I think is a great discussion for this list, but I’ll be happy to answer particulars off list, if you prefer.

Although I run Coatesville Community Bike Works, my income comes from working full time as an engineer at QVC.  I’ve managed interns for over 9 years now. 

Interns are like any employee, in that you need to give them responsibility, allow them to contribute to the mission, and hold them accountable.  There are countless management theories about how much guidance you give and so on.

What I like to do is give my interns a basic set of tasks that they are responsible for.  I teach them what they need to know and then just ask them daily “is it done?”

Once they’ve mastered that and had some time to look around, we work together to define a set of goals.  It’s important that these goals fulfill needs of the intern as well as the organization.  We lay out a path and define steps and milestones.  Then, for the rest of their internship I do what I can to help them achieve their goals.  It may be just involving them in what I do, or it may be teaching them something specific.  In any case, we get together once a week for a progress report. 

If I find an intern is especially capable, I give them a challenge.  It’s usually something that’s been on my radar for a while but I haven’t had the time or energy to deal with.  They can come up with the solution and execute it as they wish.  I’ve been pleasantly surprised many times. 

Don’t underestimate them.  Don’t mistake them as being “kids.”  Just understand they have more potential than experience. 

-Doug

From: thethinktank-bounces@bikecollectives.org [mailto:thethinktank-bounces@bikecollectives.org] On Behalf Of veganboyjosh@gmail.com
Sent: Friday, September 18, 2009 4:50 PM
To: The Think Tank
Subject: [TheThinkTank] Anyone have an internship position?

Feel like answering some questions off list?

We've been presented the possibility of hiring an intern at no cost to us, aside from coming up with the position.

I'd be interested to hear from someone who's set up a similar position from scratch, and what hurdles/successes you found, or can steer us around/towards.

Thanks!

josh.