Experience is the best teacher, according to a familiar adage. It’s also a fundamental concept driving Work and Learn Indiana (formerly Indiana INTERNnet).
In the past 20 years, Work and Learn Indiana has successfully placed more than 11,000 college interns around the state. Now, the free internship matching service is expanding its vision.
“We want to connect anyone looking for work-based experience with employers interested in hosting them,” emphasizes Work and Learn Indiana Executive Director Mike Slocum. “That can be high school students. That could be career-changing adults as well. You don’t have to be enrolled in some form of education to use a work-based learning experience to improve or change your career.”
One of the ways Work and Learn Indiana partners with employers to cultivate – and retain – intern talent is through engagement. That extends beyond the workplace into the community with networking opportunities and meaningful projects.
“To be able to supplement an intern’s work experience with a company – virtually or in person – that additional professional development is so important. For many of our students, this internship is the first time they’ve been in the world of work.”
The International Center Indianapolis – 2021 Indiana IMPACT Award winner (non-profit employer of the year) – is a leading example. The organization connected its 27 interns with “unique opportunities … to attend and participate in executive level leadership and board meetings, international business services, community events, cultural festivities, community advocacy, public service and more.”
Looking for additional ways to engage your team, enhance your internship program and potentially gain talent? Take part in Work and Learn’s Indiana Intern Showcase on August 5. Interns will present their summer internship experiences to an audience of statewide employers. In addition, reach out to Slocum to learn about new management software the team is piloting this summer. The technology heightens networking opportunities among interns, employers and others utilizing it.
Interns: Make connections at a networking event hosted by The Garrett Companies (one of the 2021 Best Places to Work in Indiana) on July 14.
Adapting is another vital strategy. Slocum notes a challenge as many return to in-person interactions after the COVID interruptions of the past 15 months.
“We have to learn how to interact face to face as they (interns and others) are either learning about the world of work or are reacclimating because we took a year off the traditional work environment. We have seen that some employers are planning to continue offering a virtual experience when the pandemic officially ends, but we’ve seen a majority of employers say that nothing replaces teaching company culture than being together.”
