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“Utilizing experienced interns effectively”

Webinar7/15/10

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Intern pool

Undergraduate Graduate school Experienced

• Average age: 18-22• Relatively inexperienced• Undergraduate education

• Average age: 22-30• Some experience• Post graduate education

• Average age: 25+• Some experience• Post graduate education

Traditional Non-traditional

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Roadmap

• Overview• Advantages• Challenges

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Overview

• Market for non-undergraduate interns has increased due to recent economic events

• Many have chosen to pursue graduate degrees until the economy subsides

• Some have chosen to enter into new industries via internships

“Unique opportunity to attain expertise at a

discount”Overview

Advantages

Challenges

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Roadmap

• Overview• Advantages• Challenges

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Advantages

Overview Advantages Challenges

Less initial training Utilize expertise New perspectives

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Less initial training

Overview Advantages Challenges

No need to teach basic

professionalism

Quicker to current needs

Experienced interns are more familiar with office etiquette than traditional

interns…

…which enables employers to focus on project based

training

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Utilize expertise

• Graduate school interns have fresh perspective on industry

• Formerly employed interns have unique cross industry expertise– i.e.: Journalists

becoming PR interns Overview Advantages Challenges

Expertise can be utilized to tackle advanced projects

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Provide new insights

Overview Advantages Challenges

Traditional interns Experienced interns

• Older, formerly employed• New perspective in office• Can draw from previous business

experiences

• Young, and recently graduated• Fresh energy• New to business world

“Experienced interns bring proven perspective”

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Roadmap

• Overview• Advantages• Challenges

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Challenges

Overview Advantages Challenges

Managing Compensation

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Managing experienced interns

Overview

Advantages

Challenges

Treat experienced interns as professional equals

Be a mentor… …while acknowledging previous experience

• Teach interns nuances of your industry

• Give constant feedback so interns can track performance

• Ask intern about previous work experiences

• Discuss the big picture so interns feel their impact

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Compensation

• Recognize experienced interns can sometimes offer more than traditional interns

• Incentivize experienced interns by offering bonuses for exceptional work

• Pay enough to retain intern if needed

Overview

Advantages

Challenges

Pay competitive prices……while rewarding expertise when

warranted

*above chart is for illustrative purposes

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• Questions?