Internship season is rapidly approaching and a large and eager workforce will be looking for real-word experience. Whether an intern is looking for an eventual job offer, or is attempting to build their resume; a majority of interns will be working without pay.
One problem area that can face even a first time intern is finding work motivation without any literal compensation. A tight economy has even pushed some interns into the position of "permanent intern" which has led to a rising number of class action lawsuits regarding labor laws.
So how can a business motivate and reward their interns and make the job fun...even without pay? After being on both sides of the equation, as an intern and paid media consultant, I have narrowed it down to two main concepts.
1. Tools for Success
Though monetary compensation may be out of the question, equipping interns with job specific tools can be just as rewarding. For example, a social media intern with a YouTube platform focus will eventually need decent video editing software. If they end up succeeding in a particular goal, rewarding them with their own version of Final Cut Pro, or a similar software, is an easy way to boost motivation and also add a skill set to their resume.
Another mutually beneficial area where employers are able to reward interns is through certifications. As the talent pool has grown, so has the desire to stay ahead of the competition, and with the list of industry-approved online certifications growing, so has the need to be certified. Having the company pay the fee for a Google Analytics, Adwords, or Hootsuite certification can increase an intern's credentials, and reward them for an initiative to learn.
If these examples appear costly, a simple lunch on the company card can make interns feel appreciated. This holds true especially if they have relocated in order to work for the company and money is tight.
2. Empowerment through Meaningful Tasks and Networking
Yes, the stereotype of interns buying coffee and making copies may still hold true in some companies, however this is not why they applied for the job. One of the most important outcomes of an internship is the connections and real world experience attainable through a properly structured program.
Offering meaningful work to interns will give them the responsibility of meeting deadlines and also serves as a measure of performance for determining future project allocation. They will also be more motivated to excel in a task if it reflective of real world work instead of meaningless repetition. I realize that being an intern does place you at the bottom of the totem pole, but it is crucial to give interns the opportunity to prove themselves as well as start making connections in the workplace.
A final area often overlooked as a motivational tool is networking. Offering interns the opportunity to meet upper level employees in an organization can inspire, motivate, and push them to be successful. In our "who you know" culture, interns are aware that the more connections they establish, the more likely that one of them will open a door to a possible career. Having upper level employees give seminars, workshops, or even simple group meetings can be an amazing experience for interns.
Whether a company decides to bring on one, five, or one hundred interns, these two concepts can serve as guidelines for motivation in an unpaid program. If you are in doubt about whether your program could contradict labor laws, here is the link detailing the Department of Labor's regulations.
Have any ideas on motivation during internships? Be sure to comment!