How to host interns?

Looking back on my early career, I realize that many of the skills that have helped me stay employed in the “real world” didn’t come from what I learned in lectures, but from the internship i pursed while I was a student. I was lucky to have great intern supervisors that allowed me to learn, believed in my potential, and gave me hands-on experience that’s helped me succeed.

So, now that I have my own interns to manage, I try to provide them with an experience that’s just as great as the ones I had. And I appreciate now more than ever that a great experience doesn’t just happen. If you’re a first-time intern manager, read on for tips on how you can help your interns be successful (and develop your own leadership skills at the same time!).

1. Prepare

Before your intern sets foot in the door, think through what, exactly, their job will entail, and what duties you’ll have them take on. Create a job description and develop a work plan that outlines their responsibilities and goals for the duration of the internship. 

2. Make Them Feel Welcome

During your intern’s first few days, carve out a few chunks of time on your calendar to give them proper training and instructions. Start with an overview of the organization and the department, a tour of the office, and an introduction to your colleagues. 

3. Schedule Regular Check-Ins

You should plan to check in with your intern every day, plus have a more formal sit-down meeting about once a week to keep them informed about upcoming projects and make sure they has clear direction on existing ones. This might seem like an added constraint on your time, but it’s important to help your interns feel like part of the team and stay on track with their goals.

4. Provide Meaningful Tasks

Try to assign them tasks that relate to their career goals or their strengths, or ask what they're interested in learning more about and give them something in that vein.

5. Don’t Assume Prior Knowledge of Anything

Keep in mind that this may be your intern’s first foray in the working world, so things that seem self-explanatory to you (mail merging, tracking changes) might not be to them.

Ask if they has questions, and let them know that they can always come to you with more after the fact, too. (And if they do—make time to answer them patiently! You should mean what you say.)

6. Be a Mentor

Above all, strive to be someone who your intern can learn from. Take the time to answer questions and teach the things you wish someone would have taught you at that stage of your life.

Making sure your interns have a great experience is crucial for their careers. But remember that it's important for yours, too! Working with interns provides you with the opportunity to develop resume-building management skills and to learn more about the manager you would like to become.

All our past and current interns have done a fantastic job during their time at Nishat Linen.

PS i'm happy to see the review of my interns about me in their final internship report.