Internship Connections

Dictionary.com defines an internship as: “any official or formal program to provide practical experience for beginners in an occupation or profession.”

TAG strives to help strengthen the connections between our industry and the higher-education programs in our region.  If you are considering offering an intern position, please visit our Advertising Internships page for resources on how to connect with the colleges and universities of your choice.

Why should your business consider offering internships?

Interns become a great source of future employees

Interns often choose an internship based on their interests and future career aspirations. They are likely to choose a company that they believe will be a good fit for them.  By providing internships you are creating a pool of talented individuals who likely view the internship as a way to get their “foot in the door” with your company.  In addition, you can evaluate their capabilities essentially risk free.

Strengthens your company’s image

By providing internships you are showing not only students who may become your future employees that you are interested in their success but you’re also showing that your company cares about the local community by becoming involved.

Shorter learning curve

If you choose to fill a full-time position by hiring an intern than you greatly decrease the learning curve. Throughout the internship process interns gain valuable knowledge not only about your company culture and operations but they also learn the skills required to get the job done. 

Increased retention

By providing internships you are giving students the chance to “test the waters” with your company with little risk. If you offer them a position and they choose to stay it’s a good chance they have decided that they fit well with your business and that your business fits well with them, ultimately increasing commit to the position and the company.

Interns as recruiters

If a student had a good experience with your organization they are likely to return to school and spread the word about the internship to their friends and classmates. They effectively become “walking billboards” for your business as a good place to work.

Greater ability to meet peak and seasonal needs

Students tend to look for internships that are short-term (quarter or semester long). This provides you with the opportunity to increase manpower when you need it most and typically at a lower cost than a full-time employee.