The experience was fine, though in hindsight I could have given the intern more responsibility and asked for more organized outputs. Unfortunately, too many organizations treat interns as cheap labor hired to handle the work they don’t want to do. Create a good balance between giving them enough responsibility and teaching them how to do the work to which they aspire. Give them credit for their ideas in group settings and include them in work situations where they may not be needed but where they might benefit from the exposure. I will introduce an idea in a small group chat and within 24 hours she’s bringing it up in a Zoom call as if she’d just thought of it.

Source: New York Times March 19, 2021 21:56 UTC