How internships can help solve the workforce challenge

By Tom McDonald

GRAND FORKS, N.D. – With the recent announcement of InternGF, an initiative from the University of North Dakota Center for Innovation and the Grand Forks Region Economic Development Corp. to grow the pool of interns in entrepreneurship and startup companies, the topic of student internships has hit center stage in the business community.

The program sets aside $35,000 in seed funding to encourage more local businesses to hire interns. This is exciting news because interns play an important role for many businesses, both small and large.

Construction Engineers has developed a robust internship program that benefits both the student and company. In 2017, we were named a “Best Place to Intern” runner-up by the North Dakota Young Professionals Network.

As a business that takes pride in its 40-year legacy in North Dakota, we want local students to find meaningful, long-term careers with us. Our overarching goal is to keep students in our state and to use their talent to grow our company as well as our industry.

We have proven that internships are an effective way to build a workforce and grow the talent pool in the region.

Here are a few best practices that create a win-win program.

Relationships Build A Recruiting Pipeline

Building relationships is important. Get to know high school counselors and career services staff at regional universities and technical schools. They work directly with students who are looking for internships and can connect you with possible candidates by arranging interviews or working with faculty to recruit students with certain skill sets.

We partner with these student advisors to increase the visibility of all our positions, including those in the professional trades.

Furthermore, leverage the positive impact that previous interns make with recruiting. Once you have a pipeline of successful interns, they become your best recruiters. About 80 percent of our interns in the past five years have continued to work for us full-time. Use their connection to schools and organizations to continue to build your talent pool.

Provide Meaningful Work

Once an intern starts, giving them meaningful work is one of the most important success factors. Set expectations for him or her, as well as for the company in the first week.

At Construction Engineers, each student intern gets a detailed job description, is assigned a mentor/supervisor and is immersed in our culture.

All our interns immediately attend an onboarding program which includes learning our company mission and values. Taking time to educate interns on expectations and company culture verbally and in writing will lead to greater success and long-term understanding of the company. Make sure to involve interns in company functions such as picnics, golf outings and other company events.

Internships are all about learning, and it’s a two-way street. Student interns ask questions and may challenge current thinking in a good way. Looking at problems with a new set of eyes may result in an unconventional solution, which can be a win-win for the organization.

Provide Feedback

Don’t wait until the end of the internship to give an intern feedback. Students want to learn, and companies want to maximize the productivity of interns, so be timely with constructive criticism and positive reinforcement.

Mentors/supervisors should schedule a time every week to follow-up on assignments and provide input.

Conducting an evaluation at the end of the internship can provide valuable data regarding your program. Our evaluations of the students give them feedback on areas to improve and tasks at which they excelled. We also ask each intern to evaluate his or her experience, so that we can continually improve our program. After the internship, celebrate a job well done by inviting students to lunch or providing them a gift of appreciation.

Reach out to the student interns periodically throughout the school year. Keeping in contact with past interns can make the recruiting cycle much easier the next spring.

Evaluate and improve your internship program today, for a better workforce tomorrow!

Tom McDonald

Vice president of construction

Construction Engineers Grand Forks 701-792-3200

operations.