(Forbes) — They’ve got the same big smiles, shining eyes, and passion to work and represent your service just as much as you do. Think of the intern as mini-me. Whether you’re an established start-up or a fledging small business on the rise, you will eventually begin to think about creating a team of professionals to work alongside you. While you will want to work with individuals that boast a healthy resume of experience, don’t discredit the intern. Today, they’re pulling their weight in unimaginable ways for small businesses and companies. Interns, for those unfamiliar with what the term means, are generally college-age students who work an entry-level position within a company referred to as an internship for a specified amount of time. Internships range from a wide variety of duties and responsibilities and are generally unpaid, part-time positions. For many students in college, internships are required for a specific major in order to graduate. Getting an internship within their area of study is also competitive, with several factors coming into play including balancing a work and study schedule, whether or not the internship offers a stipend, and the commute to and from the company office. Don’t confuse internships with all work and no play though. These programs promise young adults the exposure to the real world that they crave. Interns work in an environment surrounded by like-minded individuals who remember when they were young and hungry for a chance to prove themselves.
