Intern Today, Employee Tomorrow

More than just a catchy phrase, this workforce truth is the foundation for Indiana INTERNnet’s work. Internships promote career readiness and lead to employment, thereby strengthening Indiana’s workforce. It’s a fact, and we have the success stories to supplement the research.

Indiana INTERNnet is a free internship-matching program linking employers, industry clusters and associations, individuals seeking internships, high schools, colleges and universities. The goal is simple: create and expand high-quality experiential opportunities within Indiana.

A new initiative in line with this goal is Indiana INTERNnet’s partnership with the Indiana Commission for Higher Education’s EARN Indiana program. Through this program, employers can receive state matching funds – up to 50% of a student’s hourly rate, which must meet minimum wage requirements – in exchange for hiring eligible students (those who qualify for state financial aid). Indiana INTERNnet’s web site provides EARN Indiana with the Internet-matching technology tool to help students find relevant positions and employers post meaningful internship opportunities—for free! All employers (both non-profit and for-profit) are encouraged to apply for EARN funding.

Indiana INTERNnet was formed in 2001, shortly after a series of Indiana Chamber-led studies that demonstrated the state's "brain drain" issue; Indiana was educating students at our many colleges and universities, but they were leaving the state for jobs elsewhere. Internships are key to keeping young talent in Indiana. To the benefit of the students, internships promote job responsibility, experiential opportunities, and career exploration. To the benefit of the employers, internships increase organizational productivity, improve recruiting, broaden capabilities and inject enthusiasm into the workplace. Indiana INTERNnet strives not only to promote these advantages of internships, but also the benefit to the Indiana community—keeping local talent, well… local.

Transitioning interns into full-time hires is also a proven time- and cost-saving recruiting method. The overall conversion rate for turning interns into full-time hires is 48.4% according to NACE’s 2013 Internship & Co-op Survey. Internships are customizable for each individual organization, from the specific projects to the atmosphere of the workplace. They meet the needs of employers in the format desired. There are three main types of internships:

• Traditional: Typically, coincide with an academic semester—part-time or full-time for 12-16 weeks
• Project-based: Short-or long-term (duration based on project scope and completion)
• Virtual: Interns work remotely with periodic checkpoints (ideal for organizations that may not have the office space or personnel needed for supervision)

Indiana INTERNnet’s online resource does more in addition to connecting employers and students for internship opportunities. The site offers an events calendar, college/university career center contacts, educational resources, video tutorials, e-newsletters, blog, agreement and assessment templates and an electronic version of Intern Today, Employee Tomorrow: The Indiana Employer’s Guide to Internships. You will always be guaranteed assistance whether it is an in-person presentation or simply calling the free hotline.  Indiana INTERNnet also hosts the annual IMPACT Awards luncheon, which recognizes internship excellence in categories of Employer of the Year, Student of the Year and Career Development Program of the Year.

With your free Indiana INTERNnet account, you can create a company profile, post internshipsand connect with students searching for internships. Receive applications directly on the site and find yourperfect intern.

Connect with Indiana INTERNnet in many ways including our website, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube and LinkedIn group. We are constantly posting blog entries, up-to-date resources, internship postings and interesting information from the world of education and employment.

Ultimately, Indiana INTERNnet is about engaging young citizens, the future workforce of Indiana. This means retaining Indiana’s talent through experiential learning.