CR Blog
What Interns Really Want
Posted by Eliza Williams, 13 July 2010, 16:20 Permalink Comments (19)
A recent CR blog post requested advice for new graduates and interns about how to navigate the world of work. But what about advice for employers in return? As part of their final project at LCC, graduates Paul Cooke & Jemma Mackle created Mind The Gap, which includes ten pieces of advice for employers from interns...
The Mind The Gap project saw various design and ad industry figures give advice to graduating students, but its final pages were devoted to a 10 point plan of what creative interns would like from employers. They make for interesting reading...
One:
For young creatives the basics to a good internship are being in a place that allows them to prove themselves whilst learning the trade. Every student wants the chance to show what they're about and feel part of the team.
Two:
Many students would like more insight in terms of being present with designers/creatives when they attend or conduct meetings so that they can observe how people in the industry interact and work with each other.
Three:
What interns find really beneficial is if the studio regularly informs them about current projects and spends a couple of minutes updating them and going through work with them.
Four:
Always try to get interns working on live projects rather than setting intern briefs, even if the work is sometimes monotonous or simply researching. The most rewarding internships are the ones where students feel they have contributed to something 'real'.
Five:
The question of money is always a difficult one. Covering costs makes doing the internship more possible, but contributing towards the interns' time will also make them feel valued, resulting in more commitment and a better work ethic.
Six:
Young creatives want to soak up as much information as possible, whilst interning they would like the team to be helpful and proactive when they have questions or problems.
Seven:
Structure in an internship is very important. Students often find working for free offers little reward, but as with college, having deadlines and grades to achieve is rewarding. They feel it would be beneficial to be mentored so that it is clear what they are doing right, and what they need to work on.
Eight:
To avoid any embarrassing mishaps, interns would like agencies to spell out what is expected of them; what time it's OK to go home/have lunch etc.
Nine:
A brief introduction to everyone on the team will make the intern feel much more comfortable and less hesitant to ask questions and get involved.
Ten:
One of the advantages of doing internships is the opportunity it creates for students to build relationships. Without suggesting the need to hold their hands, students appreciate the effort made to introduce them to other creative professionals and develop their contacts.
For more info on Mind The Gap, visit the blog, at mindtheg-a-p.com.
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19 Comments
This is a brilliant initiative which was and is much needed in the creative industry.
2010-07-13 19:33:36
At last something that design companies can bear in mind. I wonder how many responses you will get from any design companies with this article. It is amazing that recently there was a post about what the industry accepts from students when working on internships and so many responses were posted from professionals which was quite right i think.
I would like to see what the professionals would also say about this. So many interns don't get any where near to this sort of treatment. They are lucky to even get called there real name because the industry is so busy. Well they say they are anyway.
2010-07-13 21:48:32
Thats a really good list, thoughtful and I hope it bears fruit. Now please can you encourage more studios to take on interns in the first place?
2010-07-13 21:49:38
I'm a student in an internship right now. I'm at an extremely good agency and I got the internship because I designed specific pieces of work for them. They took my on and it's really surprised me that I have had no involvement with anything current.
They don't involve me with anything despite me asking the right questions. Out of all these 10 steps I've had only number 9. Why did they take me on if they clearly don't want an intern? I want to learn and work on live briefs with people, not sit a be a burden.
2010-07-14 12:37:47
I have just passed this article on to my head of design, and he has said most of the time we try and carry out all of these points, but it gets harder when the studio gets busy.
This 10 point plan is a very helpful guide to design professionals, as it reminds them how we should treat interns and what might be forgotten. I hope this guide gets read by a lot of designers and interns get a better opportunity to shine.
2010-07-14 13:04:47
Great initiative and it all makes good sense. I'm only sorry to heart that studios need reminding of these points. However, I guess this happens in larger places.
I'd actually like a copy of the 'Mind The Gap' document....can anyone send me one?
2010-07-14 14:15:43
All very good points that I think need to be raised from time to time. Personally I interned at a lot of great studios who pretty much hit every point, but I've heard bad experiences from friends who didn't enjoy their internships, so I think a lot of studios do need to be reminded of these basic 'common sense' ideals.
Another one I would add is to let interns adjust to the working day – whether that be granting them a full hour lunch break, or sending them off on trips away from the office, etc. Despite working hard at uni, it's a different thing to sit in front of a Mac from 9.30 – 6 every day. I really enjoyed excursions to photograph things or even just couriering packages – helps ease you in to the working world.
2010-07-14 19:10:14
This would all change if the agencies paid the interns the minimum wage. They would make them work their asses off and throw you in at the deep end. Then you would get experience.
2010-07-15 11:44:15
Without getting into a debate about paying interns, this is brilliant.
I interned at a number of places after graduating last year and remember a few unnecessarily intimidating moments that were down to simply not being introduced to people or given a proper outline of what I was supposed to be doing. Every studio that gets interns in should have this plan pinned on their wall.
2010-07-15 12:39:12
To echo what everybody's said here, it's just common sense - there is no point in taking on an intern if you're not going to give them the experience they're after. It seems to be a common misconception that internships only (or at least mostly) benefit the student, when in fact the employer also gains something from it; a fresh face with fresh ideas, a possible future employee already familiar with the work and methods of the company and, in the worst cases someone to do all their dirty work! If employers put in the time and properly train their intern they'll soon give them the confidence to come up with their own ideas and contribute more and better ideas to live briefs.
2010-07-15 12:46:58
As everyone has said here, I think that not only do the interns have a lot to learn from companies, but the companies can benefit from the interns being there. I have searching for work experience and internships (never asked for pay, even been willing to pay for a hotel in order to do a placement) since April and have still had no luck with agencies willing to let me get my foot in the door. I think all us graduates and uni students are asking for is an insight into the creative industries and to be given that vital chance to get our foot in the door, and not to be ignored or feel redundant in the workplace. Most of us are willing to put 100% into a placement but aren't being given the opportunity to do so.
2010-07-16 13:31:34
Eleven
Dress code: overalls fitted with velcro zips for fast easy access by creative directors!
2010-07-16 13:42:07
Twelve
take risks with us, when you're out your comfort zone with us, chances are we definitely are too which is where most learning will happen for both parties.
2010-07-16 15:19:47
We've got a great intern starting with us on Monday, I've printed this off to put on the wall and make sure we tick each one off during his time with us.
2010-07-16 20:16:07
[comment deleted by moderator]
What you say may well be true but I'm afraid we can't publish accusations about specific companies without substantiating them
2010-07-16 23:38:00
We have always treated our students and graduates like one of the team. So not really had any problems here, but having been on 8 placements myself when I was a student I know of a few bad places. But at the end of the day they should be lucky to have been given designers time and attention! Designers aren't teachers! We help Interns on top of all the work we have for no extra money so Interns should be grateful. Interns should also be proactive enough not to end up hiding in the shadows, get out your seat and work the room! Make the best of what you have and make yourself rememberable.
2010-07-20 13:06:06
@Tim N
"We have always treated our students and graduates like one of the team. So not really had any problems here, but having been on 8 placements myself when I was a student I know of a few bad places. But at the end of the day they should be lucky to have been given designers time and attention! Designers aren't teachers! We help Interns on top of all the work we have for no extra money so Interns should be grateful. Interns should also be proactive enough not to end up hiding in the shadows, get out your seat and work the room! Make the best of what you have and make yourself rememberable."
Tim, I think you may have got confused on the idea of this post. If you have 'always treated students and graduates like one of the team' then that's fine, there should be no issue. But to say that interns 'should be lucky to have been given designers time and attention' is terrible! To be treated as one of the team surely demands the attention of the person you are working with? As for all your time and no extra money, you are actually getting paid and going home at the same time which sounds a hell of a lot better than my £50 a month for a travel card.
Maybe this and the issue of getting paid no extra money should be taken up with your employee; The agency I am working for currently makes an £800 turnover from my hours every day. Could A mentor system maybe be implemented, possibly with some financial reward?
As for being proactive, the issue at hand is that alot of interns aren't being given the oppurtunity. Maybe I started at the wrong time but projects here are thin on the ground at the moment which means I am often asked to entertain myself. Yes, I use this time pro-actively but I'm certainly not getting what i should be from the internship, and that is KNOWLEDGE!
Lastly, If your company does treat interns how you say they do, i would be MOST GREATFUL to carry out an internship there, although possibly less greatful to have to deal with staff with your attitude who do not wish to give me 3 minutes of your time so I can help you with 3 days of work.
2010-09-28 13:05:11
Sorry readers;
'employer' not 'employee'
and 'grateful'
... how silly of me, I must have been irate about something.
2010-09-28 15:02:47
Every year, we usually give two to four interns an opportunity to work with us and in most cases one of those interns finds a full-time placement with us as well. From my experience I’d say that all the 10 points are true and I am glad that we are following most of them.
What mainly interns want is an opportunity to learn and prove their worth. They are young, energetic and with good guidance most of the interns become good part of creative team.
2010-10-27 23:45:36
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