TODAY'S INTERN WORKFORCE WAS BIRTHED WITH TECHNOLOGY AND IS READY TO CONTRIBUTE TO CUTTING-EDGE STRATEGIES. TO DISCOVER TALENT AND GET THE MOST OUT OF THE INTERVIEW PROCESS, TOM WALKER, PRESIDENT OF REV ONE VENTURES. OFFERS TIPS FOR HIRING INTERNS, AND WHY IT BEGINS WITH CURIOSITY.
“Curious interns help you think outside of the box, because you are bringing in a different generation and they can maybe help open doors within your own mind and company to think creatively but then you're offering them the environment to grow, which is really what internship programs are it’s about pipe line development of future talent.”
WALKER RECOMMENDS GIVING POTENTIAL INTERNS A PROJECT AS OPPOSED TO JUST A SIMPLE INTERVIEW.
“Just pick a topic area. That way it allows them to think creatively and come back to you. It could be a question that is unrelated to the internship, but it gives you the employer an opportunity to see how they think.”
ONCE ONBOARDING BEGINS, WALKER SAYS TO TREAT INTERNS LIKE TEAM MEMBERS FROM THE START.
“It may be easy to fall into the category of not taking them as serious as full-time staff position. You have to take it seriously. You have to communicate with them day to day, what the opportunities are so that they feel part of the team immediately. The more strategic opportunities you give an intern, it causes you as leadership to be more engaged with that position. Done correctly, internships can be an incredible pipeline for your talent development.”
THE BUSINESS REVIEW IS A PRODUCTION OF LIVINGSTON AND MCKAY AND THE HANKAMER SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY.