Working with seven amazing interns at Hope for Dementia this summer was an enriching experience!
The interns are enrolled in CGEP and University with intentions of going further in diverse fields of study that, in some cases, are not directly related to the mission of Hope for Dementia.
From their feedback, it was clear that they appreciated the experience, which supported the development of critical skills for their future careers.
✍🏻 Simplifying scientific information for social media posts and resource material for seniors is a critical skill for one aspiring medical doctor.
💰 Organizing fund raising events supported the leadership skills of another intern who is studying to become an electrical engineer.
🙏🏻 Writing applications for financial grants gave a future occupational therapist some good experience for a future career in the social services sector.
🛍 An intern who is not quite sure about his future career, excelled at sourcing supplies for a project within budget.
💹 Results of A/B tests, fund raising campaigns and graphic designs of communications provide practical, real world experience for interns studying business management.
There’s much to be learned from young persons who have very little work experience.
The diverse perspectives they bring, leads to ‘outside the box’ thinking. There may be more efficient ways of working with applications that tech-savvy interns use with ease.
Probing questions force leaders to deeply understand and be able to explain the rationale for programs and services provided by the organization.
Supervising interns may be time consuming, but well worth the investment in time and effort. The mutual benefits of internships are enriching for both leaders and interns.
The adage “Do unto others as you would want them to do to you” applies. Memories of my experience as an intern – how I was treated, how I felt – shaped the ways in which I related to the interns. Patience, understanding the needs of each intern, and adapting my communication style accordingly brought about the desired results from my young colleagues.
See the BIG picture. Focus on what’s important.
theBIGpicture Camille 