Kenneth Strawn’s Post

Bruce MacLellan has been such a strong advocate for paid internships that his leadership (and the leadership of a few other enlightened PR leaders) has created a sea change in this area. Most of my students now find paid internships. This wasn't the case five years ago. I fully support the occasional unpaid learning opportunity. A good example is is an agency that recently asked us if we could find a few student volunteers to help them stuff gift bags and set up for an event. In return, the students would get some beauty products. This was a great opportunity for my students -- one afternoon, and they get a behind the scenes look at how a big event comes together. And, importantly, it was optional. No one had to go. (For the record -- there were more than enough volunteers in a few short minutes after the email went out.) Internships, on the other hand, are not optional. Students need to complete an internship to graduate. And I don't know any students who can afford to work an entire summer for free. The students we send out on internship are close to graduation and come with some useful skills. And yes, the time they spend interning is a vital part of their education. What they learn in a real workplace simply cannot be taught in a classroom, no matter how hard we try. I would like to sincerely thank all the employers who take on interns. I know you have to spend time mentoring and teaching them. I appreciate what you do so much -- they are very different people after just a few short months with you! If we want a strong industry filled with smart, creative people, we need to create space for them. Paid internships are one way to create those spaces. I am very grateful that so many employers realize this, and are providing amazing paid opportunities.

Another exciting Summer Internship session is nearing its end. Read more about one of Keiter's fabulous interns, Raine Weis, as she shares her experience. #KeiterCPA

Tomorrow is Indiana Intern Day! Employers - Do you have an outstanding intern that you want to recognize? Educators - Do you have employers that have been great partners in employing interns? Learn more about how you can participate in the Indiana Intern Day below! #IndianaInternDay2024

BEYOND COFFEE RUNS: Empowering Interns for Mutual Success Register for the Iowa SHRM State Conference on September 26-27 in Coralville, Iowa. Come hear Iowa State University - Ivy College of Business students share results of their research about internship programs. What makes internships successful for the company? What makes them successful for the students? What can companies do to maximize the benefit for both parties? #HR #humanresources #management

Meet Ellie Rogerson, who just finished a legislative internship on Capitol Hill this past Winter 2024 Semester as part of the BYUI Washington, D.C. Internship Summit. As a legislative intern, Ellie followed legislation, communicated with constituents, and even gave tours of the U.S. Capitol. We asked her some questions about her experience. ❓ What have you enjoyed most about being an intern in Washington DC? 💡 I have really loved meeting people from all different backgrounds as well as the people who make out country run. I have also loved learning about the history of the country, the city, and the people who helped build such an incredible nation. ❓ Why should your fellow BYU-Idaho students consider the BYU-Idaho Washington, D.C. Internship Summit for their internships? 💡 Students should NOT pass up the opportunity to be a part of the internship summit program in Washington, D.C. There is nowhere you will find cheaper housing [near D.C.] at such a safe and accessible location in such a nice and fully furnished apartment. It’s also incredible having other BYUI students there to do activities with and BYUI alumni who help us take advantage of what D.C. has to offer. ❓ What have you learned from being in Washington, D.C. that you would not have learned if you have completed an internship somewhere else? 💡 Nowhere else can you learn how the federal government really works from an inside perspective. You also learn how networking is a necessary skill to move up in your career. 📅 BYUI students, are you interested in completing an internship in Washington, D.C.? Come to an info session on Wednesday, May 8 at 5 p.m. in the BYUI Career Center (200 MC) to learn more! #washingtondc #dcinterns #summerinternship #byui #byuidaho #washingtondcinternshipsummit

Check out page #44! If you or someone you know is looking for a rewarding summer internship, check this out! Let me know if you have any questions!

Don't ask whether an unpaid internship is worth it. Ask what experience you'd gain working at a company that is either: A) so inept it has to hire workers for free to survive B) so greedy it hires workers for free to boost profits

Research by the National Association of Colleges and Employers shows that paid internships benefit graduates far more than unpaid ones. Now the organization is pushing for legislation to ban the latter. #UnpaidisUnfair Here's how you can address unpaid internships where you work: • Support the NACE and Pay Our Interns, an organization advocating for paid internships across all work sectors. • Donate to organizations offering funding to ease the burden of taking internships, like the Black Girl 44 Scholarship and Latinx44 Scholarship Program. • Advocate for the compensation of any unpaid interns at your organization. • If you have the capacity, consider offering mentorship to those entering a new career path so they can generate experience with more flexible terms.

Here is a disturbing lead paragraph from a recent article in the Wall Street Journal: "Roughly half of college graduates end up in jobs where their degrees aren't needed, and that underemployment has lasting implications for their future earnings." Most concerning to me is that the only remedy mentioned were paid or unpaid internships before graduation. In my 47-year career spanning 5 unrelated fields of work, none offered internships. Nor am I aware of any internships offered today. My suggestion, parents pay more attention and exert more influence on what fields of study your children pursue and which jobs they first take after graduating. All reactions: 6 6

Additionally, showing your interns good work ethics, which means treating them as beginners in work with utmost potential and belief, is essential. No matter how transitionary of a phase one might call the time of interning, it's high time that organisations reflect basic ethics in conduct and communication.