As the fresh produce industry is constantly evolving, new talent is at the top of many companies’ lists. One way to fill this need is to host internships that are a win-win for both parties – each gaining something of value from the experience. While hosting an intern can seem like an easy task, there could be some unnecessary turmoil if a clear pathway to success is not established from the beginning. With nearly 20 internships and apprenticeships under our belt, here are a couple of our recommendations when looking to host an intern!
Identify the purpose of your intern program
It’s important to determine why exactly your company needs an intern and what exactly the intern will be doing. Without having a clear description of what the intern will be doing, it may be hard to recruit the talent needed as well as retain that talent. Our recommendation is to provide a job description and lay out the tasks you would like to see the intern take on – this way, you are setting both you and the intern up for success by providing a clear roadmap for success!
Recruit early and among a variety of majors
If you know that you will be needing an intern for the following year, it’s imperative to determine a game plan on attracting that talent. We recommend utilizing recruiting resources (here and here) that align with your company’s goals and begin to look around. Having a timeline helps because you can set small goals to make sure you are doing everything in your power to get the word out there that you are looking for help. Also, widen the net of where you are sourcing the talent from – just because a student’s major might be a stretch, take a look at what experiences they have; most often than not, there is a way that their skills align with what you’re looking to accomplish.
Set expectations from the start
It’s easier to set expectations than it is to re-direct goals when they have gone astray. If your company is compensating the intern with an hourly or salary pay (which we recommend), providing housing, or even a living stipend, discuss that early on. This way, the intern will have a clear picture as to what they can expect to receive after putting in the work asked of them. We also recommend designating a supervisor or a mentor for the intern, this way there is a direct line of communication. We typically have a dedicated person show the intern around the building the first day as well as include a company-wide lunch so everyone gets to know the newest face in the office. Having someone leading the intern allows for mentorship to naturally occur; weekly check-ins to see how they are progressing, if there are questions on any processes, etc. can be discussed at this time.
Provide opportunities to contribute by the end of the program
Giving an intern a meaningful experience means offering them a real opportunity to contribute to and/or create work that is impactful and that will develop their skills as a professional. If an intern is only being tasked with busy work and errands, they may feel like they are getting the short-end of the stick and their interest in the company/role will begin to decline. To counteract that, invite the intern to meetings and conference calls. This allows them to ask questions and experience the role hands-on. We recommend tasking them with a project that they can work on and complete by the end of their internship. With this kind of experience, the intern will be able to absorb what type of work would be expected of them, if they were to fill that role after graduation.
At the end of the day, an intern is there to learn as well as contribute. Just as the student is learning, we as an industry are learning. Learning how to better serve consumers, learning how to better our industry, and learning how to attract and retain new talent. At the end of the intern’s program, we recommend having an exit interview to learn more about their experience. With this knowledge, your company will be able to see what worked, what processes could use some changes, and any other feedback.
Still have questions on how to host a meaningful internship? Download our free Internship Guide eBook or leave us a comment!
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