Author: Bud Gayhart, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
Did you ever wish that you could find a better, more effective way to train your new employees? Or find potential staff members who are open and willing to invest in your business and corporate culture? Being connected to higher education for several years has exposed me to a beneficial opportunity that is seldom utilized by many businesses. Internships are an interesting and positive approach for both the student apprentice and the participating company.
What is an internship? According to Wikipedia, “An intern is one who works in a temporary position with an emphasis on ‘on-the-job’ training rather than merely employment, making it similar to an apprenticeship. Interns are usually college or university students, but they can also be high school students or post graduate adults seeking skills for a new career. Student internships provide opportunities for students to gain experience in their field, determine if they have an interest in a particular career, create a network of contacts, or gain school credit.” An internship program may also provide your business with a talented pool of potential staff members.
An internship may be either paid, unpaid or partially paid (in the form of a stipend). Paid internships are most common in the medical, science, engineering, law, business (especially accounting and finance), technology and advertising fields. Internships in not-for-profit organizations such as charities and think tanks are often unpaid, volunteer positions. Internships may be part-time or full-time; typically they are part-time during the university year and full-time in the summer, and they usually last 6-12 weeks, but can be shorter or longer.”
At the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, students are frequently encouraged to apply for internships. There are many students in the accounting program that connect with accounting firms, both large and small, to apply their knowledge and simultaneously receive mentoring from someone at the firm. The rewards can be huge! For students, being connected to a real accounting firm brings classroom curriculum to life. It also allows them to function as a team member, solving challenges for their client company. The business also benefits from the internship. Employers are able to assess the skill sets of students in a true working environment. As a result, many students will receive an “offer” of employment following the internship.
But what if your business doesn’t need an accountant? There are students in management, marketing, communications, information technology, and other disciplines that can bring great value to area businesses. Internships are not limited to the UW system nor are they limited to just universities. The technical college system in Wisconsin has active and successful internship programs as well.
In addition to the internship programs, our campus in Whitewater offers to connect with businesses through “consulting” classes where students become the consultant to the business for a semester. In this model, students use their training to develop a solution to a challenge the business is facing. Again, both sides benefit from this approach. You, as the employer can receive a fresh viewpoint and a potential solution to your problem. The student acquires practical experience as well as confidence in putting his education to work in a real-life situation.
Interested? Want to give the internship idea a try? At UW-Whitewater, you can contact our Internship Coordinator, Laura Morrow at 262-472-1606 or by email. You can also learn more about our program by visiting the Career Services website. Internships are a creative way for companies, large and small, to connect with the innovative, talented pool of the next generation while assisting these promising students to use their talents and education and become productive members of tomorrow’s business community.
This article was written by Bud Gayhart, Director of the Center for Innovation & Business Development at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.