The New Normal: Adult Interns

By Rick Garcia
 
The profile of today’s workforce is a transparent riddle – it’s hard to distinguish whether an employee has been steadily vested with that company or is a new, green arrival in that company’s industry.
 
In other words, we are seeing a mature workforce, who have been displaced by job cuts or layoffs and are entering second careers that is completely different from where they started.
 
This movement saw a surge of many adults going back to school through the “No Worker Left Behind” program, where there were some positive outcomes of those finding new employment.
 
However, there are many who found it more difficult to find a job in their desired field of study.
 
An internship is one solution many have resorted to help build the necessary skills and experience for gainful employment.
 
Diane, a mother of two children living in Charlotte, MI, is a full-time student majoring in Human Services at Baker College. Her major requires 125 hours a semester to fulfill her graduation requirements. She took a fall internship at a nonprofit agency where she serves as a community outreach coordinator.
 
Diane described her work being overwhelming, but rewarding, giving her an opportunity to get a bird’s eye view of the work environment and an opportunity to test her existing and newly acquired skills from her major. Most important, the internship gives her a meaningful, “hands-on” experience where she can interface with clients and develop work products for her portfolio when she pursues that career track. It will also get her foot in the door.
 
At our workplace, the profile of student interns that we engage have been adults between the ages of 24 to 48 with young families (or care provider for their elderly parent) and have previous work experience. By engaging this group, the biggest benefit as employers is that they are co-opting established tax-paying residents with children vested in local schools. Additionally, we are getting a free-glimpse at a prospective employee who has “life” experiences in a previous work environment, have the maturity and in most cases, mutual respect given to each other.
 
Internships is a win-win situation for employers and nonprofits, in particular, because the benefits include leveraging costs and developing strong teamwork skills, individual responsibility and the opportunity to cultivate loyal volunteers and advocates. Internships should not be a way to delegate the most menial, repetitive tasks, unless they understand the value and importance of their contribution.
 
Diane, who successfully completed her internship, also increased her of network of professional contacts. In fact, many employers consider internship experience in the hiring process, and often look to their own interns as the best potential candidates for full-time positions.
 
If you are an employer who have never had a student intern, make inquiries online to any nearby colleges like Lansing or Jackson Community College, Baker College, Olivet College, Davenport University and of course Michigan State University (MSU) and University of Michigan (U of M). You can also post internship opportunities on your company website or other sites like www.internmatch.com .
 
Before you start, it is best to talk to other employers who have engaged in adult interns for some guidance and tips – such as having a paid or unpaid intern (this will vary). Be prepared to have clear, written expectations and roles and job description as well as other documents required by the institution you partner.
 
This was printed in the November 18, 2012 – December 1, 2012 Edition