Being a small business can sometimes be very stressful, and the obstacle of finding the right staff has been known to throw a few business owners off balance. It’s difficult to find people with the right amount of experience to work for you, and can be a daunting task when hiring someone that needs to be trained properly.
Luckily internship opportunities have been expanding into the world of small businesses to help both the owner, and the intern. Here are four great reasons why hiring an intern is good for your business and good for them!
1. You have a chance to share and discuss your wisdom.
Business owners have the chance to pass on their wisdom to young interns willing to listen. If you have someone interning for you, chances are they are pretty interested in what your company is doing. Since your business is small, the intern will have a chance to learn directly from you, and you have the chance to discuss your business with someone who’s eager to learn from it.
2. You have a fresh mind to help exercise creative thinking and guerilla marketing.
Since interns don’t tend to stay on a long-term basis, businesses are being given the chance to work with a variety of young minds. Brainstorming with your intern about creative marketing techniques is good for both the business and the confidence of the intern, and so many fresh minds can come up with some pretty rad ideas.
3. You’re adding another member to the team.
Face it; even if your intern is only available for a couple hours every few days, it’s still an extra person on the team to help things run smoothly. As a university student who isn’t exactly fond of group projects, I still know the importance of teamwork. Interning for a small business and working with a smaller team is good practice, and a good way to get things done!
4. Small businesses will continue to have a welcoming attitude.
By hiring an intern, you’re not only providing help for you business and clients, but you’re also helping the intern! They need experience in the work world as much as you need a little extra help sometimes. Small businesses provide a really great atmosphere that is less intimidating for the intern, so you’re able to help them while they’re helping you.
Finally, a few wise words to businesses looking to hire their first intern: don’t abuse them! They may be working for free and grateful you’re giving them the chance to work with you, but that doesn’t give you the right to hand them tasks they aren’t equipped to complete or force them to stay up all night trying to get something done. It’s good to keep communication open, and make sure you’re always on the same page.
So if you’re a business owner looking for someone to add to the team, don’t overlook the thought of an intern. They might be just what you’re searching for!
© Zoe Begopoulos, DemGen Inc 2013
