Small businesses can provide great environments in which students can learn valuable skills. It's true. I promise. You might not think that your business has much to teach anyone, but if you were a student of business, some of the best education you could get would be practical experience.

• Having an intern might give you a chance to get started on projects that have been simmering on the back burner, things you have been wanting to do but haven't had the time. (College internship advisors also like projects because they are a convenient way to assess an intern's performance.)
• Giving an intern meaningful work experience and insight into your world is what it's all about. It will be a true learning experience if CONSTRUCTIVE feedback is provided.
• Set attainable goals for your intern at the very beginning. An effective evaluation will focus on the intern learning objectives that were identified at the start of the internship.
• Keep records of your intern's progress. She will need these records later as proof of her accomplishments.


Aside from the perk of having an extra set of hands around, there is a time commitment involved with taking on an intern. They require more supervision than other employees because they need to be mentored.

• The mentor is a vital role in the internship process. If you are the owner or manager of a small business, you will need to fill the role of a mentor yourself. You need to be prepared for the added time demands an internship program involves.
• Just as you would a new full-time employee, it is very important that interns be provided with a warm introduction to your organization. Before new staff arrives, be sure to provide them with any necessary transportation, parking and dress code information.
• Once new staffers start, they should review necessary policies and job descriptions so they are clear as to what their responsibilities are. Acquaint them to their work space and environment by introducing them to co-workers and taking them on a tour of the facility.
• Do not throw them in. New staff who is expected to perform at a brand new position without any prior instruction are more likely to get frustrated and quit.
  
  If an internship program sounds right for your small business, there's nothing magical about getting started. Contact a nearby university's internship office to inquire about becoming an approved worksite. If your university doesn't have an internship office, your best bet is to contact the appropriate academic department.