Information for Interns and Organizations

Interns

An internship provides an opportunity for students: They can gain professional experience, meet people in the field of their interest, reinforce their school work with practical application of knowledge, develop their skills, bolster their resume, gain insight into career paths of interest, and participate in a personally rewarding activity.
Many interns get considered for paid positions within the organization if they perform well. If an organization cannot hire their intern they will often recommend them for positions elsewhere.

As an intern, students will be expected to adhere to standards and ethics of the host institution, obey all rules and regulations of the institution, and maintain a regular work schedule. In addition to this, students will need to keep track of their time spent and tasks undertaken during the internship. This will help with reportage back to the sponsoring school.

Here are some good questions to ask when considering an internship opportunity:
Do I have time in my schedule to undertake an internship?
What types of internships positions interest me and why?
What kind of experience is needed in my career of interest?
What are the important factors for me in evaluating internship opportunities?

Organizations

Hiring interns gives your organization a chance to get special projects done; it allows your organization to observe a prospective employee before hiring them, and it will open your company to new perspectives and ideas. It is also a good means of providing current employees with support and a chance for them to allocate tasks effectively. This venture will also increase the visibility of an organization within the schools and communities of its region.

It is important to have a task-plan when hiring an intern; this allows the experience to be rewarding for all parties. When considering applicants it is important to consider how the intern will fit within the existing organizational structure. A prospective intern should be an enthusiastic person who can demonstrate some prior knowledge of the field.

Competency with office software, writing, mathematics, research, organization and editing cannot be oversold. Interns may lack the kind of pertinent experience and training a traditional hire would have. Interns may also demonstrate effective office and communication skills necessary for your organization. It is never wise to assume an intern’s knowledge-base and asking specific questions about abilities up-front can prevent many headaches.

Here are some good questions to ask when considering an internship applicant:
Does the organization have management resources to effectively direct an intern?
What types of tasks can be undertaken by an intern?
Do we have any special projects that have not been started due to staff shortages?
How flexible is the organization in time use?

Information about managing internships can be found on the Managing Internships page. If you are interested in recruiting an intern please fill out the Organization Information Form and submit it to the Maine Arts Commission.

For more information about the administration of this internship program contact Paul Faria, arts in education associate at 207/287-2790 or paul.faria@maine.gov. For other internship inquiries contact Peter Precourt at the University of Maine at Augusta (peter.precourt@maine.edu – 207/621-3511) who is available to answer general questions from students, universities, and organizations.