The Apprentice
Should you Hire an Intern?
by Lindsey Getz | Published in May 2007 Event Currents
Margaret H. Williams, a certified meeting planner with Pizzazz Meeting & Event Planning Group, relies on interns each year to lend a helping hand during one of her company’s biggest projects. An annual conference for a major client, the program hosts approximately 1,200 people each year and is held in various cities across the country.
“Since the conference encompasses two general sessions, 36 to 40 workshops, an award banquet, a public policy forum, an exhibit hall and several evening special events, the intern is assigned to work with a designated manager for each of the workshop’s components,” she explains. “This provides the intern with an actual hands-on experience of running a major conference, covering all aspects of the on-site management, including things like registration, exhibit setup, meal function and working with VIPs.”
But other planners aren’t so eager to bring in a rookie, fearing it will actually add more work. Many colleges and universities require loads of paperwork in order for students to get credit for their internships. Plus, just like hiring a new employee, you’ll have to be willing to spend time teaching the intern what to do, and many interns have no previous knowledge of the field.
Is it really worth it?
Where to Look?
Internships are growing increasingly popular in the United States. Many colleges are now requiring them as part of a major, and research shows that students feel internships are extremely important.
A recent study by Vault.com, a career information firm, showed that 82 percent of students think that completing an internship is very important to their career success. Last summer, 62 percent of students had an internship — 21 percent higher than the previous year.
If you’re considering an intern, the first thing you’ll need to know is where to look.
The Web, of course, is a great place to turn to either look or advertise for interns. Check out sites like www.internweb.com and www.internshipprograms.com to post an ad for an intern — both sites are free to employers and students.
Another option for seeking out interested students is turning directly to colleges and universities.
“We seek interns from two sources,” says Christine Fletcher, a producer for Encore! Event Management who is certified in exhibit management. “The International Association of Exhibitions and Events, and also through one of the 20 colleges in the United States that offers an expo and trade show management degree program. Richland College in Dallas, near us, is one of those colleges.”
Brittney Lipsett of Save the Date Event Consultants LLC recommends contacting the career departments of colleges and universities to let them know you’re seeking an intern.
“These offices usually send out e-blasts to the student body each week with information on what internships are available,” she says.
Extra Help or Extra Time?
The main argument against hiring interns is the extra time it takes to train them and help them fulfill requirements for college credit.
Rina Agriss Blair, vice president of sales for Classic Events, says that she’s had candidates come to her through word of mouth or through the company website, but they’ve never been the right fit.
“Although interns are generally free, we have never had the time in a day to assist with the learning curve,” she says, although she notes that this could change in the future.
Blair says that finding the right intern would be a huge help — it just requires finding one who already has some experience.
“They would have had to work in hotels during high school and college — preferably in the sales department,” says Blair, regarding what she’d look for in an intern. “They would also have to be majoring in the field.”
“Most interns are trying to make good impressions and get a recommendation,” adds Lipsett. “They are very loyal and will work hard. My personal recommendation is that interns start by answering phones, organizing a planner’s schedule, helping to run errands and making contact with clients.”
Of course it’s also possible that a good intern could become a future employee. Indeed, that’s the way it happened for Lipsett.
“In my current job I started off as an intern and worked my way up to an executive position,” she says. “I have been working with the company for two years, and without the internship I would not have had the opportunity. This was my fourth internship and by having prior internships, it made me a lead candidate for this current [position].”
Are interns worth the time and effort? See what event pros think by viewing the results of our poll!