning about emerging trends, new technologies, and innovative business practices. They’re not bogged down by “this is how we do things.” Instead, they’re asking “have you considered doing it this way?” That fresh perspective? That’s gold for your business.
Now, let’s get real about money. Because, every business decision has to make financial sense. With internships, you’re getting additional bandwidth for projects and tasks at a fraction of the cost of a full-time employee. And when you do need to hire, you’re not starting from zero. No recruitment fees, minimal onboarding time, no long learning curve. That’s money directly back in your business.
And here’s another angle most business owners don’t consider – what this does for your reputation in the market. When you run a solid internship program, you’re telling the world that you invest in developing talent. And that message resonates with everyone – from potential clients who see you as forward-thinking, to job candidates who want to work for a company that values growth. It positions you as a leader in your industry, not just another small business.
Oh, and hiring? Well, internships are your secret weapon for making smart hiring decisions. Look, we’ve all made hiring mistakes based on great interviews. But with interns, you get to see the real deal. How do they handle pressure? Can they meet deadlines? Do they take initiative or wait to be told what to do? Do they mesh with your team? You get answers to all these questions before even having to make a job offer.
“… stop thinking about internships as a favor you’re doing for students. Start thinking about them as a strategic tool for growing your business“
Speaking of teams – internships do amazing things for your existing team members.. When your team mentors an intern, they develop leadership skills. They have to articulate why they do things a certain way. They get to share their expertise. And guess what? That engagement, that pride in teaching others – it energizes your whole team. Plus, interns ask questions that make your team think differently about their work. They challenge those “we’ve always done it this way” processes that might be holding you back.
And that brings me to my final point – the long-term impact on your business growth. A well-structured internship program isn’t just about getting help with today’s workload. It’s about building a foundation for your company’s future. It’s about creating a pipeline of talent that understands your business from the ground up. It’s about fostering innovation by bringing in fresh perspectives regularly.
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But let me be clear – this only works if you do it right. You need to create real value for your interns. That means meaningful work, not just coffee runs and filing. It means providing feedback, mentorship, and opportunities to learn. It means treating them as potential future employees, and in most cases, it means paying them. Oh, you can pay them minimum wage – but if you want them to actually do work, you’re going to have to pay them.
Remember, these interns aren’t just looking for a line on their resume. They’re looking for real experience, real mentorship, and real opportunities. And if you provide that, you’ll find they deliver real value to your business.
So sure, setting up an internship program takes some initial effort. You need to define projects, establish mentorship structures, and create clear expectations. But the return on that investment? It’s massive – both in the short term and the long run.
So here’s my challenge to you – stop thinking about internships as a favor you’re doing for students. Start thinking about them as a strategic tool for growing your business. Because that’s exactly what they are. They’re your gateway to fresh talent, and future growth.
And isn’t that exactly what your business needs?
Because, in today’s competitive market, you need every advantage you can get. A well-structured internship program isn’t just a nice to have – it’s a necessity for sustainable growth. So don’t let this opportunity pass you by. Start planning your internship program today.