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What Makes and Internship Worthwhile?

  • 1.  What Makes and Internship Worthwhile?

    This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous
    Posted 06-06-2023 19:24
    This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous

    Hi everyone!

    We are looking to build an internship program to help a local college program's graduates get hands on experience. There are a lot of ways to make an internship not great but much harder to make one that is valuable, so I wanted to reach out to the group at large and hear what you all have to say. What makes or breaks an internship experience? What are must do's and please don'ts from your own experiences? The more details the better 

    Thanks all!



  • 2.  RE: What Makes and Internship Worthwhile?

    Posted 06-07-2023 16:59

    First and foremost would be adequate pay for the labor the intern(s) will be doing. 

    Otherwise I think that giving them a project that requires them to use the skills and knowledge that they learned in school as well as the hands on experience from the internship is a great way to finish out the program. Something that you have wanted to do or look into but just don't have the time, some bit of research that may or may not pan out, trying to solve an annoying minor issue with a fresh brain, or devoting some resources to an intern's passion project.



    ------------------------------
    Andrew White
    Qualiy Manager/Brewer
    Blindman Brewing
    Lacombe AB
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: What Makes and Internship Worthwhile?

    Posted 06-07-2023 17:01

    Hiya,

    The most important distinction is whether your internships will be paid or unpaid. Some states, like California, require all internships to be paid, so make sure to check with your local and state laws. Unpaid internships require special consideration. The Department of Labor requires that unpaid work be of a net benefit for the volunteer, not the employer. This means: 

    * The internship is similar to training which would be given in an educational environment.
    * The internship experience is for the benefit of the intern
    * The intern does not displace regular employees but instead works under close supervision of existing staff
    * The employer providing the training derives no immediate advantage from the activities of the intern; and on occasion, its operations may actually be impeded.

    Paid internships have a lot more freedom in terms of what labor can be performed by the intern. I think the most successful internships are one in which there is a primary intern coordinator for the intern. This person acts like their supervisor and is the intern's go-to for any questions or concerns. They are usually also responsible for onboarding/orientation, setting out the expectations of the internship, and providing any necessary training (like safety considerations). Outside of the primary intern coordinator, the intern should shadow and work with many different people. Perhaps they shadow a different person each day of the week, but it's those same people each week, so they can still build up a rapport without being burdensome. I think a successful internship always involves an internship project. This is a project that will give some benefit to the company upon completion, but is mostly something the intern can work on relatively independently. The completed project is then something the intern can feel ownership over and also a very important thing to be able to include on their resume. The internship coordinator should work with the intern to develop a plan for the project so it involves something the intern is interested in. If the intern is interested in doing cellar work, perhaps their project could be calculating the most efficient time it takes to purge a BBT, by measuring oxygen levels at timed intervals. The scope of the project doesn't need to be very big. But I think that a combination of shadowing employees and doing an intern project is a recipe for success: the intern gains experience and skills by shadowing folks, and they gain a concrete accomplishment through the project.

    Finally, here are a few links about internships from my favorite professional advice column, I hope they provide good food for thought:

    https://www.askamanager.org/2012/02/how-not-to-alienate-your-new-staff-member.html

    https://www.askamanager.org/category/internships



    ------------------------------
    Michaela Kazek
    Quality Manager
    Ballast Point // Kings & Convicts Brewery
    San Diego, CA
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: What Makes and Internship Worthwhile?

    Posted 06-07-2023 17:46

    Talking from an academic point of view, a good internship includes a good, solid transfer of skills and knowledge that the student can take with them that is valuable for the student's future.  The internship should not be viewed as simply 'cheap' labor.  The industry should look at it as an investment in the firm's future.  Other things to consider is a certain flexibility of schedules as the student may have other responsibilities.  The academic institution will probably require some sort of record of what the intent of the internship is and what was at the end actually accomplished.  The best possible scenario from the academic side would be in the internship were a paid one, but again there are many variations on that theme that need to be worked out between you and the college.  May I ask where are you as I am from a college in California and we are trying to do the same thing with our local brewing partners.



    ------------------------------
    Robert Bethel
    Professor
    Rio Hondo College
    Whittier CA
    (562) 463-7496
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: What Makes and Internship Worthwhile?

    Posted 06-08-2023 17:02

    Hi, I've been involved in a fair bit of this type of development efforts. I'd encourage a very serious sit-down with the educational facility to ensure clarity around the stage people will be at; the expectations the "local" school and the people have for the internship; and precisely what is meant when they say "internship". 

    Re : apprenticeship;  process of gaining knowledge of a trade, etc., from the instruction of a master; term during which one is an apprentice," 1590s; Replaced earlier apprenticehood (late 14c.).  

    Re : intern; "one working under supervision as part of professional training," from French interne "assistant doctor," Extended to teaching from 1963 to one under training and acquiring practical experience.       -ship meaning "quality, condition; act, power, skill; office, position; relation between," Middle English -schipe,  from PIE root meaning "to cut, scrape, hack"

    I feel that in many (most?) cases; money has little to nothing to do with it. They are already paying to go to school; and if they actually LEARN while with your organization; reinforcing textbook learning with skills, knowledge, and experience to make the textbook info mean something deep and lasting; then they will tell you that they gained value and money was (is) not important. They are expanding their hands-on training; like doing a lab course at school. If travel and etc. is involved; then this clearly becomes something that can create a monetary concern.

    Looking at the "100 year plan"; the brewery will gain by being able to assess people fully. There may be a great opening immediately or in the near term future; and truly teaching someone will provide a payback. However, more likely than not, timing will not provide for hiring someone full-time; so the best you can hope for in payback is to have someone go on knowing and proclaiming that your organization is good, well run, and set them up for their future success. (note: this will also mean future internship students will be jumping at the chance to apprentice with your facility).

    So, are you truly willing to put the time and resources towards supporting an intern/apprentice-ship ? Because, if you are only kidding yourself and others about this aspect; then "just DON"T do it!".

    If you are; then you just need to develop and commit to a clear-cut written plan and step-by-step schedule for the full internship program. And your entire brewery team from part-timers to shareholders need to be aware, involved, and supportive; or things will go off-the-rails.

    This actually also includes being ready to cut-the-cord. If they are wasting your team's time and not willing to learn, well  ...  you need to be prepared for this, as well.

    You may also need to have a series of such internship programs developed. For example, the school may have people with different focuses and goals; quality management; brewing operations; food safety programs; and on-and-on. 

    It's not that hard; but you do need to start with a very clear picture.

    Good luck.

    Cheers, Keith



    ------------------------------
    Keith Armstrong
    Head Brewer
    RETIRED
    Edmonton AB
    (780) 504-4245
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: What Makes and Internship Worthwhile?

    This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous
    Posted 06-09-2023 13:17
    This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous

    I fully disagree with the sentiment that compensation has nothing to do with internships. Only in the case of the brewery being local to the school and the internship being for credit with the school's program would I forgo compensation. However, this doesn't seem the case as the original poster mentioned graduates. While they may be "paying for school already" this money they pay with doesn't come from no where. Most graduates need to begin repaying student loans 6 months post-graduation. How do you expect a highly qualified and talented individual to make the decision to do an unpaid internship over a paid internship when they have a financial burden looming?

    If you wish to support DEI efforts at your brewery you would consider compensation - it will allow your internship to generate responses from young adults who don't have the financial freedom or support to take on an unpaid internship. Unpaid internships are a barrier to a crucial step in getting diversity into the industry. 


    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: What Makes and Internship Worthwhile?

    Posted 06-09-2023 15:42

    So I take it that you agree that "you would encourage a very serious sit-down with the educational facility to ensure clarity around the stage people will be at; the expectations the "local" school and the people have for the internship; and precisely what is meant when they say "internship". "

    i.e. don't jump to conclusions before everyone clearly knows what is actually going to happen.

    Cheers, Keith



    ------------------------------
    Keith Armstrong
    Head Brewer
    RETIRED
    Edmonton AB
    (780) 504-4245
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: What Makes and Internship Worthwhile?

    Posted 06-11-2023 15:01

    As long as we all agree that individuals should be paid for their labor. Being paid in experience does not help, particularly in the short term, with rent/childcare/etc. Travelling to a private business to get "hands on training" is not the same as taking a lab course at a university while a student.

    While there are not many details, the anonymous OP made it clear that they would be working with graduates that are no longer students.



    ------------------------------
    Andrew White
    Qualiy Manager/Brewer
    Blindman Brewing
    Lacombe AB
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 9.  RE: What Makes and Internship Worthwhile?

    Posted 06-13-2023 09:27

    I've had a couple of experiences with teaming up with the local brewing program and interns.  I worked at a larger brewery that used to bring in a number of unpaid interns for a few weeks.  From that group they might select one or two to do a longer paid internship working full time for months.  They were often offered a job or used it to get employment elsewhere so I know it was valuable for both the students and the brewery.  

    I am currently at a smaller brewery and the local college sometimes asks me to host students for a 40 hour internship.  Before I came onboard, they used to make the interns clean kegs for a week, not really understanding the point of the internship.  I have tried to copy what I learned from my previous brewery in how to create a valuable internship experience.  It's not much time to teach them much but I try to make it worthwhile for them by giving them a good over view of the brewing process and jobs so help prepare them.  I have them spend 4 days at our production brewery (1 day each in brewhouse, cellar, lab and packaging) and 1 day at our brewpub so they can see the difference in work load, flow, equipment etc. I find that the students I get don't have much practical knowledge or training so for the sake of safety I don't let them handle chemicals, drive a forklift, etc. 

      Training an intern takes some extra time and effort which can be hard when you have a busy production schedule so not everyone is stoked to have an intern shadow.  I try to stress to my staff to put themselves in the intern's shoes so they can really create the best experience for the intern.  I think it is also good experience for my staff on how to train others which pays off when we have new hires or do cross training.  



    ------------------------------
    Cheers, Anthony Stone
    Head Brewer
    Tampa Bay Brewing Co
    Palm Harbor FL
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 10.  RE: What Makes and Internship Worthwhile?

    Posted 06-12-2023 17:08

    We had a paid intern from the local university last Summer. Since we know the instructor there very well. we were able to quickly come to an agreement as to what would be expected both of the intern and us. One of the main issues is determining if the brewery and candidate are a good fit.   

    The intern worked out very well, and she even continued working a few bar shifts after classes started up. Once she graduated, she was able to easily obtain a brewing job locally. And then, when one of our brewers left, she came back and is now a full time brewer with us. So, we must've done something right! 



    ------------------------------
    Alexander Kopf
    Brewer
    Northwoods Brewing Company
    alex@northwoodsbrewingcompany.com
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 11.  RE: What Makes and Internship Worthwhile?

    Posted 06-13-2023 09:24

    Hi, Alexander; the use of "intern" here is interesting; since it sounds somewhat like a summer job experience. I'd be curious about just what professional training this apprenticeship experience focused on; if you don't mind sharing ? Cheers !



    ------------------------------
    Keith Armstrong
    Head Brewer
    RETIRED
    Edmonton AB
    (780) 504-4245
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 12.  RE: What Makes and Internship Worthwhile?

    Posted 06-13-2023 17:29
    Based on what had been taught in the prior classes, the focus for the intern was to become familiar with day to day cellaring practices, including CIPs, transfers, daily reads, carbonation, canning, racking and cleaning. These were skills that were deemed important to an entry position in a brewery. Additionally, some recipe development was also included, culminating in the creation of a recipe and brewing a 3 bbl pilot batch. The intern was simultaneously taking two Summer school classes to finish her degree, so while it was in the Summer, it was in fact during the school year.




    Original Message


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