Supervising a Summer Intern
Phil Kenkel
Bill Fitzwater Cooperative Chair
Some cooperatives are participating in formal internship programs this summer. Many firms
have seasonal employees. All of these young people represent potential future employees.
Working with interns and seasonal workers also helps to develop existing employees. The
National Society for Experiential Education defines an internship as "a carefully monitored work
or volunteer experience in which an individual has intentional learning goals and reflects actively
on what he or she is learning throughout the experience." Not every cooperative the time and
resources to participate in a true internship program. Many of the tips for a sponsoring a
successful internship will also help you make the most out of your seasonal employees.
In addition to a good orientation, plan to help your interns and seasonal employees build skills.
Even bright students with great potential will struggle if they are not instructed in the specifics
related to successful completion of duties. Many employers allow a summer intern to “shadow”
a seasoned employee. Interns rely on their supervisors and co-workers for education, so
employers need to carefully consider how they assign interns. Many interns (and young people
in general) do not know when to speak or how and when to ask question. Assist them in actively
learning by explaining and clarifying everything. Suggest and encourage questions at appropriate
times
An internship should end with some sort of formal wrap-up or evaluation. You also may want to
have some form of acknowledgment such as a lunch with co-workers in the final week of the
internship. Because co-workers often have extensive contact with interns and seasonal
employees, this type of event can be a positive way to recognize the contribution of other
employees as well as the interns and seasonal workers. Ending an internship or summer
employment on a positive note could be helpful if you want to consider the individual for a full
time position at a later point.
Have a safe harvest season
6-12-2009