Internships can be daunting
For both the intern and the company
Internships are probably one of the most underrated tools in a young professional’s career. For many people, the jump from being a student learning about your career to an actual employee who is an active participant in your field is quite daunting. And it makes sense! Entering the workforce is an intimidating step in anyone’s life. It’s hard to tell how who we are in the classroom will translate to who we are in the office. But have no fear, that’s why internships are here!
For the company, crafting a great internship program can be equally challenging. You want the student to learn and receive hands-on experience, but there also needs to be a benefit to having their assistance.
For students and industry partners alike, we hope that reading more about how our internships provided value will aid you in crafting your own plan or lead you to apply for our internship program.
What makes an internship successful?
We asked our past interns and teacher partners what made our internship programs with Timberline a success. Here is what they shared!
Why are internship experiences important?
Timberline’s first internships were crafted with the help of Dave Kranz, a teacher from Falcon District 49 who has a firm belief in the importance of careers in technical education. We aided in writing a curriculum on irrigation and landscape installation, installed a learning lab at the high school, and, at the end of the program had each student as an intern.
When asked why internships are an important part of his program Dave said, “For many students, they have a preconceived idea or notion of what that job is like. To truly understand how things are done, students need the ability to get out and actually see it. I have had many students tell me after an internship/job shadow that it is nothing like they thought and with that, their interest is not the same. I would rather this happen now then years down the road and how many thousands of dollars later. “
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How would you describe the company culture & support you received while at Timberline?
“I received more support from Timberline than from any other work experience before graduating college. The company culture was relaxed and inviting where I felt comfortable asking questions and being myself around my co-workers.”
“By the end of the summer, I felt like I had a place in the company, even though I was only there short term. I felt like I got to meet a lot of people and my team was very supportive and happy to teach me. Since then, I have been welcomed when I come back to visit.”
“Timberline is a truly professional company. They treated the students as if they were actual employees from everything to safety meetings to providing them with the necessary PPE. As a teacher, knowing that my students are out away from school and me and that they were safe, meant all the world to me."
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What knowledge and skills did you gain and how have you been able to apply them since leaving?
I gained marketing knowledge in areas including design, social media, web management, and more. However, the most important takeaway is understanding and appreciating the importance of good management and a friendly team environment. After I graduated from college, I became a Marketing Director for a medical practice and my biggest reason for leaving was the lack of mentorship and no team structure. When I worked for Timberline, these were the two biggest aspects I noticed that created a strong work environment. If I can stress anything, my internship here taught me how successful companies should operate in their management and team structure because that is what creates long-term career satisfaction and fulfillment!
In addition to the skill of designing, I learned how to go through the whole design process, from the first meeting with the client to the final presentation. Going to first-meets helped me learn what questions to ask. As I worked on more and more designs, I came to understand how each question would help me come up with a design that would meet the client’s expectations. I use these skills as I pick up side projects and work with my own clients. I’ve also been able to add a considerable number of designs to my portfolio after my time working at Timberline.
The keys to a successful internship program
- Ensure your intern leaves with portfolio pieces whenever possible.
- Treat them like all other team members. The experience of attending meetings and being included in company culture activities can be just as valuable as on the job skills.
- Provide the opportunity to learn about other departments and see how your business functions.
Why companies should consider internships
What knowledge and skills did you gain and how have you been able to apply them since leaving?
Just as internships provide insight and experience to the interns, they can be of incredible benefit to companies and mentors for a variety of reasons.
“Every day she had a new idea. She had something to contribute to try and improve different aspects of the company, whether it was social media visibility, efficiencies or design. Her perspective and keen ability to question the way we do things proved invaluable.”
Companies, and the people who help build them, can become stagnant in their processes. Bringing new, young, fresh eyes can often lead to improvements and innovative ways to tackle problems that we may not even realize are problems. Looking at things purely from an internal point of view can cloud your vision in such a gradual way that your glasses may be dirty before you even notice. Inviting interns into the mix is a fantastic way to make sure that your vision and goals stay close to 20/20!
Interns can also be a great way to help company employees learn how to lead. Many may not have had the chance to manage their own employee or team, so becoming a mentor to someone new to the company can be a great way to test those waters and build those skills.
