By Ryan Hundt
In today’s hypercompetitive market for talent, employers are becoming more creative in their recruitment and retention efforts, often focusing on material changes and cool perks aimed at enticing job seekers to accept a proposed offer. But company culture is much more than a foosball table and a well-stocked cafeteria – the quality of one’s experience while working for an employer is arguably the most meaningful recruitment tactic a company has at its disposal. And for many young workers, this experience often begins in the form of an internship.
As we celebrate Internship Awareness Month this April, we aim to recognize employers who deliberately craft meaningful internship programs with relentless energy, along with acknowledging the significant contributions interns can have in shaping our future business environment.
Fortunately, our mindset of what it means to be an intern has shifted dramatically over the past decade. Interns are no longer expected to just grab coffee for the office, or perform mundane tasks viewed as undesirable by full-time workers. Nowadays, leading companies are crafting well-rounded internship programs to include relevant work that will advance the skillsets and expertise of interns, often treating them like new employees.
For interns themselves, there exists some rather convincing data that highlights the importance of an internship, and the impact these experiences can have on future job prospects. According to College Recruiter, students who complete at least one internship prior to graduation are more likely to receive multiple job offers once they complete their college coursework. Perhaps more importantly, a growing number of internships are paid positions – almost 63 percent at an average of $20.76/hour in 2020 – combating the pervasive assumption that most internships are unpaid.
How early should students begin considering applying for internships? The good news is that these unique work-based learning opportunities are not exclusive to soon-to-be or recent college graduates, despite the fact that only 2 percent of high school students have completed internships as recently as 2020.
Over the past several years, Michigan Works! agencies across the state have worked collaboratively with businesses, schools, and community partners to host MiCareerQuest events, a hands-on career exploration experience where students rotate through five high-demand industries – agribusiness, advanced manufacturing, construction, health sciences, and information technology. During these events, students engage with professionals from each industry and participate in activities that showcase various high-growth occupations, opening their eyes to opportunities for great careers across the state.
Many of our Michigan Works! agencies are holding MiCareerQuest events this year in the month of May, while others are waiting until the fall to showcase in-demand industries and occupations in their regions. Please contact your local Michigan Works! agency to find out where and when there may be a MiCareerQuest event in your area.
Looking for additional internship resources? Connect with your local Michigan Works! agency to learn more about employers with internship opportunities in your community today.