First Nations Technology Council’s Post

Happy Internship Awareness Month! This month we celebrate the benefits of internships for both employers and interns. While recruiting and hiring interns can feel like a big undertaking, internships are a proven cost-effective way to recruit and evaluate potential permanent employees. Interns bring new ideas and fresh perspective, as well as enthusiasm and diverse points of view! #internshipawarenessmonth

Internships are valuable - how can we make them more enticing and equitable? *Share the value of what can be learned. It's not about making coffee and copies, though that myth still persists. Help students catch the vision. *Instill the expectation early, so that people have time to plan. This is especially important for students balancing delicate financial situations. *Pay them (when possible) so that the applicant pool is open to everyone, not just the ones who can afford it. *Build partnerships and pathways with a variety of institutions and degree levels. Skilled workers are needed at every level, so let's build them up!

As a student, I strongly opposed 𝘂𝗻𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀. My view was simple: work deserves pay. What I didn't realize then was the investment companies make in interns: • Time from experienced professionals • Resources for training • Opportunities to learn and grow Now I see internships differently. They're not just about immediate pay but about companies investing in your professional development. This shift in perspective made me wonder: How can we better communicate the value of internships to students? How can companies make their investment in interns more visible? What's your take on internships? Did your view change over time? Let's discuss how we can improve the internship experience for both students and companies.

This setup of trying to deliver on complex projects with a team of interns while offering zero guidance, mentorship and support should stop already. It is not healthy for the industry and the mental health of those interns. The requirements for gaining internship roles are absurd these days. Are companies really trying to help young talents gain hands-on experience on significant projects or they are just devising means to reduce cost? Internships should combine the enthusiasm and fresh perspectives of interns with the guidance and mentorship of experienced professionals to yield the best results for both the interns and the company.

It's clear that successful internships provide career opportunities and job skills that young professionals need to thrive in today's world. Calix offers interns meaningful work experiences and real-life projects that gives them an opportunity to apply what they learned in the classroom. Mentors and feedback also strengthen the experience and provide valuable insight into how the interns can best use their talents and develop their professional resume. We have been blessed with great group of interns and that we have the ability invest in early career talent! See what some of our interns said about their Calix internship experience. #Internship #SummerInternship #Mentorship #SkillsDevelopment

Studies show that paid internships are key to success for both students and the companies that employ them. They play a critical role in bridging the education-workforce gap by contributing to skill development, industry experience, and talent pipeline building. Read the full article to learn how expanding paid internships would mean a better prepared, more productive workforce—and a win for us all. https://ow.ly/gSTb50PH1Cx

Looking to strengthen your internship programs? With the rise in flexibility and remote work, internships are expanding beyond just summertime. Check out our the top 4 reasons to embrace year-round internships and identify the talent of tomorrow!

Looking to strengthen your internship programs? With the rise in flexibility and remote work, internships are expanding beyond just summertime. Check out our the top 4 reasons to embrace year-round internships and identify the talent of tomorrow!

Looking to strengthen your internship programs? With the rise in flexibility and remote work, internships are expanding beyond just summertime. Check out our the top 4 reasons to embrace year-round internships and identify the talent of tomorrow!

Looking to strengthen your internship programs? With the rise in flexibility and remote work, internships are expanding beyond just summertime. Check out our the top 4 reasons to embrace year-round internships and identify the talent of tomorrow!