Five reasons why hiring an intern will transform your business

But these underestimated individuals are extremely positive additions to an organisation and employers may be surprised by the unique benefits of having an intern on board.

Kirsten Emes, Senior Manager Planning and Resources at RMIT Europe, shares her top five reasons why employers should take on an intern:

1. Introducing a new dynamic in the workplace

Interns can bring a fresh perspective to the job at hand as well as a new dynamic to the work environment. It’s no doubt that over time, companies can get stuck in certain ways of thinking or particular ways of doing things.

Having interns can be a valuable resource, especially owing to the fact that they are able to see things in a new and unbiased light.

2. Contributing to the ongoing progression of an organisation

Interns have the unique ability to bring new ideas to the table and also provide insight into trends within the industry, a certain discipline or within the external social environment – this helps organisations avoid becoming tired and outdated.

Interns can essentially provide organisations with new and updated tools, an understanding of how an industry is progressing into the future as well as ways to remain relevant, competitive and valuable in the market.

3. Accessing talent

Organisations have access to new talent as it emerges from the field in addition to the opportunity to build relationships and reputation with universities, which can result in high quality graduates choosing your place of work.

When interns have a good experience and particularly where they have employment as an outcome, top talent will know of your workplace across the various graduate options.

4. Training the next generation of employees

Organisations are able to provide people at the beginning of their career with a kickstart in their desired fields. They can potentially influence and impact their career paths, and ensure that they are training the next generation of employees in the right way.

From the point of view of the interns, they are receiving the tools to be able to link their studies to a real-world work setting, while gaining insight into organisational culture and commonalities that exist within a professional work environment, ensuring they are job-ready and employable. 

5. Motivating other employees

Passion is at the forefront of what makes interns a valuable resource to an organisation. Their eagerness is contagious and their enthusiastic approach to tasks that seasoned employees may consider mundane will invigorate, motivate and energise other employees, keeping the internal culture lively, thus increasing overall performance within the workplace.

RMIT Europe is currently hosting two RMIT postgraduate students on a three-month internship program at the University’s European hub in Barcelona.  

Story: Adriana Bizzarri