For students preparing to enter the printing industry, internships are more than just resume builders; they’re opportunities to gain real-world experience, develop skills, and find a company they can see themselves growing with. I am a student who has spent the last few months searching for the best internship that will use my current skills, and grow my weaker skills. There are many different things that an intern looks for in a company, so what can make your company’s internship stand out?
One of the biggest things a company can do is make an intern feel wanted. Bringing on an intern should be more than checking a box. I value a company that is willing to shape an internship experience to fit both their company’s needs and my personal and professional goals. I also appreciate an internship that seeks feedback from their interns and uses some ideas in real company projects.
Part of making an intern feel welcomed is company culture. I often lean towards a company with better company culture than a company that’s going to offer me more money. I love my work and want to enjoy it with the people I interact with daily. Something I wish more companies would do to help make an intern more comfortable is to hire more than one intern at a time. Having someone closer to my age to connect with makes work more fun, and me more productive. It gives me someone to bounce ideas off of that I can relate to.
I also try to look for a company that has a bright future. The size of a company doesn’t usually matter if I know there is a plan for growth. I’m also drawn to companies that are doing something different. Whether its unique printing techniques or an approach to business that sets them apart. Learning from an innovative company is a great opportunity to experience something I’ve never seen before.
A company that can recognize my skills and wants to use them to its advantage is also a great way to feel useful as an intern. A good way to do that is to give me a project to work on that will be used by the company in the long run. I don’t want to leave at the end of the summer and have no work to show that I was ever there. I want to be a part of the company’s success and have helped with a project that the company will use long after the end of the summer.
There’s also a big challenge that I’ve run into this year in my search for an internship. I wouldn’t mind moving locations for an internship, however the cost can be a major barrier. I live off campus, and have a yearlong lease, which makes it hard to afford rent in 2 locations. Companies that could offer housing assistance such as stipends, company-sponsored housing, or another form of support would have a major advantage in my decision.
I’m sure there are other factors for other interns, but I think these are some of the more important make it or break it factors. Businesses that focus on growth, mentorship, and meaningful work will stand out to students searching for an internship. Companies that build strong company culture, provide real-world projects, and consider and individual intern’s needs can build an internship program that benefits both the business and the intern.
What Does a Student Look for in an Internship?
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For students preparing to enter the printing industry, internships are more than just resume builders; they’re opportunities to gain real-world experience, develop skills, and find a company they can see themselves growing with. I am a student who has spent the last few months searching for the best internship that will use my current skills, and grow my weaker skills. There are many different things that an intern looks for in a company, so what can make your company’s internship stand out?
One of the biggest things a company can do is make an intern feel wanted. Bringing on an intern should be more than checking a box. I value a company that is willing to shape an internship experience to fit both their company’s needs and my personal and professional goals. I also appreciate an internship that seeks feedback from their interns and uses some ideas in real company projects.
Part of making an intern feel welcomed is company culture. I often lean towards a company with better company culture than a company that’s going to offer me more money. I love my work and want to enjoy it with the people I interact with daily. Something I wish more companies would do to help make an intern more comfortable is to hire more than one intern at a time. Having someone closer to my age to connect with makes work more fun, and me more productive. It gives me someone to bounce ideas off of that I can relate to.
I also try to look for a company that has a bright future. The size of a company doesn’t usually matter if I know there is a plan for growth. I’m also drawn to companies that are doing something different. Whether its unique printing techniques or an approach to business that sets them apart. Learning from an innovative company is a great opportunity to experience something I’ve never seen before.
A company that can recognize my skills and wants to use them to its advantage is also a great way to feel useful as an intern. A good way to do that is to give me a project to work on that will be used by the company in the long run. I don’t want to leave at the end of the summer and have no work to show that I was ever there. I want to be a part of the company’s success and have helped with a project that the company will use long after the end of the summer.
There’s also a big challenge that I’ve run into this year in my search for an internship. I wouldn’t mind moving locations for an internship, however the cost can be a major barrier. I live off campus, and have a yearlong lease, which makes it hard to afford rent in 2 locations. Companies that could offer housing assistance such as stipends, company-sponsored housing, or another form of support would have a major advantage in my decision.
I’m sure there are other factors for other interns, but I think these are some of the more important make it or break it factors. Businesses that focus on growth, mentorship, and meaningful work will stand out to students searching for an internship. Companies that build strong company culture, provide real-world projects, and consider and individual intern’s needs can build an internship program that benefits both the business and the intern.
Tara Seth is a Graphic Media Management student at Ferris State University. She is passionate about the printing industry and wants to share her perspective as well as learn as much as she can about the industry.