PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — On Wednesday, Bryan Fuller, human resources business partner for MMG Insurance, spoke about the benefits that internship programs give to both interns and companies.
During the Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce’s monthly Eggs and Issues breakfast series, Fuller highlighted the successes of MMG’s internship program, which they have offered every summer since 2012.
“Internship programs help young people become indoctrinated into a company’s culture,” Fuller said. “Many times former interns will become living advertisements for a company because they’ll go back to college and tell others about the program.”
MMG typically has hired four interns every summer, though this year they decided to hire five. Fuller recommended that companies looking to start an internship program consider hiring two or more interns and offering paid internships, if their budget and department layouts allow for such investments.
Establishing good relationships with local colleges, Fuller noted, can help companies attract young students who are eager to gain real-life work experience. He recommended that interns take on a variety of tasks, including “mundane” work such as organizing files and answering phones and more hands-on projects that are typical for employees.
“We [MMG] try to give our interns actual work to do and treat them like we would new hires,” Fuller said. “It makes for a better experience for them and helps shape their professional development.”
One challenge that MMG has faced is realizing that many young interns do not have the “soft skills” that are necessary for success in any job position, such as navigating Microsoft software, keyboarding and engaging in professionally appropriate conversations with colleagues.
To combat the issue, MMG has begun offering classes on professionalism and “soft skills” soon after interns start their work with the company.
“Many college students aren’t familiar with Microsoft Word, Excel or Outlook. A lot of them use Google Docs,” Fuller said.
At MMG, interns have the opportunity to work in various departments throughout the summer, participate in community service and take part in a collective project with their fellow interns.
Fuller suggested that companies who hire interns give them regular feedback and consider offering them a full-time position at the end of the summer if they prove to be effective at their work and enthusiastic about the company. If possible, companies can hire interns in departments where they expect a position to become open. MMG has hired numerous interns over the years as a result of their program.
“Having interns are a great way to add to your company’s and the region’s workforce,” Fuller said.
