Make most of your Interns

HR 

Interns: Managing Them Effectively
by Nick Morpus

Interns can be a great resource for your organization. Even if their stay at your company is brief, they should be considered trainees; you should aim to prepare them as future members of the workforce. 


Interns are a fantastic resource for cash-strapped organizations that “make or break” on the basis of the amount of money it can raise, so it is wise to make the most of your interns while teaching them useful skills that they can use in the future. 

Here are ways that you can make the most of your interns for your organization.

1. Identifying the Strengths and Weaknesses of Your Interns

You don’t want to put your intern in a position for which they have no passion, knowledge, or drive, would you ? 
A common mistake for organizations is assigning its interns to tasks without first considering strengths and weaknesses.
For example , leave the number crunchers and organizers to the detail-oriented positions, and put creative interns in a position where their talents will benefit your company.

2 . Making Your Interns a Part of the Team

Interns are, by definition, temporary employees, but they shouldn’t be made to feel like they are excluded.
Higher morale contributes to higher productivity. Nothing will lower the morale of your interns more quickly than treating them as “the other guys” or the “out-crowd.”
Make your interns feel like they are important and that they are a member of the team. Invite them to after-work activities, give them meaningful tasks, and include them in major projects and events. 
If your interns feel like they are a part of your tribe and that they belong, they will return the favor in higher quality work and better productivity.